Funny movies for family night: 20 comedies for all ages

The best funny family films work on two levels: the kids laugh at the jokes, and the grown-ups laugh at the jokes the kids don't get. Every movie here is rated G or PG and has been a family favorite for years.

Start with the animated picks for younger kids, or jump to the last section for movies that are best once the kids are a bit older.

Animated favorites

Safe bets for little kids that adults genuinely enjoy too.

  • Still from Toy Story (1995)1
    • Family
    • Comedy
    • Animation

    Toy Story

    8.0 TMDB rating19951h 21mRated G

    The Pixar classic that still works at every age.

  • Still from Shrek (2001)2
    • Animation
    • Comedy
    • Fantasy

    Shrek

    7.8 TMDB rating20011h 30mRated PG

    It ain't easy bein' green -- especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot -- a wisecracking donkey.

  • Still from Monsters, Inc. (2001)3
    • Animation
    • Comedy
    • Family

    Monsters, Inc.

    7.9 TMDB rating20011h 32mRated G

    Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it's the monsters who are scared silly, and it's up…

  • Still from Zootopia (2016)4
    • Animation
    • Adventure
    • Family

    Zootopia

    7.8 TMDB rating20161h 49mRated PG

    Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia's police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case - even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery.

  • Still from The Incredibles (2004)5
    • Action
    • Adventure
    • Animation

    The Incredibles

    7.7 TMDB rating20041h 55mRated PG

    Superheroes, humor and a very recognizable family.

  • Still from Despicable Me (2010)6
    • Animation
    • Comedy
    • Crime

    Despicable Me

    7.3 TMDB rating20101h 35mRated PG

    Determined to prove he's the world's greatest supervillain, Gru hatches an audacious plan to steal the Moon. To pull it off, he adopts three orphaned girls—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—intending to use them as pawns in his scheme. But the unexpected bond they…

  • Still from Ratatouille (2007)7
    • Animation
    • Comedy
    • Family

    Ratatouille

    7.8 TMDB rating20071h 51mRated G

    In one of Paris's finest restaurants, Remy, a determined young rat, dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Torn between his family's wishes and his true calling, Remy and his pal Linguini set in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of…

  • Still from The Emperor's New Groove (2000)8
    • Adventure
    • Animation
    • Comedy

    The Emperor's New Groove

    7.6 TMDB rating20001h 18mRated G

    When the self‑absorbed Emperor Kuzco is accidentally transformed into a llama, he must rely on a humble villager to survive the jungle and reclaim his throne.

Live-action comedies for all ages

Warm, silly and easy to watch together.

  • Still from Paddington 2 (2017)9
    • Adventure
    • Comedy
    • Family

    Paddington 2

    7.5 TMDB rating20171h 44mRated PG

    Funny and kind, with humor adults enjoy just as much.

  • Still from Home Alone (1990)10
    • Comedy
    • Family

    Home Alone

    7.5 TMDB rating19901h 43mRated PG

    The most rewatched family Christmas movie there is.

  • Still from The Parent Trap (1998)11
    • Comedy
    • Family
    • Romance

    The Parent Trap

    7.2 TMDB rating19982h 8mRated PG

    Hallie Parker and Annie James are identical twins who were separated at a young age due to their parents' divorce. Unbeknownst to their parents, the girls are sent to the same summer camp, where they meet, discover the truth about their relationship, and…

  • Still from Freaky Friday (2003)12
    • Comedy
    • Family
    • Fantasy

    Freaky Friday

    6.6 TMDB rating20031h 37mRated PG

    A mother and daughter swap bodies. Perfect for watching together.

  • Still from Matilda (1996)13
    • Comedy
    • Family
    • Fantasy

    Matilda

    7.2 TMDB rating19961h 38mRated PG

    Matilda Wormwood is an brilliant and intelligent little girl. Unfortunately, her parents, Harry and Zinnia, fail to see that fact. As time passes, she finally starts school and has a kind teacher, loyal friends, and a terrifying, sadistic headmistress. As…

  • Still from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)14
    • Adventure
    • Comedy
    • Family

    Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

    6.3 TMDB rating19891h 33mRated PG

    The scientist father of a teenage girl and boy accidentally shrinks his and two other neighborhood teens to the size of insects. Now the teens must fight diminutive dangers as the father searches for them.

For older kids and grown-ups

A bit more adventure, still rated PG.

  • Still from Back to the Future (1985)15
    • Adventure
    • Comedy
    • Science Fiction

    Back to the Future

    8.3 TMDB rating19851h 56mRated PG

    A sci-fi comedy that never gets old.

  • Still from Ghostbusters (1984)16
    • Comedy
    • Fantasy

    Ghostbusters

    7.5 TMDB rating19841h 45mRated PG

    After losing their university jobs, three parapsychologists start a ghost-catching business in New York City and uncover a supernatural threat that could destroy the world.

  • Still from The Princess Bride (1987)17
    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Family

    The Princess Bride

    7.7 TMDB rating19871h 39mRated PG

    Adventure, romance and comedy that every generation seems to love.

  • Still from Night at the Museum (2006)18
    • Fantasy
    • Family
    • Comedy

    Night at the Museum

    6.6 TMDB rating20061h 48mRated PG

    Chaos reigns at the natural history museum when night watchman Larry Daley accidentally stirs up an ancient curse, awakening Attila the Hun, an army of gladiators, a Tyrannosaurus rex and other exhibits.

  • Still from Jumanji (1995)19
    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Family

    Jumanji

    7.2 TMDB rating19951h 44mRated PG

    When siblings Judy and Peter discover an enchanted board game that opens the door to a magical world, they unwittingly invite Alan -- an adult who's been trapped inside the game for 26 years -- into their living room. Alan's only hope for freedom is to…

  • Still from Galaxy Quest (1999)20
    • Comedy
    • Science Fiction
    • Adventure

    Galaxy Quest

    7.1 TMDB rating19991h 42mRated PG

    For four years, the courageous crew of the NSEA Protector — Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Lieutenant Tawny Madison, and Doctor Lazarus — set off on a thrilling and often dangerous mission in space... until their series was cancelled! Now, twenty years…

Still can't decide? Let the random movie generator pick one for you.

How to pick one together

  1. Start from the youngest viewer's age.
  2. Everyone suggests one title, and everyone gets one veto.
  3. Keep it under two hours on a school night, and save the longer ones for the weekend.

Frequently asked questions

What are good funny movies for the whole family?

Paddington 2 (2017), Toy Story (1995), Shrek (2001), Home Alone (1990) and The Incredibles (2004) are some of the best-loved funny family films.

What are funny family movies for older kids?

Back to the Future (1985), Ghostbusters (1984), The Princess Bride (1987) and Galaxy Quest (1999) are all rated PG and work well once kids are around 10.

Is there an app to help pick a movie together?

Yes. In ReelMatch everyone swipes through trailers on their own phone and the app shows the movies you all said yes to. It's free on iPhone and Android.

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Images, ratings and runtimes from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are US ratings.