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The 10 Greatest Live-Action Family Movies of the 20th Century, Ranked
By Lisa Nordin
October 29, 2025
Telling an entertaining kids’ and family story is more complicated than it sounds. Children are tough critics. They have unfiltered sensibilities that tend to decide instantly whether they want to engage with a certain type of media or not. When a kids’ and family movie becomes not only an instant success, but one that lasts for several generations, it is a monumental triumph.
Though the genre of family films has some great animated options, there are also truly wonderful live-action movies that have made significant contributions to the history of moving pictures. From toe-tapping musicals like Mary Poppins to a cult classic like The Princess Bride, these movies are exemplary of the best the 20th Century had to offer. From 1901 to 2000, the cinema had no shortage of great family films, and these 10 are simply the best.
10. ‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
Sometimes filmmakers know they have created a masterpiece that critics simply can’t appreciate. Such was the case for Jim Henson and his passion project, Labyrinth. Telling the story of a young girl who wishes away and then goes to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, Labyrinth is a dark fantasy that was boldly innovative. David Bowie is irreplaceable as Jareth. His ability to bring romance, mystery, and musical performance to the role was essential. Jennifer Connelly already had a few credits to her name as a young actor when she starred as Sarah in Labyrinth. It became a breakout role for her, launching her career to greater heights and making her an iconic figure in the fantasy genre.
Henson’s exceptional mind for design and keen ability to use practical effects make Labyrinth still as visually spellbinding today as it was nearly four decades ago. Labyrinth shares remarkable similarities with another entry on this list, The Wizard of Oz. Both Sarah and Dorothy (Judy Garland) are stuck in a boring everyday life that leaves them feeling listless. They both wish for a change. And after traveling to a magical fantasy realm with strange characters and an all-powerful male figure, their delusions dissipate as they realize what they wanted wasn’t what they expected. However, while The Wizard of Oz received acclaim and recognition, Labyrinth did not. It is a misunderstood masterpiece that is finally enjoying the appreciation it has long deserved.
9. ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)
The quintessential movie nanny, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), cared deeply for her charges in a way that wasn’t fluffy, overdone, and full of saccharin sentiments. She was practical, no-nonsense, and sensible. These grounding traits made her magical ones shine all the more, as she was a walking/talking duality. She lectures the kids about taking their medicine one minute and takes them to a fanciful cartoon land the next.
Mary Poppins was a mystery who ended up saving more than the children she was tasked to care for.
Mary Poppins wasn’t just superbly written and conceived; it was imaginatively executed. Its blend of live-action and animation was years ahead of any other film and inspired countless others to mix the two media. Mary Poppins’ abilities to inspire wonder reached beyond the film as its massive box office success helped fund the creation of Disney World. Often hailed as one of the best musicals of all time, it is an essential family movie and definitely one of the best the 20th Century had to offer.
8. ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (1992)
The Muppet Christmas Carol came at a sad time in the cinematic community with the passing of Jim Henson in 1990. Soon after his father’s death, his son Brian Henson was charged with the undertaking of a Muppet remake of A Christmas Carol. Although it wasn’t his idea to make the film, Henson followed in his father’s footsteps and ended up making one of the best adaptations of Charles Dickens’ work ever.
Everyone’s favorite Muppets, including Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire), Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), and The Great Gonzo (Dave Goelz), took on Dickens’ beloved characters with great panache. Adding their own irreverent Muppet-like spin on the classic Christmas tale enlivened the material with humor and hilariously self-aware and fourth-wall-breaking digs. It is one of the highest-rated versions of A Christmas Carol according to IMDb and an absolute gem of a film. Michael Caine delivers a tour de force performance as Scrooge, and his take on the infamous antihero is unparalleled. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a great mix of classic literature, movie-making meta moments, and storytelling at its finest. The 20th Century is all the better for having such a special and singular creation among its contributions.
7. ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)
If you had told film critics in 1993 that Hocus Pocus would be on a list with the best movies to come out of the 20th Century, they would have thought they were under a spell. Upon its initial release, the quirky Halloween comedy flopped at the box office and failed to land with most of the industry reviewers who saw it. Audiences had come to expect certain formulas in their films, and Hocus Pocus colored outside the lines. It blended humor with horror, adding elements of playfulness to the villainy. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker are archetypal as the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who come back to life when a skeptical teenager lights a black flame candle.
Luckily, like Labyrinth, Hocus Pocus finally received the admiration from audiences it did not receive initially. It still dominates streaming charts during spooky season and remains a Halloween favorite for many fans. After the long-anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, came out in 2022, a third film was set to be made and is currently still slated for production, according to Midler. In a complete reversal of the first film, Hocus Pocus 2 was a bigger hit with critics than with audiences. It seems that the great majority of viewers are still deciding what to do with this unique franchise. However, there is no doubt about the cultural impact the original has had on Halloween and live-action horror-comedies and family films in general.
6. ‘A Little Princess’ (1995)
From the enchanting music evoking landscapes of India to the dreamlike quality of the cinematography, A Little Princess transports audiences. The original story written by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows a young girl named Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) through almost insurmountable trials. After losing literally everything, Sara summons an inner strength given to her through the love of her father. She faces a harsh world and a harsh authority figure with uncompromising hope.
Director Alfonso Cuarón masterfully tells this epic tale, weaving fantasy with reality in a triumph for all ages. The soundtrack is integral to the film, communicating the story spectacularly. The acting is heartfelt, and all the young actors are brilliant in their roles. A Little Princess is perfect in every way. From the ethereal ambiance to the dramatic finale, it is absolutely amazing, start to finish.
5. ‘Home Alone’ (1990)
One of the top five highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time, Home Alone is a kid-centric film with a lot of heart. Starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a young boy who accidentally gets left behind when his entire family flies to France for the holidays. An already precarious situation gets ramped up to incredibly high stakes when he must defend his home from two burglars who try to break in.
Home Alone features an outstanding cast, including Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, and Catherine O’Hara. At its heart, Home Alone is about family. The holidays have a way of bringing familial tensions to the surface, but Home Alone reminds us all that life would be a lot less full without our family members in it, annoying at times as they may be. The film has transcended many genres and generations, and it is hard to imagine the cultural landscape without this film being in it. It remains one of the most-watched movies on streaming, 35 years after its debut, speaking to the enduring quality and rewatchability of this Christmas-themed classic.
4. ‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
One of the most quotable fantasy movies ever, The Princess Bride is essential. Its mix of clever humor, romance, and action makes it as entertaining for adults as it is for younger viewers to watch. It is also a great introduction to the fantasy genre and can be enjoyed by non-fans as well as devotees.
The Princess Bride is a story within a story. A grandfather reads a book to his sick grandson in the larger universe, and the heart-racing adventure of Westley (Cary Elwes) trying to rescue his true love, Buttercup (Robin Wright), is in the smaller universe. A gentle giant, a cunning mastermind, and a Spanish swordsman set to avenge his father join in on the sweeping fantasy tale. The Princess Bride’s meta references and breaking the fourth wall add to its charm. It doesn’t take itself too seriously while also communicating a tender story with great pathos. It was years ahead of its time and only grows in affection from audiences with each passing year.
3. ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)
Like many films, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is not without controversy. Renowned children’s book author Roald Dahl is the genius behind some of the most beloved IPs of all time, including Matilda, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG. When it came time to cast the lead in the 1971 film adaptation of his book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dahl was not a fan of having Gene Wilder in the role of Willy Wonka. Wilder, who was mostly known for his off-colour comedies, was not the author’s first or even second choice.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory borders on a psychological thriller, and almost horror at times. Ironically, one of Dahl’s objections to Wilder was that he feared he was too soft and didn’t have a sufficient edge. It turned out that Wilder’s take on the character was far more understated and nuanced but not an ounce less sinister and underhandedly mischievous than Dahl’s original vision. Wilder would prove iconic in the role, becoming the definitive version of the eccentric candy tycoon.
2. ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
It is a lesser-known fact that the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music is based on a true story. Rodgers and Hammerstein did modify a few aspects of the real von Trapp family’s story, but the essential plotline remains intact. Maria Augusta Kutschera was a nun who was sent to tutor the daughter of Baron Georg von Trapp, who had seven children from his previous marriage. Kutschera and von Trapp fell in love and were married. Although The Sound of Music turns their courtship into an enemies-to-lovers trope, it creates great tension for a theatrical retelling.
The Sound of Music was a phenomenal success. It spent four years, that’s right, years, in theaters and was the highest-grossing film of its day, surpassing Gone with the Wind. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, taking home five of them, including the prestigious Best Picture. The Sound of Music’s lasting themes of love, family, and the pursuit of liberty make it resonate throughout time, and it remains as captivating as ever.
1. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
There is no movie quite like The Wizard of Oz. It is part fantasy, part adventure, part mystery. Somewhere between the stuff that dreams are made of and haunting nightmare fuel, it is a singularity in the history of cinema. The Wizard of Oz, at its core, is a hero’s journey with fantastical elements and great characters. The striking contrast of black and white versus Technicolor makes it one of the most visually stunning pieces ever created.
Filmed during the Golden Age of Hollywood, The Wizard of Oz is complete with staples of the era like extensive sets, lavish musical numbers, and large studio production. It would come to transcend its original media. The Wizard of Oz has woven itself so completely into the Western cultural landscape that its famous “There’s no place like home” line has become a paradigm that has carried over into the 21st Century. The Wizard of Oz is still influencing filmmakers and those who have never even seen it. It is undoubtedly one of the most significant movies made not only in the 20th Century, but of all time.
