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Family time is so important! Spending time with your kids and creating long-lasting memories doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact just having a classic family movie night at home, is a great way to bond with your kids. I’ve put together a list of 10 Must Watch Classic Family Movies that every family should watch together. All of the movies on the list are ones young children probably haven’t seen before!

1. NeverEnding Story – This fantasy movie was so popular during the 80’s and for the most part it has been forgotten about. It is a classic fantasy movie in which the main character, Bastian, visualizes the books that he is reading. This is a great movie to watch with the whole family.

2. Parent Trap – I’m not talking about the one Lindsay Lohan did! Nope we are taking it back to the 60’s, the original Parent Trap. Sharon and Susan discover while at summer camp that the reason why they look so similar is that they were twins, separated shortly after their parents’ split! The girls resolve to reunite their feuding parents by switching places and forcing them to meet once the switch is discovered. This is such a fun movie to watch with your daughter. The link below is for ordering Parent Trap 1 & 2.

3. Karate Kid – There is a new Karate Kid movie out with Jaden Smith, but I’m talking about the very first Karate Kid. Ralph Macchio plays Daniel, a teenager from New Jersey who is forced to move across the country with his mother and start a new life in a foreign place, California. Setting aside the differences between East & West coast alone, there is plenty for him to realize. When faced with bullies that he doesn’t understand, he finds a friend in an unlikely place; Mr. Miagi, a Japanese handyman, played by Pat Morita, who’s hides many talents. If you have a son he will love watching this movie. The link below will get you the special edition for only one cent more! If you are a die-hard fan of the Karate Kid, the second link will get you the four film set.

4. The Goonies – This movie was a classic in the 80’s and I’m sure most parents will remember it. If you have pre-teens, they will really enjoy this classic. The Goonies holds something that every kid should find magical, even though the only magic in the movie is the magic of friendship. Steven Spielberg wrote the story about a group of friends who are about to lose their houses so a country club can be built where they leave. They come upon a treasure map that supposedly has a legend behind it, and leads to a great treasure.

5. The Mighty Ducks – Boys and girls will enjoy this one. This is a great movie with a great story behind it. When he was young, Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) used to play hockey but when he blows a really big game, he quits. Now thirty, he’s a lawyer who doesn’t know anything about fair play or teamwork. The link below is for the first release of The Mighty Ducks, or The Mighty Ducks 3 pack.

6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – If your kids haven’t seen E.T. now is the time to introduce this to this American Classic. E.T is the simple story of Elliot (Henry Thomas) who finds a friend from space and helps him to find his way home, hence the oft-quoted line “E.T phone home!”. The iconic image of Elliot riding past the moon is one of the most memorable movie moments in cinema history, accompanied by John William’s whimsical score (Another coup-de-grace par-excellence). Personally, I think everyone should see E.T. at least once. Two links listed below in which one is the first release and the second is the anniversary edition.

7. Honey, I shrunk the Kids – Adults and children alike will enjoy this movie. The story is about an inventor Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) who is trying to perfect his machine which, when working, will shrink matter. The problem is, nothing he does seems to make it work. But somehow, his kids Amy and Nicky (Amy O’Neill and Robert Oliveri), and his next door neighbor’s kids, Russell and Ron Thompson (Thomas Wilson Brown and Jared Rushton) are shrunk! Great family movie that is fun to watch!

8. The Little Rascals – This movie is mixed with a little comedy, sadness and has a great storyline. It’s sort of like Loony Tunes that way. That while it may have been written with kids in mind as the main audience, adults can certainly enjoy them too.

9. Charlotte’s Web -E.B. White’s tender story of life, love and loss has never been more eloquently-told than in this classic animated musical version of CHARLOTTE’S WEB, now finally on DVD. It’s the story of Wilbur the Pig, and his amazing friendship with Charlotte, a spider who decides to help him when it’s revealed that Wilbur is to be fattened for slaughter. Charlotte and her web may just hold the key to Wilbur’s salvation. If you haven’t watched this movie with your children, put this movie on your list. You also might want to consider putting the book on child’s summer reading list.

10. Old Yeller – Some parents haven’t even seen this movie, but it truly is a good one! Awesome movie made in the late 1950’s and really shows kids how people used to live! This is probably one of the finest family films ever made by the Walt Disney people. It’s a simple tale of a frontier boy who bonds with a stray dog (that more than proves it’s loyalty) and the boy’s final realization that he has to grow up.

I have watched these movies with my kids countless times, and then again as an adult. I sure that some of you have as well!

Do you have a favorite movie from your childhood?

*Disclaimer*- I was not compensated for this informational post. The post also contains affiliate links.