When the rain starts pouring, the snow starts falling, and the temperatures make it too chilly to play outside, family play days are now forced to be indoors. Thanks to helpful sites like Pinterest, we now have plenty of DIY crafts to work on as a family when we’re forced to stay indoors, but what about other forms of entertainment like movies?
Families, thankfully, have networks like Disney and Nickelodeon to keep their children entertained but let’s talk about movies that exceed the others. As adults, we all have our own favorite movies that we grew up watching but how do they score on IMDb, the popular movie database? Granted, there are thousands of iconic family movies that teach children values, morals, and right from wrong, but these 10 rank the highest.
THE GOONIES: 7.8
It’s so special to see such a great part of all of our childhoods still ranked so high! The Goonies was released in 1985 and paved the way for actors like Corey Feldman and took little girls and boys on an adventure we all wish we were apart of.
Brothers Mikey and Brandon are gearing up to move when they stumble upon an old treasure map. With the help of their best buddies, they call themselves the Goonies as they go on a hunt to find the hidden treasure in hopes of saving their neighborhood.
TOY STORY 4: 8.0
As the most recent movie on this list (and in the Toy Story franchise), Toy Story 4 came in with an 8.0 rating out of 10 stars. In this film, we see our favorite group of toys join their owner Bonnie on a road trip with a new pal named Forky. As per usual, this group finds themselves on a bit of adventure where Bonnie’s new toy can’t hack it and tries to run away.
It’s then Woody and Forky against the world as they try to find their way back to Bonnie and their friends. Like in every Toy Story movie, it’s filled with awesome animation, great storytelling, and makes our imagination run wild.
THE INCREDIBLES: 8.0
The Incredibles is one of the most beloved and creative Pixar movies to date. It was released in 2004 and made $633 million in the box office, becoming one of the most promising movies next to Toy Story 3.
The movie focuses on former superheroes, Helen and Bob, as they try to live normal lives in the town of Metroville. However, after 15 years of living as normal civilians, Bob (Mr. Incredible) decides to get back into fighting crime. He can’t do this alone, of course, as his wife and three kids Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack are also included.
FINDING NEMO: 8.1
Finding Nemo came out in 2003 and almost made a billion dollars in the box office ($940.3 million). The story of a dad and his connection to his lost son warmed hearts everywhere.
In the beginning of Nemo, we learn that Nemo’s mother died while trying to protect her eggs. We then see her widowed husband, Marlin, excited to see that one of the eggs was saved and he named him Nemo. Like any single parent, Marlin has his hands full with Nemo and would search the end of the earth to find his son after he’s taken by humans. Thankfully, Marlin meets a lifelong friend named Dory, finds his son, and the three live happily ever after.
INSIDE OUT: 8.2
Pixar’s Inside Out was so beautifully written and creative that it’s perfect for the entire family. It focuses on a little girl named Riley who moves to California from Minnesota. The viewers get an inside look at Riely’s behavior by meeting the emotions inside of her.
Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear are just some of the emotions we meet inside of Riely, as we learn how hard the human body works just to keep a person functioning. Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) is in charge of Riely’s happiness and wellbeing as we see her do everything she can to keep her safe. The film was incredibly well written and thought-provoking.
TOY STORY 3: 8.3
The long-awaited Toy Story 3 finally hit theatres in 2010 and was the first animated movie to make over a billion dollars in ticket sales around the world. The epic Pixar film showed Andy finally getting ready for college and packing away some of his childhood memories.
And while Andy was prepared to take Woody to college with him, Woody had plans of his own when he realized his besties were mistaken as trash. In an adorably emptional movie, we see our favorite group of toys try to find their footing again by being played with other children besides their OG owner Andy.
COCO: 8.4
Disney’s Pixar really knows how to do it right, don’t they? Coco came out in 2017 and introduced us to Miguel and his passion for music. Sadly for Miguel, he’s raised in a family who forbids music but he’s dedicated to following his dream no matter what it takes.
Throughout the film, we follow Miguel in a strange adventure through Land of the Dead where he meets interesting characters while playing music and learning more about his family’s history.
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE: 8.4
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was based on the legendary Stan Lee story Spider-Man. The animated action film shows us Miles Morales. He’s a “normal” high school boy who has the weight of the world on his shoulders as he realizes he’s New York City’s newest Spider-Man.
In a fun turn of events, Miles meets the one and only Peter Parker and, later, Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacy) as the three of them try to beat danger. The animated film even was an Academy Award and a Golden Globe!
THE LION KING: 8.5
Many of us are still on a Lion King high after the newest live-action of the Disney movie hit theatres this year. And while the live-action film starred celebrities like Beyonce and Donald Glover, it brought in a 7.0 rating on IMDb. The original movie, however, brought in 8.5 stars out of 10.
Based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Lion King is a tale of tragedy and perseverance as we see Simba try to escape the fact that his dad died and that he was supposedly the one who killed him. It’s not until Simba matures into a young man where he’s ready to take on Pride Rock and take his kingdom back from his evil uncle.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: 8.6
Surprisingly, many IMDb users chose the holiday movie It’s a Wonderful Life as one of the best family movies out there. The movie has been around for decades since it was released in 1946, but it still defies time. It revolves around a man named George who debates suicide after making a tough business call that could ruin his family’s life. While he’s considering killing himself, he’s introduced to a few angels that show him what life would be like for his loved ones if he were gone.
After seeing how many people love and need him, George is restored and has faith and hope for a new future. It’s a heartwarming tale that gets told time and time again every holiday season.
