One of my family’s longest standing traditions is family movie night. We’ve been having them ever since the kids were little, and it’s something we all look forward to. What a fun way to end the week!
As my kids get older, live action films like the Star Wars, National Treasure and Night At The Museum series’ are some of our go-to movies, but we still love a good animated film when one comes along.
With the winter season upon us, I thought it would be fun to do a round-up of my family’s favourite movie night picks – some of which we were lucky enough to review or attend an advanced screening of, and others that we’ve stumbled upon on our own. There are some for kids, and others that are perfect for parents to enjoy once the kids are in bed!
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ZootopiaMy kids loved this film about a rabbit – Judy Hops – who dreams big and makes her dreams come true… but not without a few bumps along the way! The animation is beautiful, the voice acting is spot-on and the story has a few twists and turns, which keeps it interesting. (Buy the movie) |
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The Secret Life of PetsIf you’ve ever wondered what pets do all day when you’re not at home, then you’ll love this movie! It follows a group of Manhattan pets whose lives are turned upside down when one of them goes missing. They go on quite a crazy adventure and meet lots of other interesting animals along the way. (Buy the movie) |
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Kubo and the Two StringsThis movie is the most cerebral of all the family picks we’ve mentioned here. It’s a thoughtful, touching tale of a boy who must find the courage to battle demons from his family’s past in order to save them all. The animation is hauntingly beautiful and the story is fresh and new, unlike anything my kids had seen before. Note: there are a few scenes in this movie that are a bit dark in nature (my 6-year-old covered his eyes). (Buy the movie) |
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Adventures In BabysittingStarring tween favourites Sabrina Carpenter and Sofia Carson, Adventures In Babysitting is a great pick for tweens (and even their younger siblings) who want an adventure movie. The cast of characters – and their adventures – are appealing for both girls and boys, making this an ideal family movie that parents won’t mind watching either. (Buy the movie) |
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Captain America: Civil WarWe are huge fans of superhero movies, and Captain America: Civil War did not disappoint! If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure with a great storyline, that’s chock full of fabulous characters and special effects, then this movie is for you. We let our kids watch this movie, as they had seen previous the others in this series, but please note that it is rated PG-13 for intense scenes/violence and mild language. (Buy the movie) |
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Bad MomsI saw this movie and thoroughly enjoyed every raucous minute of it! However, Bad Moms is definitely NOT for kids. It explores motherhood from the perspective of a woman (Mila Kunis) who’s trying to do it all and be the perfect mother. When her life takes an unexpected turn, she starts to question everything she’s done thus far, and has an epiphany. Maybe being a “Bad Mom” isn’t such a bad thing after all. While this movie portrays stereotypical roles, it is meant to be a lighthearted, funny – and, at times, emotionally touching – view of motherhood and all its complexities. I laughed, I cried and I wanted to watch it again….this time, with a glass of wine! (Note: if you’re not a fan of swearing, drinking or the occasional sexual scene, this movie isn’t for you.) (Buy the movie) |
Happy movie-watching!