Great Family Movies to Watch for ages 13+
These movies were all so much fun to watch with my family. I hope you enjoy them also.
I put in links to IMDB which is a great site to learn everything about a movie. I usually check the Parental Review section in IMDB before we watch a movie with the kids to be sure it is ok.
The Two Popes
2019
IMDB Rating: 7.6 (anything above a 6.5 on IMDB is usually a good rating)
PG-13
Drama with some comedic elements
Official Story from IMDB: Behind the Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict XVI played by Anthony Hopkins, and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.
My Review: My entire family including the 10-year-old liked this movie. It was interesting, well-acted, and even had bits of humor.
Knives Out
2019
IMDB Rating 8.0
PG-13
Comedy, Murder Mystery
Official Plot from IMDB: When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.
My Review: This movie is similar to Clue. It is a “Who-dunnit” movie. There is one scene with blood and a death in the beginning, but the rest of the movie is interviews to see who did it. It was interesting and funny.
JoJo Rabbit
2019
IMDB Rating 7.9
PG-13
Comedy, Drama
Official Story from IMDB: A World War II satire that follows a lonely 11-year-old German boy named Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.
My Review: This is a really well-done movie. It is a sad and dark story, with humor that initially, you can’t decide if it is offensive or not. I had no idea what it was about when I started watching it, and I have to admit, I was shocked for at least the first 30 minutes. You will either love this movie or hate it. There is no in-between. I loved it. It made me laugh and cry.
Ford Vs Ferrari
2019
IMDB Rating 8.1
PG-13
Drama, Action
Official Story from IMDB: American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
My Review: Honestly, this is just a fun and interesting movie. No sex or violence. If you like cars, especially fords, you will enjoy this movie.
Contagion
2011
PG-13
IMDB Rating 6.7
Action, Thriller
Official Story from IMDB: Soon after her return from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff dies from what is a flu or some other type of infection. Her husband Mitch seems immune. Thus begins the spread of a deadly infection. For doctors and administrators at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, several days pass before anyone realizes the extent or gravity of this new infection. They must first identify the type of virus in question and then find a means of combating it, a process that will likely take several months. As the contagion spreads to millions of people worldwide, societal order begins to break down as people panic.
My Review: I only watched this recently after reading about it in the news. It is from 2011, but is similar to our current coronavirus outbreak. This may seem a bit too close to our current situation, so you may want to skip it if you get upset easily. I thought it was interesting.
Yesterday
2019
PG-13
IMDB Rating 6.8
Comedy, Fantasy
Official Story from IMDB: In the UK, Jack Malik is a frustrated musician whose musical career is going nowhere despite the faith that his friend/manager Ellie Appleton has in him. However, on the night Jack decides to give up, the whole world is momentarily hit with a massive blackout during which Jack is hit by a bus. Upon regaining consciousness, Jack learns to his astonishment that he is apparently now the only one who knows the music of the Beatles. Realizing this improbable opportunity, Jack begins playing the music of one of the world’s greatest rock bands, claiming it as his own. It pays off quickly and Jack becomes a worldwide musical sensation.
My Review: If you like the music of the Beatles, you will enjoy this movie. They sing so many Beatles songs and you find yourself singing along. It starts a bit slow, but it ends really well. This is a “feel-good” movie.
Call of the Wild
2020
PG
IMDB Rating: 6.8
Drama, Action, Family
Official Story from IMDB: The Call of the Wild is the story of Buck, a big and kindhearted dog, a crossbreed between a St. Bernard and a Scotch Collie, whose carefree life of leisure was suddenly upset when he was stolen from his home in California and deported to the Yukon, during the late 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, when strong sled dogs were in high demand. Buck, a dog like no other, is forced to fight to survive, eventually taken by his last owner, John Thornton (Harrison Ford), to the Arctic Circle, somewhere between Yukon and Alaska, he progressively depends on his primal instincts, sheds the comforts of civilization and responds to “the call of the wild”.
My Review: Fun movie for the family from the perspective of a dog. We all enjoyed it. Harrison Ford was really good -but old : (
Shazam!
2019
PG
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Comedy, Action
Official Story from IMDB: A newly fostered young boy finds himself with super-powers.
My Review: Funny, especially with kids.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
2017
PG-13
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Comedy, Action
Official Story: Four teenagers are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game.
My Review: This is a funny movie. We watched it twice, and I laughed both times. How can it not be funny with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and my favorite: The Rock. I recommend it.
The Intern
2015
PG-13
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Comedy
Official Story: Seventy-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert DeNiro) has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.
My Review: I love Robert DeNiro. That is my review.
The Princess Bride
1987
PG
IMDB Rating 8.1
Comedy
Official Story: While home sick in bed, a young boy’s grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies, and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
My Review: We have seen this movie at least 5 times. It never gets old. It’s funny and entertaining for all ages.
Holes
2003
PG
IMDB Rating 7.1
Action, Comedy
Official Story: A wrongfully convicted boy (Shia LaBeouf) is sent to a juvenile detention camp in the desert where he has to dig holes for some mysterious reason.
My Review: This is an interesting movie. My 11-year-son liked it, but we had to explain a lot to him. The rest of the family enjoyed it (without needing explanations). It will hold your attention and has fun plot twists.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
2001
PG
IMDB Rating 7.6
Fantasy, Adventure
Official Story from IMDB: An orphaned 11-year-old boy goes to a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. (I read this IMDB official review, and it makes me laugh. I am not sure I would have watched the movies based on it.)
My Review: I love all 8 Harry Potter movies! They are so well done. The first 3 movies are safe for kids under 13, but from movies 4-8, they start to get darker and characters start to die. Still great movies, but 4-8 may possibly upset your 11-year-old.
LINK IMDB Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone
movies to watch
