Looking for family movie night recommendations: slow-paced, non-violent, ideally no bad guys. Good morals or teachable moments a plus. Target audience is a very impressionable 3.5-year-old who can’t hang with The Minions franchise, and adults who would like a visual treat. What works well on a projector, paired with popcorn and snuggling? What are your family classics?

Question

Liz Corkery · Answer

Hey Kid Watch This: Tons of great suggestions below - also wanted to recommend this amazing book that goes through kids movies by age and highlights any potential scares/older themes.

Elena · Answer

Over The Garden Wall: 10 min episodes of perfect charming spooky soothing fall vibes with lots of little songs and the whimsy all pays off at the end if you see it through.

Eric F · Answer

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) 🐜: Practical effects masterpiece with Canadian national treasure Rick Moranis. A late ‘80s classic.

Rosie · Answer

Charlotte’s Web: A precious, gentle classic. Baby Wilbur is sooo cute and Templeton made us giggle. Didn’t catch on to the pig/pork dilemma so essentially no conflict or drama.

Sara Quinn · Answer

Coco: Coco has been a go to for our two year old. It’s not scary in my opinion, no violence, extremely beautiful, engaging for him, makes me cry, love the story.

Sophie B · Answer

Triplets of Belleville: I loved this movie growing up. It's so unique and creative--such a treat for parents too. Plot below!

"This animated film follows elderly Frenchwoman Madame Souza as she becomes involved in international intrigue when her grandson, Champion, a professional cyclist, is kidnapped and taken abroad. Joined by her faithful dog, Bruno, Souza embarks on a journey to find Champion, and stumbles across unlikely allies in the form of three sisters who are veterans of the vaudeville stage. Tracking down Champion's criminal captors, the quartet of old women use their wits to try and win the day."

Rosie · Answer

The Sound of Music (1965): Adding a few family friendly ones that we’ve enjoyed:

Turns out we’re into musicals. A bit slow to start with lots of “is this a kids movie” at the beginning but we got into. It’s pretty long and the ending gets a little intense with the nazi stuff so we cut it off well before that to avoid any scaries.

Bonus: The soundtrack has now been in rotation and it’s been very sweet to hear the sing alongs.

fairuseabby · Answer

Frog & Toad - AppleTV: Bucolic, slow, and comforting. Matched the tone of the books so well, and the voice acting is delightful!

Jacob K · Answer

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989): Absurdly charming. Kiki is a young girl who leaves home to find herself as a witch and winds up running deliveries for a bakery. Full of unrequested kindness, visual magic, and endearing dialogue.

Tansy Miller-Cole · Answer

ponyo!

Nancy Stahl · Answer

Magician’s Elephant: Sweet movie, no villains

Sofa · Answer

hey kid! watch this!: Not a movie but this book is awesome and has tons of interesting films with content warnings and movies are broken up by age. Super fun book!

Jackie Gately · Answer

not a classic, but KPOP DEMON HUNTERS was amazing my 3yo is OBSESSED: Literally OBSESSED😍😂

LuDuJour · Answer

Given.: non conflict, told by child, nature based family movie about travel.

( 2016 )

Lee Fairchild · Answer

the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse: Short, slow and has a tender message

Matthew · Answer

microcosmos: This is a bit of a flyer.  There is a scene with a chicken (or another type of insect-eating bird -- it's been a while) that might be scary.

Courtney · Answer

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth: Big time nose fizz - I blame Meryl Streep’s narration and the simple and intentional storytelling.

Z · Answer

Stillwater on Apple TV! And Dino Ranch on Disney

Joyo · Answer

ARCO: Our family recently enjoyed two Oscar-nominated animated films: Little Amalie or the Character of Rain and Arco. totally different, both beautiful, both loved by two adults, and a 9 and 10 yo.

Aya C · Answer

李子柒 Liziqi: My tender-hearted child could not enjoy movies until about age 8 (Kiki of Kiki’s delivery service waving to her dad from the open window?! Too scary! She might fall! Fraulein Maria made play clothes out of the drapes?! That’s not allowed!”) but we would watch these LiZiQi videos and they’re very soothing and interesting. Probably Chinese propaganda but very cool.

Josefine · Answer

Mary Poppins: She’s the best!

Shannon Case · Answer

Julia Donaldson Adaptations: Could not love these more! Highly enjoyable family watch

Brigette · Answer

Brigette: Low stimulation, great story, visually beautiful - can't say enough good things about these Studio Ghibli movies.

Carolyn · Answer

the song of the sea: My two sensitive kids loved this movie when we watched it recently!

JaperMoon · Answer

New York International Children’s Film Festival: Look at the programs from past years, plenty of great film recommended by age.

JaperMoon · Answer

Revolting Rhymes

JaperMoon · Answer

Ernest and Celestine

Michelle Mulik · Answer

Ratatouille : Very cute family movie. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ratatouille

annelise niño L.Ac · Answer

Homemade Watermelon Doshab: i haven’t been able to bring myself to burst the screen-free bubble for my three year old yet, but when we do, i imagine we will use our projector to watch something like this while we eat watermelon

Emma Salomon · Answer

the secret world of arietty: A completely charming movie about a mouse-sized family who live inside the walls of a house. It’s about overcoming mistrust and unexpected friendships. Inspired by The Borrowers, but set in Japan.

Emily · Answer

Pachamama (2018): Okay, Totoro is really the only answer, BUT I did enjoy watching this a few years ago. Different than the usual kid stories!

Megan · Answer

wild robot: Honestly, as an adult I was entranced. I would watch it again any time!

Sarah Bohl · Answer

Paddington 2: This is my favorite movie of all time, and no, I’m not kidding. It once held the title of the highest score on Rotten Tomatoes, so I’m not alone!

This scores so high on the aesthetically-pleasing-for-adults scale, but I think your kiddo will enjoy the bright colors and theatricality as well.

Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the first Paddington movie, this is completely stand-alone, and way better.

Bon Vivantelah · Answer

Little Bear Movie: A quick scary encounter with a Mountain Lion. But everything else is safe and cozy.

Nicole · Answer

Ratatouille: My 2.5 yo daughter gets fixated on the emotionally intense parts of movies and talks about them for days on end after, and we haven’t had that issue with this movie. :)

Emily Teague · Answer

Piper - short film: Piper is a wonderful short film that  balances visual wonder for toddlers with profound, resonant themes for adults. Though only six minutes long, it leaves a lasting impression. I thought it was worth sharing because its message about facing fear resonates at any age, while conveying that lesson in a gentle, non-scary way.