List of the 100 Best Family Movies of all Time

Family-friendly movies are hard to find sometimes so we made a list of the best family movies of all time.  Just about our family’s favorite thing to do is snuggle up and watch a family movie together and maybe eat some popcorn.  That’s pretty much what this whole blog is about – helping you find the best family movies of all time so you can make a memory with your family today.  How many of these movies have you seen? Please leave a comment telling us how many you’ve seen or what your favorite movie of all time is (only “clean” ones, please).

Best Family Movies of all Time

#100 – Anne Of Green Gables – The Sequel

Grade: B+

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I love all of the Anne of Green Gable movies so I was happy to see one of them make it to the top 100. Megan Follows is the perfect Anne and the rest of the cast are outstanding as well. I think it was fun to watch Anne grow up and now to see her as an adult and how she has changed and also how she stayed the same over the years.

Summary – This video is the sequel to the beloved children’s book and video Anne of Green Gables. It continues the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and headstrong young orphan in 1890s Canada, whose hot temper matches her red hair. Anne of Green Gables told of Anne’s adoption by an elderly brother and sister, Marilla (Colleen Dewhurst) and Matthew Cuthbert, and her childhood adventures in the idyllic village of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. Anne of Avonlea takes up the story soon after Matthew’s death, when Anne has graduated from college. It follows her struggles and adventures as an aspiring writer and English teacher in a private school on the mainland.

#99 – Monsters, Inc.

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This movie is very funny and not even that scary. There is peril in it but the monsters, for the most part, aren’t scary. I highly recommend it, my family laughs every time we watch it.

Summary – John Goodman stars as the lovable James P. Sullivan (Sulley) and Billy Crystal as his wisecracking best friend, Mike Wazowski. Top scarer Sulley and his enthusiastic Scare Assistant Mike work at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. The main power source of the monster world is the collected screams of human children. Monsters believe children are dangerous and toxic, however, and they are scared silly when a little girl wanders into their world. Sulley and Mike do their best to return the girl home, but they face monstrous intrigue and some hilarious misadventures along the way.

#98 – E.T.

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This movie is so good! It is so precious to see this little boy help the lost alien who most people would not help and it is fun to see the relationship that they gain through the process of getting ET home.

Summary – The story of a lost alien, befriended by a young boy who helps him return to his planet.

#97 – Meet Me in St. Louis

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Judy Garland is great in this movie. It is a classical musical that is fun and exciting. If you like musicals I highly recommend this one!

Summary – One of the finest American musicals, this 1944 film by Vincente Minnelli is an intentionally self-contained story set in 1903, in which a happy St. Louis family is shaken to their roots by the prospect of moving to New York, where the father has a better job pending. Judy Garland heads the cast in what amounts to a splendid, end-of-an-era story that nicely rhymes with the onset of the 20th century. The film is extraordinarily alive, the characters strong, and the musical numbers are so splendidly part of the storytelling that you don’t feel the film has stopped for an interlude.

#96 – The Incredibles

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Lots of action and some funny parts. I like how the family all has to work together in the end.

Summary – Bob Parr and his wife Helen used to be among the world’s greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they live “normal” lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction.

#95 – The Lion King

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review -The Lion King is a wonderful Disney classic with a brilliant plot and great animation! However, I would not recommend it to children under 5 because there are some scary/intense scenes.

Summary – One of the most popular Disney animated musicals, The Lion King presents the story of a lion cub’s journey to adulthood and acceptance of his royal destiny. Simba begins life as an honored prince, the son of the powerful King Mufasa. The cub’s happy childhood turns tragic when his evil uncle, Scar, murders Mufasa and drives Simba away from the kingdom. In exile, the young lion befriends the comically bumbling pair of Pumbaa the warthog and Timon the meerkat, and lives a carefree jungle life. As he approaches adulthood, however, he is visited by the spirit of his father, who instructs him to defeat the nefarious Scar and reclaim his rightful throne.

#94 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Year three of the Harry Potter is not short of exciting or epic as the first two. Harry Potter is always good and is full of action and adventure.

Summary – Year Three at Hogwarts means new fun and challenges as Harry learns the delicate art of approaching a Hippogriff, transforming shape-shifting Boggarts into hilarity and even turning back time. But the term also brings danger. Soul-sucking Dementors hover over the school. An ally of the accursed He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named lurks within the castle walls. Fearsome wizard Sirius Black escapes Azkaban. And Harry will be forced to confront them all.

#93 – Iron Man

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review -This movie is good, entertaining, and fun to watch. I think that Robert Downey Jr. is a great actor and does a great job in this movie.

Summary -Suit up for action with Robert Downey, Jr. in the ultimate adventure movie you’ve been waiting for, Iron Man! When jet-setting genius-industrialist Tony Stark is captured in enemy territory, he builds a high-tech suit of armor to escape. Now, he’s on a mission to save the world as a hero who’s built, not born, to be unlike any other.

#92 – Cinderella

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Cinderella is a wonderful classic story and I love the lessons we can teach our children with this movie. This a must see movie and I would be surprised to hear someone that has not already seen this.

Summary – With a wave of her wand and some “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother transforms an ordinary pumpkin into a magnificent coach and Cinderella’s rags into a gorgeous gown, then sends her off to the Royal Ball. But Cinderella’s enchanted evening must end when the spell is broken at midnight. It will take the help of her daring animal friends Jaq and Gus and a perfect fit into a glass slipper to create the ultimate fairy tale ending.

#91 – Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I love this movie even though I am not a dog lover. It is a true story about love and loyalty between a dog and his owner. It is nice, clean and a very well done movie. There is not a lot of conversation but it is still every enjoyable!

Summary – Golden Globe winner Richard Gere (2002, Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, Chicago) stars as Professor Parker Wilson, a distinguished scholar who discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home from work. Despite initial objections from Wilson’s wife, Cate, Hachi endears himself into the Wilson family and grows to be Parker’s loyal companion. As their bond grows deeper, a beautiful relationship unfolds embodying the true spirit of family and loyalty, while inspiring the hearts of an entire town.

#90 – Arsenic & Old Lace

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – A very popular movie and a masterful, dark comedy. There are some great, hilarious lines from this movie. It is also perfect for Halloween.

Summary – Frazzled drama critic Mortimer Brewster (Grant) has two aunts (Josephine Hull and Jean Adair) who ply lonely geezers with poisoned libations, one sociopathic brother (Raymond Massey) who looks like Boris Karloff, one bonkers brother (John Alexander) who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, one impatient new bride (Priscilla Lane) — and only one night to make it turn out all right. In this circus’ center ring is Grant, twisting his face into a clown’s gallery of flabbergasted reactions and transforming his natural athletic grace into a rubber-legged comic ballet. You’ll die laughing.

#89 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review -This is such a fun film! It is full of adventure and excitement. It is hard to watch this movie and not imagine what it would be like to be there yourself. This movie has a wonderful script and I loved all of the characters. They do a good job with their roles. There is also a lot of funny moments in this film.

Summary – Join the expedition visiting legendary Candy Man Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) in a splendiferous movie that wondrously brings to the screen the endlessly appetizing delights of Ronald Dahl’s classic book. Coated with flavorful tunes and production design that constantly dazzles the eye, this effervescent musical never fails to enchant young and old. On a whirlwind tour of Willy’s incredible, edible realm of chocolate waterfalls, elfish Oompa-Loompas and industrial-sized confections, a boy name Charlie (Peter Ostrum) will discover the sweetest secret of all: a generous, loving heart. And you’ll rediscover the timeless magic of a delicious family classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNarV_3P4oM&feature=player_embedded

#88 – Apollo 13

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is a great movie that is based off a true story. It shares lots of information that is accurate and interesting to learn. I like how it keeps you on your toes wondering what will happen next. I think it is has great context and the actors do an awesome job as well. Everyone should see this movie at least once.

Summary – It had been less than a year since man first walked on the moon, but as far as the American public was concerned, Apollo 13 was just another “routine” space flight- until these words pierced the immense void of space: “Houston, we have a problem.”
Stranded 205,000 miles from Earth in a crippled spacecraft, astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert fight a desperate battle to survive. Meanwhile, at Mission Control, astronaut Ken Mattingly, flight director Gene Kranz and a heroic ground crew race against time-and the odds- to bring them home.

#87 – Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Everyone should see this movie at least once! It is a classic and a huge hit especially among woman. The beautiful Audrey does a wonderful job as always in this film.

Summary – In an idealized New York City during the early ’60s, Holly Golightly, (Audrey Hepburn) is a charming socialite with a youthful zest for life who lives alone in a nearly bare apartment. She has such a flippant lifestyle that she won’t even give her cat a name, because that would be too much of a commitment to a relationship. Maintaining a childlike innocence yet wearing the most perfect of designer clothes and accessories from Givenchy, she spends her time on expensive dates and at high-class parties. She escorts various wealthy men, yet fails to return their affections after they have given her gifts and money. Holly’s carefree independence is changed when she meets her neighbor, aspiring writer Paul, (George Peppard), who is suffering from writer’s block while being kept by a wealthy woman. Just when Holly and Paul are developing their sweet romance, Docappears on the scene and complicates matters, revealing the truth about Holly’s past.

#86 – Random Harvest

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This black and white movie I have only seen once, a while ago, and I personally was bored during this film. I felt like it was slow moving but I know a couple people who really like this movie.

Summary – Paula Smith (Greer Garson) is the secretary of industrialist Charles Rainier (Ronald Colman). She’s also his wife, which Charles does not know. Shell-shocked during World War I, he doesn’t recall his days as her husband, John Smith. Advised not to endanger Charles’ fragile mental state, Paula cannot openly reveal her identity. She must find other ways to help him remember their life together.

#85 – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This movie is a classic and has a very interesting story line. It is fun and exciting and is not your typical story. I think that everyone of every age would enjoy this movie and it is a good one to watch as a family.

Summary – When rugged frontiersman Adam sweeps local beauty, Milly, off her feet, the whole town is turned upside-down. But no one’s more shocked than Milly, who discovers that she’s now expected to cook and clean not only for Adam but for his six rowdy brothers too! Well, Milly’s no pushover, and soon she has those boisterous boys whipped into groomhood and dancing for joy over six brides of their own!

#84 – The Big Country

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is a country western that has a lot of romance in it also. So if you like that kind of movie you might just like this one.

Summary – One of Hollywood’s greatest directors teams with a cast of incredible screen legends for this bold, sweeping tale of a ship’s captain who ventures west to find a hotbed of jealousy, hatred and dangerous rivalries. As the reluctant hero is thrust into the maelstrom, he must summon all of his resolve to save not only his own life, but also the life of the woman he loves.

#83 – West Side Story

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I think you have to enjoy a certain kind of genre of movies to enjoy this movie but it is a great movie with a lot of style. There is a ton of dancing and singing which is fun and exciting to watch!

Summary – A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry of two street gangs the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (RichardBeymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it’s more than these two warring gangs can handle. And as mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues, and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA_aFprGzyc&feature=player_embedded

#82 – Auntie Mame

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Auntie Mame is an interesting character and reminds me of my own Aunt. There is not a dull moment when you follow her around.

Summary – A bohemian socialite survives the crash of 1929, marries a millionaire and teaches her nephew how to live.

#81 – The Music Man

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review -The Music Man is a very elaborate musical. I love all of the songs in this movie. It is very upbeat and enjoyable to watch. This is a wonderful movie when you want to see something to cheer you up or just want to have some fun. Singing along is always a blast!

Summary – The Music Man, the joyful film of the 1,375-performance Broadway smash, remains an irresistible skyburst of Americana. Robert Preston recreates his Tony-winning Broadway triumph as con artist Harold Hill, arriving in River City, Iowa, to form a boys band, much to the disapproval…and later delight of town librarian Marian Paroo.

#80 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review -I have to watch this movie at least once every Christmas season. It is a great cartoon. I really like the lessons we can learn from this movie. It is a good way to show children that people will treat you the way you treat others.

Summary – Every who down in Who-ville likes Christmas a lot, but the Grinch who lived just north of Who-ville did NOT! So the cuddly as a cactus Grinch (with termites in his smile and garlic in his soul) tries to wipe out Christmas for the cheerful Who-villains, only to discover: maybe Christmas, he thought doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!

#79 – Masterpiece Collection: Jane Eyre

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is also a classic. If you like movies of this genre especially Pride and Prejudice than you would most likely enjoy this one.

Summary – After a wretched childhood, orphaned Jane Eyre yearns for new experiences. She accepts a governess position at Thornfield Hall, where she tutors a lively French girl named Adele. She soon finds herself falling in love with the brooding master of the house – the passionate Mr. Rochester. Jane gradually wins his heart, but they must overcome the dark secrets of the past before they can find happiness. When Jane saves Rochester from an eerie fire, she begins to suspect that there are many mysteries behind the walls of Thornfield Hall. Her fears are confirmed when Rochester’s secret past is revealed, destroying her chance for happiness, and forcing Jane to flee Thornfield. Penniless and hungry, she finds shelter and friendship in the shape of a kind clergyman and his family. But she is soon shocked to uncover the deeply hidden truth of her own past.

#78 – Toy Story 2

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – This is mine and my children’s favorite Toy Story movie by far. We have watched this one probably close to 100 times.

Summary – While Andy is away at summer camp, Woody is toynapped by Al, a greedy collector. Before you can say “to infinity and beyond,” Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex and Slinky Dog spring into action in a thrilling and hilarious rescue mission that will have everyone cheering!

#77 – Red River (1948)

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – Lots of heart and soul in this movie. It’s inspiring how Tom Dunson will stop at nothing to protect his living. Many say it’s the best western of all-time.

Summary – John Wayne gives “one of the best performances of his career” as Tom Dunson, a cattle baron who built his ranch with hard work and a determination to kill any man who would dare try to take his land. But when plummeting livestock values endanger his beloved ranch, Tom and his adopted son set out to get a fair price for their cattle by driving them through the treacherous Chisholm Trail from Texas to Kansas. Battling Indians, stampedes and dissension among the ranch hands, Tom proves that he’ll stop at nothing to reach his destination. He’ll risk danger, hardship, betrayal..and perhaps even his own sanity.

#76 – WALL-E

Grade: A-

Mommy Bear’s Family Movie Review – I personally dislike this movie. It is an original storyline but to me and my children, it’s slow and boring.

Summary – After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable WALL-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. Join them and a hilarious cast of characters on a fantastic journey across the universe.