Feel-Good Movie Picks for Families
I spent this past weekend celebrating another trip around the sun and was reminded that spending time with family and friends is one of the things I enjoy most. I am also a big fan of movies, especially the kind that tell a good story or have a feel-good vibe. When our boys were little we watched a lot of movies together. There was the standard Disney lineup of course and as they got older a few comedies and yes, lots of Marvel comics movies. I am surrounded by boys after all.
Today’s post is all about a handful of movies that I have always loved because they leave me with a general feeling of happiness and renewed faith in humanity. No surprise I suppose that several of these involve animals or have the Disney stamp on them. I did mention we watched a lot of Disney movies with our boys right? You will also notice that most of these are older movies, but trust me when I say they are still worth a watch. So, pop some popcorn, grab a blanket and, if you have one handy, a kid and settle in to enjoy. You can stream all of these on Amazon but you might find them on other services as well.
Second Hand Lions (2003)
This 2003 gem follows a young boy who is dropped off by his flaky mother to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles. The antics that ensue involve an adopted lion deemed too old for the circus, two cranky uncles, a mystery surrounding some “treasure” and a young boy in desperate need of a real family. This movie alternates from hilarious to adventurous and ends with just the right amount of charm and love.
The Sandlot (1993)
Our entire family LOVES this movie. It’s a charming telling of a new kid in town finding a group of friends and a love of baseball. And then there’s the “Beast” on the other side of the fence. I love this movie because, at its heart, it’s about kids just being kids. Be prepared to laugh a LOT.
Stand By Me (1986)
Another favorite for us is this coming- of-age story about a rag-tag group of 12-year olds and their search for a missing teenager’s body. Similar to The Sandlot, the kids are funny and so typical of the average 12-year old boy. They’re full of fun and a healthy thirst for anything slightly scary and adventurous. Give it a watch and (if you’re older than 30) remember what it was like to be a kid.
Toy Story (1995)
I mean really, what’s not to like about Toy Story? My kids grew up with this movie and we all fell in love with the characters. My youngest son especially. He was three when the first one came out and, ironically, heading off to college (along with Andy) when the third one was released in theaters. I cried buckets of tears at the end of that one because it was so close to home and sending my baby off to college was heart wrenching. I knew exactly how those toys felt! LOL! This movie (and the 2nd and 3rd) all make my top 5 list simply because they illustrate the amazing potential of a child’s mind. No electronics required.
The Incredible Journey (1963)
This movie has been remade with at least one sequel, but the original was made before I was born and I think it’s one of the best . I remember watching it every year on the Wonderful World of Disney and bawling my eyes out at then end because the ending is (spoiler alert) SOOOO GOOD! I think this movie tells the story of an animal’s steadfast love for their family so beautifully. If you have pets, you know what I mean. Grab a box of tissues for this pick. You’ll need them.
I hope you’ll give all of these a try. I promise they’re worth the time and the popcorn!
Have a fantastic day!
