The Greatest Family Movies of All Time

Summer is here, which means the kids are out of school -- and we bet you’re already in dire need of some family-centric entertainment suggestions to keep everyone happy. Fear not! We’ve compiled a list of some of the all-time best family films that you’ll want to introduce your kids to, or revisit for some nostalgic fun, when you're not off to the theater for one of the new releases.

We find out the “true” story about where those monsters in our closets really come from in this ingenious tale of scare-experts Sulley and Mike Wazowski. Their quest to get little human Boo back to her world is heartwarming and worthy of a prequel, Monsters University, in theaters now.

Steven Spielberg’s instant classic about a long-necked alien that bonds with a lonely kid named Elliott (Henry Thomas). The score, the comedy, the cast, the flying bikes: all winners. And yes, while it’s a bit dated, there’s still a lot that holds up—like the message that family matters, regardless where you come from .

It’s the quintessential neighborhood BFF bonding adventure. Mikey Walsh leads his buddies on a quest to discover the missing treasure from pirate One-Eyed Willie’s lost ship in order to save their homes from being torn down by a developer. It remains hilarious, a little blue at times yet a nostalgic coming-of-age tale.

Gene Wilder is the perfect embodiment of author Roald Dahl’s eccentric candy-making tycoon. Timeless (despite being more than 40 years old), Willy Wonka is equal parts comedy, thriller, adventure and endearing morality tale.

Dare we say, move over Santa because Ralphie Parker is just as much a Christmas icon as that guy in the red suit now? A little seen, critically lambasted slice-of-life tale released in 1983, A Christmas Story has since bloomed into first a cult hit and then an American mainstream tradition to be viewed over the holiday season. Ralphie’s Red Rider mania still remains potent today.

Another classic that initially failed to find its audience in theaters, The Iron Giant has since become a family cult favorite. Essentially the tale of a human boy who discovered and befriends a top secret Army robot, the film has action, thrills and a touching ending about the endurance of friendship. Seek it out.

It's been two years since the final Potter film, but thank goodness we got eight fantastic films that play out the young wizard’s epic journey to battle evil Voldemort. There’s enough for a week-long marathon or a weekend spent cuddled on the couch with popcorn and wands at hand.

Pixar’s finest film series features Andy’s beloved toys: Woody, Buzz and his whole toy chest gang. Each installment is exceptional balancing comedy, action and real tear-inducing emotion. Your kids will eat it up, while you tear up watching Andy grow up and leave his best friends behind so they can make another kid very happy.

The aquatic adventures of Marlin, the anxiety-ridden single parent of little Nemo still remains another of Pixar’s perfect films. It also gave us one of the best side-kicks ever in forgetful tang, Dory.

If your family enjoys music and singing, then let the effervescent Maria von Trapp (Julie Andrews) lead you on a musical journey with the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein’s tale of the von Trapp family’s daring escape from German-occupied Austria. The songs are forever memorable, even if the acting can be a little too precious.

Rob Reiner and William Goldman’s fractured fairy-tale classic has romance, adventure, swash-buckling, rodents of unusual size and so much more you just have to see it. You and your kids will be quoting it for the rest of your lives.

It’s the beautifully animated story of Po, a tubby panda, trying to find his path in life. A great story for kids in that awkward age where they feel they don’t belong and are feeling the heat of peer pressure.

A perfect adaptation of Baum’s The Wizard of Oz book featuring Judy Garland as beautiful farm girl Dorothy Gale of Kansas who gets stranded in the land of Oz. It features musical favorites, characters and, for its time, the richest color this side of a crayon box.

For animation fans looking for something more exotic and different, Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece Spirited Away is the kind of work that inspires kids to become artists. Watch this one together and then jump into the rest of Studio Ghibli’s catalog of great films.

The original Star Wars is the film that launched a billion imaginations. More than 35 years old and the story, visual effects and characters still hold up like it was made yesterday. If your kids are Star Wars newbies, launch them into the world of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader with the original.