Sunday, April 20, 2014

top 100 family films

We have been working on exposing our kids to classic movies that we loved when we were kids (and even now, as adults). This has been a tradition for us every Christmas, as we shared our favorite holiday movies with them.  

More recently however, we have been branching into the classics in general.   Each weekend we introduce a new one, snuggling up together to watch it.  It has become one of our most treasured family traditions.

So far, Anna's very favorite has to be The Never Ending Story. 


When I say "classics," I mean movies that throughout time have impacted children in big ways.  They may be from the 1940's or they may be from the 1990's.  Being a classic has very little to do with age, and a lot more to do with the impact it has on our culture.  

Between our own favorites and some suggestions from our amazing friends, we have compiled a pretty good list of movies we want to share with our kids. (For our purposes we aren't going to list Disney cartoon movies, because let's face it - they're ALL awesome, and should be a part of a child's media experience.) 

Without further adeu, THE LIST!

  1. The Never Ending Story (1 & 2)
  2. Mary Poppins
  3. The Goonies
  4. Labyrinth
  5. Wizard of Oz
  6. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
  7. Secret of Roan Innish
  8. The Secret Garden
  9. Big
  10. Princess Bride
  11. Willow
  12. Chronicles of Narnia
  13. Back to the Future (1, 2, & 3)
  14. The Little Princess
  15. Little Women
  16. The Sound of Music
  17. The Dark Crystal
  18. American Tail
  19. Secret of Nimh
  20. The 10th Kingdom
  21. Hairspray
  22. Grease (1 & 2)
  23. Harry & The Hendersons
  24. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
  25. Newsies
  26. Fly Away Home
  27. Footloose (the original)
  28. Dirty Dancing
  29. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  30. Freaky Friday (the original)
  31. Addam's Family & Addams Family Values
  32. Star Wars (the whole series)
  33. Anne of Green Gables
  34. Annie
  35. Pippi Longstocking
  36. The Parent Trap (original)
  37. Milo & Otis
  38. Casper (live action movie)
  39. Hook
  40. Pollyanna
  41. Fern Gully
  42. E.T.
  43. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
  44. Curly Sue
  45. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original)
  46. Babe
  47. The Muppet Movies (any and all of them)
  48. Who Framed Roger Rabbit 
  49. Pete's Dragon
  50. My Fair Lady
  51. The Karate Kid (1, 2, & 3
  52. Field of Dreams
  53. Sandlot
  54. Anastasia
  55. Ninja Turtles (1, 2, & 3)
  56. Little Monsters
  57. Mighty Ducks
  58. Ghostbusters (1, 2, & 3)
  59. Ferris Beuller's Day Off
  60. Indiana Jones (1, 2, & 3)
  61. Adventures in Babysitting
  62. Hocus Pocus
  63. Beetlejuice
  64. National Lampoon's Vacation (any and all)
  65. Clue
  66. Superman (1, 2, & 3)
  67. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
  68. Honey I Shrunk the Kids
  69. Three Amigos
  70. All Dogs Go to Heaven
  71. The Wizard
  72. Flight of the Navigator
  73. Now & Then
  74. Jumanji
  75. Cool Runnings
  76. Men in Black
  77. Mrs. Doubtfire
  78. Groundhog Day
  79. A League of Their Own
  80. Home Alone (1 & 2)
  81. My Girl
  82. Kindergarten Cop
  83. The Mighty Ducks
  84. Rookie of the Year
  85. Ever After: A Cinderella Story
  86. Masters of the Universe
  87. Roger's And Hammerstein's Cinderella (the original)
  88. 3 Ninjas
  89. Sidekicks
  90. Angels in the Outfield
  91. Free Willy (1 & 2)
  92. The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings (original animated version from the 70's)
  93. Mac & Me
  94. Herbie / Love Bug (any of those)
  95. The Incredible Mr. Limpett
  96. The Last Unicorn
  97. Chipmunks Movies (any of the cartoon ones)
  98. The Boy Who Could Fly
  99. Shirley Temple (Any of her movies)
  100. Teen Wolf
Clearly the list could go on and on and on.  I am always looking for more ideas, so please share some of your favorites with me, and we'll watch them!

Edited June 2014!  I felt the need to add a few to the list, so here goes... the next 3!


  1. Harry Potter (entire series - the later ones as they get older)
  2. West Side Story
  3. Jurrasic Park

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