- - The 34 best family comedy movies ready to stream right now

Chris Snellgrove, Ilana GordonDecember 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM

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Disney; StudioCanal; Disney

Moana (voice: Auli'i Cravalho) in 'Moana'; Paddington (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington'; Mirabel (voice: Stephanie Beatriz), Agustín (voice: Wilmer Valderamma), and Julieta (voice: Angie Cepeda) in 'Encanto'

Reaching a consensus on what to watch can be hard for any group, but finding something for the whole family adds another challenge — what will entertain both parents and children?

The answer: Something funny.

From the hilarious hijinks in Home Alone (1990) to the catchy songs in Moana (2016) and KPop Demon Hunters (2025), the films on this list will spark joy in audiences of any age.

Ahead, here are 34 comedies that make for a fun family movie night.

01 of 34

Annie (1982)

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Aileen Quinn as Annie in 'Annie'

The Broadway musical Annie encouraged generations of little ones to embrace their scrappy, independent sides. (The show also prompted generations of children to fantasize about becoming orphans, but you can’t win them all.) The 1982 film adaptation — released five years after the musical’s Broadway debut — is a nostalgic romp elevated by its top-notch casting.

Carol Burnett steals every scene as Miss Hannigan, and Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters make for an iconic villainous duo in their roles as Rooster and Lily. The film is relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, sometimes veering into cloying territory. But when times are tough, a peppy anthem like “Tomorrow” surely helps. —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Annie: Netflix through Dec. 31

Director: John Huston

Cast: Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry

02 of 34

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight Parminder Nagra as Jess (center left) and Keira Knightley as Jules (center right) in 'Bend It Like Beckham'

This coming-of-age soccer movie (or, rather, football in England, where it’s set) catapulted Keira Knightley to movie star status, but it’s Bend It Like Beckham’s cultural perspective and commentary that truly make it special. The story follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a teen girl obsessed with soccer (and with David Beckham, who gave the film permission to use his name because he wanted to promote girls’ soccer).

Feeling suffocated by her strict Indian parents and their hope that she’ll someday become a homemaker and devoted wife, Jess secretly joins a soccer team and must juggle responsibilities for both her family and her coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The film resonates with anyone who knows the acute angst of pretending around loved ones to be someone they’re not. —I.G.

Where to watch Bend It Like Beckham: Disney+

EW grade: A

Director: Gurinder Chadha

Cast: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson

03 of 34

Big (1988)

20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett

Tom Hanks as Josh in 'Big'

Big is the ultimate “be careful what you wish for” story. When 12-year-old Josh is too short to hop on a carnival ride and woo his crush, he yearns (with prompting by a fortune-telling machine) to be “big.” The boy wakes up the next morning as a grown-up Tom Hanks, whose joy at unexpectedly getting what he wanted is subdued by his new responsibilities and inability to hang with his not-so-big best friend.

Alongside a veteran cast in supporting roles — Elizabeth Perkins as the love interest, John Heard as the jerk co-worker, Robert Loggia as the toy company boss who’s inspired by his mysterious new employee’s childlike charms — Hanks transformed his career here, proving his dramatic chops and earning his first Oscar nomination. —Chris Snellgrove

Where to watch Big: Disney+

Director: Penny Marshall

Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Mercedes Ruehl

04 of 34

Despicable Me (2010)

Universal/Courtesy Everett

Minions and Gru (voice: Steve Carell) in 'Despicable Me'

Despicable Me asks us to root not just for the bad guy, but a proud supervillain, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), whose army of loyal Minions enthusiastically help their leader pull off his devious plans. To one-up his new villainous (if not pathetic) rival (voiced by Jason Segel), Gru adopts three young girls as part of an elaborate scheme, but they melt his heart quicker than a ray gun. —C.S.

Where to watch Despicable Me: Peacock

Directors: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin

Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig

05 of 34

Encanto (2021)

Disney Antonio (voice: Ravi Cabot-Conyers) and Toucan (voice: Alan Tudyk) in 'Encanto'

Like a superhero movie set in a small town, Encanto is the story of a Colombian family whose children are endowed with magical abilities. Well, all except Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), who seemingly has no special power but must save her kin anyway.

The uplifting message is perfect for a family movie night, with EW’s critic calling it “a smiling tale about familial reconciliation and learning to see your relatives for who they are rather than who you wish they were...” That said, it’s Lin-Manuel Miranda's songs — especially “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” — that turned Encanto into a genuine cultural sensation. —C.S.

Where to watch Encanto: Disney+

EW grade: B

Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard

Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow

06 of 34

Finding Nemo (2003)

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett

Marlin (voice: Albert Brooks) and Dory (voice: Ellen DeGeneres) in 'Finding Nemo'

Finding Nemo is as much about family as it is about fish, following a neurotic clownfish father, Marlin (Albert Brooks), and his young son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). When Nemo’s curiosity gets the best of him and he’s captured by a diver, his dear old dad is powerless to save him. So, Marlin teams up with a forgetful new friend (Ellen DeGeneres) to bring his son home.

Pixar populates this ocean with entertaining characters and unforgettable dangers, but the thrills won’t scare young viewers about taking a dip, even with the presence of a ravenous shark. The resulting film, according to EW’s critic, “sustains its own comic universe of intelligent life, a thronging biosphere of amusement simultaneously scaled for children and pitched for knowing adults.” —C.S.

Where to watch Finding Nemo: Disney+

Director: Andrew Stanton

Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush

07 of 34

Freaky Friday (1976)

Everett Collection Jodie Foster as Annabel and Barbara Harris as Mrs. Andrews in 'Freaky Friday'

Still better than the 2003 remake, the original Freaky Friday should be mandatory watching for all teenagers and their parents. The story focuses on a bickering mother and daughter duo (Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster) who switch places with one another for a single day. The results are predictably hilarious, with each one learning that walking a mile in the other’s shoes isn’t nearly as easy as they had imagined.

Throw in performances from other old-school legends like John Astin and Dick Van Patten, and you’ve got a classic coming-of-age film that can bring parents and children a little closer. —C.S.

Where to watch Freaky Friday: Disney+

Director: Gary Nelson

Cast: Jodie Foster, Barbara Harris, John Astin, Patsy Kelly, Dick Van Patten

08 of 34

The Goonies (1985)

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

Kerri Green as Andy, Josh Brolin as Brand, Corey Feldman as Mouth, Sean Astin as Mikey, Ke Huy Quan as Data, Jeff Cohen as Chunk, and Martha Plimpton as Stef in 'The Goonies'

Directed by Richard Donner with a story from Steven Spielberg, The Goonies has quite the pedigree. It’s the tale of adventurous children (including Corey Feldman, Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and future Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan) who embark on a treasure hunt to find improbable riches that could save their homes from foreclosure, thereby keeping their tight-knit group together.

The Goonies has stood the test of time as a heartwarming coming-of-age film carried by colorful characters — especially the villainous Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey). —C.S.

Where to watch The Goonies: HBO Max

Director: Richard Donner

Cast: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green

09 of 34

Home Alone (1990)

Everett Collection Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister and Joe Pesci as Harry Lyme in 'Home Alone'

Home Alone is a kid’s fantasy brought to life: 8-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind during his family’s overseas Christmas vacation and gets to be the man of the house for a change. When two bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) attempt to rob his home, Kevin begins an elaborately violent, slapstick battle of wits via booby traps involving a tarantula, paint buckets, and flamethrowers.

According to EW’s critic, “The real reason behind Home Alone‘s gargantuan success, of course, is the unforced, marble-mouthed performance of Macaulay Culkin, a kid whose naturalism is the obverse of every tiny prime-time wiseass from Dennis the Menace to Steve Urkel.” —C.S.

Where to watch Home Alone: Disney+

EW grade: B

Director: Chris Columbus

Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard

10 of 34

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Everett

Chance (voice: Michael J. Fox), Shadow (voice: Don Ameche), and Sassy (voice: Sally Field) in 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey'

There are plenty of movies chronicling the triumph of the human spirit, but what about triumphs of sheer animal will? Homeward Bound follows three pets temporarily left at a farm while their family moves to the city — but these pets will not be denied. Determined to find their way back to their humans, the wise Shadow, the sarcastic Sassy, and the impulsive Chance attempt to navigate their way home using only their wiles and each other.

While the film doesn’t technically qualify as a nature documentary, the shots of the three pets crossing the Sierra Nevada make for some solid cinematography. And if the bickering and bantering between the animal leads doesn’t win you over, the ending will take you down. (Heads-up: This is as much of a drama as it is a comedy…) —I.G.

Where to watch Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey: Disney+

Director: Duwayne Dunham

Cast: Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Ameche

11 of 34

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Everett Collection Marcia Strassman as Diane Szalinski and Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski in 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids'

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids mashes together a schlocky sci-fi premise reminiscent of the ’50s with the comedic sensibilities of the ’80s. Rick Moranis plays a genius inventor whose miniaturization device accidentally shrinks his children to a quarter of an inch. More accurately, the kids actually shrink themselves while messing around in Dad’s makeshift lab, but hey, he shouldn’t have left that dangerous technology within their reach.

Ignorant of their fate and upset about his professional failures, he destroys his invention, leaving the kids to navigate a world where even ants are major threats. Matt Frewer and Kristine Sutherland provide great supporting performances, but the biggest stars are the memorable practical effects, most of which have held up remarkably well. —C.S.

Where to watch Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Disney+

Director: Joe Johnston

Cast: Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Strassman, Kristine Sutherland

12 of 34

The Incredibles (2004)

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

Dash (voice: Spencer Fox), Violet (voice: Sarah Vowell), Mr. Incredible (voice: Craig T. Nelson), and Elastigirl (voice: Holly Hunter) in 'The Incredibles'

In a world where most superhero films have become CGI slurry, The Incredibles remains an original genre take that gives us beautiful family dynamics instead of post-credits teasing. The titular family is in the middle of an identity crisis; the government doesn’t want “supers” around anymore, so they’re stuck in the suburbs and masquerade as (shudder) normies.

But their past eventually comes back to haunt them in the form of Syndrome, whom Mr. Incredible ran afoul of years earlier. Vengeance has been brewing ever since — along with plans for world domination, naturally. The result confidently distills the Silver Age of comics into a new Golden Age of animation. —C.S.

Where to watch The Incredibles: Disney+

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Jason Lee

13 of 34

Inside Out (2015)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

(From left to right): Sadness (voice: Phyllis Smith), Anger (voice: Lewis Black), Fear (top, voice: Bill Hader), Disgust (voice: Mindy Kaling), and Joy (voice: Amy Poehler) in 'Inside Out'

The real brilliance of Inside Out is that it personifies the stresses of adolescent life. When young Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) moves from Minnesota to San Francisco, her many feelings go haywire. Those emotions get voices of their own: Amy Poehler is Joy, the head of Riley’s emotional circuit board; Disgust is a diva courtesy of Mindy Kaling; Sadness is embodied by Phyllis Smith; Fear by Bill Hader; and Anger by famously irate comedian Lewis Black. It’s a bold approach to portraying big ideas and even bigger feelings. —C.S.

Where to watch Inside Out: Disney+

Director: Pete Docter

Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling

14 of 34

Klaus (2019)

Netflix/Everett

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'

Klaus is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, Klaus tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian lumberman who is recruited by the town’s new postman, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his father, the postmaster general, wrong. But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a community whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. A Spanish/American animated film marking the debut of director Sergio Pablos, Klaus offers a new perspective on the gift-giving hero of the Christmas season. —I.G.

Where to watch Klaus: Netflix

Director: Sergio Pablos

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, J. K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba

15 of 34

KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Netflix

Zoey (voice: Ji-young Yoo), Rumi (voice: Arden Cho), and Mira (voice: May Hong) in 'KPop Demon Hunters'

Netflix earned K-Pop cred by introducing audiences to a new genre favorite: KPop Demon Hunters. The platform’s most-watched movie ever, this sci-fi musical follows a group called Huntr/x, which is made up of three performers who also happen to be talented demon slayers. Their most powerful weapon is their voices, which they use to create a magical barrier that prevents demons from entering the human world and feasting on the souls inside.

Huntr/x’s path toward demon eradication gets complicated when a demon boy band comes on the scene and starts attracting a fan base of their own. Add in incredible music numbers and some plot twists, and you have a golden opportunity to spend an evening falling in love with Netflix’s most upbeat original movie. —I.G.

Where to watch KPop Demon Hunters: Netflix

Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans

Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim

16 of 34

Labyrinth (1986)

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Jennifer Connelly as Sarah and David Bowie as Jareth in 'Labyrinth'

Labyrinth is proof that, in the right director’s hands, classic fantasy storytelling translates perfectly to modern viewing. Jim Henson is one such director, and his tale of a young girl (Jennifer Connelly) who must rescue her infant brother from the Goblin King’s (David Bowie) Labyrinth before the little one turns into a goblin is as weirdly fascinating now as it was decades ago.

The premise has all the simplicity of a Dungeons & Dragons starter adventure, but that’s okay. Its straightforward narrative helps us appreciate how the film sings, literally, thanks to the mesmerizing and earwormy songs performed by the late, great Bowie. —C.S.

Where to watch Labyrinth: Peacock

Director: Jim Henson

Cast: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud

17 of 34

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

Edmund Gwenn as Santa Claus, Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, and Maureen O'Hara as Doris Walker in 'Miracle on 34th Street'

A Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street uses the legal system to remind us all of the magic of Santa Claus. Natalie Wood stars as Susan Walker, a young girl who befriends a man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), who believes himself to be the real Santa Claus. When Kringle is fired from his job as a Macy’s Santa and threatened with institutionalization, Susan, her mother (Maureen O’Hara), and her mother’s friend Fred Gailey (John Payne) rally to save him.

Filmed in black and white, and featuring shots from the real 1946 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Miracle on 34th Street was remade for ‘90s kids in a project starring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, and Dylan McDermott, but the original remains the dominant version, and a holiday favorite for all generations. —I.G.

Where to watch Miracle on 34th Street: Disney+

Director: George Seaton

Cast: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart, Natalie Wood

18 of 34

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

Sony Pictures Animation Katie (voice: Abbi Jacobsen), Linda (voice: Maya Rudolph), Rick (voice: Danny McBride), and Aaron (voice: Michael Rianda) in 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines'

Every family has problems, but the Mitchell family has big ones — like a robot apocalypse. In this animated comedy, a dysfunctional family's already messy road trip is thrown into further chaos when robots attempt to take over the world. As the only people left to fight them off, it's up to the Mitchells (voiced by Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, and director Mike Rianda) to take out the machines and save humanity. But, to do that, they'll have to ensure their family's connection to each other is stronger than their connection to their phones and iPads.

In an ironic twist, The Mitchells vs. the Machines — whose message warns of the dangers of relying too much on technology — employs both hand-drawn and CGI animation to create its visuals. —I.G.

Where to watch The Mitchells vs. the Machines: Netflix

Director: Mike Rianda

Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Eric André

19 of 34

Moana (2016)

Disney

Maui (voice: Dwayne Johnson) and Moana (voice: Auli'i Cravalho) in 'Moana'

With Moana 2 also streaming on Disney+, what better time to revisit the original? Featuring one of the best soundtracks in recent Disney history, Moana is set in Polynesia and tells the story of a young girl who loves the water, but is forbidden by her father from venturing beyond their island. After the ocean chooses her to return a goddess' heart, Moana must brave the sea to save her people. Moana features a diverse cast, with special attention paid to the Polynesian myths on which the film is based, and retains all the old Disney magic, but adds a little special something for the new generation. —I.G.

Where to watch Moana: Disney+

Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Auliʻi Cravalho, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement

20 of 34

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett

Randall Boggs (voice: Steve Buscemi), Sulley (voice: John Goodman), and Mike Wazowski (voice: Billy Crystal) in 'Monsters, Inc.'

Monsters, Inc. taps into the woefully unexplored idea that children may embrace cinematic monsters rather than cower from them. Accordingly, the antics of two “top scarers” (John Goodman and Billy Crystal) fall flat when they try to frighten a young girl, but their improbable relationship with her could completely revolutionize how the monsters interact with humanity. The ensuing film combines soul with CGI, fortifying the lofty reputation Pixar had already built by 2001, just six years into its theatrical run.

EW’s critic praises the movie for striking the right balance across generations, writing, “Indeed, Monsters, Inc. has got that swing, that zippity, multilevel awareness of kids’-eye sensibilities and adult-pitched humor.” —C.S.

Where to watch Monsters, Inc.: Disney+

Director: Pete Docter

Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly

21 of 34

The Muppets (2011)

Scott Garfield/Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Fozzie Bear (voice: Eric Jacobson), Miss Piggy (voice: Eric Jacobson), and Kermit the Frog (voice: Steve Whitmire) in 'The Muppets'

Co-writer and star Jason Segel infuses The Muppets with all the intense devotion of a true superfan. The story here is very slight: With the help of his girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), Segel’s Gary and his Muppet friend Walter must foil a plot by an oil-hungry baddie (played by Chris Cooper, with a full-fledged maniacal laugh) to destroy the Muppet Studio for more of that liquid gold.

Though there have been countless Muppet films (and TV shows), this quality 2011 comedy revitalized the brand for a new era without sacrificing any of its classic charms. As EW’s critic explains, “For adults, the movie’s gentle, clever, unironic humor feels freshly, trendily retro now, enhanced by laughs provided in cameos from a very up-to-date roster of stars.” —C.S.

Where to watch The Muppets: Disney+

EW grade: B+

Director: James Bobin

Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones

22 of 34

Paddington (2014)

Everett Collection Paddington (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington'

There are few things the internet can agree on, but the undisputed dominance of the semi-animated film Paddington, starring beloved children’s book character Paddington Bear, just happens to be one of them. Garnering a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and hailed for its charming script, family-friendly content, and excellent voice acting courtesy of star Ben Whishaw, the movie has since amassed a following of Paddington loyalists, prompting a sequel in 2017 and a threequel released in 2025 (see below).

If you’re looking for a heartwarming film, Paddington should be number one on your list — and if you need a topical reason to check out the movie, you should know that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced everyone’s favorite bear in the film’s Ukrainian release. —I.G.

Where to watch Paddington: Peacock

Director: Paul King

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman

23 of 34

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Sony Pictures

Paddington (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'

Britain’s fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he’s headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there’s nothing quite like turning on a Paddington movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. Paddington in Peru doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. —I.G.

Where to watch Paddington in Peru: Netflix

Director: Dougal Wilson

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

24 of 34

The Parent Trap (1998)

Everett

Natasha Richardson as Elizabeth James, Lindsay Lohan as Annie and Hallie Parker, and Dennis Quaid as Nick Parker in 'The Parent Trap'

Call it a tale of two Lohans. In this modern remake of The Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan plays twins who live on opposite sides of the country and switch places as a gambit to reunite their divorced parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson). In her feature film debut, Lohan perfectly fills the shoes (all four of them) of original star Hayley Mills, delivering two memorable performances as separated sisters–turned–best friends. —C.S.

Where to watch The Parent Trap: Disney+

Director: Nancy Meyers

Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson

25 of 34

The Princess Bride (1987)

Everett Collection Robin Wright as Buttercup and Cary Elwes as Westley in 'The Princess Bride'

The Princess Bride sounds straightforward: A farmhand (Cary Elwes) meets a princess (Robin Wright) and sparks fly, but their love falters when she’s kidnapped by an evil monarch (Chris Sarandon). However, that simple description omits the colorful characters, bizarre adventures, and brilliant dialogue that have helped this film stand the test of time.

A classic sword fight, a pit of despair, a six-fingered man, a lifelong revenge plot, and several rodents of unusual size…no matter how many movies children watch with their parents, none of them quite fit that description. Ultimately, every performance, from André the Giant to Mandy Patinkin, is pitch-perfect, and this film is a crown jewel of Rob Reiner’s royal reign in Hollywood. —C.S.

Where to watch The Princess Bride: Disney+

Director: Rob Reiner

Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest

26 of 34

The Sandlot (1993)

Everett Collection Patrick Renna as Hamilton 'Ham' Porter in 'The Sandlot'

The Sandlot’s picture of adolescence teeters between awkward and awesome. The film follows a group of baseball-loving suburban kids who, during the summer of 1962, navigate the treacherous world of playground insults and a fearsome, ball-gobbling dog dubbed “the Beast.”

EW’s critic puts the film’s nostalgic appeal succinctly in the review, writing, “As the gang learns to work as a team off the field, the movie never loses its quick pace or its sense of fun. Old baseball wisdom: The best teams win with strong fundamentals. So do the best movies.” —C.S.

Where to watch The Sandlot: Disney+

EW grade: B+

Director: David Mickey Evans

Cast: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi, Marley Shelton

27 of 34

School of Rock (2003)

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection Rivkah Reyes as Katie and Jack Black as Dewey Finn in 'School of Rock'

School of Rock resonates across generations because everyone wishes they had a teacher as cool as Jack Black’s substitute imposter–turned–rock & roll guardian angel, Dewey Finn. He poses as an educator for a talented group of students, but his energetic passion for music and his affection for the kids are completely genuine. And let’s be honest, when you’re at an uptight prep school, the only true antidote is the infectious energy of a Jack Black type.

As EW’s critic notes, “When they finally get up to play at the Battle of the Bands, it’s an ecstatic scene, yet you may also wipe away a tear as you realize that Dewey has become a great teacher after all, and that Jack Black, raising his goblet of rock, now rules.” —C.S.

Where to watch School of Rock: Paramount+

Director: Richard Linklater

Cast: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Miranda Cosgrove, Mike White, Sarah Silverman

28 of 34

Shrek (2001)

DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett

Donkey (voice: Eddie Murphy), Shrek (voice: Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (voice: Cameron Diaz), and Lord Farquaard (voice: John Lithgow) in 'Shrek'

Don’t monsters and outcasts deserve a happily ever after, too? That’s the question at the heart of Shrek, the insanely quotable animated classic about an ogre (Mike Myers) who agrees to rescue a beautiful princess (Cameron Diaz) for an awful lord to restore peace in his own swamp. But the damsel isn’t in distress, the monster isn’t so bad, and some raunchy jokes may go over kids’ heads (but will likely delight parents).

In short, EW’s critic insists Shrek succeeds “because it’s such a feisty but good-natured embrace of the inner ogre in everyone, and such an irreverent smackdown of the Establishment in all its ‘heigh-ho’ tyranny.” —C.S.

Where to watch Shrek: PeacockEW grade: ADirectors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky JensonCast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel

29 of 34

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018)

Netflix Shannon Purser as Sierra Burgess and Noah Centineo as Jamey in 'Sierra Burgess Is a Loser'

A high school rom-com based on the 19th-century French play Cyrano de Bergerac, Sierra Burgess Is a Loser is a modern love story in the style of literary adaptations like Clueless or 10 Things I Hate About You. Sierra Burgess (Stranger Things’ Shannon Purser) is an average-looking American kid, which in rom-com land, makes her worthy of ridicule. Unlike other high school movie protagonists, however, Sierra isn’t looking for a glow-up or an invitation to the popular crowd. But when she lands in the middle of a romantic mix-up, Sierra finds herself pretending to be someone else for the first time in her life. —I.G.

Where to watch Sierra Burgess Is a Loser: Netflix

EW grade: B

Director: Ian Samuels

Cast: Shannon Purser, Kristine Froseth, RJ Cyler, Noah Centineo

30 of 34

Stand by Me (1986)

Columbia Pictures

River Phoenix as Chris Chambers and Jerry O'Connell as Vern Tessio in 'Stand by Me'

Coming-of-age movies don’t get much more classic than Stand by Me. Adapted from Stephen King’s 1982 novella, The Body, Stand by Me follows four 12-year-old friends as they embark on an adventure to find the body of a missing boy. Along the way, the group must contend with the natural world, bullies, their families, and the problems that come with growing up.

Director Rob Reiner nails the nostalgia that comes with revisiting the past as an adult. And the movie doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of childhood, delving into class issues, grief, and abuse. Almost 40 years after the movie charmed both critics and viewers, Stand by Me continues to remind audiences of the transience of youth and the importance of friends. —I.G.

Where to watch Stand by Me: Netflix

Director: Rob Reiner

Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland

31 of 34

Toy Story (1995)

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) and Woody (voice: Tom Hanks) in 'Toy Story'

Toy Story is literally a child’s fantasy come to life, imagining a world where toys have lives of their own and reanimate whenever the kids leave the room. However, the status quo enforced by cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) is disrupted by the arrival of spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who adamantly believes he’s an actual intergalactic ranger rather than a plaything. The ensuing power struggle between Woody and Buzz threatens to put their owner’s childish things away forever in Pixar’s debut feature.

This story’s keen sense of childhood wonder was not lost on EW’s critic, who writes, “The beauty of Toy Story is the way it expresses the essence of child’s play — that pretending is the art of dreaming when you’re wide awake.” —C.S.

Where to watch Toy Story: Disney+

Director: John Lasseter

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger

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WALL-E (2008)

Walt Disney Studios/Pixar WALL-E (voice: Ben Burtt) in 'WALL-E'

If Pixar knows anything, it’s how to make existentialism adorable. A film about corporate greed, overconsumption, and overreliance on technology, WALL-E is the animation studio’s ninth feature, and arguably one of its best.

The movie follows WALL-E, a roving trash compactor left alone on Earth to consolidate the garbage that caused humans to flee the planet. Director Andrew Stanton knows how to speak volumes with silence, and a good portion of the movie is wordless, or communicated with beeps and other electronic sounds. But a good love story doesn’t require much talking, and WALL-E does eventually find a partner — and a purpose — in this beautiful, introspective film. —I.G.

Where to watch WALL-E: Disney+

Director: Andrew Stanton

Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger

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Wicked (2024)

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp in 'Wicked'

Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp and Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland, the movie musical Wicked follows these two young women as they enroll in Shiz University, enter into a rivalry, and eventually become best friends — all before a life-altering encounter with the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum).

Adapted from the first act of Stephen Schwartz’s long-running Broadway hit (which, itself, is an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s book), the film is visually stunning, with impeccable production design, choreography, and, of course, powerhouse vocals. Familiarize yourself with this tale of two witches now, as Wicked: For Good (the movie musical version of the second act of the stage show) is out in theaters. —I.G.

Where to watch Wicked: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade: B

Director: Jon M. Chu

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang

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Zootopia (2016)

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Judy Hopps (voice: Ginnifer Goodwin), Nick Wilde (voice: Jason Bateman), and Flash the Sloth (voice: Raymond S. Persi) in 'Zootopia'

Move over, buddy cop films… Zootopia has pioneered the “buddy fox” genre. We follow an eager bunny (Ginnifer Goodwin) who has just joined the police force and her reluctant new partner, a sly con artist of a fox (Jason Bateman). Together, they work on a case whose outcome may deeply affect their world’s social order, in which predators and prey work alongside each other.

As EW’s critic notes, the film brings in “deep socio-political metaphors… plenty of food for thought regarding prejudice and tolerance,” and “zany slapstick, zippy one-liners.” Its sequel, Zootopia 2, is also in theaters. —C.S.

Where to watch Zootopia: Disney+

EW grade: B

Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate

on Entertainment Weekly

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”