#50-Fiddler on the Roof
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – What a wonderful musical. This movie is fun and exciting and is such a classic. It is a great movie. The only down side is the movie is quite long and seems somewhat dragged out longer than I would have enjoyed but it is not too bad.
Summary – This rousing musical, based on the stories of Shalom Aleichem, takes place in pre-revolutionary Russia and centers on the life of Tevye (Topol), a milkman who is trying to keep his family’s traditions in place while marrying off his three older daughters. Yet, times are changing and the daughters want to make their own matches, breaking free of many of the constricting customs required of them by Judaism. In the background of these events, Russia is on the brink of revolution and Jews are feeling increasingly unwelcome in their villages. Tevye–who expresses his desire for sameness in the opening number, “Tradition”–is trying to keep everyone, and everything, together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYrLGw2W0ZM
#49 – Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This movie is not short on excitement and adventure. The movie has a lot of great actors and actresses.
Summary – Settle back with your favorite sidekick and enjoy Hollywood’s original buddy picture. Paul Newman and Robert Redford have never shined brighter in the roles that will forever identify them as the daring, debonair outlaws on the run – and head over-heels in love with the same beautiful woman (Katharine Ross).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X41Ylp02NRs&feature=player_embedded
#48 – The Heiress
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – The plot, the director, and the actors are great; this is just an all around good movie. It is an older movie that is charming but has an interesting story.
Summary – Academy Award winner Olivia De Havilland and Montgomery Clift light up the screen in this spellbinding, landmark drama. De Havilland is Catherine Sloper, an aristocratic young woman living under the scrutiny of her malevolent father. When a handsome but penniless suitor proposes, her father believes he could only be after her vast estate and threatens disinheritance. Can she be rich in both love and money?
#47 – The Little Mermaid
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This under the sea movie is brilliant. It is so much fun and clever. This is a wonderful movie and is one of my absolute favorite Disney films. It is so fun to see the transformation that happens in the world below.
Summary – Ariel, the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father’s order to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her dreams. Determined to be human, she strikes a bargain with the devious seawitch, Ursula, and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend, the adorable and chatty Flounder, and her reluctant chaperone Sebastian, the hilarious, reggae-singing Caribbean crab, at her side, Ariel must win the prince’s love and save her father’s kingdom – all in a heart-pounding race against time!
#46 – Harvey
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I have never seen this one because it looks boring and I have heard from others that they didn’t like it that much either and so I was surprised to see it on the list.
Summary – Stewart stars as the good-natured Elwood P. Dowd, whose constant companion is Harvey, a six-foot tall rabbit that only he can see. To his sister, Veta Louise, Elwood’s obsession with Harvey has been a thorn in the side of her plans to marry off her daughter. But when Veta Louise decides to put Elwood in a mental hospital, a hilarious mix-up occurs and she finds herself committed instead. It’s up to Elwood to straighten out the mess with his kindly philosophy, and his “imaginary” friend, in this popular classic that features a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winning performance by Josephine Hull.
#45 – The Maltese Falcon
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This movie is a mystery and I find it too odd and very weird. I don’t quite understand this movie it is very out there and unique.
Summary – A gallery of high-living lowlifes will stop at nothing to get their sweaty hands on a jewel-encrusted falcon. Detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) wants to find out why – and who’ll take the fall for his partner’s murder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4AXbpqYdD0&feature=player_embedded
#44 – Mister Roberts
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review –Henry Fonda does an excellent job in this film. It is a story about men trying to survive the war. It is funny, sad, and interesting all at the same time.
Summary – The USS Reluctant carries cargo along World War II’s forgotten Pacific seaways. Beyond the horizon, the real war passes its stir-crazy crew by. Mister Roberts, directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy, is the classic story of men fighting to survive not war’s dangers but its indignities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMYh1EV-8GQ
#43 – How to Train Your Dragon
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review: This movie is so well done but it is scary. My 3 year-old girl never wants to watch it because she says it’s too scary. I would say you should be at least 6 to like this movie and not be scared by it, maybe even 8 depending on the child. It has dragons and the main characters try to kill the dragons a lot of the movie. It barely has any language problems though. It is one of those movies made more for the parents than children’s movies used to be.
Summary – A winner with audiences and critics alike, DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon rolls fire-breathing action, epic adventure and laughs into a captivating and original story. Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes – a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, the unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds in this “wonderful good-time hit!”
#42 – Finding Nemo
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Well done. My children watch it kind of in the middle. It’s very clever and has some memorable lines.
Summary – When Nemo, a young clownfish, is unexpectedly carried far from his home, his overprotective father, Marlin (Albert Brooks), and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish, embark on an epic journey that leads to encounters with vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish and hungry seagulls!
#41 – Up
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – It’s clever and fun to watch, just not over and over like some of the others. Kind of slow and geared a little more towards adults. It’s a very unique story though.
Summary – Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. Unbeknownst to Carl, Russell, an overeager 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard, is in the wrong place at the wrong time – Carl’s front porch! The world’s most unlikely duo reach new heights and meet fantastic friends like Dug, a dog with a special collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, the rare 13-foot tall flightless bird. Stuck together in the wilds of the jungle, Carl realizes that sometimes life’s biggest adventures aren’t the ones you set out looking for.
#40 – The African Queen
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This older movie is set at the beginning of World War I. It is definitely an adventure and brings you through a challenging journey. It is a story of two people growing together which is fun to watch.
Summary – At the start of World War I, German imperial troops burn down Reverend Samuel Sayer’s mission in Africa. He is overtaken with disappointment and passes away. Shortly after his well-educated, snooty sister Rose Sayer (Hepburn) buries her brother, she must leave on the only available transport, a tired river steamboat ‘The African Queen’ manned by the ill-mannered bachelor, Charlie Allnut (Bogart). Together they embark on a long difficult journey, without any comfort. Rose grows determined to assist in the British war effort and presses Charlie until he finally agrees and together they steam up the Ulana encountering an enemy fort, raging rapids, bloodthirsty parasites and endlessly branching stream which always seem to lead them to what appear to be impenetrable swamps. Despite opposing personalities, the two grow closer to each other and ultimately carry out their plan to take out a German warship.
#39 – Life is Beautiful
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This international film from Italy is great. It is a wonderful story about families and love. Benigni does whatever it takes to care for his family. It is a wonderful and adventurous movie. I enjoy the fairy tale story with it too.
Summary – In this extraordinary tale, Guido (Benigni) – a charming but bumbling waiter who’s gifted with a colorful imagination and an irresistible sense of humor – has won the heart of the woman he loves and created a beautiful life for his young family. But then, that life is threatened by World War II…and Guido must rely on those very same strengths to save his beloved wife and son from an unthinkable fate!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64ZoO7oiN0s&feature=player_embedded
#38 – Singin in the Rain
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I am singing in the rain! Just singing in the rain! What an awesome classic musical. Not a surprise that this was ranked high on our blog! It is very well done and fun to watch. Everyone should see this movie! It is great!
Summary – In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lisa’s latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lisa – well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to “aspire”, or will she get the break she deserves ?
#37 – Some Like it Hot
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I have not seen this one but it seems like a good one for me to watch at some point.
Summary – When Chicago musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) accidentally witness a gangland shooting, they quickly board a southbound train to Florida, disguised as Josephine and Daphne, the two newest – and homeliest – members of an all-girl jazz band. Their cover is perfect…until a lovelorn singer (Marilyn Monroe) falls for “Josephine,” an ancient playboy (Joe E. Brown) falls for “Daphne,” and a mob boss (George Raft) refuses to fall for their hoax!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhhKUOU_ZfA&feature=player_embedded
#36 – The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is a cute sweet romance movie but also has many funny moments in it as well. It is clever and fun to watch.
Summary – Recent widow Lucy Muir (Tierney) rents a house by the ocean, which turns out to be haunted by a cantankerous sea captain (Harrison). Although difficult at first, their friendship blossoms and the captain even “ghostwrites” an autobiographical book to bring in money for her. Eventually, the unlikely pair fall in love, only to be challenged when a flesh-and-blood suitor (George Sanders) appears on the scene.
#35 – Nightmare Before Christmas
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review -This is not my style of movie but it is fairly popular. They did a pretty good job making the movie spooky but not so dark and evil that kids would be too frightened. This movie is supposed to be spooky so I would say younger children might not enjoy it as much.
Summary – THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS tells the heartfelt tale of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town and all things that go bump in the night. Bored with the same old tricks and treats, he yearns for something more and soon stumbles upon the glorious magic of Christmas Town. But as his dream to fill Santa’s shoes unravels, it’s up to Sally, the rag doll who loves him, to stitch things back together.
#34 – Cool Hand Luke
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Older movie but still a classic one to watch. Paul Newman is great in all of his movies. Very entertaining and enjoyable. Good family movie for everyone to share.
Summary -His crime: nonconformity. His sentence: the chain gang. Paul Newman plays one of his best-loved roles as Cool Hand Luke, the loner who won’t – or can’t – bend to the arbitrary rules of his captivity. A cast of fine character actors, including George Kennedy in his Oscar-winning role of Dragline and the indelible Jo Van Fleet as Luke’s mother, give Newman solid support. And Strother Martin is the Captain who taunts Luke with the now-legendary line, “What we’ve got here is… failure to communicate”. No failure here. With rich humor and vibrant storytelling power, Cool Hand Luke succeeds resoundingly.
#33 – Gone with the Wind
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – It is no surprise that Gone with the Wind is near the top of the list. It is a great movie that is a classic and I recommend everyone sees this movie at one point or another.
Summary – Period romance. War epic. Family saga. Popular fiction adapted with crowd-pleasing brilliance. Star acting aglow with charisma and passion. Moviemaking craft at its height. These are sublimely joined in the words Gone with the Wind.
#32 – Mary Poppins
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is a fun and entertaining musical that children of all ages will enjoy. The songs are unforgettable and will be stuck in your head for days! Although Jane and Michael’s mother is not present in their lives, Mary Poppins is a mother-like figure to them while she is their nanny.
Summary – Join the “practically perfect” Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) for a “Jolly Holiday” as she magically turns every chore into a game and every day into a whimsical adventure. Along the way, you’ll be enchanted by unforgettable characters such as the multi-talented chimney sweep Bert (Dick Van Dyke).
#31 – Wreck-It Ralph
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is a great movie for people of all ages. It has a great story line and teaches how we all should just be ourselves and everything will work out better.
Summary – Wreck-It Ralph (voice of Reilly) longs to be as beloved as his game’s perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix (voice of McBrayer). Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes… so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Lynch), Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan — win a medal — but soon wrecks everything, and accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. Ralph’s only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Silverman), a young troublemaking “glitch” from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it’s “Game Over” for the entire arcade?
#30 – The Princess Bride
Grade: A
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This movie is captivating. This is my best friend’s favorite movie of all time. The movie is very fun and intriguing. It kept me on my feet the whole movie and I wanted to know what was going to happen through out the whole movie which is nice. I like this movie a lot.
Summary – Heartbroken over the death of her beloved Westley (Cary Elwes), beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright) finally succumbs to the advances of the wicked Prince Humperdinck. Yet, when she’s suddenly kidnapped by a motley gang of deviants, what gallant hero comes to her rescue? None other than Westley – alive, well… and as wonderful as ever! But before these two can live happily ever after, they must first overcome formidable odds. Will these star-crossed lovers ever fulfill their destiny? Or, this time, will Buttercup lose Westley forever?
#29 – My Neighbor Totoro
Grade: A
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This has a wonderful, magical story with beautiful attention to detail. Overall a good family movie I would recommend to children ages 4/5 and up.
Summary – Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro — who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters — including a cat that doubles as a bus! — and takes them on an incredible journey.
#28 – Bringing Up Baby
Grade: A
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is quite a crazy movie for it’s time. It’s definitely a comedy – hard not to be with Katharine Hepburn in it. It’s a great classic.
Summary – All the earnest paleontologist (Cary Grant) wants is an intercostal clavicle to complete his brontosaurus skeleton. What he gets is an out-of-control toboggan ride with a scatterbrained heiress (Katharine Hepburn) nuts about him (or maybe just nuts). Riding along are a dog named George, a leopard named Baby, a snooty society matron with a spare million, a caretaker on the sauce and more. In this giddy romp directed by Howard Hawks, Grant ends up in a negligee, Hepburn ends up in a bottomless evening gown, everyone ends up in jail and Bringing Up Baby ends up as the most glorious laughter-inducing movie ever!
#27 – The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Grade: A
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Not as popular as some of John Wayne’s other movies, but a great movie none-the-less. It’s also hard to go wrong with John Ford directing it and Jimmy Stewart in it too. Some great acting by an all-star cast and an interesting plot.
Summary – Stewart plays the bungling but charming big-city lawyer determined to rid Shinbone of Valance, and he finds that he has an unlikely ally – in the form of a rugged local rancher (Wayne). The two men also share the love interest (Miles). But when the final showdown becomes inevitable, one of the two will attempt to get the gunman…but the other one will wind up getting the gal.
#26 – The Wizard of Oz
Grade: A
Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is an excellent movie that is full of magic. It is very fun to go on the journey with all of Dorothy’s little friends she makes on the way. If you haven’t seen this movie you should watch it and quick!
Summary – Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home.
Rolf Dammstrom says
great list! love that harry potter is on it. My kids have loved harry potter since they were little.
Karen Hand says
I must say that I thought there would be more animated movies in the list. However, many of these are classics which will withstand the test of time for years to come. Many of my favorites are included in this list. Thanks.
mommybearadmin says
We are glad that you enjoyed our list. There are so many great movies that they all can’t be on the list. What movies do you like that you were surprised not to see?
Unknown says
Pinochio movie “2015”
Carlabree Bonesteel says
My boyfriend and I LOVED The Avengers…It was awesome, even if you don't have kids!
mommybearadmin says
Yeah I agree Avengers is a very good movie!
Peter says
Oh and you should also include Ben-Hur (1959)
Peter says
And The Great Escape
Peter says
The last family movie night we had was unsuccessful. Me and my dad chanted out FROM HERE TO ETERNITY on TCM. We ended up watching Liam Neeson’s Non-Stop. What a stupid stupid stupid movie.
Peter says
Close Encounters of the Third Kind too
Peter says
Close Encounters 3rd Kind, Sunset Blvd, City Lights, Gold Rush, Modern Times, Rear Window, Vertigo
Polly says
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is about a callgirl and (along with Auntie Mame) has the most racist depiction of Asians ever captured on American film.
Cindy says
This is the Army was a good old show.