Keeping It Family Friendly
Shifting values can make showing classic films to the family a bit of a gamble—here’s a guide to five movies that will entertain, not offend
by Amanda Davis
September 14, 2022
Born in the early ’80s, I grew up on movies like Back to the Future, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Princess Bride. Most children of that time have a nerd-like knowledge and fondness for all things Star Wars, but for some reason my family was more into Spaceballs (Schwartz, anyone?). After film school, I really came to enjoy great cinema and have a harder time watching anything that doesn’t hold together.
Now that I have my own kids, watching old favorites is a risky business. A lot has changed in four decades—kids wear bike helmets, don’t know what a landline is, and probably haven’t even heard of kick the can. Social norms have also changed, making some elements of classic movies taboo. What may have passed for kid-friendly in the ‘40s comes with a whole lot of ‘splainin’ now.
Here, I dive into a few family movies I’ve watched recently with my kids (8 and 5 years old), which are all great options for family movie night.
© 1982 Universal City Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. is one of those genius movies that doesn’t come with a lot of exposition. You’re thrust into the story right off the bat, and it’s very apparent this is not in the same vein as today’s kids’ movies. There is no animation. It’s not formulaic. There’s no CGI. Frankly, it’s a breath of fresh air for a film-nerd mom who’s craving realism. No sugarcoating necessary here. Since the E.T. character is an animatronic, the interactions between him and the child actors are more realistic and believable. The story builds on the relationship between E.T. and the children, creating a sense of magic that culminates in a palpable moment of distress when E.T. and Elliott are separated. This scene may distress the youngest viewers, but on a whole, the film stands out as one of the most unique and affecting movies from the ‘80s that works as well today as it did back then.
The Wizard of Oz
There’s something magical about movies that were filmed on sets with practical effects. It’s almost a whimsical, textural quality that creates a nostalgic suspension of disbelief not achieved with today’s shaky handheld cameras and sloppy CGI. Don’t get me wrong—done well, CGI can be a great tool, but too often it becomes a crutch. The Wizard of Oz is a movie that benefits greatly from the well-constructed sets and a large cast of extras. The attention to detail in the makeup and costuming bring the characters to life in a way that is still impressive. Further adding to the magic is the strategic use of soft focus, something that seems to have gone by the wayside. The way the camera ogles the ruby slippers and softens Judy Garland’s face in closeup makes me long for the early days of cinema and hopeful that maybe, someday, we can revive a few classic cinema techniques.
Hook
It’s a tragedy this film didn’t receive higher critical acclaim. For something so rich in original storytelling, stunning visuals, and a magical score (John Williams), Hook holds up as a fantastic family film today. The story, based on an adult version of Peter Pan, who’s now an executive and doesn’t have enough time to spend with his kids, is a fascinating commentary on the experience of growing up. When I was a kid, I related to the children in the movie—I’d be sad if my dad couldn’t make it to a ballet recital or had to travel for work. Now, I am the guilty parent who feels like she works too much and needs to “throw her phone out the window.” Watching the film now with my kids, it’s hard not to be captivated by the magic of the story and the emotion it evokes. The costumes and sets are still fantastic, and there weren’t any effects that pulled me out of the movie. I wholeheartedly recommend this for today’s families.
The Love Bug
What a delightful film. I had not seen this as a kid but when we all sat down to watch it recently, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the whimsy of it all. The story is fun and the practical effects made my kids giggle. There are a couple of scenes where Herbie (the anthropomorphic Volkswagen Beetle) squirts oil on people’s shoes, showing his anger, and there’s a hilarious scene where he gets “drunk” off Irish cream-laden coffee that’s poured in his gas tank. Little moments like this, done well, make this movie worth revisiting. As an adult, I loved the sets and the costume design—it took me on a trip down memory lane. A movie from the 1960s, there was a moment or two of your typical mid-20th-century chauvinism and a handful of negative stereotypes, but nothing unpalatable. This movie has a great mix of nostalgic humor and fun storytelling beats that still work for families with young kids.
School of Rock
We took a risk watching this one recently since it’s rated PG-13. The Common Sense Media rating suggests this for ages 11+ but the only thing that seemed inappropriate for younger kids was language. Let me start by saying that this was a fun movie to watch all together. We had three generations watching, and even though School of Rock is just about 20 years old, it is still fun and relatable to the grandparents, parents, and kiddos alike. Jack Black’s performance is inspiring, heartfelt, and fun, and Joan Cusack rocks it as the uptight principal. There is definitely language that my kids haven’t heard before (at least that I’m aware of) but nothing too off-putting. Overall, we really enjoyed this as a family, and I would suggest it for anyone with kids around 9 or 10 years old. That said, my 5-year-old may have enjoyed this more than the 8-year-old!
Amanda Davis has worked at Kaleidescape for more than 15 years. With a background in film history and screenwriting, she started in the content department writing movie synopses before transitioning to movie-store marketing and then corporate marketing. In addition to movies, she loves outdoor adventures with her husband and kiddos, nestled in the heart of Salt Lake City.
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