Recently, as the rain sets in here in the Northwest, I find myself wanting to curl up on the couch with the perfect family-friendly movie that we can all enjoy together. Meaning: not your typical cartoon. I mean, I love Moana and Zootopia but I want movies we haven’t seen and heard 5 bazillion times…something special, heart-warming, funny…to both Sienna and Pinky & I.
This time of year we tend to gravitate towards Halloween-themed movies, of course, but also just imaginative classics. I’ve rounded up a few of our favorites paired with appropriately themed treats to inspire a little family movie time in your own home.
Our Favorite Family-Friendly Fall Movies
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride – This is probably one of my favorite movies ever, of all time. It’s a timeless classic with a pirate, a princess, a giant, a sword fight, a castle, and a witty sense of humor for us parentals. It’s so well done and Sienna is starting to love it as much as I do. (We only skip the pit of despair parts…) I think it may be the perfect story and the perfect family movie. If somehow you haven’t seen it, please do me a favor and watch it immediately. And then watch it again…you’ll want to memorize the lines.
Pinzon Faux Fur Throw – Fit for a princess…reminiscent of an R.O.U.S.
Milk Chocolate Covered Peanuts – The chocolate coating makes it go down easier…but don’t go swimming for…at least an hour.
Man In Black Mask – Bring me more chocolate-covered peanuts, dear. As you wish.
I also highly recommend the audiobook version of As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From The Making of the Princess Bride through Audible
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a classic over past years…it’s imaginative and delightfully weird, as are most things that come out of Tim Burton’s brain (and notice who has the most movies listed in this post–I’m a fan.) Jack Skellington, the star resident of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Land accidentally and is amazed at a place where everyone is joyful and no one is dead. He proceeds to try to take over Santa’s job for the Christmas season and creepy, mixed-up mischief ensues.
Jack Skellington Mug – When you want Halloween every day.
Operation, Skellington Style – This is amazing and the perfect adaptation of this game to a movie.
Bug Tape Gummy Candy – Mmmm.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events – This series of books-turned-movie-turned-TV-series again has something for everyone: adventure for the kiddos and sly humor for the adults. Here you have a couple of options 1) the movie with the fabulous Jim Carrey OR 2) the exceptional Netflix series starring Neil Patrick Harris. Both are great, but lately we’re partial to the latter (it’s SO well done!)
Spyglass – Much like the one Klaus Baudelaire finds.
Coconut Mushrooms – These aren’t deadly though, as far as I could tell.
Mug for Book Lovers – “Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them” Good words to live by.
Ghostbusters: Answer The Call
Ghostbusters: Answer The Call – What I love about this movie: Sienna thinks the Ghostbusters ARE girls. The end. Hands down. That is awesome. It’s a really fun watch and it doesn’t hurt that Chris Hemsworth is also in it…and Kate McKinnon KILLS it. She’s hilarious, as are the cameos. A little quirky and goofy, a ton of fun.
Ghost Peeps – Duh.
Pringles – Once you pop…
UNO Ghostbusters Edition – So getting this.
The Addams Family
The Addams Family – I debated what to include as my final top pick and you just can’t go wrong with this creepy family. I’m partial to this version because…that cast. And the lemonade stand scene has one of my favorite movie quotes ever.
Girl Scout Doll Uniform – “Are they made with real Girl Scouts?”
Creepy Severed Hand – It’s a thing…
Foil Chocolate Roses – Just cut off the heads and arrange in a vase. Voilà.
The List Continues…
There are more on our TME list of favorites that we’re titling Imaginative Family Movies, perfect for this time of year and all winter long.
- Coraline
- Labyrinth
- Willy Wonka and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
- Alice In Wonderland (Tim Burton style)
- E.T.
- Hugo
- The Goonies
- Hocus Pocus
- Harry Potter (of course!)
- The Dark Crystal
- My Neighbor Totoro
I’m sure there are quite a few more we could add, too. What are your favorites? Maybe you can snag a good costume idea from the list above, too. My brother and family went as the Addams’ two years ago and nailed it. So fun.
Happy Haunting and Happy Watching!
L
Be sure to follow me on Instagram @elletrain to see daily outfits, puppy pics, and of course, Sienna’s dance moves.
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Napoleon Dynamite, The BFG & Fantastic Mr. Fox are all hits in my family
Amazing suggestions. Love them all!
We love Totoro! I’m surprised Kiki’s Delivery Service didn’t make the list too… it has a little witch after all. We also enjoy the Wallace and Gromit short films (and the movie too). The shorts are great if you have a younger one who won’t sit for a whole film.
We haven’t seen that one yet! We’re just getting into that world over here (I know, slow) We love Shawn the Sheep, too!
Kubo and the Two Strings! We just had some neighborhood kids over and projected it out on our patio (it was still warm but I pulled out blankets). LOVE the slightly creepy vibe and the storytelling is off the charts.
Oh amazing. We’ll check it out. I’ve heard of it. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing the list! I could see there are many movies in the list I have not watched yet. My kids love Totoro, too, they have a stuffed Totoro in their room.
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So many of our favorites in this list…we must be on the same fall-movie wavelength because we’ve watched almost all of these this past month! 🙂
That’s awesome! We have watched quite a few of these but need to catch up on some!
Don’t miss Box Trolls! It’s by the same production group that made Kubo and Coraline.
I made a long list of family friendly NOT cartoons a while back that my 4 year old, 6 year old, 8 year old, and Daddy & I can enjoy together:
E.T. Singin’ In The Rain. My Fair Lady. Annie. The Wizard of Oz. The Music Man. Hello, Dolly. Beauty & the Beast (live action). The Sound of Music. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Pollyanna. Hook (or Pan…but both a little scary). Mary Poppins. Star Wars Episode IV. Where the Wilde Things Are. Heidi. Nanny McPhee. Treasure Island. The Parent Trap. Captain January. Bedknobs & Broomsticks.
Thanks for the list. The Princess Bride is the best movie I have watched ever. I will try remaining movies too.