30 funny family movies you and your kids will love

We’ve spent a whole lot of time with our families in the past year and a half – but sometimes, that can feel like too much of a good thing. If siblings are squabbling and you’re all getting on each other’s nerves a bit, lighten the load with an evening on the couch watching one of these funny family movies. We’re not just talking about funny kids movies that will make the youngsters laugh: We guarantee that adults will also chuckle along to all the movies on this list, including the best cartoon movies. So get in your comfy PJs, get the popcorn ready, and turn off the lights for a cosy night at home with some of the funniest movies of all time.

This 2020 Pixar film blends jazz music with a heartwarming tale about life and death, but it also adds humour when the soul of a would-be jazz musician Joe (the voice of Jamie Foxx) gets trapped in the body of a cat. As he struggles to get his body back and pursue his musical dreams, your family will laugh (and cry) along with the film’s mix of madcap humour, insights on the human condition, and head-bopping tunes. It’s one of the feel-good movies that will get you through the next month.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

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The first two films in the Toy Story franchise are great, as is the recent Toy Story 4. But a more nuanced story – with a surprisingly dramatic climax – makes the third entry in the franchise a fun movie adventure and an ideal choice for the whole family. (Watch films 1 and 2 first for an epic movie night, so that everyone knows what’s going on!) PS Did you know that Woody (the voice of Tom Hanks) was almost a villain?

Best for: Ages 6 and up

What if you said “yes” to everything your kids asked for, for one day only? Jennifer Garner and Édgar Ramírez star in this 2021 Netflix family comedy as parents who decide to do just that – and find it’s as freeing for them as it is for their kids. Maybe you’ll make Yes Day an annual tradition in your own family after watching this! Based on the 2009 children’s book, the flick is one of the new comedy movies we’re all watching in 2021.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

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Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man has always been a superhero appropriate for the whole family, but in this reimagined, more inclusive 2018 version, Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) takes over for Peter Parker. Plenty of self-referential, “meta” pop culture humour will have Marvel fans young and old giggling along.

Best for: Ages 9 and up

Grown-ups and kids alike were on the edge of their seat waiting for the newest, and first Southeast Asian, Disney princess, Raya (voiced by Star Wars’ Kelly Marie Tran). Raya’s only hope to save the fictional land of Kumandra is to find the last dragon, long thought to be no more. It turns out, she exists – in the form of a silly purple creature with the voice of hilarious comedic actress Awkwafina. Beautiful Disney animation helps bring this fun and positive message–filled film to life.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

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A star-making double performance from a young Lindsay Lohan is the icing on top of a fun, charming script about twins separated at birth, with endearing performances from Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson as their parents. The 1998 film also features lovely settings in London and Napa Valley.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

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Everyone’s favourite talking frog and his large cast of friends get an update for the 21st century in this 2011 film starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and, of course, your favourite Muppets. Fun celebrity cameos and catchy musical numbers round out the package while retaining that classic Muppet feel. Also catch the 2014 sequel, Muppets Most Wanted.

Best for: Ages 5 and up

Even though it may be a little dated where its pop culture references are concerned, 2001’s Shrek still triumphs as a gross-out comedy that will bring down the house. This animated flick about ogres, princesses, and true love will also provide ideas for subsequent movie nights, since it spawned bevy of sequels: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

Singing and dancing penguins, Dick Van Dyke, and Julie Andrews: What more could you want? Go fly a kite with this 1964 classic about a “practically perfect” nanny who brings a dysfunctional family back together. Full of mischief and fun yet with a good dose of heart, this one stands up to the best of today’s funny family movies, even after all these years. Mary Poppins is one of the best movie musicals you need to watch again.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

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Fans of the original might have their doubts, but Emily Blunt soars as the magical nanny who returns to give a new generation of Banks children a spoonful of sugar as they try to save their house on Cherry Tree Lane in London. Lin-Manuel Miranda co-stars in the 2018 film—plus, the amazing Dick Van Dyke returns for a cameo as well. Your furry friend will love these best dog movies to watch with your pooch.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

This inspiring tale of the little-known contributions from the black female mathematicians who helped send American astronauts into space in the 1960s is boosted by humour. It’s the perfect lead-in for older kids to learn more about racism and sexism, but the film tempers its messages with an ultimately uplifting story of triumph. Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe, and Octavia Spencer star in this 2016 movie.

Best for: Ages 10 and up

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Actors like Billy Crystal and Mandy Patinkin don’t just chew the scenery – they swallow it whole in this charming and side-splitting 1987 fantasy-comedy. A little blood and some kissing, not to mention the ROUSes (Rodents of Unusual Size), have made this one of the best funny family movies of the last few decades. Plus, it’s got some of the best movie lines you’ll want to say over and over. Have fun storming the castle…and introducing your kids to a classic!

Best for: Ages 8 and up

It’s got baseball, summer love, carnivals, and a massive dog known as “the Beast” who steals a ball signed by Babe Ruth. After watching this 1993 flick set in 1962, kids will want to get out and play, and you’ll be full of nostalgia for the good ol’ days.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

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You may never look at your yard (or your neighbour) the same way again, but this zappy 1989 comedy delights anyway. A scientist dad (Rick Moranis) working on a shrinking machine unknowingly shrinks his kids, who then go on a hilarious adventure navigating the giant world around them. It’s one of those funny family movies today’s parents may remember watching when they were kids.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

Take your family on a fun cinematic adventure with this 2019 live-action movie based on the beloved animated character Dora the Explorer. When her parents (Eva Longoria and Michael Peña) are captured in the Peruvian jungle while looking for the hidden city of Parapata, teenage Dora (Isabela Moner), her cousin Diego, and friends must save them.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

Some will prefer the 1970s version starring Gene Wilder, but this 2005 Tim Burton reimagining retains the edge of the original story while losing the abundance of creepy menace from the first film. A bubbly performance from Johnny Depp and the goofy songs should hook any viewer.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

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Possibly closer to an “adult” movie that kids can enjoy as well, this 1988 cartoon/real-life mash-up is completely unique and practically indescribable. Ever wondered what would happen if Looney Tunes characters were alive in the human world and set in a detective story with shades of noir? Here’s your answer.

Best for: Ages 10 and up

This “infectious” Disney musical will appeal to both kids and their parents. When half the town get zombified, a strict policy of segregation is implemented – but years later, the zombies (who act like normal humans, thanks to a digital device called a Z-band that keeps them under control) fight for integration at the local high school. The movie is really about prejudice and accepting others’ differences, but it’s also smartly scripted with enough laughs to draw in the whole family. Bonus: The sequel has werewolves.

Best for: Ages 8 and up

It’s perfect for kids who wish they could go off on an adventure on their own if only they weren’t, well, kids. In the 1985 film, a ragtag group of youngsters goes looking for a pirate treasure, with crooks hot on their heels. There’s a bit of gunfire, and a dead body, so it’s best for older children.

Best for: Ages 10 and up

This 1995 pick-me-up family comedy about a pig who herds sheep was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It’s got talking animals and positive messages, and it’s sweet and playful at the same time: What more could you want in a funny family movie? Be warned, though: Your kids may want to become vegetarians after watching Babe’s dilemma over whether to trust humans, who, after all, eat pigs.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

Today’s parents may remember watching reruns of the classic cartoon. Now, the titular cat and mouse rivals are back at it in this mix of animation and live-action. In the 2021 movie, Tom and Jerry wreak havoc at a fancy hotel, where wedding planner Kayla (Chloë Grace Moretz) is trying to arrange the wedding of Preeta (Pallavi Sharda). Comedic actor Ken Jeong costars. FYI, like the original, the flick does have some cartoon violence.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

It sounds like a strange idea: Mix real-life basketball star Michael Jordan playing himself with animated Looney Tunes characters who need his help against evil, B-ball-playing aliens. But somehow, this funny 1996 flick scores with audiences young and old. As with Tom & Jerry, today’s parents may feel some nostalgia for Bugs Bunny and company, but be aware that requisite cartoon violence does come along with it. A sequel, Space Jam: A New Legacy, debuted in July 2021 with LeBron James, so this is the perfect time to catch up on the original.

Best for: Ages 7 and up

The beloved classic children’s character gets the live-action/CGI treatment in this 2015 movie. Set in London with plenty of whimsical British humor, the film follows the adventures of cuddly Paddington (the voice of Ben Whishaw), who finds a home with the Brown family, but an evil taxidermist (Nicole Kidman) wants to add him to her collection. A sequel came out in 2018, and there’s a third film in development.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

“You can’t stop the beat” of this foot-tapping 2007 musical about a 1960s teenager in Baltimore who wants to star on the local dance program. Mixed in are important messages about body positivity and racial equality, but it’s all couched in a hilarious, vibrant musical-comedy package.

Best for: Ages 11 and up

With Pixar’s trademark blend of the very serious with the very amusing, this for-all-ages 2003 film strikes just the right balance between hilarious and heartfelt. When his young son is taken by a diver to be put in a fish tank, clownfish Marlin (the voice of Albert Brooks) must find him to bring him back to the ocean. The problem? He’s terrified of everything that may lurk beyond his reef home. His new blue tang friend Dory (the voice of Ellen DeGeneres) provides many of the film’s big laughs.

Best for: Ages 5 and up

Before there was the superhero family of The Incredibles, there was the espionage family of Spy Kids. The first of four flicks in the franchise, the original 2001 movie combines laughs with action as two kids learn that their parents are secretly spies. But the adults have been captured, so now the kids have to take up the undercover mantle to rescue them. Created by Robert Rodriguez, the film is also inclusive, as it stars a Latina family.

Best for: Ages 7 and up

One of Robin Williams’ classic family comedies (along with Hook and Mrs. Doubtfire), the original 1995 film in the franchise is a rousing adventure about a magical board game that transports players to a jungle world – and brings the jungle of the game to the players’ world. Two recent sequels with Dwayne Johnson, 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and 2019’s Jumanji: The Next Level, followed, and a fourth is currently in development. It might be a bit scary for little ones, so it’s best for ages 10 and up.

Best for: Ages 10 and up

This is a movie that makes fun of itself, as it plays on the Disney princess trope with tons of self-referential jokes about the fairy-tale genre, and fans of all ages will find it hilarious. The princess of an animated fantasy world (Amy Adams) ends up in the real New York City, where she falls in love with a regular guy (Patrick Dempsey) – and the comedic culture clash between the two worlds is totally, well, enchanting. A sequel, Disenchanted, is in the works.

Best for: Ages 6 and up

This surprisingly deep movie features an anthropomorphic world of talking animals who (like humans) face stereotyping and prejudice. Even with these subtle messages, the film succeeds at amusing both young audiences and adults, with some jokes aimed squarely at the latter. No one thinks cute bunnies can be police officers, a job that usually belong to “predator” species, not “prey,” but Judy Hopps (the voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) is determined to prove them wrong. Dance along to the ending scene featuring Shakira’s “Try Everything.”

Best for: Ages 8 and up

This is one of those funny family movies that doesn’t condescend to its audience – and is all the more endearingly humorous for it. A ne’er-do-well (Jack Black) poses as a substitute teacher, then enlists his students to form a rock band – and they all learn the uplifting power of music. When the film came out in 2003, the late film critic Roger Ebert wrote, “I have absolutely no clue why the movie is rated PG-13.…There’s not a kid alive who would be anything but delighted by this film.” Still, it’s best for ages 11 and up.

Best for: Ages 11 and up

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Source: RD.com