Good Family Films - G & PG Movies
Here's a list of some of my favorite family movies.
Mostly G or PG with a few PG-13 (see the descriptions)
Most of these movies are clean, family fun movies. There are a few meant more for older kids and adults. I've tried to give a small description of the movie and try to mention any content to be aware of but, parents should use their own discretion for viewing with kids.
Mostly G or PG with a few PG-13 (see the descriptions)
Most of these movies are clean, family fun movies. There are a few meant more for older kids and adults. I've tried to give a small description of the movie and try to mention any content to be aware of but, parents should use their own discretion for viewing with kids.
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- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.This Steven Spielberg classic is an endearing story of freindship between an adorable little alien who after being accidentally left behind on earth is found by 10-year-old Elliot. The two form a bond as Elliot tries to help E.T. get home. Look for a very young Drew Barrymore as Elliot's precocious little sister. This heartwarming story of friendship is a perfect mix of humor, suspense and action for the whole family.
- DirectorWayne WangStarsAnnaSophia RobbJeff DanielsEva Marie SaintA mischievous dog befriends a lonely young girl in a new town and helps her make new friends.An inseparable bond develops between a lonely 10-year-old girl (AnnaSophia Robb) and an orphaned dog, Winn-Dixie, who helps her make friends in a small Florida town. The pup not only unites the townspeople; it also helps the girl heal her own troubled relationship with her father (Jeff Daniels). Eva Marie Saint and Cicely Tyson co-star in this family friendly drama based on Kate DiCamillo's book.
- DirectorMichael O. SajbelStarsDrew FullerJames GarnerAbigail BreslinA deceased billionaire leaves his spoiled adult grandson a series of odd tasks to perform in order to receive "the ultimate gift," with the resentful grandson having no idea what that might be.When his wealthy grandfather finally dies, self-absorbed, Jason Stevens fully expects to benefit when it comes to the reading of the will. But instead of a sizable inheritance, Jason receives a test, a series of tasks or "gifts" he must complete before he can get any money. Along the way Jason meets several individuals, especially a young mother and her adorable daughter, who help him discover that money may not be "The Ultimate Gift." From the book by Jim Stovall.
- DirectorFrank OzStarsHal ScardinoLitefootLindsay CrouseOmri, a young boy growing up in Brooklyn, receives an odd variety of presents for his birthday: a wooden cupboard from his older brother, a set of antique keys from his mother, and a plastic Indian from his best friend, Patrick.Nine-year-old Omri (Hal Scardino) gets some odd gifts for his birthday: a wooden cupboard, antique keys and a figure of an Iroquois Indian warrior. Much to Omri's surprise, the figurine -- known as Little Bear -- comes to life overnight in the cabinet. Omri shares his secret with best pal Patrick (Rishi Bhat), who promptly locks a toy cowboy in with Little Bear. Will the boys learn any lessons as they try to make peace between the cowboy and the Indian?
Great imagination and valuable lessons from which to launch family discussions. Part of growing up is learning that love/friendship is about not using that person, but giving them what is best for them even when it hurts. This movie is entertaining for kids and adults. - DirectorBoaz YakinStarsDenzel WashingtonWill PattonWood HarrisIn 1971 Virginia high school football was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the school board was forced to integrate an all-black school with an all-white one, the very foundation of football's tradition was put to the test.The year is 1971, and the people of Alexandria, Va., are none too pleased when African American Herman Boone is given the nod to head a newly integrated football team. As the season progresses, however, their contentious attitudes begin to change. Racism. Respect. Personal growth. Great movie!
- DirectorPenny MarshallStarsTom HanksGeena DavisLori PettyTwo sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amid their own growing rivalry.Two small-town sisters join an all-female baseball league formed when World War II brings professional baseball to a standstill. As their team hits the road with its drunken coach, the siblings find troubles and triumphs on and off the field.
Great cast: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Bill Pullman, Megan Cavanagh... - DirectorAndrew DavisStarsShia LaBeoufSigourney WeaverJon VoightA wrongfully convicted boy is sent to a brutal desert detention camp where he joins the job of digging holes for some mysterious reason.Falsely accused of stealing sneakers, a nerdy teenager is sent to a detention camp, where he and the other delinquents are forced by the sadistic warden to dig holes as a character-building exercise. But what's the real reason for all the digging?
This is that rare family film that everyone in the family will enjoy.
(staring a young Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette and Henry Winkler) - DirectorShawn LevyStarsBen StillerCarla GuginoRicky GervaisA newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.What a great ride: Sci-fi, comedy, action, fantasy, laugh-out-loud moments, fabulous special effects, and general hilarity! When loser and dreamer Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is hired as night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, he discovers that an ancient curse brings all the exhibits to life after the sun sets. It pays to know your history as Larry comes face-to-face with a frisky T. rex skeleton, tiny armies of Romans and cowboys and a mischievous monkey who taunts him to the breaking point. But with the help of President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Larry may figure out a way to control the chaos and become a hero.
A really good, clean family fun movie. goofy & imaginative - DirectorMel StuartStarsGene WilderJack AlbertsonPeter OstrumA poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory.Rated 'G'
The original version is a wonderful movie for all ages - a comedy with singing, dancing, and the incredible Gene Wilder transform the story into a delightful movie. The cinematography of HD-DVD format is breath-taking. Experience the magic of Wonka's chocolate factory. - DirectorAndrew StantonLee UnkrichStarsAlbert BrooksEllen DeGeneresAlexander GouldAfter his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonSamuel L. JacksonHolly HunterWhile trying to lead a quiet suburban life, a family of undercover superheroes are forced into action to save the world.After a string of lawsuits forces a family of superheroes to rein in their powers and go into hiding in suburbia, a mysterious source asks the out-of-shape patriarch, Mr. Incredible, for help -- but is it a trap?
Pixar will never lead you astray. This film is lots of fun for kids and adults alike. Fun story, creative characters, cool animation, and plenty of laughs.
My husband's favorite! - DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.
- DirectorMatthew RobbinsStarsHume CronynJessica TandyFrank McRaeAliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.After their apartment building is bought by an unscrupulous developer, elderly couple, Frank and Faye Riley (real-life couple Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy) face eviction. But the poor retirees receive help from an unlikely source: a clan of tiny robotic aliens.
- DirectorJohn BadhamStarsAlly SheedySteve GuttenbergFisher StevensNumber 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.After a lightning bolt zaps a robot named Number 5, the lovable machine starts to think he's human and escapes the lab. Hot on his trail is his designer, Newton (Steve Guttenberg), who hopes to get to Number 5 before the military does. In the meantime, a spunky animal lover (Ally Sheedy) mistakes the robot for an alien and takes him in, teaching her new guest about life on Earth. This high-tech comedy adventure is charming and cheesy.
Parents: This is PG from the 80's. It has cartoon/fantasy violence. Cars, equipment, mannequins blow up; lots of gunfire, though no one is hit or injured except robots, who almost always bounce back; Also, some language/cursing: hell, bs, sob - DirectorDavid SwiftStarsHayley MillsMaureen O'HaraBrian KeithTeenage twin sisters swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.Rated 'G'
- DirectorMark WatersStarsJamie Lee CurtisLindsay LohanMark HarmonAn overworked mother and her daughter did not get along. When they switch bodies, each is forced to adapt to the other's life for one freaky Friday.
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.Rated 'G'
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsJulie AndrewsChristopher PlummerEleanor ParkerA young novice is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.Rated 'G'
- DirectorAgnieszka HollandStarsKate MaberlyMaggie SmithHeydon ProwseA young, recently-orphaned girl is sent to England after living in India all of her life. Once there, she begins to explore her new, seemingly-isolated surroundings, and its secrets.Rated 'G'
Strong-willed English girl Mary is orphaned during an earthquake in India and must move into her unfeeling uncle's oppressive mansion. But the girl's mood lightens when she finds the key to a neglected garden that brings the entire house to life.
The children are wonderful and are played with a keen intelligence that sets this film apart from the ordinary. The cinematography of the English countryside is breath taking and the musical score is magnificent. The wonders of this film are a rewarding experience for viewers of all ages. - DirectorDennie GordonStarsAmanda BynesColin FirthKelly PrestonAn American teenager learns that her father is a wealthy British politician running for office. Although she is eager to find him, she realizes it could cause a scandal and cost him the election.Daphne, a free-spirited American 17-year-old raised by her equally free-spirited mother goes to England to establish a relationship with her father, who turns out to be an uptight, prominent political figure heavily involved in social customs. Daphne must attempt to fit in with the social requirements demanded of her, while also getting to know her father, dealing with his territorial fiancee and her snooty daughter, and maintaining her own self-identity.
- DirectorTim McCanliesStarsHaley Joel OsmentMichael CaineRobert DuvallFourteen-year-old Walter Caldwell's irresponsible mother Mae sends him to live with his bachelor uncles, Hub and Garth, so that she can go on yet another husband-hunting trip.In 1960s Texas, timid teen Walter is forced to spend the summer with his rich and eccentric great-uncles on their farm, where, over time, he learns surprising tidbits about their mysterious and dangerous pasts.
I loved this family film, filled with humor, emotion, and good family values. Wonderful cast: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Haley Joel Osment and Kyra Sedgwick. - DirectorRob ReinerStarsMorgan FreemanVirginia MadsenMadeline CarrollMonty Wildhorn, an alcoholic novelist of Westerns, has lost his drive. His nephew pushes him to summer in quiet Belle Isle. He begrudgingly befriends a newly single mom and her 3 girls who help him find the inspiration to write again.After alcoholism depletes his enthusiasm for writing, celebrated author Monte Wildhorn finds his creative passion renewed when he moves to quaint Belle Isle and gets to know his next door neighbors -- a single mother and her three daughters.
Rob Reiner has an expert and deft hand telling this kind of feel-good, without being sappy, story. It has great scenery, human connection and lovely dialogue. Although Morgan Freeman's crochety character is an alchoholic and use some mild language, this is an endearing family movie. - DirectorHarold CronkStarsShane HarperKevin SorboDavid A.R. WhiteCollege philosophy professor Mr. Radisson's curriculum is challenged by his new student, Josh, who believes God exists.When college student Josh Wheaton encounters an atheistic philosophy teacher who insists that his students will only pass by admitting that God is dead, Josh dedicates himself to proving the professor wrong about God.
The acting is what you would expect from unknowns, but the messages are what is important. Although, it's a bit hokey at times and definitely not subtle, the defense of God, using the teachings of science and philosophy, by the young student is colorfully and convincingly done.
Movie with a message, Christian. - DirectorNiki CaroStarsKeisha Castle-HughesRawiri ParateneVicky HaughtonA contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.Rated 'PG-13'
A Maori tribe must contend with the distinctly nontraditional concept of having a female leader when the intended heir to the throne dies during childbirth, leaving his twin sister, Paikea, to prove herself in this inspiring coming-of-age tale.
This is a slow moving film that weaves symbolism through the insightful story dealing with human nature. You become totally immersed in an a society with disappearing customs and superstitions. The changes are both positive and negative, and the characters win your heart. - DirectorCharles ShyerStarsSteve MartinDiane KeatonMartin ShortWith his oldest daughter's wedding approaching, a father finds himself reluctant to let go.
- DirectorSean McNamaraStarsAnnaSophia RobbDennis QuaidHelen HuntBethany Hamilton, a professional surfer, loses her left arm in a shark attack. Unwilling to pay attention to the gravity of her situation, Bethany decides to get back into the ocean and surf again.Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton (also a book.)
Female teen surfer loses her arm to a shark bite. Her close-knit family, faith and determination help her fight to return to competitive surfing.
Inspirational! - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsLiesel MatthewsEleanor BronLiam CunninghamSara is sent to a strict boarding school after her father enlists in WWI. When he is presumed dead, the headmistress, knowing she will not receive any more money, forces the girl to become a servant.Rated 'G'
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternAn eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve.Eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on vacation. But when a pair of bungling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) set their sights on Kevin's house, the plucky kid stands ready to defend his territory. By planting booby traps galore, adorably mischievous Kevin stands his ground as his frantic mother (Catherine O'Hara) attempts to race home. Classic family comedy.
- DirectorMatthew Dean RussellStarsLucas BlackRobert DuvallMelissa LeoAfter a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas and welcomed by an eccentric rancher.Rated 'G'
Talent can only get you so far. For golfer Luke Chisholm, that turns out to be Utopia, Texas -- where he's left stranded after blowing his pro debut. Luckily for Luke, a cagey old rancher enters his life there to change it -- and him -- forever.
Utopia in the film title is Utopia, TX. Lucas Black, plays a pro golfer, Luke Chisholm, who's just had a meltdown in a tournament. Driving away from the tournament, he makes a fateful decision at a crossroads to turn toward Utopia, a little village of some 325 or so souls. After taking out part of a man's fence, he meets up w/ the owner, Johnny Crawford, played superbly by Robert Duvall. Crawford is a sage old rancher, who It turns out is also a retired pro golfer, and he invites Luke to stay in Utopia for seven days and take life lessons from him that can be applied to his golf game.
A wonderful uplifting film with an inspiriing message. - DirectorMarvin J. ChomskyStarsJames GarnerShirley JonesC. Thomas HowellSergeant Major Zack arrives at a new army base with his wife, son and Sherman tank. One night at a bar he "stops" a pimp/deputy from beating a girl. The corrupt sheriff uses Zack's son for revenge and Zack uses his tank.Fun, outlandish film about a military man who butts heads with a corrupt sheriff, after relocating his family (and his prized restored Sherman tank) to a small Georgia town. When the sheriff goes after Zack's son, it's time for Zack to roll out the Sherman tank.
James Garner in a tank, what more could you ask for? also starring C. Thomas Howell and Shirley Jones. - DirectorJean-Jacques AnnaudStarsGuy PearceFreddie HighmoreJean-Claude DreyfusTwo tigers are separated as cubs and taken into captivity, only to be reunited years later as enemies by an explorer who inadvertently forces them to fight each other.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsJake GyllenhaalChris CooperLaura DernThe true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.
- DirectorPeter WeirStarsJim CarreyEd HarrisLaura LinneyAn insurance salesman discovers his whole life is actually a reality TV show.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsRobin WilliamsKirsten DunstBonnie HuntWhen two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man trapped in it for decades - and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.
- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsRick MoranisMatt FrewerMarcia StrassmanThe scientist father of a teenage girl and boy accidentally shrinks his and two other neighborhood teens to the size of insects. Now the teens must fight diminutive dangers as the father searches for them.
- DirectorDanny DeVitoStarsDanny DeVitoRhea PerlmanMara WilsonA girl gifted with a keen intellect and psychic powers uses both to get even with her callous family and free her kindly schoolteacher from the tyrannical grip of a sadistic headmistress.Cursed with uncaring parents and a cruel school principal, 6-year-old Matilda escapes into books. But with a kindly teacher on her side, Matilda discovers hidden powers within herself -- which she uses to fight back against the bullies in her life.
This movie captures the powerlessness that so many children in the face of adults who just don't understand them and don't want to, but it also celebrates the importance of friendship and loyalty. As in all fairy tales, the good are rewarded and the bad are punished. Imaginative, smart and sweet without being syrupy. - DirectorJohn HustonStarsAileen QuinnAlbert FinneyCarol BurnettA spunky young orphan is taken in by a rich eccentric, much to the chagrin of the cantankerous woman who runs the orphanage.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsRobin WilliamsSally FieldPierce BrosnanAfter a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife.Rated 'PG-13' for the theme of a painful seperation/divorce, some language and sexual innuendo.
Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), estranged from his exasperated spouse (Sally Field), is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as an English nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children's best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start. - DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsTilda SwintonGeorgie HenleyWilliam MoseleyWhile playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen.When four London children are sent away to a country home for safety during World War II, they discover a magical wardrobe that leads them to Narnia, a snowy and fantastical land under the spell of an evil witch. Based on the classic book by CS Lewis; Christian allegory. An imaginative and intelligent children's parable. Fun for the whole family.
- DirectorCarol ReedStarsMark LesterRon MoodyShani WallisAfter being sold to a mortician, young orphan Oliver Twist runs away and meets a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor in 1830s London.Rated 'G'
- DirectorWalter LangStarsYul BrynnerDeborah KerrRita MorenoA widow accepts a job as a live-in governess to the King of Siam's children.Rated 'G'
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsSean AstinJosh BrolinJeff CohenA group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure.
- DirectorGeorge SeatonStarsEdmund GwennMaureen O'HaraJohn PayneAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.
- DirectorHarald ZwartStarsFrankie MunizHilary DuffAndrew FrancisA government agent trains Cody Banks in the ways of covert operations that require younger participants.
- DirectorStefen FangmeierStarsEd SpeleersSienna GuilloryJeremy IronsIn his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realizes he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.
- DirectorAdam ShankmanStarsAdam SandlerKeri RussellCourteney CoxA hotel handyman's life changes when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to magically come true.Skeeter is a down-on-his-luck guy who's always telling bedtime stories to his niece and nephew. But his life is turned upside down when the fantastical stories he makes up inexplicably turn into reality and he must find a way to manage them. Cute!
- DirectorMark WatersStarsFreddie HighmoreSarah BolgerDavid StrathairnUpon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.
- DirectorKirk JonesStarsEmma ThompsonColin FirthAngela LansburyA governess uses magic to rein in the behavior of seven ne'er-do-well children in her charge.The recently widowed Mr. Brown and his domineering aunt can't seem to control the numerous and naughty Brown children until Nanny McPhee comes to stay. Now, with the help of some magic and a little discipline, their household runs like clockwork.
A charming little family movie. Children will definitely enjoy this magical fairy tale—and adults should also get a kick out of it as well. - DirectorShane AckerStarsElijah WoodJennifer ConnellyCrispin GloverA rag doll that awakens in a postapocalyptic future holds the key to humanity's salvation.Rated 'PG-13'
- DirectorMark AndrewsBrenda ChapmanSteve PurcellStarsKelly MacdonaldBilly ConnollyEmma ThompsonDetermined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
- DirectorDon BluthStarsPat HingleGabriel DamonHelen ShaverAn orphaned brontosaurus teams up with other young dinosaurs in order to reunite with their families in a valley.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonAn orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsNoah HathawayBarret OliverTami StronachA troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsBridgit MendlerAmy PoehlerWill ArnettThe Clock family are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their teenage daughter Arrietty is discovered.Rated G
When a tiny "borrower" named Arrietty makes friends with a young boy many times her size, she must also shield her family from his towering elders. But trouble brews when a curious maid starts asking questions.
From the creators of Spirited Away, Howls Moving Castle & Ponyo, comes a new movie based on the "Borrowers". Studio Ghibli's newest movie will definitely steal your heart in this new, breathtaking, movie about friendship and adventure. - DirectorAng LeeStarsSuraj SharmaIrrfan KhanAdil HussainA young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.Based on Yann Martel's best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.
You'll be stunned at the emotional weight of the story, particularly in the end when an unexpected layer of depth is added to the trials Pi endured. Surprisingly philosophical, the movie tackles topics of God and faith with elegance and heart, symbolism and subtlety.
The movie is visually amazing and it's easy to get lost in the beauty between Pi's struggles. There are quiet moments of humor sprinkled throughout - just enough to balance out the heavier emotions and suspenseful scenes. - DirectorDoug AtchisonStarsAngela BassettLaurence FishburneKeke PalmerAkeelah, a young gifted girl, comes from a dysfunctional family and is on the verge of quitting school. She discovers that she has a high aptitude for spellings and enters a spelling bee contest.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsTom HanksBill PaxtonKevin BaconNASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRichard DreyfussFrançois TruffautTeri GarrRoy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches.
- CreatorMichael LeesonStarsBill CosbyPhylicia RashadMalcolm-Jamal WarnerThe goings-on in the life of a successful African-American family.great TV show for the whole family. funny.
- DirectorMark RydellStarsJohn WayneRoscoe Lee BrowneBruce DernRancher Wil Andersen is forced to hire inexperienced boys as cowhands in order to get his herd to market on time but the rough drive is full of dangers and a gang of cattle rustlers is trailing them.John Wayne classic. Wil Anderson can't find ranchers to run his cattle drive, so he hires a bunch of school boys. lessons, morals, realtionships and memories. you won't be "burning daylight" if you take time to watch this classic.
- DirectorPeter WeirStarsRobin WilliamsRobert Sean LeonardEthan HawkeMaverick teacher John Keating returns in 1959 to the prestigious New England boys' boarding school where he was once a star student, using poetry to embolden his pupils to new heights of self-expression.Robin Williams in a more serious roll, as an unconventional teacher who inspires boarding school teens through poetry.
- DirectorSteven SchachterStarsWilliam H. MacyKyra SedgwickKathy BakerA man with cerebral palsy is determined to become a salesman.William H Macy is amazing as Bill Porter, a man who suffers from cerebral palsy, and Kyra Sedgwick as the young woman who befriends him. Based on the true story of Porter who never let his condition stop him from being a door to door salesman, who charmed and befriended many by spending decades knocking on doors.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.It's PG-13, but an amazing family movie. Tom Hanks is perfect in the roll of a friendly simple-minded man who finds himself in the middle of almost every major event in the 60's & 70's. Both heartbreaking and funny.
- DirectorPeter WernerStarsJames WolkTreat WilliamsDominic Scott KayBrad Cohen who, despite being challenged by Tourette's Syndrome at a very young age, defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.Based on the true story of Brad Cohen who although suffering from Tourette's syndrome fulfills his life long dream of becoming a teacher.
Inspiring! - DirectorThomas CarterStarsCuba Gooding Jr.Kimberly EliseAunjanue Ellis-TaylorBiography of Ben Carson who grew up to be Dr. Ben Carson, a world famous neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins.Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who overcomes enormous obstacles to study medicine and save lives at Johns Hopkins Hospital in this made-for-cable drama based on Carson's memoirs.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsHenry FondaJane DarwellJohn CarradineAn Oklahoma family, driven off their farm by the poverty and hopelessness of the Dust Bowl, joins the westward migration to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression.Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, a Depression-era everyman, who leads his poor family on a harrowing journey from Oklahoma's Dust Bowl to the promised land of California in this adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel. History. Classic.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracySidney PoitierKatharine HepburnA couple's attitudes are challenged when their daughter introduces them to her African-American fiancé.Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star as wealthy Californians who consider themselves progressive until their only daughter (Katharine Houghton) brings home her African American fiancé (Sidney Poitier.) A snapshot of race relations in the late 1960's this film earned two Academy Awards (for Hepburn's performance and William Rose's screenplay) and eight other nominations. Funny and thought provoking.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a good man who's spent a lifetime giving up on his dreams in order to keep life in his small town humming. When a guardian angel named Clarence finds a despondent George poised to jump off a bridge, he shows George what life would've been like had he never been born. Classic. Heart-warming.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsRalph MacchioPat MoritaElisabeth ShueA martial arts master agrees to teach karate to a bullied teenager.Hassled by the school bullies, Daniel LaRusso has his share of adolescent woes. Luckily, his apartment building houses a resident martial arts master: Mr. Miyagi, who agrees to train Daniel -- and ends up teaching him much more than self-defense.
- DirectorRobert BentonStarsDustin HoffmanMeryl StreepJane AlexanderAfter his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens the wounds left by the separation.Ted (Dustin Hoffman) is a career-driven yuppie -- until he finds out his dissatisfied wife (Meryl Streep) is leaving him and their 6-year-old son. Even through all the struggles, Ted begins to love being a full-time parent, and is devastated when his wife reappears to reclaim the boy. Poignant and beautifully acted, this cinematic tearjerker swept the 1979 Academy Awards, winning Oscars for Hoffman and Streep in addition to Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay honors.
- DirectorRalph NelsonStarsSidney PoitierLilia SkalaLisa MannA travelling handyman becomes the answer to the prayers of nuns who wish to build a chapel in the desert.Aimless ex-soldier Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) is on his way to California when his car overheats in the desert. He stops to get some water at an isolated farm and soon finds himself building a chapel for the nuns who live there. The stern mother superior (Lilia Skala) is certain God has sent Smith for just that purpose, and all of Smith's words to the contrary fall on deaf ears in this Oscar-winning film from director Ralph Nelson.
- CreatorBlanche HanalisStarsMelissa GilbertMichael LandonKaren GrassleThe life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century American Midwest.Based on the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder, "Little House on the Prairie" is one of the most beloved television series of all time. Michael Landon stars as Charles Ingalls, a loving family man and hardworking Minnesota homesteader who faces plenty of adversity while raising spirited daughter Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and the rest of his family.
- DirectorStephen HerekStarsRichard DreyfussGlenne HeadlyJay ThomasA frustrated composer finds fulfillment as a high school music teacher.In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose. Dreyfuss earned an Oscar nomination for his outstanding work in this emotional drama.
- DirectorJoel ZwickStarsNia VardalosJohn CorbettMichael ConstantineA young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity.In this romantic comedy, a single Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek man, which is a problem for members of her strict family -- particularly her traditional father, whose Greek pride knows no bounds. Hilarious!
- DirectorMark RydellStarsKatharine HepburnHenry FondaJane FondaNorman is a curmudgeon with an estranged relationship with his daughter Chelsea. At Golden Pond, he and his wife nevertheless agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea's new boyfriend, and a most unexpected relationship blooms.Henry Fonda -- in his final role -- plays peevish retired professor Norman Thayer, who's making his yearly excursion with his wife to their idyllic summerhouse. But after his estranged daughter drops off a hostile teen in their care it short-circuits the couple's tranquility, while opening relationships and communication between the multi generations.
Father-daughter angst. Funny & moving. - DirectorRobert BentonStarsSally FieldLindsay CrouseEd HarrisIn central Texas in the 1930s, a widow with two small children tries to save her small 40-acre farm with the help of a blind boarder and an itinerant black handyman.Sally Field won her second Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Edna Spalding, a young widow living in Depression-era Waxahachie, Texas, who's determined to eke out a hardscrabble existence farming cotton on her land. Danny Glover and John Malkovich give excellent performances as hired hands who try to help Spalding make a go of it. Director Robert Benton also won an Oscar for his bittersweet screenplay.
- DirectorJoe WrightStarsKeira KnightleyMatthew MacfadyenBrenda BlethynSparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?In this retelling of Jane Austen's novel set in 19th-century England, Mrs. Bennet is all atwitter in hopes of marrying her daughters to prosperous gentlemen callers, especially when a wealthy bachelor moves nearby.
Beautifuly acted and filmed. Romance. - DirectorRob ReinerStarsCary ElwesMandy PatinkinRobin WrightA bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.Blending comedy, adventure, romance and fantasy, this cult classic follows peasant farmhand Westley as he battles three bumbling outlaws and a nefarious prince to win the hand of his one true love, a young woman named Buttercup. Silly, fun!
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.When Dr. Indiana Jones -- the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist and adventurer -- is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime. Fun, action-packed, adventure!
- DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsSam ShepardScott GlennEd HarrisThe U.S. space program's development from the breaking of the sound barrier to selection of the Mercury 7 astronauts, from a group of test pilots with a more seat-of-the-pants approach than the program's more cautious engineers preferred.Director Philip Kaufman and a stellar cast -- including Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn and Ed Harris -- chronicle NASA's early transition from breaking the sound barrier in 1947 to the expeditions of the Mercury astronauts in the 1960s. Richly variegated and surprisingly funny, this film adaptation of a novel by Tom Wolfe brilliantly depicts the personal, political and technological achievements it took for America to get ahead in the space race. History. Heros. Great film!
- DirectorDavid AnspaughStarsSean AstinJon FavreauNed BeattyRudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame.In this fact-based drama about the triumph of the human spirit, scrawny high schooler Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) dreams of playing football at Notre Dame. But his father (Ned Beatty) can't afford to send him, so he ends up at a college across the street instead. Undaunted, Rudy eventually transfers to Notre Dame, where he takes on duties assisting the groundskeeper (Charles S. Dutton) and joins the school's practice squad. Inspiring and touching!
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsGary CooperWalter BrennanJoan LeslieA Tennessee farmer and marksman is drafted in World War I, and struggles with his pacifist inclinations before becoming one of the most celebrated war heroes.In a career-defining performance that earned him his first Academy Award, Gary Cooper stars as Alvin York, a poor Appalachian pacifist drafted into World War I. Placed in an impossible position, York single-handedly captures an entire enemy platoon and becomes a national hero. This World War II-era Hollywood classic based on the real-life war hero received 11 Academy Award nominations.
Great movie about a deeply religious and moral man who is conflicted by having to participate in the war and the tough decissions he has to make to honor God and his country. - DirectorKelly AsburyLorna CookStarsMatt DamonJames CromwellDaniel StudiA captured mustang remains determined to return to his herd no matter what.This animated adventure set in the Old West tells the tale of Spirit, a mustang born in the wild who is captured by cruel cavalry officers. Although he's eventually rescued by a Lakota Indian, Spirit never stops trying to get back home.
Few words because the animals in this movie DO NOT TALK. All their emotion and 'conversation' is conveyed body language, facial expression and natural animal sounds. Stunning! - DirectorRamón MenéndezStarsEdward James OlmosEstelle HarrisMark PhelanThe story of Jaime Escalante, a high school teacher who successfully inspired his dropout-prone students to learn calculus.Fans of inspirational dramas about the life-changing power of education will be touched by this moving, mostly true story of famed East L.A. math teacher Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos), who finds himself in a classroom of rebellious remedial students. Escalante stuns fellow faculty members with his plans to teach the kids AP calculus. But no one expects the mostly Hispanic teens (including Lou Diamond Phillips) to overcome the odds. Inspiring!
- DirectorNathan JuranStarsKerwin MathewsKathryn GrantRichard EyerWhen a princess is shrunken by an evil wizard, Sinbad must undertake a quest to an island of monsters to cure her and prevent a war.The dauntless Sinbad (Kerwin Mathews) heads to the island of Colossa, where only the egg of a giant bird can restore a pea-sized princess (Kathryn Grant) to normal size. The evil magician Sokurah (Torin Thatcher) accompanies him -- with ulterior motives to retrieve a lamp and genie (Richard Eyer) he once lost. But before the group can return home, they must conquer a landscape of fantastic beasts, including a Cyclops that hungers for human flesh. Oldie but fun!
- DirectorCharles Martin SmithStarsMichael JeterKevin ZegersWendy MakkenaAn unexpected player joins the school basketball team - a circus dog who escaped from a cruel master.After his father dies, Josh Framm (Kevin Zegers) adopts Buddy, an abandoned dog, just as the boy and his mother move to a new town. Too shy to play basketball, Josh instead manages the team but one night discovers that Buddy can sink hoops. Soon, Buddy's skills inspire the team, helping take them all the way to the championships in director Charles Martin Smith's family comedy that tackles loneliness, hope, wonder -- and a most unusual pet.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRichard DreyfussHolly HunterBrad JohnsonThe spirit of a recently deceased expert pilot mentors a newer pilot while watching him fall in love with the girlfriend that he left behind.Pete Sandich, a firefighting pilot, dies in the line of duty but returns as a guardian angel to fledgling aviator Ted Baker. Pete's task takes an unexpected twist, however, when Ted begins falling for Dorinda Durston, the girl Pete left behind.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsIoan GruffuddAlbert FinneyMichael GambonThe idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic slave trade.Based on actual events, this historical drama tells the story of William Wilberforce, an 18th-century English politician who launched an aggressive campaign to abolish British slavery, despite staunch opposition.
- DirectorYves SimoneauStarsPhilip JohnsonRosie O'DonnellRuby DeeDr. Maureen Brennan, a psychiatrist at a youth treatment center, encounters her newest patient, a bi-racial boy named America. Through their sessions, Dr. Brennan helps America come to terms with his roller-coaster life, which began when, as an infant, he was taken by authorities from his crack-addicted mother and placed into foster care. A short time of stability in his life occurred when he lived with Mrs. Harper, the elderly nanny of one of his foster families. He was reunited with his mother at one point, but she soon abandoned him and he went back into foster care. Full of anger and lagging behind in school, America retreats further away from society after years of sexual abuse. After attempting suicide, America is placed in a treatment center where Dr. Brennan helps him open up about his painful past and discover the support and courage he needs to get his life back on track.Psychiatrist Maureen Brennan (Rosie O'Donnell) encounters a heart-wrenching case in her patient America (Philip Johnson), a teenager filled with rage after years of parental neglect, sexual abuse and foster care red tape, in this made-for-TV drama. As Dr. Brennan and America sift through the turmoil of his past and move toward healing, memories of Mrs. Harper (Ruby Dee), a kind and strong woman from his childhood, help America on his journey.
- DirectorGregg ChampionStarsKimberly Williams-PaisleyTammy BlanchardFay MastersonWhen a gunman killed five Amish children and injured five others in a Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania schoolhouse shooting in October of 2006, the world media attention rapidly turned from the tragic events to the extraordinary forgiveness demonstrated by the Amish community. Through the eyes of a grieving mother, Ida Graber, and other devastated families, this movie explores the Amish's astonishing reaction to the horrific shootings - of forgiveness and compassion.Tammy Blanchard and Kimberly Williams-Paisley star as a pair of diametrically opposed mothers in this made-for-television Lifetime drama that's based on a real-life shooting at an Amish school in Pennsylvania. As Ida Graber (Williams-Paisley) mourns the loss of her daughter, who was one of the victims, Amy Roberts (Blanchard) grapples with the weight of knowing that her husband (John Churchill) pulled the trigger.
- DirectorChris NoonanStarsJames CromwellMagda SzubanskiChristine CavanaughGentle farmer Arthur Hoggett wins a piglet Babe at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his fate as Christmas dinner, Babe bonds with motherly border collie Fly and discovers that he too can herd sheep. But will the other animals accept him?Rated 'G'. Director Chris Noonan's tale of precocious piglet Babe's (voiced by Christine Cavanaugh) struggle to fit in and become a champion sheepherder won the hearts of audiences and critics. Nominated for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), Babe won the Visual Effects Oscar, and everything from farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell) to the multitude of farm animals to the humble, edgy script is remarkably appealing for kids and adults alike.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsAlec BaldwinGeena DavisMichael KeatonThe spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.A young couple who drowned return to their house as poltergeists but must enlist the help of a goofy ghost to put a scare in the rude new owners. Unfortunately, he's got a diabolical agenda of his own. Silly fun!
- DirectorRobert CollectorStarsJeffrey DonovanSamantha MathisDoris HargraveIn a conservative small town, a young man's wish to coach high school basketball are tweaked by a school board decision that makes him the new coach of the girls' team.After accepting a job to coach high school basketball, Clay Driscoll (Jeffrey Donovan) is disappointed to discover he's been assigned to the girls' team. But the harder he works his female players, the more he sees that they're just as capable of greatness. Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern co-star in this small-town sports drama based on the true story of an Oklahoma coach who led his team to the state championships in the 1960s. Inspiring!
- DirectorShawn LevyStarsFrankie MunizAmanda BynesPaul GiamattiFourteen-year-old Jason Shepherd has a reputation for stretching the truth. So, when big-time Hollywood producer Marty Wolf steals his class paper and turns it into a smash hit movie, no one believes Jason's latest tall tale.Precocious junior high school students Jason and Kaylee take swift action when a greedy Hollywood producer turns an essay written by Jason into a hit film, but leaves Jason's name on the cutting room floor.
- DirectorDavid FrankelStarsOwen WilsonJack BlackSteve MartinTwo bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.Surprised how much I enjoyed this film. You might not expect that you'll find a movie about birdwatching to be engaging but it is! Also, I expected a lot of comic mugging but this was a very subdued film for Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. Speaks to friendship, family, priorities and following your bliss.
Inspired by Mark Obmascik's nonfiction book of the same name, this high-flying comedy concerns a trio of competitive bird watchers who vow to win a contest by spotting and recording as many avian species as humanly possible. Heart-felt! - DirectorCaroline ThompsonStarsSean BeanDavid ThewlisDocs Keepin TimeThe fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life.Anna Sewell's timeless Victorian novel comes touchingly to life in this episodic big-screen adaptation. Lyrically recounted from the handsome stallion's perspective, the film traces his fortunes -- from his happy beginnings on a sprawling, verdant country manor to working-class London's sooty, teeming streets. As he passes from owner to owner during a two-decade span, the ever-faithful steed encounters the best and worst of the human spirit.
- DirectorCarroll BallardStarsKelly RenoMickey RooneyTeri GarrAfter being shipwrecked with a magnificent horse off the coast of Africa in the 1940s, a boy bonds with the stallion, and trains him to race after their rescue.This adaptation of the classic children's book follows a boy named Alec and his stunning horse from a shipwreck to the racetrack. A trainer encourages Alec to race with the stallion after the boy and his horse are rescued from a deserted island.
- DirectorMark HermanStarsAsa ButterfieldDavid ThewlisRupert FriendThrough the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a German concentration camp, a forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences.Rated 'PG-13"' due to theme of the Holocaust.
Based on the book. When his family moves to Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence, where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a Jewish prisoner, Bruno embarks on a dangerous journey.
Regardless of its "historical accuracy," "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is an important film that transcends "genre," meaning it's more than a Holocaust film. It deals with the issue of people standing up for what's right, and, more importantly, realizing that we are all affected by social injustice and hatred. Emotional! - DirectorNick CastleStarsLucy DeakinsJay UnderwoodBonnie BedeliaAn autistic boy who dreams of flying touches everyone he meets, including a new family who has moved in after their father dies.After her husband's death, Charlene (Bonnie Bedelia) moves with her two children, Milly (Lucy Deakins) and Louis (Fred Savage), to a new neighborhood. While they all struggle with the adjustment, Milly befriends Eric (Jay Underwood), an autistic boy who thinks he can fly. As Eric reaches out to Milly and her family with a genuine and open heart, she starts to believe that she will one day be able to fly with him -- until he's taken away from her. Feel-good, Emotional, Inspiring!
- DirectorPeter YatesStarsDennis ChristopherDennis QuaidDaniel SternA working-class Indiana teen obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl while searching for life goals with his friends.After graduating from high school, Dave Stohler dreams of becoming a champion bicyclist. Posing as an exchange student to mask his working-class roots, he frustrates his parents and charms a local college girl.
"Breaking Away" perfectly captures that time of life when hanging with one's friends begins to give way to forging one's own identity and accepting the responsibilities of adulthood. Dennis Christopher stars in this movie and he plays the lead with heart and passion and gusto. His work is matched by Barbara Barrie as his loving and concerned mother, and by Paul Dooley as his hard-working, opinionated father who is absolutely flummoxed by his son's behavior. Let's not forget that this is a sports movie, too -- and good cycling movies are rare.
Heartfelt and inspiring!