Family movie night sounds lovely in theory… until you’re scrolling for 40 minutes, one child wants cartoons, the other wants something “not babyish”, and you just want something you can sit through without sighing.
I’ve got two boys — one is 3 and one is 9 — and somehow, we’ve reached a sweet spot where there are a handful of films we can all happily watch together. No arguments, no awkward moments, and no boredom for the adults either.
These are our go-to family movie night films — the ones that genuinely work for mixed ages and tired parents.
1. Shrek (all of them)
Let’s get this out of the way first.
If you’re stuck for a family film, Shrek never fails. All of them. The humour works on multiple levels, the characters are familiar, and it’s one of those rare franchises that adults actually enjoy rewatching.
My 3-year-old loves the characters, my 9-year-old laughs at the jokes, and I genuinely could enjoy these films even if I didn’t have kids. That’s a win.
2. Paddington (and Paddington 2)
These are just comfort films.
Gentle, funny, and genuinely heart-warming without being boring. Paddington 2 in particular is one of those films that somehow gets better every time you watch it.
Perfect if you want a calm, cosy movie night.
3. Toy Story (the whole series)
Toy Story is one of those rare franchises that grows with your kids.
The younger ones love the characters, the older ones understand the story more, and the adults catch all the emotional bits that suddenly hit a bit too close to home.
Reliable, familiar, and always a safe choice.
4. The Incredibles
This one works really well for mixed ages.
There’s enough action and superhero excitement for older kids, but it’s still colourful and simple enough for younger ones to follow. Plus, the family dynamic makes it surprisingly relatable as a parent.
5. Finding Nemo
A classic for a reason.
Bright, funny, emotional without being overwhelming, and easy for younger kids to sit through. It’s one of those films where everyone just settles in and watches.
Great if you want something familiar and low effort.
6. Despicable Me (and the Minions films)
Minions humour is chaotic, but somehow it works.
My youngest loves the silliness, my oldest enjoys the storyline, and it’s light enough that I don’t mind having it on after a long day.
Not high cinema — but very effective family entertainment.
7. The Mitchells vs the Machines
This one is brilliant if your older child wants something a bit more “cool”.
Fast-paced, funny, slightly chaotic, but still very family-friendly. It’s one of those films that adults actually find funny too, which always helps.
8. Matilda (original or musical)
Both versions work.
It’s a great option if you want something with a story that older kids engage with, but that younger kids can still enjoy. There’s enough magic and humour to keep everyone interested.
9. Ice Age
Ice Age is one of those films that just works across ages.
Simple storyline, funny characters, and short enough that younger kids don’t lose interest halfway through. It’s also one of those films you don’t mind rewatching.
10. Shaun the Sheep: The Movie
If you want something calm, funny, and easy, this is a great choice.
Very little dialogue, lots of visual humour, and surprisingly entertaining for adults. Perfect for quieter movie nights when you don’t want anything loud or intense.
Final thoughts
Family movie night doesn’t need to be complicated.
If you’ve got kids of different ages — like I do — the key is choosing films that are:
- familiar
- genuinely family-friendly
- and watchable for adults too
All of the films on this list are ones we can sit down and enjoy together, without negotiations or complaints — which honestly feels like an achievement in itself.
