20. Cars (2006)
To clarify the theme: tomorrow is Halloween, but not everyone enjoys scary movies. Some prefer films without any intense emotional moments. This list is mostly for them. For instance, Up isn’t included because its opening ten minutes are genuinely heartbreaking. Similarly, Finding Nemo is out as it follows a grieving father searching for his possibly dead son. But Cars, a movie about automobiles, makes the cut. The most suspenseful part is when a car narrowly avoids a train. Beyond that, there’s hardly any danger.
19. My Dinner With Andre (1981)
This doesn’t mean all these films are for kids. If you want to keep your pulse steady, Louis Malle’s My Dinner with Andre is ideal. Rated 12 for occasional mild sexual references, nothing really happens here. Two men have dinner, talk extensively, and it ends. Many viewers label it the most boring film ever, but a kinder interpretation is that it’s thoughtfully intellectual—nothing to lose sleep over.
18. Curious George (2006)
Based on the classic children’s books (first published in 1941), this film about a cheerful monkey getting into mild trouble is endlessly charming. Will Ferrell plays a man trying to find hidden treasure to save a museum, with a monkey tagging along. Unless you’re deeply bothered by paint-splattering scenes, it’s one of the most harmlessly pleasant films ever.
17. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Wong Kar-wai’s films seem perfect for this list with their dreamy, hypnotic pace, but he often adds bursts of violence—like a car crash in My Blueberry Nights or a stabbing in Days of Being Wild. In the Mood for Love, however, is much calmer. Two neighbors bond after discovering their spouses are having an affair, leading to a sorrowful yet serene story. Note: one scene features loud eating, according to trigger-warning sites.
16. The Red Turtle (2016)
I initially considered the Latvian animation Flow but recalled how it scared my eight-year-old. Michaël Dudok de Wit’s dialogue-free The Red Turtle is more tranquil. A man stranded on a beach is repeatedly blocked from escaping by a turtle. The only slightly upsetting moment is when the turtle dies, but it’s reborn as a woman who falls in love with him. Deeply moving and stunningly beautiful.
15. On the Beach at Night Alone (2017)
South Korean director Hong Sang-soo’s quietly reflective films, where very little occurs, could dominate this list. On the Beach at Night Alone stands out: a Korean woman flees to Germany after an affair ends. It sounds more eventful than it is; the most dramatic part is when she raises her voice once. The minimal plot is intentional, meant to be a soothing experience.
14. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Compared to On the Beach at Night Alone, this film feels as action-packed as a Transformers movie, with drugs, parties, and frequent masturbation jokes. Yet, as a Richard Linklater film, it’s important to note that not much really happens.For the most part, the film is simply a loose collection of fun scenes featuring college baseball players hanging out and goofing off. With perhaps one exception, this is as fast as your heart will beat during the entire list, but that isn’t really saying much.
13. Le Quattro Volte (2010)
Philip French described Michelangelo Frammartino’s film as “an essay, a cinematic poem, a spiritual exploration of time and space”—and it’s hard to argue with that. Le Quattro Volte follows an elderly goatherd in the Calabrian mountains as he quietly goes about his daily routine in a calm, unhurried way. It’s worth noting that this is ultimately a film about death—sad but not frightening—but for the most part, this nearly silent meditation feels like a long, slow exhale.
12. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
The legacy of Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a flood of Netflix documentaries that treat chefs with far more reverence than they deserve, but that doesn’t take away from this film’s masterpiece status. Jiro Ono runs a 10-seat sushi restaurant in a Tokyo subway station, yet his quiet focus and dedication to perfection have earned it three Michelin stars. The joy of the film lies in the loving, trance-like scenes of Jiro preparing food with monastic stillness. It isn’t entirely soothing—he’s harsh to his son—but aside from that, it fits the bill perfectly.
11. The Peanuts Movie (2015)
The risk in adapting a beloved children’s character for modern audiences is the temptation to go the Peter Rabbit route, filling it with crude humor that ruins the original’s charm. The Peanuts Movie avoids this entirely, remaining as sincerely good-natured as possible. Charlie Brown has a crush on a redheaded girl in his class and tries various ways to improve himself to get her attention. It stays true to Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip and has such a light touch that you’d have to be a monster not to love it.
10. Before Sunset (2004)
Despite Richard Linklater’s growing ambition—he’s now adapting Merrily We Roll Along, filming over 20 years for a planned 2040 release—his masterpiece remains the Before series, where we catch up with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy at different stages of their relationship. While 1995’s Before Sunrise made the biggest impact, with its young, sexy, flirtatious couple falling in love in real time, Before Sunset is the heart of the trilogy. The pair are older, a little more bruised, and life has grown more complicated. Still, it’s a gorgeous, low-stakes, and completely unscary film.
9. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)
Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s languid fantasy drama gives the site Does the Dog Die? plenty to work with. Yes, it’s explicitly about ghosts, but they’re “friendly spirits” and “not jump-scare ghosts.” And yes, there’s sexual content—a scene implying a woman has intercourse with a fish—but “it somehow isn’t as disgusting as it sounds.” Truthfully, this film is harder to justify on the list than any other, but its overwhelmingly soft, slow tone makes it fit.
8. Playtime (1967)
Jacques Tati’s masterpiece is less a film and more an opportunity to admire his incredible production design; he built an entire city, Tativille, on the outskirts of Paris to make it. A series of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it visual jokes set in a stylish yet sterile vision of modernity, Playtime hasThere isn’t much of a plot to speak of. Tati, appearing as his bewildered Monsieur Hulot, drifts through scenes more as an observer than an active participant, while the world carries on around him. Yet, it’s a film that you’ll find yourself getting lost in again and again.
7. The Straight Story (1999)
Slow and steady wins the race… The Straight Story.
Most David Lynch films wouldn’t fit on a list of unscary movies—pick any of his works, and you’re likely to find something that haunts you psychologically. But The Straight Story is the exception. It follows an elderly man (Richard Farnsworth) who drives a tractor across America to visit his dying brother (Harry Dean Stanton), and that’s the entire story. Rated U at release, it’s unlikely to disturb even the most sensitive viewers, aside from a mention of an offscreen car crash. Still, Lynch manages to pack remarkable humor and emotion into this simple tale, making it one of his best.
6. Paterson (2016)
Jim Jarmusch’s finest film, Adam Driver’s standout performance, and arguably the best movie ever about writing poetry while driving a bus. Paterson is extraordinary despite its minimal premise. Driver’s character writes a poem, revises it during his bus route, and repeats the routine day after day. There are minor moments of tension—like a fake gun incident and his wife’s eccentricities that might grate on you—but overall, it’s a quiet film about a man’s daily life.
5. A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019)
Compared to the more relaxed films on this list, Farmageddon might feel like being caught in a shed full of fireworks. But it’s incredibly joyful and appeals to all ages. Shaun the Sheep discovers an alien in his quiet town and helps it return home. The plot mainly serves as a backdrop for jokes based on classic sci-fi clichés, but the film reaches masterpiece status in a scene that humorously shows what happens when a hyperactive alien eats too much sugar. Some might call it heresy, but I’d argue this is Aardman’s best work.
4. Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2021)
In today’s challenging film industry, where even blockbusters struggle to make money, releasing Marcel the Shell With Shoes On in theaters seemed puzzling. This gentle stop-motion animation follows a shell who putters around his environment, making it a niche film. While it’s funny and endearing—Marcel is a character you can’t help but want to protect—there’s an underlying sadness that might surprise you. But since this list is about films that aren’t scary, not necessarily happy ones, it qualifies.
3. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
The BBFC describes this classic musical as having “very mild comic violence unlikely to upset even the youngest children,” and that holds true. I was concerned that Donald O’Connor’s slapstick in the “Make ‘Em Laugh” scene—where he essentially hurts himself for laughs—would be too intense for my young kids, but it turned out to be their favorite part. As films about the end of the silent era go, this is far more enjoyable than Babylon (which, remember, featured an elephant defecating directly at the audience).
2. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Many parents have faced the shock of taking their family to a Studio Ghibli film, only to…I might not be the only one who gave up on Pom Poko after all the raccoon deaths made the kids leave the room—I admit I didn’t do much research on that Ghibli film. But Kiki’s Delivery Service is definitely the safest choice. It’s about a young witch who starts working as a courier, and the movie is absolutely charming. I was about to say that everyone in the world would fall in love with it, but then I checked Does the Dog Die? and saw a trigger warning for a body of water, so who can say for sure?
1. Perfect Days (2023)
A film that follows a man quietly cleaning toilets for two hours shouldn’t be as stunning as Wim Wenders’ 2023 movie, yet it truly is. Kōji Yakusho’s character wakes up, gets dressed, cleans toilets, eats lunch, goes home, and dreams, repeating this routine day after day. The result is the finest film ever made about quiet satisfaction. It helps that the public toilets are genuine works of art—you might even wonder how many people have planned trips to Tokyo just to see them. But at its heart, this is a story about a man experiencing life as if for the first time: nature, people, music, and peace. It’s so deeply calming and zen that you’ll want to watch it monthly to reset your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a helpful and clear list of FAQs about the most familyfriendly movies of all time
General Beginner Questions
1 What exactly makes a movie familyfriendly
A familyfriendly movie is one that is appropriate and enjoyable for all ages It typically has little to no violence profanity or mature content and it often focuses on positive themes like friendship courage and family
2 What are the main benefits of watching movies as a family
Its a great way to bond share laughs and create lasting memories It can also spark meaningful conversations about the movies themes and characters and its a perfect activity for a cozy night in
3 Where can I find these classic family movies
Many are available on major streaming services like Disney Netflix and Amazon Prime Video You can also check your local library which often has a great selection of DVDs for free
4 Can you give me a few examples of alltime great family movies
Absolutely Classics like The Lion King Toy Story Mary Poppins The Goonies and The Princess Bride are beloved by multiple generations for their timeless stories and characters
Deeper Practical Questions
5 My kids are different ages How do I pick a movie that works for everyone
Look for movies with layered storytelling Animated films from studios like Pixar and Studio Ghibli are perfect for thisthey have bright colors and silly humor for young kids but deeper emotional stories for teens and adults
6 Are older liveaction movies still engaging for kids used to modern animation
Many are Films like ET the ExtraTerrestrial and The Wizard of Oz have such powerful and magical stories that they continue to captivate new generations It can be a fun way to introduce kids to the movies you loved
7 What are some common things to watch out for that might not be suitable
Even in family films be mindful of scenes that might be scary for very young children or mild rude humor Checking a parents guide on sites like Common Sense Media can be very helpful
8 Are musicals a good choice for family movie night
Yes musicals can be a
