The bird is stuffed, and the people are too. The big game is over, or maybe you’re sick of watching football. It’s too cold and dark to go outside. What’s there to do? Movies, of course.
Get thee to a RedBox or turn on your favorite video on demand platform and try one of these enjoyable, mostly family-friendly movies — there’s something for everyone, whether you want something holiday-themed, or just want something that kids, parents and grandparents can watch together.
“The School of Rock” (2003)
Directed by Richard Linklater; starring Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman and a lot of great kids.
A great movie for families with older kids and teens; kids nine and up will appreciate the way it doesn’t talk down to them and its stick-it-to-the-man undercurrent, and adults will appreciate the story underneath the kid-friendly surface. It’s one of those great movies that makes both kids and adults laugh. Jack Black’s exuberant portrayal of burnout rocker turned teacher Dewey Finn is magnetic. Amazing soundtrack, too.
If you like this, also try: “Wayne’s World,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Blues Brothers.”
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987)
Directed by John Hughes; starring Steve Martin and John Candy.
The ultimate Thanksgiving movie — two guys, in the grand tradition of “The Odd Couple,” trying to get home in time for Thanksgiving and running into mishap after mishap and disaster after disaster. It’s still hilarious, with Martin and Candy in their best form and superb writing. It’s rated R, but only because of language — if you aren’t offended by such things, this is definitely a perfect movie for teenagers and adults.
If you like this, also try: “Home Alone,” “Addams Family Values” and any of the “National Lampoon” movies with Chevy Chase.
“Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (2005)
Directed by Nick Park and Steve Box; starring Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Peter Kay.
Sick to death of Elsa, Nemo and Lightning McQueen? Try this adorable stop-motion animated movie from Aardman Animations featuring that charmingly dynamic duo, the bumbling inventor Wallace and his brilliant dog Gromit. It’s rated G, so it’s great for everybody, and by everybody we mean everybody — it’s hilarious, sweet and intelligent.
If you like this, also try: “Chicken Run,” “The Iron Giant” and “James and the Giant Peach.”
“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)
Directed by Tim Burton; starring Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily and Mark Holton.
He just wants his bike back! Poor Pee-Wee. This movie is as weird now as it was when it came out nearly 30 years ago — back when Tim Burton made amazing movies. Try to stop yourself from quoting it for days afterwards. Any kid over the age of seven that has a little bit of a sense of humor and imagination will love this one.
If you like this, also try: “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “Beetlejuice” and “Coraline.”
“National Velvet” (1944)
Directed by Clarence Brown; starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp and Angela Lansbury.
A sports movie, a girl power movie and Elizabeth’s Taylor’s big break, “National Velvet” may be a throwback, but it’s still a great movie for young people of all ages to watch. Filmed in luminous technicolor, the big horse race at the end is still exciting, and Taylor’s portrayal of the spunky Velvet set the stage for many young female heroines determined to not let anyone stand in their way.
If you like this, also try: “The Black Stallion,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Brave.”
“Clash of the Titans” (1981)
Directed by Desmond Davis; starring Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin and Maggie Smith.
No, not the Liam Neeson one that came out a few years ago. The original “Clash of the Titans,” which came out in the early 1980s, in all its hokey, highly entertaining glory. At the time, Ray Harryhausen’s practical special effects were still compelling, though this might be one of the last movies to use that style. Show this to your kids to make them aware of how far special effects have come. Good for kids eight and up.
If you like this, also try: “Jason and the Argonauts,” “Labyrinth” and the Star Wars movies.
“The Hudsucker Proxy” (1994)
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen; starring Tim Robbins, Paul Newman and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
This somewhat overlooked Coen Brothers gem stars Tim Robbins as a daft mail room clerk put in charge of a huge company as part of a stock scam. This screwball comedy is surprisingly gentle for a Coen brothers’ movie, and has some holiday elements towards the end, which is good for kids — kind of like a warped version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
If you like this, also try: “Some Like It Hot,” “Bringing Up Baby” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
“Gremlins” (1984)
Directed Joe Dante; starring Hoyt Axton and Corey Feldman.
Of course, this is a Christmas movie — the dad gets his son Gizmo for Christmas! This is one of the best horror-comedies of the 1980s, and though it’s a little violent for little ones, it’s great for older kids who aren’t easily scared. It’s brimming with silly, imaginative fun.
If you like this, also try: “The Goonies,” “Ghostbusters” and the 1989 “Batman.”
