Five classic family films your kids will love…
Though there are lots of brilliant family films being made these days, if you grew up during the 70s, 80s or even the 90s, you’ll probably have a soft spot for those classic movies that captured your imagination as a child. So if you want to pass the magic on to your own children, or you just want to have a great family night in, here are the top five family films for you to watch this year…
The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies is a pure adventure classic. Inspiring a whole generation of kids to go on treasure hunts and form neighbourhood clubs, The Goonies is the perfect film to watch on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Though it’s suitable for most ages, if you’ve got very young children they might find some scenes a little scary.
Hook (1991)
Mixing fantasy, pirates and a mega food fight, what’s not to love about this fantastic adaptation of the classic Peter Pan story?
Robin Williams gives a brilliant performance as the boy who never grew up, and makes a great protagonist to lead viewers through this exciting world of adventure.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Most kids these days will have seen the remake of this classic family film, however there’s nothing like the original so buy a few bars of chocolate and pop on this 1970’s masterpiece.
The songs alone are enough to take you straight back to your own childhood, and tell a powerful moral tale about indulgence, greed and selfishness – oh and there’s the Oompa Loompas too!
Indiana Jones (1981-1989)
As it’s impossible to choose just one of the Indiana Jones films, we’ve cheated and included the entire original trilogy.
Full of iconic set pieces, great music and unforgettable characters, if your kids haven’t seen Indy escape from the Nazis or find lost treasure deep in the jungle then now’s the perfect time to sit them down in front of the telly and show them that archaeologists are cool too.
The Karate Kid (1984)
This classic tale of perseverance and wisdom is a must see for all children.
The Karate Kid will teach them invaluable lessons about bullying and self-belief, plus they can spend the entire summer holidays practicing their new-found karate skills.
Watching classic family films is a great way to bond with your kids and share something special from your childhood with theirs. So heat up some popcorn, draw the curtains and settle down to watch some real family favourites.
Produced in association with Cineworld.
Originally published July 16, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
