The feeling of settling in with family for some quality time after a very long week is second to none, and a family movie night is the perfect idea to strengthen that bond with some of these top 10 Hollywood movies. Whether you simply can’t agree on a particular title or you would love to try something new, making your pick from these all-time fun-to-watch family classics would definitely make this Friday night a memorable one.
Also Check: Top 10 Hollywood Thriller Movies for Friday Night
As you look forward to trying old titles to keep everyone satisfied, rest assured that every movie on this list is worth your time, and most importantly, age-appropriate for the kids. Happy viewing!
1. The Lord of the Rings (Film Trilogy) – 2001
Based on Tolkien’s popular fantasy novel, “The Lord of the Rings,” this blockbuster was simply everything, with not just a great storyline but superb acting and exquisite cinematograph. For a film series that did over $2.9 billion at the box office, and snatched up 17 Oscars from 30 nominations, you should know that this is no regular work of art. Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a collection of three separate classics, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers,” and “The Return of the King” all released in 2001, 2002, and 2003 respectively. This Hollywood classic dominated the screens for three years straight, and remains till today, one of the most successful and influential films in history.
2. Kung Fu Panda (Film Series) – 2008
Even if you are not into animated movies, Kung Fu Panda is definitely one title that you’ve either read, heard, or joked about. Inarguably one of the most popular and influential film series in the globe, “Kung Fu Panda” began in 2008 with the inexperienced ‘Po’ getting an accidental opportunity to finally achieve his lifelong dream of being a Kung Fu warrior. In subsequent years, he continues to advance as the Dragon Warrior, living his story through the diverse scripts that make up the film’s franchise, the fourth of which was released in March 2024. From a budget of a little over $529 million, this martial arts animation movie series has made over $2.3 billion in box office collection globally.
3. Maleficient – 2014
She first appeared in 1959 as the main antagonist in the super-popular movie, “Sleeping Beauty.” Over half a century later in 2014, Disney brought ‘Maleficient” with her own story, providing us a POV of her character development from a fierce protector into the vengeful villain she is famous for. Directed by Robert Stromberg, the decade-long film is crafted in the most delightful way, suitable for both young and adult audiences, a fact which contributed to its massive success, grossing over $758 million globally. If you love California’s Angelina Jolie and wouldn’t mind seeing her playing this titular role, then “Maleficient” is a great choice for you!
4. Aladdin – 1992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3L__8pHYgo
Disney has been making applaudable ovation-worthy classics since forever, and “Aladdin” is one for every season. This live-action adaptation is a superb representation of the original animated 1992 movie, which tells the fairy-tale story of Princess Jasmine and the title character. The film, upon public viewing, broke barriers, surpassing the earnings of the initial production, earning over $500 million at the box office. Another striking refinement between both movies is the conscious efforts displayed by its director, Guy Ritchie, to make the 2019 release culturally mixed. This incorporation of different races and colors encourages diversity and appeals to all age groups.
5. Transformers One – 2024
Since Paramount Pictures released the trailer for TF One in April, fans have been on the lookout for the real thing to drop. Josh Cooley’s “Transformers One” is one film you should look out for this 2024. Set to be released in September, the upcoming sci-fi production is going to be the latest in the “Transformers” franchise. However, unlike its predecessors, it is suggested that this could become a film series, as the story is likely to be spread out as a trilogy compilation. The animated film is absolutely fun to watch and stars top actors like Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson as the voices of Orion Pax and Elita-1 respectively.
6. Home Alone – 1990
Macaulay Culkin is today one of the industry’s most successful child actors, and this is all thanks to his performance in John Hughes’s “Home Alone.” Talk about the perfect watch for a weekend full of laughter and great energy. Directed by Chris Columbus, “Home Alone” is an all-time Hollywood classic that was released over 30 decades ago to a highly receptive audience. This title is probably one of the most popular ones you’ve come across, and its rightfully so, as the Oscar-nominated hit made it to a whopping over $476 million, from a budget that wasn’t even up to $20 million. While it’s been described as one of the best Christmas films, this family-friendly production fits into any period of the year.
7. Despicable Me (Film Series) – 2010
In 2010, Sergio Pablos, in collaboration with Illumination released a movie, which turned out to be the first of multiple delightful series that have been on our screens for 14 years now. It isn’t a good thing to state that all movies in the Despicable Me collection hit the right mark. It takes us through the interesting and comedic adventures of the supervillain character, Gru voiced by Steve Carell. Since the film made its way into the mainstream, “Despicable Me” has set itself apart as a different kind of animation film. In fact, the production, of all films, is one of the highest-grossing animated films, with approx $4.7 billion at the box office, and still counting.
8. Annie – 2014
If you’re a fan of musicals, then you will find “Annie” very interesting. With Quvenzhane Wallis playing the titular role of Annie-Bennett-Stacks and earning herself a Young Artist Award, the 2014 movie centers around the travails of the young orphan in a foster home. Fortunately, she is rescued by the rich Will Stacks, acted by Jamie Foxx. The Golden Globes nominated film is a story of the girl’s determination with a highly optimistic spirit, attributes which make it quite family-friendly and useful for young children to learn from. With its array of great music compilations and dramatic scenes, this movie is fun to watch.
9. The Lion King – 1994
“The Lion King” is proof that Walt Disney makes every effort to stay true to his vision which is “to offer the best family entertainment in the world…” Three decades after its release, this animated movie is still widely appreciated, not only for its perfect storyline and incredible animation but also for the amazing vocals that define the movie. Thanks to the investment of Disney Records in incredibly talented vocalists, sounds like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” will forever remain evergreen. In fact, the film’s original soundtrack is a 10-time platinum-certified album, while ruled the US Billboard 200 chart for years. Alongside being an Oscar award-winning movie, “The Lion King” boasts over $968 million at the box office. It is also a recipient of more accolades from the Grammys, BAFTA, and the Golden Globes among many others.
10. Star Wars (Film Series) – 1977
You’re thinking sci-fi movies and Star Wars don’t come to mind, you’re evidently missing out on the best! When this popular sci-fi action came out at first, it clearly was nothing kike the viewers have seen before! George Lucas created Star Wars in 1977, and that single creation birthed a trail of successful productions for the filmmaker. While the original release elicited positive reviews from critics and pulled in great success, the series commendably expanded into television, magazine comics, and even video games. “Star Wars” has not only impacted a revolution in the anime space, it is one production for the books, a franchise that leads among others in the fictional science genre.
