If you've ever dreaded family movie night, you need to explore some new movies. Here are eight suggestions for family fun that you might have overlooked.
When most of us think of animated movies, we think of the famous ones first, movies like The Lion King, Monsters Inc., and Shrek. They're instant classics and definitely family-friendly, but Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks aren't the only studios producing high-quality animation these days. Instead of watching Aladdin again, check out some of these suggestions. Your kids will love them, and they're sophisticated enough to entertain adults as well. You'll never have to dread family movie night again!
Cats Don't Dance
Danny is a talented cat from Indiana, newly arrived in Hollywood with dreams of making it big. Sawyer is a talented cat who knows better: she's working as a secretary for a Hollywood talent scout. But even after Danny learns the cold hard truth--that Hollywood doesn't want animals who can sing and dance--it doesn't dampen his enthusiasm. Before long it seems he's lucked out by befriending the hugely famous Darla Dimple, a little girl who only seems sweet on the outside. What happens to Danny, Sawyer, and their friends once Darla gets her hands on them makes for a hysterically funny, heart-warming story.
Set in a cartoon version of Golden Age Hollywood, Cats Don't Dance pulls out all the stops when it comes to music, glitz, and heart. The choreography in the dance numbers was Gene Kelly's last project before his death. Voice cast includes Scott Bakula, Don Knotts, and John Rhys-Davies, and music by Natalie Cole.
Running Time: 120 minutes. Released 1997. Rated G.
The Iron Giant
It's 1958, and young Hogarth is a typical American boy--he reads comics about space aliens attacking Earth, watches awful horror movies on TV with wide-eyed pleasure, and has an imagination that just won't quit. But it's not his imagination when he discovers a real giant robot in the woods near his house. The boy befriends the robot, but it's not long before other people suspect its presence and a nosy government official starts sniffing around. Hogarth's attempts to keep the robot hidden are hilarious, and the robot's increasing self-awareness drives the movie to its satisfying conclusion. There are some scary moments and some mild language.
Directed by Brad Bird, who more recently directed The Incredibles. Voice cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Vin Diesel.
Running Time: 86 minutes. Released 1999. Rated PG.