By Rania Dawud

Despite the sombreness of lockdown coming back into effect, this could be a great time to gather the family for a movie night! But the tricky part lies in finding a film that the whole family can agree on, and, more importantly, one that’s free from any potentially awkward scenes.  

Kids’ movies or family movies seem to often fall into the same formula with bright colours and loud characters, and they may not capture the interest of an older audience. Don’t fret! This list compiles wholesome family films that will be interesting for any family member, of any age. 

The Road to El Dorado (2000)

Two swindlers get their hands on a map to El Dorado, a city fabled to be made of gold, but when they reach it, things are not as they seem. It’s laugh-out-loud funny with an engaging storyline that will keep the audience interested.

Spirited Away (2001)

When ten-year-old Chihiro and her parents visit a seemingly abandoned theme park, her parents are turned into pigs by a witch as a punishment for trespassing. She must work at a bathhouse and learn to adapt to the world of spirits to save them. It has a fascinating world and odd but lovable characters. This film was made by the highly-esteemed Studio Ghibli and it feels like a strange dream you never want to wake up from.

Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Spiderman has been, and always will be, a beloved superhero. In this adaptation, Miles Morales is bitten by a radioactive spider (again) and soon meets alternate versions of other Spidermen, who must all work together to save the multiverse. This is a refreshing take on the Spiderman movies with stunning animation and moving moments that make for a wonderful time.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Fantastic Mr. Fox follows Mr. Fox, who steals food at night from three farmers. Those three farmers, exceptionally greedy and mean, set out to dig out Mr. Fox’s foxhole and take care of him, once and for all. But this fox is clever and will outsmart them every time. This movie feels as if autumn was doused in mischief. 

Corpse Bride (2005)

When Victor is set to be wed, he nervously goes over his wedding vows in the woods, only to find that he has accidentally married a corpse named Emily. He is then taken to the land of the dead to complete his nuptials. Despite the eerie title, this macabre tale still manages to be wacky and fun. Whimsical and spooky, this is a perfect watch for the Halloween season. 

Paddington 2 (2017)

In this perfect sequel, Paddington tries to save up money to buy a picture book for his dear aunt’s birthday, but things don’t go as planned when the book is stolen. Like the first film, Paddington 2 is a wholesome and heartwarming watch that will make you want to give a hug to everyone you know after the movie has ended.  

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Another Studio Ghibli film. This one follows Sophie, a hat-maker’s daughter, who falls under an evil witch’s spell that makes her age. Soon after, she befriends Howl, a wizard living in a large, magical flying castle, who tries to find a way to use his powers to turn her back into a girl. Exploring these two characters’ lives is enough of a journey, but wandering through this magical world alongside them makes for an unforgettable movie experience.