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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Who says children and family movies are just for kids? These entertaining and sweet stories offer great lessons, memories, and moments. But which ones are the best of each decade? Although a hard decision, we've compiled a list of the best family-friendly movies ever made in each decade starting from the 1960s.
1960s: "Mary Poppins" (1964)
Starting strong with one of the best family-friendly movies ever made is "Mary Poppins." Both young and old know this popular Disney film. It was released in 1964 and was the highest-grossing film of the year in the United States. This phenomenal film features children, music, a sweet and mysterious nanny, and magic. Julie Andrews, the actress who played Mary Poppins in the film, won an Academy Award for Best Actress.
1970s: "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (1971)
The best family-friendly movie of the 1970s is another super well-known film that has sparked multiple sequels. "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" filled audience members with delight and whimsy. Released in 1971, it's another musical to make our list.
1980s: "The Goonies" (1985)
It was not easy just choosing one children's film from the 1980s. This decade was full of them! Still, the winner of this title is "The Goonies." Even those who've never seen the movie probably recognize the characters and sayings. "The Goonies," released in 1985, was a box office success, earning $125 million against a budget of $19 million.
1990s: "The Sandlot" (1993)
The 1990s was also a spectacular time for children's movies. One of the best and still watched of that decade is "The Sandlot." This 1993 film is a classic and spawned two sequels.
2000s: "WALL·E" (2008)
The 2000s brought us "WALL·E," a tale of a lonely robot with a big heart. "WALL·E" is a spectacular film with high ratings. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film sits at 90% on the Popcornmeter (also known as the audience score). If the animation doesn't get to you, the sweet story does.
2010s: "Coco" (2017)
The 2010s were just around the corner and also brought us some fantastic family-friendly films. Pixar was on a role during the 2010s and one of the best films to come out of the decade was "Coco." Kids loved it for its vibrant colors, funny characters, and beautiful songs, while adults fell in love with the emotional story of family and passion.
2020s: "Soul" (2020)
The 2020s are far from over, but there have been some stellar children/family movie releases. Probably one of the best so far has been "Soul." Released in 2020, this emotional story has comic relief, beautiful animation, excellent music, and a stunning message. While the film wasn't a huge box office success, it is critically acclaimed, winning multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.