By Reuben Samra
Summer is a great opportunity to spend time with your family, and a perfect time to watch some amazing films that you will all love. Here’s a list of 20 family films you should make sure you and your family have seen. Some of them you’ll definitely have at the very least heard of, others are a bit more recent that are worth catching up on. There are lots of good family films which range from silly, fun films to the more weighty, grim ones. One of the things I noticed about most of the films on this list is that there’s a balance between fun and enjoyment and the exploration of deeper themes, which seems to be vital for a good family film. Kids are drawn in by the light-hearted fun and are introduced to complex philosophical ideas such as death, love or growing up. Meanwhile adults can watch these films and engage with the serious topics, while being reassured by the whimsy of the films.
Designated Studio Ghibli Film — Ponyo (Miyazaki, 2008)
If you haven’t seen any of the anime films made by Studio Ghibli, the Japanese anime company, then you are missing out. Each of their films are truly a piece of art for people of all ages. Picking just one to recommend is difficult, but for some reason Ponyo always sticks in my mind. It’s an easy film for those not accustomed to Studio Ghibli to wrap their head around; a fish escapes her wizard father and takes the form of a human girl who falls in love with a human boy. Ponyo isn’t as highly regarded as other Studio Ghibli films, but it is still as charming and aesthetic as their other films.
Designated Pixar Film — A Bug’s Life (Lasseter, 1998)
I really could put all of the Pixar films on this list (excluding the Cars films, which seem to only be made for the lucrative tie-in merchandise which seems to be making them a lot more cash than the actual films), however I’ll stick to a film that doesn’t seem to get mentioned a lot in conversations about Pixar; A Bug’s Life. The film finds the perfect balance between quirky humour from its eccentric characters and subtle political commentary.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Anderson, 2009)
Roald Dahl and Wes Anderson go together perfectly in this gem of a film. The stop-motion animation means that Anderson, known for his quirky visuals, has complete control of the look of the film and it works brilliantly. All in all the film is, well, fantastic. Anderson is currently working on another stop-motion film, which will hopefully be just as good.
The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, 1939)
Even after all this time, The Wizard of Oz is still just as wondrous as it must have been back when it was released. This Technicolor classic is perfect for young children.
The Lion King (Allers and Minkoff, 1994)
This list could be filled with Disney films, but The Lion King is one that you have to, absolutely have to, show your family. Mythic yet heart-warming, there’s a reason this became Disney’s most successful film at the time it was released.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Spielberg, 1982)
There’s going to be a lot of Steven Spielberg on any list of family films, that’s a fact. E.T., the tale of a friendship between a young boy and an alien, is an essential family classic.
Edward Scissorhands (Burton, 1990)
A suburban fairytale about a boy-like machine with scissors for hands, which elegantly balances its quaint suburban setting with director Tim Burton’s gothic influences. Career highs for both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. This is a film that made me cry at eight years old and to this day makes me still cry like an eight year old.
School of Rock (Linklater, 2003)
Is it a piece of masterful filmmaking? No, it’s Jack Black trying to turn a class of ten year olds into a rock band. But that doesn’t take any enjoyment or fun away from the experience that is School of Rock. At the very least you’ll love its awesome soundtrack.
Back to the Future (Zemeckis, 1985)
Why is Back to the Future so universally loved? There are too many reasons to list here, but Marty McFly is undeniably one of the coolest characters in cinematic history. Seeing him get stuck 30 years in the past with his teenage parents, you begin to realise that once upon a time, even your parents were young.
Ghostbusters (Reitman, 1984)
Apparently Ghostbusters needed rebooting. While I’m not as viciously against the reboot as some people, I still can’t imagine how it could be anywhere near as good as the original Ghostbusters. You either need to make sure your family have seen this film or you need to rewatch it with your family. Either way you’re guaranteed a good time.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Jackson, 2001–03)
The best fantasy film series of all time with unparalleled visuals that still hold up today. Every time you watch the Lord of the Rings you really are transported into another world, filled with hobbits, elves and other races and realms. The core of the Lord of the Rings is that, unlike other film sagas of this magnitude such as Harry Potter and Star Wars, you don’t have to be the ‘chosen one’ in order to change the course of the future; you just have to be a good person. Spectacular.
Jurassic Park (Spielberg, 1993)
Another Steven Spielberg film and another film which raised the bar for visual effects. You can’t help but get swept up in awe and fear throughout Jurassic Park.
To Kill a Mockingbird (Mulligan, 1962)
An oldie but goodie, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the more serious films on this list. Based on the classic novel which everyone seems to read at some point in their school life, To Kill a Mockingbird presents American racism through the eyes of a young girl. Absolute classic for all ages.
Moonrise Kingdom (Anderson, 2011)
“What kind of bird are you?”
“I’m a sparrow, she’s a dove-”
“No. I said, what kind of bird are you?”
And so begins a coming of age romance set on an island in 1965 between two offbeat children. After they decide to run away together, the rest of the island (Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand and others) scrambles to find them on the eve of a huge storm. It’s Wes Anderson, so expect odd dialogue, a 1960s/70s soundtrack and meticulous visual framing. A sweet treat for everyone.
Cast Away (Zemeckis, 2000)
You might not be going away anywhere nice this summer, but at least you’re not stranded on a desert island after a plane crash. Cast Away shows us two things: one, that we can’t control our lives and all we can do is weather the storm and try to get through on the other side; and two, Tom Hanks is one of the most superb actors of all time. Hanks, mixed with director Robert Zemeckis (who features on this list a number of times) somehow make us intensely emotionally attached to a volleyball. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet, but — “WILSON!”
Catch Me If You Can (Spielberg, 2002)
An elegant, slick crime biopic based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a boy who ran away from home and became a con man. Even to this day, it is one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s most likeable performances and an early sign of his upcoming greatness.
Jaws (Spielberg, 1975)
If you’re hitting the beach this summer, then you might want to avoid this one. If not, then watch Jaws; brilliantly made and still terrifying even after over 30 years.
The Breakfast Club (Hughes, 1985)
The Breakfast Club is arguably the best, most accessible teen film ever made. The soundtrack might seem a little dated at times, but this is essential viewing for anyone going into their teen years.
Stand By Me (Reiner, 1986)
A writer looks back on a boyhood summer adventure with his friends to find a dead body. Based on a Stephen King short story which was published alongside the story which provided the basis of The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me tackles themes of mortality and maturity. But it’s not all doom and gloom…there’s a lovely vomit story in there, featuring the fictional character of ‘Lardass Hogan’.
Forrest Gump (Zemeckis, 1994)
Forrest Gump is an American epic that places its fictional title character all over the second half of 20th century America. Forrest might not be smart, but all he’s after is his one love, Jenny. It’s almost impossible not to love this film.
