More than just a child’s version of a superhero movie or a spoof of the genre, this family flick is a legitimately clever and well-crafted action film. It’s a whimsical, delightful film that you can watch with the entire family, and while it may not be in 3D on HBO Max, you can still enjoy its endless visual glory.
Nominated for 11 Oscars (and winning five), Hugo is one of Scorsese’s most acclaimed and beloved films, which should further put to rest any of those dumb insinuations that the legendary director only knows how to make mob movies. Given that HBO Max is really the new catalog service for Warner Brothers, it makes sense that their most popular franchise would now be its exclusive property. The story of a group of kids who try to save their homes from foreclosure and discover an old treasure map in the process blends humor and action in a way that doesn’t really happen in family movies anymore. Richard Donner’s 1985 adventure film became one of the most beloved original properties of the decade with its family fun mixed with legitimate scares. Reynolds is his typically charming self, although Jodie Comer kind of steals the movie. His adventure makes him a star in the real world and the enemy of the game’s owner, played by Taika Waititi.
Owing a great debt to The LEGO Movie, Free Guy is another tale of someone breaking out of their routine, in this case an NPC (Ryan Reynolds) in a MMORPG who tries to become the hero of his story. Shawn Levy directed this 2021 summer hit that’s already on streaming services. It was also the breakthrough for a young Freddie Highmore. A massive critical darling, it landed Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for star Johnny Depp. Barrie and the family he befriended that inspired him to write Peter Pan. This one may be more for the families with older kids as it’s a historical drama about the playwright J.M. It was one of the most beloved films of 1967. HBO Max doesn’t currently have the Eddie Murphy remake, but maybe it’s time to introduce the kids to what entertained young ones back in the ‘60s? Honestly, the Rex Harrison musical surpassed children to become a massive hit for all ages, even landing a nomination for Best Picture. It’s wildly influential, and there’s a reason Netflix returned to its world almost four decades later. It’s hard to express how groundbreaking this movie was for its time in terms of puppetry, special effects, and even the way children’s entertainment was written. Yes, there are puppets in this fascinating fantasy film, but it’s also a dark, often scary adventure story that doesn’t talk down to children and isn’t cautious about frightening them. Look! Muppets! It’s a kid’s movie, right?!?! Sorta.
It’s dated, for sure, but might scratch a nostalgic itch for Gen X-ers with HBO Max subscriptions. Harry Hamlin stars in the film that would feature the final work of the legendary Ray Harrhausen, the king of stop-motion visual effects, and loosely retells the myth of Perseus. The first Clash of the Titans was basically advertised as a family adventure film when it was released way back in 1981 and became a huge hit. It’s dated now, but The Bee Movie was kind of groundbreaking visually at the time and had developed something of a cult following over the years. Jerry Seinfeld never made the same impact on film as he did television, but he did lend his talents to the 2007 DreamWorks animated film about a honeybee who sues the human race for what we have done to his kind.
Keep an eye out for Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey too! The Ant BullyĪn adaptation of the children’s book of the same name by John Nickle, this story of a 10-year-old who mistreats ants and is shrunk down to their size was generally ignored by history but has a stunning A-list voice cast that includes Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, and Paul Giamatti. It stars future leading man Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a remake of the 1951 movies of the same name, but he wasn’t the only future star in this flick. Remember this one? It was one of those family movies that made a huge impact on VHS and cable, appealing to kids of the ‘90s who may want to show it now to their little ones. Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, and Darren McGavin star in the sweet and hysterical story of an average American family around Christmas time. Bob Clark directed this 1983 slice of nostalgia that didn’t make much of an impact when it was released but became a massive hit in the eras of VHS and seasonal cable showing. It doesn’t have to be Christmas time to enjoy one of the most beloved holiday films in history.