I remember my dad’s contagious bouncy excitement as we headed into Return of the Jedi. I remember the collective gasp of relief from my family — and the entire crowd — when E.T.’s heart beat again. I remember regaling my grandpa about the snakes and poisoned dates and whip-cracks and deadly plane blades after seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I’m forever connected to these films. They were made to be shared with family — even if they’re not explicitly for families or kids. That’s why Superman and other films break through the genre barrier. They make us laugh in unison, lean in during scares, and learn to sip soda to avoid tears.
These films exemplify the spirit of the family film. They’re the best movies to see together because they’re fun, they’re meaningful, and — most importantly — they’re outstanding movies.
Here are my picks for The Ten Best Family Films of 2025.
10. In Your Dreams
Ambitious and visually inventive. The creativity on display, paired with a funny script and a genuinely touching sibling story, makes In Your Dreams feel closer to classic Pixar than Elio.
9. Paddington in Peru
Like Paddington (the bear), the third offering in the film series is warm, reliable, and unfailingly kind. It doesn’t reinvent the series but still delivers the kind of gentle shared pleasure we’ve come to expect.
8. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
A sharp, joke-first throwback that understands rhythm and absurdity better than most modern animation. Never goes too big with meaning — and we don’t want it to.
7. Ne Zha 2
Big, bold donghua (Chinese anime) that plays on a mythic scale rarely seen in animation. Ne Zha 2 earns its historic box office success by going all-in on spectacle to support a narrative that pays off.
6. Superman
A rock star of a film that drums you with meaningful action sequences, makes you sing in celebration with its high-character, high-fun moments, and electrifies you with the notion that Superman is good again.
5. Zootopia 2
Socially aware without being heavy-handed. Funny thanks to its cross-species interactions. Zootopia 2 expands its world while keeping its heart firmly attached to its lead characters’ chemistry.
4. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
No surprise. Wallace & Gromit is meticulously crafted and effortlessly funny. And Vengeance Most Fowl is a masterclass in visual storytelling that plows forward with jokes and charm, knowing you’ll want to keep up.
3. Sketch
Sketch is risky and imaginative. The horror is playfully unsettling — the kind kids will cover their eyes but peek through to see. The story is unapologetically unsentimental as it explores the trauma of loss — before becoming sentimental when discovering there’s a right and wrong way to heal.
2. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
A beautifully 2D-digitally crafted, emotionally resonate film about the power of childhood wonder and the unpredictability of life events that change and connect us. Little Amélie or the Character of Rain rewards patience by hitting you with beautiful little moments before knocking you out with its emotional finish.
1. KPop Demon Hunters
Out of nowhere. Impossible to forget once it reached our eyes and our ears. KPop Demon Hunters is more than an ear worm of a film. If you listen closely, it has a lot to say about community, relationships, and self-identity. And its rewatchability is off the charts thanks to an incredible number of jokes that land and character arcs that grab you and pull you through the end.
Honorable Mentions:
The Bad Guys 2 (Review), Dragonkeeper, Elio (Review), Fantastic Four: First Steps, Freakier Friday
Note: I did not include Arco because the studio opted for a limited release in November. There’s a wider release coming in January 2026. The studio likely opted for a 2025 limited release to make it an Academy Award contender and will use its likely nomination for marketing purposes. A smart movie that hopefully gets people into the theater to see a possible contender for the best family film of 2026.
