Sarah Danielson writes for Security stickers where you can find custom security labels and stickers.
Sometimes seeing movies with your kids can turn into a total snooze-fest. Let’s face it: most entertainment aimed at kids is simplistic, sappy, and full of moral lessons that we, as adults, just don’t buy into anymore. It should come as no surprise considering that children are still gaining knowledge and developing comprehension skills that we have enjoyed for years. This makes kids movies, in a word, boring. However, there is a school of thought out there that deems children capable of handling fare that is a bit more highbrow (or simply throws in a few tidbits for adult consumption). So if you’re looking for something that will entertain kids and adults alike, here are a few flicks you may want to consider renting this weekend.
1. Finding Nemo (2003). Possibly the most beloved children’s movie of all time, this story of a father clownfish searching the ocean for his kidnapped son will delight and amaze kids even as it amuses adults and pulls at their heart-strings. Throw in a daffy blue tang named Dory, a fleet of thrill-seeking sea turtles, and a flock of jabbering seagulls, and you’ve got a movie that will satisfy just about anyone who sees it.
2. The Goonies (1985). Everyone loves an adventure, and this story of kids searching for treasure and solving the mysterious disappearance of a pirate ship is sure to keep everyone glued to the screen. Many parents will remember this fantastic film from their own childhood, so it’s only fitting that it should become a family classic for them to share with their own kids.
3. Shrek (2001). With jokes and pop-culture references geared towards adults (not to mention a magical sing-along with a Monkees hit at the end), this fractured fairy tale turns the genre on its head. Characters range from a grumpy ogre with a hidden heart of gold to a princess with a secret, a donkey who can’t keep his mouth shut, and a truncated prince with a scheme to become the king. And if you haven’t seen this movie yet, it comes complete with a surprise ending.
4. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). The Tim Burton/Johnny Depp remake of this movie may have been full of candy-colored sets and the strange antics of a weirdly leering Wonka, but it pales in comparison to the richness of the original. Gene Wilder gave the character a depth of emotion that Depp glosses over with facial tics and flashbacks. And the oompa-loompas from the first film are both creepy and compelling, while the CG alternative in the modern remake is simply annoying.
5. Monsters, Inc. (2001). This sweet story detailing the flipside of the monster under the bed turned many a family on to the wonders of Pixar animation (and storytelling). Scully is a big blue monster whose job it is to scare children (since this is how his world is powered). But it turns out that the monsters are equally afraid of children, so when one little girl follows him home, he has to try to get rid of her even as he finds humanity and falls for the cute little tyke. Your family is equally likely to fall for this film.