It can sometimes be quite difficult to find a family movie to please everyone in your home, especially if you want something that appeals to a mixed-age audience. The best family films often contain subtle adult elements for parents watching with their kids. The issue is that it can be hard to find new ones, especially if you keep up with your movies.
In these instances, it’s sometimes better to look to the past. We all know about the blockbuster franchises, but many family films slipped under the radar or failed to garner much attention when they were first released.
With this in mind, here’s a selection of brilliant movies that few people remember today, which are absolutely worth your time.
10
Flubber (1997)
Flubber is a lighthearted, family-friendly slapstick movie starring the late Robin Williams. It was released several years after some of his other well-known films, like Jumanji and Mrs. Doubtfire, and is notably mentioned much less today.
The movie tells a fun story about Professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams), who is on the hunt for a scientific breakthrough. He accidentally creates flubber, a sentient green goo, and while Brainard’s motivations are innocent, that’s not the case for others around him.
Flubber tells a lighthearted, straightforward story with comedy and action scenes suitable for all ages. Williams is as charismatic as ever, and the movie contains some genuine ‘laugh out loud’ moments.
9
MouseHunt (1997)
Staying on the topic of family-friendly 90s comedies, MouseHunt has seemingly vanished into obscurity despite a superb cast.
MouseHunt focuses on two brothers who inherit an old string factory and mansion from their father. Lars (Lee Evans) and Ernie (Nathan Lane) plan to sell the mansion and make a fortune, but their plans are thwarted by a devious mouse who will do anything to stay in the home.
It’s a ridiculous concept, but MouseHunt plays out like a Tom & Jerry cartoon with two brothers instead of a cat. Lee Evans is as animated and over the top as he is on stage, and there are elaborate trap scenes reminiscent of Home Alone.
Beneath the slapstick chaos lies a surprisingly heartfelt family story, and the movie is entertaining from start to finish.
8
Matilda (1996)
Matilda is arguably the most well-known film on this list. That said, there was never a sequel or reboot, aside from a musical in 2022, and I rarely see anyone talk about it unless they grew up with the movie.
The Matilda film is a near-perfect adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name. The story follows Matilda (Mara Wilson), an extraordinarily smart girl who later gains special powers. However, her parents, played by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, aren’t exactly role models. The movie introduces us to Matilda’s terrifying headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), and we share her adventures at the school.
Matilda is a family-friendly feel-good movie with a superb cast and a great message. The soundtrack is superb, and Ferris’s over-the-top portrayal of Miss Trunchbull is timeless.
7
Anastasia (1997)
Disney was a dominant force in animated movies throughout the 90s. It makes sense then that Anastasia, made by 20th Century Fox Animation, never received the same recognition.
In the movie, Anastasia (voiced by Meg Ryan) loses her memory during the Russian Revolution. She embarks on an adventure to find her family, but an evil sorcerer named Rasputin will do anything to stop her.
Anastasia rings many bells that Disney films at the time were known for. The animation quality is impressive, there are great songs, and Rasputin is a wonderfully evil villain. He might be a little scary for very young children, but his talking bat sidekick usually makes light of the situation.
If you’re open to a non-Disney animated movie, Anastasia ticks all the boxes of a great family film.
6
National Treasure (2004)
Nicolas Cage is a legendary actor who’s done everything from high-octane thrillers like Face/Off to Marvel adaptations like Ghost Rider.
National Treasure is the only movie on this list to get a sequel, so it’s arguably more well-known than some of the others. That said, the film is more than 20 years old, so it’s something a younger audience may have missed.
The movie follows Cage as Benjamin Gates. He’s a historian hunting for treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers. National Treasure is a family-friendly heist movie that feels like it takes notes from the Indiana Jones franchise.
It’s an adventure movie with a sprinkle of mystery and real-world trivia. National Treasure has a fast enough pace to keep younger audiences engaged and a deep enough story for adults.
5
The Road To El Dorado (2000)
The Road to El Dorado is a DreamWorks animated movie that failed to impress at the box office. It’s retained a cult following, although many only know about it because of the famous “Both, both is good” meme.
The movie follows two charismatic con men, Tulio and Miguel, as they set out to find El Dorado, the city of gold. Hilarity ensues when they locate the island, but its inhabitants believe they are Gods.
Like the best animated films, The Road to El Dorado is fast-paced and entertaining for children, yet it also offers plenty of subtle jokes for adults. There’s something for everyone, and the movie even features several songs written by Elton John.
Tulio and Miguel make a superb comedy duo, and the movie becomes wonderfully tense as their elaborate ruse becomes harder to maintain.
4
Fly Away Home (1996)
Many animal-related films from the 90s made audiences cry. Fly Away Home is certainly an emotional tale, but it’s also a triumphant feel-good film loosely based on real events.
The movie stars Anna Paquin as Amy, who finds a nest of abandoned geese. She raises them with the help of her father, played by Jeff Daniels. Geese migrate, so Amy must teach them to fly and how to make the journey.
Fly Away Home slipped under the radar for many audiences, but is fondly remembered by those who watched it. The movie tugs at your heartstrings because it’s grounded and relatable, with an unforgettable scene as the geese take flight.
3
Stardust (2007)
Stardust is a fantasy adventure movie with a romantic story. It also has an all-star cast, including Claire Danes and Robert De Niro.
During the movie, Tristan (Charlie Cox) attempts to gather a fallen star for the woman he loves. However, he gets more than he bargained for when the star turns out to be Yvaine (Claire Danes) and he realizes he’s not the only person who made the journey.
Stardust is based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, and fans adore it for its superb world-building, humor, and fairy tale elements. There is something for audiences of all ages, and while it did well at the box office, it slipped under the radar compared to many blockbusters of the time.
2
Treasure Planet (2002)
It might seem strange to have a Disney movie on a list of films audiences don’t remember. However, Treasure Planet famously flopped at the box office, coming out alongside The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Despite heavy competition, many fans believe Treasure Planet was ahead of its time. The animation style still looks impressive today, and the movie has a refreshingly darker tone than other Disney movies of the same period.
The story follows Jim Hawkins, a boy who discovers a map to Treasure Planet. He befriends John Silver, who offers to help on his adventure, but there’s more to him than meets the eye.
Many of the jokes land for a multigenerational audience, and Hawkins’ relationship with Silver is surprisingly nuanced. Treasure Planet is an underrated Disney movie with rich characters and a great story to tell.
1
Small Soldiers (1998)
Small Soldiers may be scary for young children, but it’s a busy action-comedy, notably edgier than similar movies of the time, given its PG-13 rating.
The movie features a line of toy soldiers, the Commando Elite, and toy aliens, the Gorgonites. The twist is that the company that makes the toys wants them to be the next big thing and installs military-grade chips that bring them to life.
It’s a ridiculous concept, and Small Soldiers feels like it borrows from Gremlins in many ways. The film is more violent than others on the list, although it’s more exaggerated and over-the-top than realistic and gory.
If you’re looking for a fun family movie that will resonate with older kids, Small Soldiers comfortably fills that niche.