Summary
- Family movies in 2024 offer a variety for all ages, from animated adventures to coming-of-age stories and nostalgic remakes.
- Popular family movies like The Garfield Movie, The Tiger’s Apprentice, and Little Wing offer unique stories and characters fit for the whole family.
- Families with teens can enjoy thrilling action films like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Fall Guy.
The best family movies of 2024 are now available for streaming and there are plenty of options for every kind of family. 2024 has seen some fantastic movies on the release slate, and while horror and high fantasy have been a major part of that with movies like Dune: Part 2 and A Quiet Place: Day One, there have also been plenty of films for the whole family. Animated movies, remakes of classic stories, new entries in beloved franchises, and relatable coming-of-age dramas fill the ranks of the best films that the whole family can enjoy.
The best family movies are not always necessarily the best kids’ movies. Family movies can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and are best watched together, with everyone getting something different out of them, which is why Pixar and Christmas films often make lists of the best family movies. There’s something for everyone in them. Over the halfway point in 2024, there are not many Christmas or Pixar movies available for streaming, but there are still plenty of great options for young families, families with teens, and every other variety to enjoy.
Related 10 Best Fantasy TV Shows Of 2024
2024 has been a great year for TV, and the best fantasy shows demonstrate how explosive the genre has become in storytelling, action, & character.
20 The Garfield Movie (PG)
An Animated Update Of The Classic Comic Cat
The Garfield Movie PGAdventureAnimationComedy
Based on Jim Davis’s comic series, Garfield is a new imagining of the lasagna-loving cat and his friends, opting for a fully computer-animated approach. Chris Pratt voices the titular cat, with the film aiming to explore his early days and new misadventures for him, his friends, and his family.
Director Mark Dindal Release Date May 24, 2024 Cast Chris Pratt , Samuel L. Jackson , Nicholas Hoult , Cecily Strong , Hannah Waddingham , Brett Goldstein , Bowen Yang , Ving Rhames Runtime 101 minutes
The Garfield Movie is the latest in the Garfield movie franchise since Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties in 2006. The lasagna-loving cat is now voiced by Chris Pratt instead of Bill Murray and in this film, he’s reunited with his long-lost father, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), who ropes him into a big adventure. All the classic characters from the comic return, including Jon Arbuckle (Nicholas Hoult), Odie (Harvey Guillén), and Liz) Dev Joshi).
Garfield is a classic family-friendly character. Whether he’s in the Sunday comic strips, on television, or in one of his movies, his sarcastic and laze-about attitude is enjoyable for everyone. The film only has a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, but it earned over $225 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo), indicating people are still in love with the orange tabby. It may be a different sort of Garfield than fans are used to but he still goes on an enjoyable ride.
19 The Tiger’s Apprentice (PG)
An Animated Action Adventure About The Chinese Zodiac
The Tiger’s Apprentice PGAnimationActionAdventure
Based on the novel by Laurence Yep, The Tiger’s Apprentice is a 2024 animation action-adventure film. When Tom Lee discovers that his family has been protectors of a mysterious Phoenix Egg for centuries, he must learn from a new mentor named Mr. Hu, a tiger, to live up to his family’s legacy and save the world from a new threat.
Director Raman Hui , Yong Duk Jhun , Paul Watling Release Date February 2, 2024 Cast Michelle Yeoh , Sandra Oh , Leah Lewis , Henry Golding , Bowen Yang , Patrick Gallagher , Sherry Cola , Brandon Soo Hoo
Based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Laurence Yep, The Tiger’s Apprentice is an animated movie that follows Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo), a Hong Kong-born 15-year-old who inadvertently becomes the guardian of the Twelve Zodiac signs, warriors that he is supposed to lead to fight evil. As he trains to control his newfound power, an evil sorceress, Penny Loo (Michelle Yeoh), seeks to capture the power for herself. It’s a fantastical adventure story with themes about identity and immigration that make for a deeper tale.
The story itself is not particularly original, but the setting and characters are unique enough that it has a flavor all its own.
The Tiger’s Apprentice combines Hollywood and the zodiac signs for a gorgeously animated movie with a cast of characters not often depicted on screen. The story itself is not particularly original, but the setting and characters are unique enough that it has a flavor all its own. Anyone with an interest in the Chinese zodiac symbols will enjoy their representations on screen.
18 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13)
An Epic Sequel In The Franchise
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire PG-13ActionComedySupernatural Where to Watch
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.
Director Gil Kenan Release Date March 22, 2024 Cast Finn Wolfhard , Mckenna Grace , Logan Kim , Celeste O’Connor , Carrie Coon , Paul Rudd , Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Ernie Hudson Runtime 115 Minutes
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is set three years after Ghostbusters: Afterlife, making it the fourth film in the series and the fifth Ghostbusters movie overall. After the events of the previous film, the new Ghostbusters relocate to New York City to help Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) and Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) establish their Ghostbusters business. There they encounter an ancient demonic god, Garraka, who threatens to freeze the entire world.
The Ghostbusters movies have always been great family filmsand the most recent ones offer a little bit of new and old for all viewers. Parents and older family members will enjoy the callbacks to the ’80s movies, while younger viewers will appreciate seeing some of their favorite stars like Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace taking up the mantle of ghost exterminators. Then there’s Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon for those who just want to watch great actors in action.
17 Little Wing (PG-13)
A Spin On A Coming-Of-Age Sports Drama
Little Wing (2024) PG-13DramaSport Where to Watch
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Kaitlyn, a 13-year-old girl, navigates the turmoil of her parents’ divorce and the imminent loss of her home. She finds solace in the unexpected world of pigeon racing. With her best friend, she devises a plan to help her mother, but instead, forms a life-changing bond with the pigeon’s owner, leading to newfound hope and resilience.
Director Dean Israelite Release Date March 13, 2024 Cast Brooklynn Prince , Che Tafari , Brian Cox , Kelly Reilly , Simon Khan , Trinity Jo-Li Bliss , Melanie Nicholls-King , Jeanine Jackson Runtime 99 Minutes
Little Wing stars Brooklynn Prince as Kaitlyn McKay, a Portland, Oregon teenager whose parents have recently divorced. When a family friend gives Kaitlyn two racing pigeons to care for, she puts her time and energy into learning everything she can about the birds and the sport. She comes to learn that a reclusive trainer, Jaan Vari (Brian Cox), lives nearby and goes to find him, hoping to learn even more. While Little Wing is not a traditional family sports movie, it has all the hallmarks that make it enjoyable for all ages.
Cox and McKay have great chemistry together, and it’s a mentor/mentee relationship that everyone in a family can relate to on one side or the other.
Cox and McKay have great chemistry together, and it’s a mentor/mentee relationship that everyone in a family can relate to on one side or the other. It’s a bit of a more mature family movie, however, with some themes about suicide and depression carefully inserted. None of it’s shocking, but very young viewers may have trouble understanding some of the deeper messages of the film.
16 Mean Girls (PG-13)
The Musical Remake Of The Classic High School Comedy
Mean Girls (2024) Not Yet RatedComedyMusical Where to Watch
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Mean Girls is a reimagining of the 2004 classic comedy film as a musical, directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. When Cady Heron and her family move from Africa to the United States; she experiences a culture shock when she enters the public school system for the first time. While trying to fit in, she is roped into the popular but superficial and cruel clique, the Plastics.
Director Samantha Jayne , Arturo Perez Jr. Release Date January 12, 2024 Cast Angourie Rice , Auli’i Cravalho , Jaquel Spivey , Reneé Rapp , Jon Hamm , Ashley Park , Jenna Fischer , Tina Fey , Tim Meadows
Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. with a screenplay from the 2004 film’s writer, Tina Fey, Mean Girls (2024) is a remake of the smash-hit high school comedy, based on the stage musical that began making the rounds in 2017. The plot follows the original movie though now, of course, with musical numbers. There are 17 songs in Mean Girls and each is as funny as they are catchy. Families who sit down to watch it will have to beware that the tunes will be hummed in the house for the next couple of days.
Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprise their roles as Ms. Norbury and Mr. Duvall, respectively.
Like the original Mean Girls, the 2024 musical has plenty of risqué moments that are probably better suited for families of young teens and older, but everyone should be able to enjoy the songs. Nothing more than the tunes is added to the original story, and while that may make the film feel like a retread, it also means that fans of the 2004 movie and those who have never seen it, will both enjoy this version.
15 Unfrosted (PG-13)
Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tart Themed Biopic
Unfrosted (2024) PG-13BiographyComedyHistory Where to Watch
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Unfrosted is a 2024 biographical comedy directed, written, and starring Jerry Seinfeld. The film takes place in 1963 Battle Creek, Michigan, where Kellogg’s and Post are fighting to create a new world-changing breakfast pastry.
Director Jerry Seinfeld Release Date May 3, 2024 Cast Jerry Seinfeld , Melissa McCarthy , Jim Gaffigan , Hugh Grant , amy schumer , Max Greenfield , Christian Slater , Bill Burr , Daniel Levy , James Marsden , Jack McBrayer , Thomas Lennon , Bobby Moynihan , Adrian Martinez , Sarah Cooper , Fred Armisen Runtime 93 Minutes Expand
Biopics about innocuous histories are often great films for families. They learn a little something, there are low stakes, and they’re often well-acted. Unfrosted may not be the best of them, but thanks to Jerry Seinfeld’s comic styling and confident directing, it’s a good way to spend an hour and a half. Unfrosted tells the story of the invention of Pop-Tart toaster pastries. Bob Cabana (Seinfeld) is a Kellogg’s employee who comes up with an idea for the Pop-Tart after finding out that Post is making something similar.
Bob Cabana is loosely based on the real-life William Post who is credited with inventing the Pop-Tart.
Unfrosted is packed with a cast of the biggest names in comedy, including Melissa McCarthy, Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Dan Levy, Kyle Mooney, and more. It has all the veteran Hollywood stars that parents will enjoy seeing, but Seinfeld has an animated sense of filmmaking, meaning young viewers will not get bored.
14 Argylle (PG-13)
A Twisted, Meta Crime Thriller
Argylle PG-13ActionThrillerComedy
Argylle is an action thriller by director Matthew Vaughn. The movie centers on an introverted novelist who is thrown into the real world of espionage after the plot of her most recent spy thriller parrels the crimes of an underground syndicate. Argylle has a star-studded cast, including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.
Director Matthew Vaughn Release Date February 2, 2024 Cast Henry Cavill , Ariana DeBose , Sofia Boutella , Catherine O’Hara , Bryce Dallas Howard , John Cena , Dua Lipa , Samuel L. Jackson , Sam Rockwell , Bryan Cranston , Rob Delaney Runtime 139 Minutes
The plot of Argylle is a bit hard to explain, particularly when spoilers want to be avoided, but it’s best explained as a meta spy adventure starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Henry Cavill, and other notable actors. Elly Conway (Howard) is a reclusive author who is suddenly dragged into a world of spies and espionage. Things get really strange when Elly realizes the events she’s participating in are things she has written about before.
The humor’s not too crass, the violence not too outrageous, and the story not so complex that it will have people asking too many questions.
Argylle is an action-packed and comedic film that the family can enjoy for one part or another. The humor’s not too crass, nor the violence not too outrageous. As a spinoff of The Kingsman franchise, Argylle is director Matthew Vaughn’s family version of those hyper-violent spy films and a chance for everyone, even younger viewers (to a point), to enjoy Vaughn’s colorful filmmaking.
13 IF (PG)
Imaginary Friends Come To Life And Try To Find A Home
IF (2024) PGComedyAnimationDramaFantasy Where to Watch
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IF, originally titled Imaginary Friends, is a comedic fantasy film written and directed by John Krasinski. A young girl who experiences a tragic moment early in her life discovers she can see the imaginary friends of others who leave them behind as they grow older.
Director John Krasinski Release Date May 17, 2024 Cast Ryan Reynolds , John Krasinski , Cailey Fleming , Steve Carell , Matt Damon , Emily Blunt , Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Vince Vaughn , Sam Rockwell , Maya Rudolph , Jon Stewart , Awkwafina Runtime 104 Minutes
John Krasinski may not be able to stay away from monster movies, but with IF, he has moved away from more adult fare, entering the family-friendly market. IF, short for “imaginary friend”, is about a young girl, Bea (Cailey Fleming), who moves into her grandmother’s apartment when her father, played by Krasinski, has to go to the hospital for an operation. While at her grandmother’s, Bea encounters the world of imaginary friends and helps them to reunite with their lost human friends.
IF is a family movie through and through, with colorful and creative monster designs for children, as well as a mature story about loss and grief that older audiences will relate to, but younger audiences can safely ignore if it’s too much for them. It’s a magical film that sometimes gets lost in its own plot, but there’s an old-fashioned kind of storytelling that makes for a nostalgic watch.
12 Thelma The Unicorn (PG)
An Animated Animal Musical
Thelma the Unicorn (2024) PGAnimationAdventureComedy
Thelma the Unicorn is an animated adventure film based on Aaron Blabey’s popular children’s book. The story follows Thelma, an ordinary pony who dreams of becoming a unicorn. With a twist of fate and a magical accident, she is transformed into a celebrity overnight. But despite her getting everything she thought she ever wanted, she soon realizes the cost of fame is higher than she had thought.
Director Jared Hess , Lynn Wang Release Date May 17, 2024 Cast Brittany Howard , Will Forte , Jemaine Clement , Edi Patterson , Fred Armisen , Zach Galifianakis , Jon Heder , Maliaka Mitchell Runtime 93 minutes
Thelma the Unicorn is an animated musical film starring Alabama Shakes lead vocalist Brittany Howard as the titular unicorn. However, Thelma is not a unicorn. She’s a pony who’s the lead singer of an overlooked barnyard band. When a glitter accident results in fans thinking Thelma is an actual unicorn, she takes advantage of her newfound attention and fame to popularize her music, though ends up doing so at the expense of her authenticity and friends.
Thelma the Unicorn is in a long line of colorfully animated movies like Trolls and Sing, though perhaps with better animation and art. While the ideas from Thelma the Unicorn are nothing new, the wacky side characters and occasional acid-dipped humor, as well as its modern views on internet fame make this a children’s movie that the whole family will enjoy.
11 Arthur The King (PG-13)
A True Story About A Lost Dog And The Team Who Found Him
Arthur the King PG-13AdventureDramaSport
Arthur the King is an adventure movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Simu Liu. Based on a true story, Wahlberg plays Michael Light, a pro-adventure racer who connects with a stray dog named Arthur. On his journey to win a final race, Light learns the true meaning of victory and friendship as his endurance is pushed to the limit.
Director Simon Cellan Jones Release Date March 15, 2024 Cast Mark Wahlberg , Simu Liu , Juliet Rylance , Nathalie Emmanuel , Ali Suliman , Bear Grylls , Paul Guilfoyle Runtime 107 Minutes
Based on the true story that was made into a 2016 memoir, Arthur – The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord, Arthur the King stars Mark Wahlberg as Michael Light, the Lindnord stand-in. Michael is a long-distance adventure racer who, in 2018, decides to do one last race in the Dominican Republic. There, he and his four-person team encounter a stray dog, whom they dub Arthur the King and immediately bond with, putting their success on the line to ensure their new friend survives.
Mikael Lindnord is Swedish, as was his racing team at the time, but
Arthur the King
makes the characters American.
A quintessential family movie, Arthur the King is a heartwarming and inspiring tale about friendship and putting safety and love over winning. Like the best dog movies, Arthur the King makes Arthur, played by a dog actor named Ukai, the center of the film, and his bond with Wahlberg feels very real. It’s a classic family tale and one that can be enjoyed for the scenes of adventure racing and for the dog moments.
10 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (PG-13)
An Explosive Entry In The Monsterverse
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy Where to Watch
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After nearly destroying each other in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the giant Titans are back to face a new dangerous threat, but this time, they are on the same side. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film in Warner Bros.’ growing Monsterverse franchise and will be directed by Adam Wingard.
Director Adam Wingard Release Date March 29, 2024 Cast Dan Stevens , Rebecca Hall , Brian Tyree Henry , Kaylee Hottle , Fala Chen Runtime 115 Minutes
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film in the Monsterverse franchise and the 38th film in the Godzilla franchise. In this film, Kong discovers that there is an even deeper level to Hollow Earth where the rest of his kind are living, ruled by a cruel and sinister ape, the Skar King. Godzilla and Kong must team up together in order to defeat the Skar King and his steed, Shimo, to save the world and rescue the other Kongs.
These Monsterverse movies have always been fantastic family films, with dazzling displays of visual effects and action violence that isn’t so brutal that younger audiences can’t watch them. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire in particular is a family-oriented film, considering the new addition of the adolescent Suko, who becomes a surrogate son for Kong.
9 Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)
A Hilarious And Well-Animated Kung-Fu Film
Kung Fu Panda 4 PGActionAdventureAnimation Where to Watch
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Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth film in the animated martial arts adventure franchise. The film will see Po leave his home and enter the city to search for his future Dragon Warrior replacement while dealing with a dangerous shapeshifting foe known as The Chameleon.
Director Mike Mitchell , Stephanie Stine Release Date March 8, 2024 Cast Jack Black , Awkwafina , Viola Davis , Dustin Hoffman , James Hong , Bryan Cranston , Ian McShane , Ke Huy Quan Runtime 94 Minutes
Kung Fu Panda 4, the fourth film in the franchise, feels like the end of an era for the animated kung fu movies, with Po (Jack Black) moving into the teacher role that Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) played in the first film. This movie finds Po having to find and train his dragon warrior successor. While he searches, he encounters a thieving fox, Zhen (Awkwafina), whom he teams up with to defeat the evil sorceress The Chameleon (Viola Davis), a kung fu master who takes the forms of the villains from the series.
Like all the Kung Fu Panda movies, Kung Fu Panda 4 expertly balances its heart, impressive action, and whip-smart comedy for an animated film that people of all ages can enjoy. With a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s actually one of the lesser-rated films in the series, but it’s still in the higher tier of animated family movies.
8 Janet Planet (PG-13)
A Mother’s Coming-Of-Age Tale
Janet Planet (2024) PG-13Drama
Janet Planet follows 11-year-old Lacy during the summer of 1991 in rural Western Massachusetts. She spends her days immersed in her imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the summer progresses, three visitors enter their lives, all enchanted by Janet’s charismatic presence.
Director Annie Baker Release Date June 28, 2024 Cast Zoe Ziegler , Luke Philip Bosco , June Walker Grossman , Abby Harri , Julianne Nicholson , Will Patton , Edie Moon Kearns , Mary Shultz Runtime 113 Minutes
Janet Planet stars Julianne Nicholson as Janet, a hippie and an acupuncturist, who spends her summer in rural Massachusetts with her daughter, 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler). While there, Janet invites three people to visit her: Avi (Elias Koteas), a theatre group leader, Regina (Sophie Okonedo), Janet’s friend, and Wayne (Will Patton), Janet’s boyfriend. Lacy becomes jealous of all three, clinging closer to Janet as she struggles to make Lacy more self-determined.
It’s a gentle and subdued drama that slowly unfolds so that, despite the more mature themes of the film, young teen viewers will be able to understand what the stakes of the story are. It’s a film about family and how they can sometimes face conflict with the idea of outsiders coming into it. Janet Planet is best suited for teenagers and older, who will better understand the struggles and frustrations Janet has with her daughter.
7 Suncoast (R)
A Semi-Autobiographical Coming-Of-Age Story
Suncoast RBiographyDrama Where to Watch
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Suncoast is an autobiographical drama film by writer-director Laura Chinn, released in 2024. The film explores stories from Laura Chinn’s own life, including her brother, who was taken to a specialized facility to care for his detrimental illness. At the facility, however, she meets an eccentric man rallying against the medical system, which sets off a historical series of events.
Director Laura Chinn Release Date February 9, 2024 Cast Woody Harrelson , Laura Linney , Nico Parker , Ella Anderson , Daniella Perkins Runtime 109 Minutes
Suncoast is a semi-autobiographical drama by Laura Chinn about her own life in the early 2000s. In the film, a young girl, Doris (Nico Parker) is dealing with her brother Max’s (Cree Kawa) serious illness alongside her mother, Kristine (Laura Linney). Doris ends up forging a bond with an eccentric activist, Paul Warren (Woody Harrelson), protesting against the right-to-die court case of Terri Schiavo. The movie is rated R, as there is a lot of cursing in Suncoast as well as plenty of drug and alcohol use, but none of it is exploitative or enough to cause discomfort.
If a teen-oriented family can handle the mature elements, Suncoast is an emotional look at a difficult situation that shows how friends and family can support one another in sad times. There are some broad tropes taken from other coming-of-age films, but the charming cast in Suncoast makes them work all the better and leads the movie to be a tear-jerking but bittersweet family movie night.
6 Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes (PG-13)
The Thrilling Next Step In The Apes Franchise
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes PG-13Action Sci-Fi Where to Watch
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Set several years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the next installment in the Apes saga. Ape clans have taken up residence in the oasis that Caesar sought to colonize, but humans have reverted to their animalistic nature in their absence. Now battling between enslavement and freedom, outliers in the Ape clans will take sides in a newly burgeoning society.
Director Wes Ball Cast Kevin Durand , Freya Allan , Peter Macon , Owen Teague , Eka Darville , Sara Wiseman , Neil Sandilands Runtime 145 Minutes
The fourth film in the Apes reboot franchise and the 10th film overall in the Apes franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place 300 years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. Caesar’s society has grown and flourished into distinct cultures, each with politics and desires, good and bad. Humans are now feral and considered little more than animals. That is until a young chimpanzee, Noa (Owen Teague) meets the human, Mae (Freya Allan), who reveals she has retained her intelligence.
The Apes films have always been fantastic family movies. They are filled with drama, excellent storytelling, and deep and complex relationships. They are also Shakespearean in their dialogue and how their stories are simple on the surface with a lot to say underneath, and so can be enjoyed by all. Kingdom is the least successful of the reboot films, but there’s still something there for everyone.
5 Música (PG-13)
A Romantic Comedy About Music And Heritage
Música (2024) PG-13ComedyRomance Where to Watch
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Based on writer, director, and star Rudy Mancuso, Música is a coming-of-age love story that follows an aspiring creator with synesthesia who must come to terms with an uncertain future while navigating the pressures of love, family, and his Brazilian culture.
Director Rudy Mancuso Release Date April 4, 2024 Cast Rudy Mancuso , Camila Mendes , Francesca Reale , Maria Mancuso , J.B. Smoove Runtime 91 Minutes
First-time feature film director Rudy Mancuso’s Música stars the director as the self-named character, Rudy, a Brazilian American living in Newark, New Jersey. Rudy has synesthesia, which leads to him being easily distracted as everyday sounds and conversations become a musical symphony in his head. When Rudy meets Isabella (Camila Mendes), he must find a way to balance his love life, musical aspirations, and commitments to his family and cultural heritage.
Though
Música
is not a musical, music figures heavily in the film, with normal scenes frequently interrupted by Rudy’s racing thoughts.
Though Música is not a musical, music figures heavily in the film, with normal scenes frequently interrupted by Rudy’s racing thoughts. It’s a classic and deftly directed coming-of-age romance, and the themes of balancing family obligations with personal goals should make it instantly relatable to people of any age. With a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, Música is a great option for families looking for something warm, bubbly, and universal.
4 Bob Marley: One Love (PG-13)
The Tribute To One Of Music’s Greatest Artists
Bob Marley: One Love PG-13BiographyDramaMusic Where to Watch
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Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, Bob Marley: One Love is a biographical music-drama that explores the life of Bob Marley, as portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir. The film highlights the ups and downs of Marley’s life and career until his untimely death in 1981.
Director Reinaldo Marcus Green Release Date February 14, 2024 Cast Kingsley Ben-Adir , Lashana Lynch , James Norton , Tosin Cole , Anthony Welsh Runtime 107 Minutes
Bob Marley: One Love is a musical biopic about none other than the Jamaican phenomenon, Bob Marley, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir. The film tracks Marley’s rise to fame in the mid-1970s to his death in 1981. Much of Marley and the Wailers’ music is on display and Ben-Adir’s portrayal of Marley is outstanding, managing to capture his cadence, physicality, and singing style.
It may be a bit of a paint-by-numbers biopic, but it’s one of the few definitive looks at the legendary artist. As far as family movies go, some of the tense life experiences Marley has to go through may be a bit much for young children, but teens and older audiences will appreciate the hardships he endured. They will also get a reminder of just how great Marley’s music is and once the movie ends, people will be going to Spotify to listen to his albums.
3 The Fall Guy (PG-13)
An Action-Packed Throwback To ’80s and ’90s Blockbusters
The Fall Guy PG-13ActionDramaThriller
The Fall Guy is an action thriller from Bullet Train and Deadpool 2 director David Leitch. Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman who is forced to find a missing movie star, investigate a conspiracy, and repair his relationship with the love of his life. The film was written by Drew Pearce and inspired by the 1980s TV series of the same name.
Director David Leitch Release Date May 3, 2024 Cast Ryan Gosling , Emily Blunt , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Stephanie Hsu , Winston Duke , Hannah Waddingham , Teresa Palmer Runtime 126 Minutes
Though they can be a bit violent for some families, the best family movies of all time include some incredible action-packed films from the ’80s and ’90s, such as Top Gun, Hook, Men in Black, and more. The Fall Guy is a throwback to that era and a great family film to boot, though much more suited to a teenage audience who won’t be startled by the explosions and stunts. The Fall Guys stars Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, a veteran stuntman, who finds himself working on his ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno’s (Emily Blunt) directorial debut.
Colt and Jody soon find themselves dragged into a conspiracy involving Jody’s lead, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). As one would expect, there are many eyebrow-raising stunts in Fall Guy that everyone in the family will be entertained by. Gosling and Blunt also have a classic sort of chemistry that makes this film feel like a nostalgic look back at the movies parents probably enjoyed watching when they were their kids’ ages.
2 Turtles All The Way Down (PG-13)
A Thoughtful Look At Love And Mental Health
Turtles All The Way Down PG-13
It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying… trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope.
Director Hannah Marks Release Date May 2, 2024 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , New Line Cinema , Temple Hill Entertainment Where To Stream HBO Max
In Turtles All the Way Down, a 16-year-old with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced), reconnects with an old flame, Davis (Felix Mallard). The problem is that many of the symptoms of her OCD force her to keep Davis at arm’s length — that is until they decide to figure out what occurred regarding the disappearance of Davis’ billionaire father. The two set off to find out what really happened to him and possibly begin a real relationship at the same time.
It’s also a charming romantic drama that the whole family can get invested in with an intriguing mystery at the center.
Turtles All the Way Down handles a touchy subject and successfully treats it with nuance and grace. Aza’s OCD is not the butt of the joke and the film provides some good lessons about growing up with anxiety disorders. It’s also a charming romantic drama that the whole family can get invested in with an intriguing mystery at the center.
1 Orion And The Dark (TV-Y7)
An Animated Fantasy Adventure From The Mind Of Charlie Kaufman
Orion and the Dark Not RatedAnimationComedyFamily Where to Watch
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Orion and the Dark is an animated family comedy film by director Sean Charmatz, released in 2024, based on the book by Emma Yarlett. Orion, a boy with a powerful imagination, is thrown into a gauntlet of all his fears when he is dragged along by his greatest fear, the Dark, to discover that his fears of the night may be unfounded.
Director Sean Charmatz Release Date February 2, 2024 Cast Jacob Tremblay , Paul Walter Hauser , Werner Herzog , Angela Bassett , Colin Hanks , Ike Barinholtz , Natasia Demetriou Runtime 92 Minutes
As the screenwriter of Orion and the Dark, Charlie Kaufman brings all his existential ideas and meta-textual style to a kids’ movie that the whole family can enjoy. Orion and the Dark follows Orion Mendelson (Jacob Tremblay), a young boy with severe anxieties and a list of irrational fears. Tired of being blamed for all his problems, the physical embodiment of Darkness takes Orion on a fantastical journey to show him his fears are not so bad.
It is a beautifully animated movie and has a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the characters and animation are clearly geared towards a younger audience, Kaufman’s ideas about time passing, fears, and the balance of life are for people of all ages. It’s a true family movie and people of any age can find something to relate to in Orion and the Dark.