What Is A Good Family Movie To Watch This Weekend Tonight
- 01. What Is a Good Family Movie to Watch? Building Values Naturally
- 02. Seven Principles for Choosing Value-Building Family Films
- 03. Top 10 Family Movies for Teaching Values
- 04. How to Maximize Value Learning from Family Movie Night
- 05. Marist Education Perspective: Movies as Holistic Learning Tools
What Is a Good Family Movie to Watch? Building Values Naturally
A good family movie to watch is one that combines entertaining storytelling with clear moral lessons, such as Disney's Cinderella which teaches kindness and courage, or Pixar's Inside Out which helps children understand emotions. Research shows movies can persuade and teach children effectively when stories are well-told, transporting viewers inside the narrative. For families rooted in Marist and Catholic values, films emphasizing character growth, redemption, and family unity align perfectly with educational missions across Brazil and Latin America.
Seven Principles for Choosing Value-Building Family Films
Expert film criticism identifies seven core principles that make a movie praiseworthy for families seeking to build character naturally.
- Entertaining and Fun: The movie must engage viewers-humankind exists so "we might have joy," and boring films fail regardless of their message
- Teaches Truth: Films should promote themes elevating divine principles like love, faith, sacrifice, and family unity
- Moral Clarity: Audiences must distinguish right from wrong; choices should have natural consequences
- Character Growth and Redemption: Stories showing characters seeking forgiveness and finding hope reflect the gospel's "mighty change of heart"
- Artistic Quality: Beautiful animation, exceptional music, and excellent scripts unify the experience
- Doesn't Trivialize Evil: Repeated exposure to violence or profanity desensitizes children
- Respect for the Human Body: Family films avoid graphic violence, nudity, and drug use
Top 10 Family Movies for Teaching Values
The following table presents 10 highly-rated family movies organized by the character traits they teach, with MPAA ratings and release years for parental guidance.
| Movie Title | Year | Rating | Key Character Traits Taught | Ideal Age Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinderella | 2015 | PG | Kindness, Compassion, Courage | 5+ |
| Inside Out | 2015 | PG | Emotional Intelligence, Acceptance | 7+ |
| How to Train Your Dragon | 2010 | PG | Courage, Grit, Tolerance | 8+ |
| The Lion King | 1994 | G | Grit, Healing, Honesty, Responsibility | 6+ |
| Paddington 2 | 2017 | PG | Kindness, Generosity, Looking for Good | 5+ |
| Wonder | 2017 | PG | Empathy, Resilience, Kindness as Strength | 8+ |
| Soul Surfer | 2011 | PG | Grit, Bravery, Compassion, Faith | 10+ |
| The Incredibles | 2004 | PG | Family Unity, Teamwork, Duty | 7+ |
| Mary Poppins | 1964 | G | Obedience, Kindness, Honesty, Consequences | 5+ |
| To Save a Life | 2009 | PG-13 | Standing Up for Others, Friendship | 12+ |
How to Maximize Value Learning from Family Movie Night
Parents and educators can strategically use movie time to spark meaningful conversations about character. Research confirms that storytelling persuades because viewers get swept up in well-told narratives.
- Cart Before the Horse: Carve out a two-hour time slot and commit to it on your family calendar
- Build Excitement: Plant the idea in your child's mind early; let them make "tickets to the show"
- Create Ritual: Make personalized popcorn holders and treat movie time as a special recurring event
- Discuss Immediately After: Use open-ended questions while children are in a vulnerable, open state post-movie
- Connect to Values: Ask "What would you have done?" or "How did that character show courage?" to reinforce lessons
"We are the creatures of our thinking." Films have a powerful role in shaping thoughts and perspectives, so it's crucial they promote themes that elevate, inspire, and reflect divine principles.
Marist Education Perspective: Movies as Holistic Learning Tools
Within Marist pedagogy, family movie nights represent a practical extension of holistic education that blends educational rigor with spiritual and social mission. Schools across Brazil and Latin America can integrate value-based film discussions into curriculum innovation, helping students analyze character decisions through a Catholic lens while developing critical thinking skills.
For school administrators and educators seeking measurable impact, tracking which films spark the most meaningful family conversations provides data on effective character-building content. This evidence-based approach positions Marist institutions as trustworthy hubs for holistic education aligned with core values.
Key concerns and solutions for What Is A Good Family Movie To Watch This Weekend Tonight
What makes a movie appropriate for all ages in a Catholic family?
A movie appropriate for all ages in a Catholic family demonstrates moral clarity where right and wrong are distinguishable, avoids graphic violence or profanity, and reflects eternal principles like love, faith, and sacrifice. Films like Paddington 2 and Mary Poppins excel because they maintain consistent moral frameworks where virtue is shown as strength.
How do family movies build character in children?
Family movies build character by showing character growth and redemption, allowing children to see protagonists progress, seek forgiveness, and find hope-reflecting the gospel's "mighty change of heart". Scientific research confirms stories persuade effectively because viewers get transported inside well-told narratives.
Which movies teach grit and resilience for older kids?
For older children (ages 10+), Soul Surfer demonstrates extraordinary grit through teenager Bethany Hamilton's shark attack recovery; The Pursuit of Happyness shows integrity and perseverance through homelessness; and Cool Runnings teaches determination through the Jamaican bobsled team's Olympic journey.
Are animated movies as effective as live-action for teaching values?
Yes-animated movies like Inside Out, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Lion King are equally effective because they use artistic quality (stunning animation, exceptional music) to deliver timeless truths. Pixar's Inside Out specifically acknowledges the complexity and value of difficult feelings like sadness in ways live-action sometimes cannot.
What should parents avoid when selecting family movies?
Parents should avoid films that trivialize or desensitize evil through repeated violence or profanity, movies where moral clarity is absent, and films glamorizing eternal childhood without responsibility like Peter Pan. Additionally, avoid movies where characters justify bad behavior without finding redemption through growth and repentance.
