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The 25 Best Family Comedies to Watch with Kids

It’s no easy task agreeing on something to watch for family movie night. Not only are there far too many streaming options to choose from, but it’s also difficult to find titles that children of all ages will enjoy. (Particularly, picky Pete, who is impossible to please.)

If you’re looking to shake up your next watch party, check out our list of flicks that will never get old…no matter how many times you’ve watched them. From The Incredibles to Matilda, keeping reading for the 25 best family comedies.

school of rock best family comedies
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1. School Of Rock (2003)

  • Cast: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and Miranda Cosgrove

A guitarist goes to extreme measures after he gets kicked out of his band. In an attempt to find work, he poses as a substitute teacher at a private elementary school, where he secretly transforms his class into an all-out rock band.

incredibles best family comedies
Walt Disney Studios

2. The Incredibles (2004)

  • Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell and Samuel L. Jackson

The film follows Mr. Incredible and his wife, Elastigirl, as they introduce their three children to their alter egos.

3. Freaky Friday (2003)

  • Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan and Mark Harmon

Anna and her mother, Tess, don’t necessarily get along. Their relationship is put to the test when they receive a fortune cookie that magically switches their bodies in an attempt to help them see eye to eye.

toy story best family comedies
Walt Disney Studios

4. Toy Story (1995)

  • Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney and Annie Potts

The story follows Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toy box crew as they endure day-to-day obstacles—like new arrivals and Andy’s evil neighbor, Sid.

willy wonka best family comedies
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5. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

  • Cast: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen

A young boy named Charlie Bucket obtains one of five highly coveted Golden Tickets, landing him an invitation to Willy Wonka’s candy factory. Inside, he discovers the chocolatier has created a magical world of his own—and he wants Charlie to join him.

frozen 2 best family comedies
Walt Disney Studios

6. Frozen (2013)

  • Cast: Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Jennifer Lee

When Snow Queen Elsa’s icy spell traps the kingdom in a never-ending winter, her sister, Anna, teams up with iceman Kristoff to break the curse once and for all. (The soundtrack will be stuck in your head after one viewing. You’ve been warned.)

7. The Princess Bride (1987)

  • Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin and Chris Sarandon

Based on the namesake novel by William Goldman, the movie tells the story of a couple’s battle to stay together against all odds.

shrek best family comedies
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8. Shrek (2001)

  • Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow and Cody Cameron

An ogre named Shrek’s isolated lifestyle is turned upside down thanks to Lord Farquaad. When Shrek cuts a deal with the dictator, he’s tasked with rescuing Princess Fiona, who—as it turns out—is hiding a deep, dark secret.

mrs doubtfire best family comedies
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9. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

  • Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence

When Daniel Hillard’s wife divorces him, he comes up with an elaborate plan to see his kids more than their custody agreement allows. This includes dressing up as an older British woman and becoming the children’s nanny.

mary poppins best family comedies
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10. Mary Poppins (1964)

  • Cast: Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson

While the Banks children aren’t thrilled about a nanny at first, that all changes when they meet Mary Poppins and embark on a musical adventure that is (almost) too unbelievable for words.

grease best family comedies
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11. Grease (1978)

  • Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Didi Conn, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway

After a steamy summer fling, Sandy attends a new school as an exchange student only to discover that her former lover, Danny, is the big man on campus—and not in a good way.

12. Coco (2017)

  • Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt

Young Miguel embarks on a wild journey in the Land of the Dead while pursuing his dream of becoming a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz.

the sandlot best family comedies
20th Century-Fox/Getty Images

13. The Sandlot (1993)

  • Cast: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna and Chauncey Leopardi

A young boy named Scottie Smalls moves to a new neighborhood with his mom and stepdad. When he becomes friends with a group of boys who play baseball in a sandlot (get it?), he quickly learns the price of impressing your friends. “You’re killing me, Smalls!”

back to the future best family comedies
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14. Back To The Future (1985)

  • Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson and Crispin Glover

Marty McFly is unexpectedly sent on a time-traveling mission after his crazy eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown, enlists him for an experiment. Together, they must ensure everything stays the same, or it will change the future indefinitely.

despicable me best family comedies
Universal Pictures

15. Despicable Me (2010)

  • Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Elsie Fisher

Gru is a supervillain who devises a master plan to steal the moon. However, everything changes when three orphan girls suddenly want him as their dad.

16. Finding Nemo (2003)

  • Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Alexander Gould

A young fish is taken by a group of divers. His dad embarks on the journey of a lifetime to find him. Along the way, he meets a fish named Dory, who is far from helpful due to an unfortunate case of short-term memory loss.

hook best family comedies
Murray Close/Sygma/Getty Images

17. Hook (1991)

  • Cast: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Dante Basco

Peter Pan has officially grown up and put his Lost Boys days behind him. That is, until Hook captures his children, forcing him to return to Neverland as an adult. The whimsical tale will remind you why you fell in love with the classic story in the first place.

santa clause best family comedies
Walt Disney Pictures/Getty Images

18. The Santa Clause (1994)

  • Cast: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson

When Santa falls off the roof, Scott Calvin is forced to take over the role, whether he likes it or not. Will his son, Charlie, be able to keep his secret?

19. Elf (2003)

  • Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart

A man who was raised in the North Pole ventures to New York City to find his biological dad. Hilarity ensues.

monsters inc best family comedies
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20. Monsters Inc. (2001)

  • Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal and James Coburn

When a young girl accidentally enters Monsters Incorporated (a renowned scare factory), two monsters go above and beyond to ensure she’s returned safely.

matilda best family comedies
Tristar Pictures/Getty Images

21. Matilda (1996)

  • Cast: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman

Based on the namesake story by Roald Dahl, the movie follows Matilda as she realizes she has telekinesic powers. She uses her skills to defend herself from her family and the evil principal, Miss Trunchbull.

22. Inside Out (2015)

  • Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Richard Kind

A young girl’s world is turned upside down when her family moves across the country. The catch? The story is told from the perspective of her emotions, who are animated beings.

legally blonde best family comedies
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23. Legally Blonde (2001)

  • Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson and Selma Blair

Elle Woods is blindsided when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her before heading to law school. She transforms herself into an ideal student and joins Warner as a classmate at Harvard Law.

my big fat greek wedding best family comedies
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24. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

  • Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and Lainie Kazan

Nia can’t seem to find “the one.” However, when she meets the perfect man, her parents can’t seem to get over his one flaw: He’s not Greek.

home alone best family comedies
Barry King/Getty Images

25. Home Alone (1990)

  • Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara and John Heard

When the McCallisters accidentally leave their 8-year-old son, Kevin, at home, he takes advantage of their absence. However, things take an interesting turn when two con men try to break in, forcing Kevin to do whatever it takes to protect the family home.


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Greta Heggeness

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...
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