There’s nothing like curling up on the couch, popcorn in hand, and watching a movie for movie night that both kids and parents love. Some of the very best family movies are the ones we grew up with ourselves—nostalgic classics that bring back all the feels, but are still just as magical for our kids today.
To make movie nights easier (and avoid those endless debates about what to watch), we’ve created a Family Movie Jar. It’s simple: write down your favourite family-friendly films on strips of paper, pop them in a jar, and let the kids pick one out each time. No fuss, no arguments—just family fun. Once the strip is picked – no negotiating – that’s what we watch!
Here’s a list of 50 great nostalgic family movies to get you started. Many of these are ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s gems that parents will love rewatching, while kids will discover them for the first time.
You can download a printable version HERE to cut out and start your own movie jar.
50 Nostalgic Family Movies for Families
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The Lion King (1994)
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Toy Story (1995)
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Beauty and the Beast (1991)
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Aladdin (1992)
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The Little Mermaid (1989)
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Monsters Inc. (2001)
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Shrek (2001)
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Ice Age (2002)
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Home Alone (1990)
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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
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Matilda (1996)
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The Parent Trap (1998)
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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
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Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)
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Jumanji (1995)
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Hook (1991)
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The Princess Diaries (2001)
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Mary Poppins (1964)
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
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Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (2005)
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Stuart Little (1999)
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Babe (1995)
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Beethoven (1992)
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
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Back to the Future (1985)
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Casper (1995)
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Annie (1982)
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The Secret Garden (1993)
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Little Rascals (1994)
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My Girl (1991)
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Free Willy (1993)
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Space Jam (1996)
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Cool Runnings (1993)
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The Mighty Ducks (1992)
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The Karate Kid (1984)
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Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
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Big (1988)
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Sister Act (1992)
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Hocus Pocus (1993)
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James and the Giant Peach (1996)
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The Iron Giant (1999)
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Lilo & Stitch (2002)
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The Incredibles (2004)
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Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
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Ritchie Rich (1994)
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Blank Cheque (1994)
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Fly Away Home (1996)
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A Little Princess (1995)
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Jurassic Park (1993)
This list is a starting point to inspire your own Family Movie Jar—but don’t stop here. Add in your kids’ favourites, a few seasonal movies, or even new releases you’ve been meaning to watch together. The real magic is in the ritual: one simple jar that takes away the stress (and endless disagreements) of choosing what to watch and brings a little excitement back into family time.
