Best Kids Movies for Family Movie Night

Spending time intimately with family is important for a child’s development. By having quality family time, parents and children become close to each other and develop a trustworthy and happy bond emphasizing mutual love. Not only does this improve the family’s bonds but it also helps uplift everyone’s moods by fostering a sense of belonging.

The best way to make children feel good is by doing things that stimulate their interest, such as watching kids movies with them. This combination of entertainment and family time results in family movie nights in which everyone can disconnect from their devices, forget about outside stressors and enjoy together in a relaxing atmosphere. 

List Of Movies To Watch With Kids:

Kids movies aim to be entertaining yet also have a moral lesson. Not all movies will be the same- some will be simply fun, whereas others will deal with real-life issues in a child-friendly manner. Every movie aims to capture a glimpse of real life. This article aims to provide a curated list of movies to watch with kids as a family:

Inside Out, 2015

Made by Pixar, Inside Out follows the story of a young girl named Riley whose family moves when her dad gets a new job. It is about the emotions inside her head- Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear, who all cope with her life changes in different ways. Each emotion is an actual character and her head is shown as an actual imaginative setting.

The moral lesson of the movie is that it is best to talk about your emotions and not hide them from your parents. It is okay to be sad, as people who love you will be there for you when you need their support. By seeing the full range of emotions, children will see that there is hope in every situation and understand the importance of each and every emotion.

Wonder, 2017

This movie is based on the novel of the same name, by the author R.J. Palacio. It follows a little boy named August Pullman who was born with a genetic condition that caused a facial deformity. Having been homeschooled all his life, August now goes to a real school where he has trouble adjusting due to kids being mean. By the end, August transforms into a confident boy accepting himself for who he is.

This movie is about awareness and the importance of inclusivity. August may not look stereotypically beautiful or handsome- but he doesn’t need to. Children watching this movie will learn about a new perspective and thus the movie holds the transformative potential of empathy. It is ultimately about finding beauty in diversity.

Finding Nemo, 2003

Heralded as a modern classic, this movie is set at the bottom of the sea, in the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin the clownfish is very protective of his son Nemo. One day, Nemo gets lost. Marlin sets out to find him. Throughout his journey, he encounters dangers like sharks and jellyfish as well as meets friends like Dory the blue tang, sea turtles, and even a pelican.

This movie teaches children about how much parents love their children, and how far they will go to save them. It also exposes them to the wonders of the ocean, which will make them more environmentally conscious. It is a beautifully made film and is perfect for a family movie night.

Bumm Bumm Bole, 2010

This Bollywood movie follows a brother and a sister, who live in a poor but happy family. Pinu is the brother and Rimzim is the sister. Pinu loses Rimzim’s sports shoes in a vegetable shop. Due to this, both of them are forced to share one pair of shoes as they do not want to tell their parents they have lost the shoes, but they also can’t go to school without shoes. Throughout the movie, they struggle yet persevere, and in the end, Pinu wins a marathon while his father gets them both new shoes.

This feel-good movie focuses on the sibling bond. It will cause children to re-evaluate how lucky they are and empathize with a poor family while relating to a brother’s love for his sister as well as a father’s love for his children. It is a unique and incredible story.

WALL-E, 2008

This Pixar movie follows the story of a character named WALL-E, the last robot on a polluted Earth. He spends his time cleaning the planet. All the humans have left and live in spaceships since Earth is polluted. Then Eve, a robot from space, arrives to check if Earth can hold life again. With WALL-E, she discovers that there is a chance to save humanity and help them get back to Earth. 

This movie focuses on the theme of environmental conservation, as WALL-E is happy when he sees plants thriving on Earth. It is also about the power of friendship- the robots chase each other across the galaxy when separated. It is a moving, hopeful film which is great for kids.

Home Alone, 1990

This comedy film is about a boy named Kevin whose family accidentally leaves him home alone at their house in Chicago while traveling. In a rush to get to the airport after a heated argument, Kevin is left behind. When two thieves try to steal from the house which they think is empty, Kevin plays a variety of funny tricks and contraptions. In the end, Kevin’s parents return and the thieves are arrested.

This is a feel-good and funny movie that will have both you and your children laughing together merrily. While Kevin is naughty, he is ultimately a smart and independent child, and children will relate to him. Thus, this is a great film to watch on family movie night.

Bal Ganesh, 2007

In this film, Bal Ganesh, or Lord Ganesha, is depicted in his childhood form. He is the son of Shiva and goes on adventures with his loyal animal companion, the mouse Mooshak, who is his vehicle. Together, they travel the world. It shows all the mythical aspects of Ganesha’s life, such as his birth, his voracious appetite and even his adventures with his brother.

This movie brings spirituality down to a kid-friendly format. It is perfect for introducing the concept of Lord Ganesha, as well as connecting with Indian culture. The movie is funny as Ganesha, despite being a god’s son, is mischievous. Ultimately, he does good things and helps those around him, which is a lesson every child should learn.

Matilda, 1996

Based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl, the film follows a clever young girl named Matilda whose parents are not very kind or loving towards her. She is very intelligent and spends her time reading. When she is enrolled in school, she is taught by a kind teacher Miss Honey and she helps bring down the evil headmistress Trunchbull who is mean to kids, by using her newly found telekinetic powers.

The movie encourages resourcefulness, confidence, and independence in children. It emphasizes the power of found family as well as friendship. It is also funny and imaginative, making it perfect for families to watch together.

Toy Story, 1995

This innovative tale literalises the question: what happens to our toys when we leave the room? In the movie, toys are able to move and are live creatures. They become still when humans are in the room. The movie centers on the toys belonging to a young boy named Andy. The main characters include a sheriff named Woody, a dinosaur, Mr. Potato Head, and more. It is a fun watch.

It also delivers beyond the fun- it has some important life lessons about friendship, loyalty, and how to treat people well. It plays to children’s strength: their imagination. Children will be intrigued and hooked by the premise from the get-go.

Monsters Inc, 2001

In a world where monsters live, this movie is about two monsters- Sully and his friend Mike. In this world, monsters scare children at night to harness their fear. The fear acts as an energy source. While this may seem odd, it actually plays on the concept of monsters under the bed or in the closet. However, the movie subverts expectations as the monsters, especially Sully, are soft-hearted. When a child named Boo accidentally enters the monster world, Sully and Mike bond with her. 

By the end, the monsters decide to make children laugh instead of scaring them, realizing that laughter is a more powerful energy source. The twist is that monsters are as scared of children as children are of monsters, making the movie into a lesson about confronting our fears and accepting those who are different from us.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971 

Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl, this classic film follows the story of a poor boy named Charlie. In this world, Willy Wonka is famous for his chocolate. Charlie wins a golden ticket, along with four other kids, to tour Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. The adventure includes fantastical inventions, a chocolate river, magic drinks, and foods that never end. Each child, except Charlie, is naughty and greedy, so as they explore the factory, each child's character and behavior are tested in imaginative and moral ways, leading to surprising outcomes.

Ultimately, the film stands the test of time. It mixes fantasy with moral lessons and teaches children about honesty, humility and patience while emphasizing that being greedy leads to bad consequences. 

These family movie nights can become a cherished tradition and an opportunity for shared memories. With a little planning and creativity, and by picking the right movie, you can transform an ordinary evening into a magical experience that everyone in the family looks forward to. Children also need to be comfortable while lounging around to watch their favorite movies.  

At Spunkies, we design kids' clothing to handle all this fun and excitement. Our clothes are durable and easily washable. We also ensure they are extremely comfortable for young kids. Each piece from Spunkies is crafted in-house. Our diverse range, which includes tops, t-shirts, pants, bottomwear, and sweatshirts for both boys and girls, allows your kids to embrace every moment in style, whether it's a cozy movie night or an outdoor adventure.