It can be difficult to find films that are suitable for and enjoyed by all family members. Here is a list of five classic films for you to choose from for your next family movie night. All the choices are classic films and are highly enjoyed at my house.
Bringing Up Baby (1938) – G (6+)
A quirky girl, a handsome professor, and a tame leopard…what could go wrong? This film is one of my family’s favorites and has been for years. Starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, this is a perfect comedy that will leave you quoting it for weeks.
This is rated G. The only thing to keep in mind is during one scene there is a brief suggestion a man is gay. This is because he is wearing a woman’s dressing gown since his clothes are missing. Young children will not pick up on this and it is obvious the man is not gay, there is just a misunderstanding about where his actual clothes are.
You can rent the film on Amazon.
The Quiet Man (1952) – PG (8+)
One of the most famous films on this list, The Quiet Man is the story of an American with a secret (John Wayne) who moves back to his birthplace in Ireland. Once there, he meets and falls in love with a hot tempered red head (Maureen O’Hara). This is the second of four films Wayne and O’Hara made together, which cemented their place as one of the most famous movie couples in Hollywood. Not only is the film hilarious, it is also incredibly touching.
This is rated PG. It is very clean, but there is a lot of alcohol consumption (it is Ireland after all), and a climactic fight scene (no one gets hurt).
You can watch the film for free on Amazon Prime if you have a Prime account or rent it.
Roman Holiday (1953) – PG (8+)
This is one of my favorite films of all time: romantic, funny, tear-jerking, and sweet. It is Audrey Hepburn’s first film and she does an amazing job starring alongside veteran actor, Gregory Peck. She plays a European princess who is tired of meetings and parades. He plays an American journalist looking for his big break. Hepburn and Peck’s chemistry perfectly captures the magic of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The film is a delight and worth watching multiple times.
This is rated PG. In one scene there some confusion about who Audrey Hepburn’s character is and what her profession is, but children will not pick up on this at all.
You can rent the film on Amazon.
Operation Petticoat (1959) – PG-13
Another Cary Grant classic, this film holds a special place among my family’s favorite movies. The plot is set during the end of World War II in the Pacific, but the war is viewed through a comedic lens. Story highlights include a leaky submarine, an exasperated captain, and a surprise cargo of female nurses. Operation Petticoat is a perfect movie choice for you and your teenage students.
This is rated PG-13 since there is a tattoo of a completely naked woman that is frequently referenced (but never seen) to the great embarrassment of the man who has the tattoo. Most children won’t pick up on this if they are young enough, but it is mentioned briefly throughout the entire film.
You can rent the film on Amazon.
How To Steal A Million (1966) – PG
Every time I watch this movie, I remember why I enjoy it so much. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole, the plot is centered around a famous statue that is actually a fake and must be stolen back from a museum before it is discovered. The movie is filled with witty dialogue, beautiful shots of Paris, and the incredible chemistry of Hepburn and O’Toole.
This is rated PG. There are a few kisses in a closet and some shots of nude statues. But overall it is a hilarious heist movie that will please everyone in your family.
You can rent the film on Amazon.
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Filmmaking from the First Directors
Takes students through a unique journey starting in the late 19th-century when film was invented, then guides them through the steps first directors took in creating the modern language of film. The goal of the class is to teach students how to make films one step at a time.
$195.00
