List

Family Favorites

By Sharon Weinberg

Enjoy these suggestions for family viewing. Age recommendations provided by commonsensemedia.org.

  • Turning Red

    2022

    In this coming-of-age story that explores identity, mother-daughter relationships, and Chinese culture, animator/director/screenwriter Domee Shi, working with a women-led filmmaking team, brings us a beautifully animated movie that pulled at my heartstrings while making me laugh. Recommended for age 10+.

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  • Encanto

    2022

    With vivid characters, great music, and a marvelous Latinix voice cast, the story follows a Colombian teenage girl who seems to be the only member of her family without a magical gift, as she confronts an existential threat. This won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • The Bad Guys

    2022

    Based on the popular children’s book series by Aaron Blabey, the animal characters are a hoot as they try to turn from their criminal ways to do good. It’s also one of the funniest heist movies that I’ve seen in a long while. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • Vivo

    2022

    It's an animated musical comedy with awfully cute characters. The lively songs are written by the multitalented Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also voices Vivo, a kinkajou who goes on an epic journey to deliver a love song. Along the way he meets Gabi (voiced by newcomer Ynairaly Simo), and she becomes his new friend and fellow adventurer. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

    2022

    Adapted from the popular children’s books, this is a charming musical comedy for the whole family. Lyle is adorable on the big screen, with Shawn Mendes providing the crocodile’s dulcet singing voice. Plus we get a totally fun performance from Javier Bardem. I did not know he could dance! Recommended for age 6+.

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  • Minions: The Rise of Gru

    2022

    Kids of all ages will enjoy the shenanigans in this fifth installment of the Despicable Me series, and sequel to the prequel Minions. Eleven-year-old Gru wants to become a super villain and the minions want to help him make it happen. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • DC League of Super-pets

    2022

    I’m all about the pets, especially when they have awesome super powers. Dwayne Johnson voices Superman’s canine companion Krypto, and Kevin Hart is a misunderstood shelter dog named Ace. Hilarity and heroics ensue. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • Lightyear

    2022

    Who hasn’t been touched in some way or another by the Toy Story franchise? In this spin-off, we get the backstory on Buzz Lightyear, how he, his commander, and the crew are marooned on a faraway planet, and his efforts to get them home. Featuring the voice talents of Chris Evans and Keke Palmer, it will take you on a timey-wimey journey. But it’s the robotic cat, Sox, who’ll steal your heart. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie

    2022

    When a young space alien named Lu-La crash lands near the farm, Shaun the Sheep and his cohorts want to reunite her with her family. Have fun spotting the sci-fi references, including a nod to author H.G. Wells and movies and TV series such as Arrival, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The X-Files, and Doctor Who. Recommended for age 5+.

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  • The Mitchells vs. the Machines

    2021

    Whacky, creative, and clever, I loved the bright visual style, plus the animation within the animation is supercool. The family dynamics are often hilarious, the tech stuff is relatable, and the jokes hit the mark. Recommended for age 8+.

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  • Irish Folklore Trilogy

    2021

    This collection of Oscar-nominated movies from Cartoon Salon includes The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers. All three take a deep dive into Irish art and Celtic mythology, providing the viewer with a magical experience. Recommended for age 9+.

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  • Luca

    2021

    From Pixar and Disney, we get an enchanting coming-of-age story with a nostalgic style and lovely color palette. It’s set on the Italian Riviera where sea monsters live their lives avoiding humans, afraid of them and vice versa--until two curious young sea monsters take human shape and have all sorts of adventures as they conceal their true forms. A fish-out-water movie about friendship, courage, and accepting differences. Recommended for age 6+.

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  • Soul

    2021

    It’s an Oscar-winning Pixar comedy/fantasy/drama centering on a New York City middle school music teacher named Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), whose soul accidentally gets separated from his body and he has to find a way to get it back before missing his big break to join a jazz band. The city scenes really pop and the jazz soundtrack (thank you, Jon Batiste) is wonderful. Recommended for age 8+.

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  • Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse

    2019

    There is a great message to believe in yourself, stunning animation, and spectacular action scenes. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, and two sequels are scheduled for release: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in 2023 and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versein 2024. Recommended for age 9+.

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  • The Water Man

    2021

    I’m so excited that this drama is actor David Oyelowo's directorial debut. The story focuses on 11-year-old Gunner. Believing in a local legend about an immortal man who lives in the forest and his healing powers, Gunner goes on a quest to save his ill mother. Everyone is so good in this movie, as it pulls at your heartstrings. Recommended for age 10+.

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  • Cinderella

    2022

    Yup, it’s another take on Cinderella. This version stars the appealing Camila Cabello in the lead role and scene-stealing Billy Porter as Fab G, also known as Cinderella’s fairy godparent. Recommended for age 8+.

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