From Boomers to Zoomers: 12 Perfect Movie Suggestions for Family Night

Are you searching for a good film the whole family can watch? Then, we got you covered. After someone polled an online film forum for the best movies from boomers to zoomers, here are their top recommendations. Have you seen them?

1. In Search of the Castaways (1962)

In Search of the Castaways family
Image Credit: Walt Disney Productions.

A Walt Disney production, In Search Of The Castaways, is a fantasy adventure film following siblings who pair up with a professor friend to help locate their missing father, Captain Grant. The journey takes them to Scotland, South America, and Australia on their search.

2. Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Swiss Family Robinson
Image Credit: Walt Disney Productions.

Another Disney Classic, Swiss Family Robinson, tells the story of a shipwrecked family building an island home after becoming shipwrecked by a brutal storm. The family works together and demonstrates that despite being stranded for a decade, they work together to survive as a happy family.

3. The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies 1985
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

The Goonies is an 80s classic that follows a group of adventurous kids who identify as “The Goonies” as they seek out the treasure of a legendary pirate, One-Eyed Willy — upon finding a treasure map in their attic. They face many dangerous obstacles on their journey, including being chased by a criminal family trio who also wants the gold. 

4. Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

Another 80s classic, Back to the Future, follows a teen who is sent back to the 50s after an experiment by his eccentric scientist friend goes wrong. He encounters young versions of his parents and must ensure they fall in love, or he will cease to exist in the present 80s. The second film is also excellent.

5. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. 1982
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

What can I say? The 80s were a great time that delivered many fantastic family films. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial follows a young boy who discovers a gentle alien and then hides him in his house. His brother and little sister and he keeps it a secret. However, E.T. gets sick, and the government intervenes, creating problems for them. 

6. Finding Nemo (2003)

Finding Nemo
Image Credit: Pixar Disney.

Finding Nemo is a Pixar film that follows the adventures of a father clownfish and a forgetful regal blue tang searching the ocean for his son Nemo after a human scoops him from the water. This movie has many great moments and is animated fun for the whole family. 

7. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

The Super Mario Bros Movie
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

Honestly, I was impressed by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It highly exceeded my expectations. My toddler is obsessed, but the story is fun for the whole family. It follows characters from the popular Nintendo game franchise, including Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, and Bowser.

8. Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Grab the tissues because Hidden Figures demands a use for them. It is a biographical drama that follows a team of African-American women mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. 

9. Clue (1985)

Clue
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Clue is a cult classic based on the popular board game. It follows six blackmail victims invited to an isolated mansion by a man who knows a dark secret from each of their pasts. Everyone is assigned a pseudonym and weapon before the lights go out and the blackmailer is killed. The six of them must decipher the clues to uncover who the murderer is.

10. Free Guy (2021)

Free Guy
Image Credit: 20th Century Studios.

Free Guy is a cute movie that follows a bank teller discovering he’s a background player in a popular open-world video game. He decides to become the hero of his own story. In a world without limits, he’s determined to save the day before it’s too late and enjoy a little romance with the coder who conceived him. I know it sounds wonky, but it’s honestly hilarious and fun.

11. Islands in the Stream (1977)

Islands in the Stream
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Islands In The Stream follows a famous sculptor deciding to retire to an island in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, his dreams of peaceful existence are interrupted by the visit of his three sons and the involvement of the United States in World War II.

12. Up (2009)

Up Walt Disney Studios
Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios.

Everyone should see the Pixar masterpiece, Up. There is a ten-minute segment in the beginning guaranteed to reduce anyone with a soul to tears, but then it turns into a fun adventure. It follows a 78-year-old balloon salesman fulfilling a dream by tying thousands of balloons to his home and relocating to South America. However, a child stowaway interrupts the plan, and they discover together, “Adventure is out there!”

25 Incredible Films That Force You to Cry Every Time You Watch Them

Ghost Patrick Swayze Demi Moore
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Are you searching for a great film to get your beautiful eyes to tear up? I’m a sucker for a good cry fest. So here are 25 movies that make me cry every time I watch them. Will they get your eyes wet too?

12 Movies Boomers Admit They Were Actually Shown at School

Psycho Anthony Perkins
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Everyone knows the feeling of walking into the classroom and seeing the TV on the rolling stand. It was a feeling of pure joy; you were either watching a film for educational purposes or you were watching a film because the teacher didn’t want to work on their lesson plan. One way or another, you knew you were watching a movie that day.

26 Once Hilarious Comedy Films That You’re Not Allowed to Laugh at Today

Revenge of the Nerds
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Although comedy movies have always been a source of amusement and laughter, society’s expectations and sensibilities have changed over time. What was previously seen as hilarious and acceptable may be viewed as improper or offensive today. Let’s look at some once brilliant comedy movies that are unlikely to be produced or laughed at in the current cultural climate (unless you grew up watching them).

Top 15 Movies That Are the Epitome of Perfection

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Are there any movies that you define as the epitome of perfection? Recently an online entertainment community member asked which films are always a 10/10. Here are their top choices. Do you agree?

10 of the Genuinely Best Performances in the Worst Movies Ever

Tombstone
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures.

Have you watched a film that was terrible, but there was a star shining brighter than the rest? Someone polled a popular online community. Here are the best suggestions.

Source: Reddit.

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Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.