We’re reaching the end of our staycation. This Eid break has had us sleeping, eating, swimming, cleaning, entertaining, and movie watching. Bliss. The little travellers cleared out the playroom and sold their wares. Somehow the fourth little traveller managed to buy something at his own garage sale?
There’s been a bit of movie time here. Quilts on couches, popcorn in the microwave and fights over who sits where, when and with whom. We’ve crossed the line from toddler movies to movies that everyone can enjoy, which is hard, particularly if you don’t want your seven year old asking questions at the supermarket checkout that you’re not really ready to answer. “Did anyone in our family smoke marijuana?” Although thanks to National Geographic the third little traveller asked this week if I’d tried to eat Dad after we’d finished mating.
As I tend to do every time I’m stuck for an idea, I put out a cry for help on the 4 kids, 20 suitcases Facebook page asking for movie recommendations. Have you liked the page? If not, click here and come over and join us.
So, after a week of browsing iTunes, listening to recommendations and watching some really beautiful movies. Here’s our top 10, in no particular order (they’re all good).
The Goonies.
Marley and Me.
Up.
Red Dog.
Cheaper By The Dozen.
Hugo.
Back to the Future.
Ghostbusters.
We bought a zoo.
Peter Pan.
So, what have I missed. What’s your favourite family movie?
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Meet the Robinsons
Shrek (first two? the last two are lame-o)
How to Tame Your Dragon
Tangled
Holes
Wizard of Oz
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (original version with Gene Wilder)
Annie
Dolphin Tale
Yup, we’ve seen some real lemons in our 15 odd years of kids movies but the above are keepers. We have 15, 18 and 8 so have exactly the same issue…
My kids love the Zorro movies with Antonio Banderas. Their favorite is the last one, where the little boy gets to be a hero too..) And Swiss Family Robinson, BedKnobs and Broomsticks, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (with Angela Lansbury (?) back from 70’s).
(My kids are 9, 11, 13
Yes to Red Dog. A wonderful Australian movie.
Your post is delightful – I’m still smirk-giggle-laughing as I write this to thank you for the joy!
Yours so sincerely,
Ali of Ze Alps
Dolphin Tale is now on the list. Thank you!
I had completely forgotten about Zorro!
I love Red Dog. Quintessentially Australian. Just beautiful.
I’m thinking the kids might enjoy Forrest Gump? Will buy it next time I see it. My girls are 7, 9 & 11 years. Couldn’t get them interested in Back to the Future. They didn’t mind FlashDance and Footloose (I didn’t mind watching them again either). Mamma Mia was a huge hit (they’ll watch this over & over). At one time the youngest couldn’t get enough of The Devil Wears Prada (go figure).
I took my eldest girls to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 this Eid, kids loved it & I loved it, definitely better than the first. Lots of Jurassic Park and Apple references. Something for everyone.
A few of our faves:
E.T
Nim’s Island
Get Smart
the Pink Panther movies
Home Alone 1
the Miyazaki films – especially My Neighbor Totoro
We have the same issue here (12, 9, & 5 yrs) & sometimes the 5 yr old doesn’t enjoy the movie as much as the rest of us…but he survives & has most likely been exposed to more than our oldest ever was at that age! Some of our favs are:
-RV (hilarious!)
-Spy Kids (any of them are pretty good)
-Elf ( a Christmas movie but can be watched anytime…& we do)
-Soul Surfer
-Here Comes the Boom (my kids liked this but I suppose it could be considered a little fight-happy. We all got some good laughs out of it, though)
I’m sure there are a ton more but those are a few I can think of off the top of my head.
We also loved Dolphin Tale. Happy movie watching!
My boys are a little younger (5, 3, and 1) but we’ve been loving the Muppet movies (“The Great Muppet Caper” and the original “The Muppet Movie” especially). My boys also love the Chronicles of Narnia movies (especially “Prince Caspian”) but I don’t love how much they obsess over the swordplay in those.
Just watched We Bought A Zoo! Thanks for the recommendation, it was perfect. Laughed and cried hysterically 🙂