Collider
The 8 Most Fun Family Movies Ever Made
By Lisa Nordin
Sept 2, 2026
Family movies can be anything their creators want them to be. They can be uplifting, poignant, inspiring, and even a little spooky. Additionally, these family movies including Bette Midler titles are go-to choices for movie night.
Kids and family movies are deceptively difficult to execute well.
As any parent can attest, children are a discerning audience, and they decide quickly.
There is little persuading them once they’ve made up their mind.
There are also the adults to consider.
A great family film must entertain across generations.
It has to be lively enough for older viewers but not too cerebral.
Kids won’t lose interest otherwise.
While this is a fine line, several movies have fallen short.
Bette Midler shines in family films, and these eight titles excel.
These are the most fun family movies that audiences of all ages can enjoy watching together.
‘The Goonies’ (1985) collides with lost pirate treasure, underground caves, an escaped family of convicts, dead bodies, and ice cream. When their homes face foreclosure by a nearby country club, a group of young kids must find a lot of money quickly to save them. A local legend says pirate One-Eyed Willy stored his immense hoard somewhere nearby. Answering the call for adventure are the Goonies, a misfit group of friends Mikey (Sean Astin), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mouth (Corey Feldman), and Data (Ke Huy Quan).
The Goonies is nonstop fun. From secret missions to childish pranks, there is no end to the entertainment in this ‘80s classic. With the use of practical effects and clever storytelling, The Goonies still holds up remarkably well, and it is as entertaining to watch now as it was over four decades ago. Besides the crazy antics, there are some relatable characters to root for. As Collider’s Dyah Ayu Larasati notes, “Each kid reacts differently to danger, which makes The Goonies exciting to watch.” The Goonies is a perfect choice for adventure fans of all ages, and it doesn’t disappoint.
2
‘Toy Story’ (1995)
While several movies in the highly successful Toy Story franchise have more dramatic themes, the first film is more lighthearted and simply involves two toys that are trying to get back to their owner. When Andy (John Morris) gets a brand-new astronaut figure named Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) for his birthday, his old favorite toy, a cowboy named Woody (Tom Hanks), feels an instant pang of jealousy.
Toy Story is a refreshingly original and amusing take on the enemies-to-friends trope. When the two toys are separated from Andy before he moves, Buzz and Woody must learn to work together if they are ever going to reach Andy in time. Toy Story is a fantastic buddy comedy at heart. It is clever, witty, and endlessly diverting. Although computer animation has come a long way since 1995, the writing is spectacular, and Toy Story remains perfectly delightful.
3
‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (2017)
Not only is The Lego Batman Movie the best DC content to hit the big screen, but it is one of the best Batman movies ever made. Only Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight ranks higher than The Lego Batman Movie on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. One viewing of the film, and it is not hard to see why. The Lego Batman Movie is a triumph of animation, using a blend of stop-motion presentations via computer graphics, and it has tremendous writing with a script that is overflowing with self-aware meta humor.
The Lego Batman Movie is a fantastic duality in that it both commits to delivering some dedicated IP-specific moments, while never taking itself too seriously. Capturing the essence of what fans love about the lore while adding an energetic element of play, The Lego Batman Movie is an absolute triumph. The cast is spot-on and includes Will Arnett as Batman, Michael Cera as Robin, Zach Galifianakis as Joker, and Ralph Fiennes as Alfred. If you want to watch a stellar superhero movie and laugh out loud so much your sides might hurt, The Lego Batman Movie is your next watch.
4
‘Night at the Museum’ (2006)
How do you inspire kids to be interested in events that happened to someone else hundreds of years ago? Have the historic figures come to life and interact in new and exciting ways, of course. Night at the Museum is a jocund journey through time as viewers follow the exploits of the newest night security guard, Larry Daley (Ben Stiller). Larry has an entrepreneurial spirit, but no real commitment, which leads him to take and quit jobs quickly. Given an ultimatum by his ex-wife, Larry accepts a job at the Museum of Natural History so he can continue seeing his son. However, this seemingly routine position is anything but, and Larry has no idea what he is in for. In a fantastical twist on a seemingly ordinary situation, the museum holds an incredible secret: a magical tablet entombed with a pharaoh that is on display has given animation to all of the exhibits, and they come to life at night.
Night at the Museum is packed with exciting action and clever nods to historical events. Despite its low reception from critics, it remains an audience favorite and continues to be popular with fans. This summer, Night at the Museum soared up streaming charts and reached the #8 spot in Netflix’s worldwide Top 10. A winning component of Night at the Museum is that the historical figures mentioned are timeless, and it is always amusing to examine a well-known persona through a different lens.
5
‘Home Alone’ (1990)
The 1990s were a rich decade for Christmas movies. None was better than Home Alone. The premise seems simple enough: a young boy left behind by his family tries to protect his home from a couple of thieves who try to break in. However, Home Alone delivered abundant laughs, disarming and unexpectedly touching moments, and an Oscar-nominated score by the legendary John Williams. Not to mention some impressive and believable stunt work.
Whether you are 9 or 90 years old, there is something for everyone in Home Alone. Instead of leaning 100% into campy hysterics, the thoughtful writing by John Hughes and magnificent direction by Chris Columbus take opportunities to be heartfelt and nuanced. A perfect mix of comedy and emotion, Home Alone is a must-watch Christmas movie for many. With its cozy charm and happy ending, Home Alone is not merely a jovial holiday flick, but a powerful feel-good film that can be enjoyed any time of the year.
“Hocus Pocus” (1993) When it comes to being spooky, spunky, and all-around entertaining, there is none better than Hocus Pocus. A Halloween movie the whole family can enjoy, it tells the plight of young Max Dennison (Omri Katz), who doesn’t believe in ghost stories and lights a black flame candle, bringing three notorious witches back from the dead. The local terrors, the Sanderson Sisters, Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) wreak havoc on Salem once again and aim to drain the life force from all of the children in town so they can remain alive.
Hocus Pocus is a cherished family viewing tradition for many, especially when Halloween and autumn come around. It is playful, funny, and absolutely iconic when it comes to costumes and makeup. Even though this haunting hit is 33 years old, it still holds up on screen. Hocus Pocus has aged like a fine wine and seems to be frozen in time, perfect as it is. It is now considered one of the best kids’ movies of the 1990s even though it initially bombed at the box office. Luckily, this ghoulish gem has found its audience, and it continues to grow in popularity year after year.
7
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)
The best animated family movie from the past five years is the surprise Netflix hit that no one saw coming. KPop Demon Hunters follows three singers who form the group Huntrix. Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) are not only famous singers, but they are an elite trio of demon-hunting heroes on the side.
KPop Demon Hunters is the perfect blend of an interesting plot with dynamic animation. There are nods to anime, 2D art, and more comprised within the movie’s mise en scene, and the music can’t be beat. KPop Demon Hunters destroyed viewership records everywhere and has raked in accolades, including a Grammy, two Oscars, and two Golden Globes. Even though there are immortal stakes involved, KPop Demon Hunters never stops being anything but over-the-top awesomeness. It has endless rewatchability (unless you don’t want the songs stuck in your head), and it is undoubtedly only the beginning for this groundbreaking masterpiece that is set to launch a mega-franchise.
8
‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ (2000)
Though Walt Disney’s raison d’être for animated films was to tell compelling and gripping stories, the prolific studio also mixes in much lighter fare, and one of the best is The Emperor’s New Groove. The production behind the movie was a tumultuous one with nearly every element being rewritten in some way, shape, or form. Luckily, what emerged was an absolute triumph, and The Emperor’s New Groove is clever, unique, and has razor-sharp wit.
The story follows the selfish and spoiled emperor Kuzco (David Spade) after he is accidentally turned into a llama by his former employee Yzma (Eartha Kitt), who was intending to kill him instead. In a riches-to-rags situation like none other, the self-centered and immature Kuzco must completely rely on the kindness of one of his subjects to get him back to his palace. The Emperor’s New Groove is an immensely fun family film. The cast is superb and includes John Goodman, Patrick Warburton, and Wendie Malick as well as Spade and Kitt. Having such talented and identifiable comedic voices involved with the movie heightens the hilarity. The Emperor’s New Groove has some of the best dialogue in any animated film, and its witty banter has been the inspiration for many memes. If you want to enjoy an excellent movie with your family and quote it back to each other again and again, then The Emperor’s New Groove can’t be missed.
