Family movies to watch: picks by age, and how to choose without a fight

How to choose without anyone getting upset

1. Start from the youngest viewer's age. That decides which options are on the table.
2. Everyone suggests one movie, kids included.
3. Everyone gets one veto, no explanation needed.
4. If more than one is left, pick the shortest. A 90-minute movie usually ends better than a three-hour one.
5. Keep track of who chose, so next time it's someone else's turn.

For little kids

• Toy Story (1995): the Pixar classic that still works at every age.
• Coco (2017): music, color and a story that moves kids and adults alike.
• My Neighbor Totoro (1988): gentle and magical, ideal for young children.
• Finding Nemo (2003): adventure, humor and an ending that leaves everyone happy.

Ages 8 to 12

• Paddington 2 (2017): funny and kind, with humor adults enjoy just as much.
• Encanto (2021): a musical with songs that stick.
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010): dragons, adventure and a lot of heart.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001): the perfect start to a family series.

With teens

• Back to the Future (1985): a sci-fi comedy that never gets old.
• Jurassic Park (1993): adventure with real suspense. Some scenes may scare younger kids.
• The Hunger Games (2012): action and tension for teens and adults.
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): animation with a style teens love.

Classics that work for everyone

• Up (2009): the first ten minutes get to everyone.
• The Incredibles (2004): superheroes, humor and a very recognizable family.
• WALL-E (2008): almost no dialogue at first, so it works even for the youngest.
• Inside Out (2015): fun for kids and eye-opening for adults.

Family movie night ideas

• Pick the movie before dinner, not once everyone is on the couch.
• Pair the movie with a snack that fits it, like popcorn for a classic or tacos for Coco.
• Let the kids hand out the vetoes and keep score of who chose last.
• Keep a running list of movies everyone wants to see, so next time starts with options.

Check the age rating

Before choosing something for kids, check the rating and, if you're unsure, watch the trailer first. Two minutes of trailer tells you a lot about the tone and whether anything might scare them.

Finding a TV show the whole family will enjoy

Shows work the same way, with one extra step. Set the age floor from the youngest viewer, pick a shared genre (comedy, adventure, mystery and animation work best for mixed ages), then try a two-episode test: watch the first two episodes together, and if nobody is checking their phone by the end, you've found your family show.

Shows that tend to work for kids, teens and adults together include Bluey, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Mandalorian and Stranger Things for families with older kids. Check the rating for your youngest viewer first.

Choosing as a family with ReelMatch

In ReelMatch, each person swipes through trailers on their own phone and the app shows the titles everyone said yes to. It works with groups of three or more, so it suits families where several people have a phone.

Seeing the trailer before deciding helps a lot with kids: you can tell quickly whether something will scare or bore them. ReelMatch is free on iPhone and Android.