Fantastic Films For Families: Taking Nominations Now!

I love watching movies. Movies give us a chance to see parts of the world we’ve never seen (or to play “I’ve been there!” if we’ve been blessed to travel). Movies introduce us to great works of literature, or help us muddle through some of those great works of literature (Dickens, anyone?).

Still, it’s hard to choose what to watch. I have two kids, a son and a daughter, who are five years apart. Right away, that’s a problem. I don’t want to make my daughter sit through a “baby” movie that’s appropriate for my son, but I don’t want to expose my son to things that are too emotionally advanced for him.

Oh, yeah, and have I mentioned that we’re Christians? My husband and I have this whole other issue called “discernment” which means that we have to choose books, TV shows, and--yes, movies--we think are appropriate for our kids.

I know for a fact that I’m not the only one dealing with this. I have a mom. She made choices about what movies we watched. I have sisters who are moms, and they have to make choices for their kids. My friends all over the WORLD have to do the same thing.

I have an idea. Let’s make a list.

Goal: 100 family-friendly movies. I’ll make the final decision because, well, someone has to do it. But I am open to movies that are somewhere other than MY DVD collection and MY Netflix que. 

Here’s the rules for recommendation:

1. It MUST be a movie that you don’t mind watching a bazillion times. 

2. It MUST be something that you personally have seen (I made this mistakeonce. My parents did not enjoy that movie. Oops.)

3. It should be something that you feel comfortable watching with your kids and your parents. (See Rule #2)

4. It doesn’t have to be something that is both for boys and girls. 

5. It doesn’t have to be something Biblical. I’m recommending both “The Nativity Story” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

So, that’s it. I know, I didn’t say anything about bad language. That’s because I’m going to recommend “Princess Bride” and it has like two bad words in it. But my kids have seen it. A LOT. And my parents have seen it. (Once or twice.)

I’ll take recommendations until Friday, and then I’ll put the list together.

Let me know what you love!