Best Films of 2024: Kid-Safe Options
To the wonder of our critics, 2024 proved to be a surprisingly good year for family films. There were several adequate-but-not-stellar productions (Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King spring to mind), but we found six movies we wholeheartedly recommend. Check them out.
One of the best films of 2024, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (PG, Grade: A) returns to the mind of Riley. She’s just turning thirteen, and her brain is overwhelmed by new emotions - Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. The film’s tender, empathetic examination of the insecurity and social agony of early adolescence rings true and is buoyed up by clever comedy that resonates with viewers of all ages. This film is highly recommended for family viewing and even for adults looking for a sweet, clever, funny film. (Streaming on Disney+, available to rent online.)
Another big winner in theaters this year was The Wild Robot (PG, Grade: A-). This tender tale of a shipwrecked robot that goes beyond its programming to befriend animals on the island is boosted by gorgeous animation, well developed characters, and jokes that land. Minimal negative content and strong positive messages about kindness and becoming your best self render this film an excellent choice for viewers of all ages. (Available to rent online.)
Spellbound (PG, Grade: A) puts Netflix in the top tier of this year’s animated films. This tale of a princess trying to break a spell that has turned her parents into monsters is backed by stunning backgrounds and creative, cohesive worldbuilding. Disney alumnus Alan Menkin produces a sweeping, memorable score that underlines the moving story. In fact, this movie is good enough to be compared to Disney’s best. Recommended for viewers of all ages. (Streaming on Netflix.)
The biggest surprise of the year was Flow (PG, Grade: A), a wordless animated tale produced on a shoestring budget in the tiny Baltic country of Latvia. Made with open source software, this film offers jaw-dropping backgrounds of astounding beauty. The poignant fable of five animals aboard a boat that traverses a flooded, post-apocalyptic world is open to interpretation and can be enjoyed by viewers of any age or culture. It’s hard to find in theaters, but worth the search. (Not yet available online.)
You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy Young Woman and the Sea (PG, Grade: A-). Based on the true story of Trudy Ederle and her quest to swim across the English Channel, this Disney+ offering examines the power of family bonds and the harms of misogyny. It also drives home strong messages about persistence, hard work, self-respect, and courage. Well-acted, slickly produced, and surprisingly well-paced, this period sports flick is a great option for families with older kids and teens. (Streaming on Disney+.)
With their charming waddle and snazzy black-and-white coloring, penguins are simply irresistible. In My Penguin Friend (PG, Grade: A), a grief-stricken Brazilian fisherman rescues an injured penguin who has swum off course during his migration. The fisherman is rewarded with the lifelong friendship of the penguin, who returns to see him every year. Based on a true story this film isn’t sophisticated cinema, but it is sweet, heartfelt, and just might bring a tear to your eye. (Available to rent at low prices on online platforms.)
If you live outside of the United States and want to know where to stream a film in your country, check out www.justwatch.com.
