While action, violence, explosions, and other adult content can make a movie more intriguing, it doesn’t always equate to a great film. Just because it’s a kids’ film or animated movie doesn’t mean it won’t have heart and humor tailor-made for adults. G-rated films like Wall-E and Finding Nemo are prime examples of these movies done right for every audience. Pixar and Disney understand the formula and work it well.
The popularity of G-rated movies has increased, with interest from both sides of the industry to keep them coming. Studios love a bankable movie with a broad appeal that will draw audiences. And people want to see a wholesome movie, regardless of whether they have little ones they are bringing. In the last 10 years, G-rated movies have only become more visually stunning and more emotionally captivating.
A Beautiful Planet is a Breathtaking Documentary
The Earth is an absolutely beautiful sight to behold, especially from space. The 2016 IMAX Entertainment documentary A Beautiful Planet gives firsthand insight into the day-to-day lives of the crews doing amazing things on the International Space Station. With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, Jennifer Lawrence narrates the Toni Myers film in a calming, serene chronicle of what the astronauts do up there.
Footage shot by the astronauts over the course of 15 months details everything from how they sleep and conduct their experiments to, yes, even how they drink coffee to survive. This documentary should be mandatory viewing for the whole family to have a better understanding of our planet from an entirely different perspective. Whether you are a space lover or not, everyone could use a reminder of how incredible our planet is.
Cars 3 Runs Laps Around Its Predecessor
From a story artist on the first Cars to the story creator and director of Cars 3, Brian Fee came back ready to push the franchise further. In an emotional leap from the ending of Cars 2, Cars 3 details a more mature character arc for Lightning McQueen. We see an older, slower McQueen struggling to find his place, with the younger Cruz Ramirez taking over the racetrack. The introduction of Cruz forces McQueen to reevaluate his own career trajectory.
Visually, Cars 3 has stunning sequences, like the demolition derby race, where the details are almost too realistic. The 2017 animated sports comedy film might be a kids’ movie, but the themes of aging and passing the torch to the new generation will hit the adults hard. What also hits hard is hearing the legendary Paul Newman give voice to Doc Hudson in a white flag lap in his final role after his passing.
The Peanuts Movie Keeps Snoopy Alive for a New Generation
Those who grew up reading the Peanuts comics in the Sunday paper have a soft spot for Charlie and the rest of the gang. Witnessing the Charles M. Schulz characters come to life on screen in The Peanuts Movie healed a lot of little kids’ grown-up hearts. The 2015 adaptation is as faithful as can be, with Schulz’s son and grandson adapting the screenplay together with Cornelius Uliano.
We see the entire crew, with Charlie Brown, voiced by Noah Schnapp from Stranger Things, causing chaos, and Snoopy and Woodstock continuing to be the aviation inspirations they are. Even the adorable relationship between Charlie and the Little Red-Haired Girl is front and center. While the family comedy uses 3D animation, it keeps the spirit of the old hand-drawn comic strip alive with those iconic squiggles.
Forky Steals Every Scene in Toy Story 4
You still have a friend in me, and you have the highest-grossing G-rated movie of all time globally in Toy Story 4. Just when you think Woody and Buzz couldn’t possibly have another adventure left in them, Pixar says they absolutely do. After destroying our hearts with the incinerator scene in Toy Story 3, the crew embarks on new adventures in Toy Story 4. The 2019 animated adventure comedy reunites the original group for another wild ride, reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones. With a near-perfect 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, Toy Story 4 is a Pixar masterpiece.
Bo Peep returns, shaking up Woody’s world. Her journey of self-love and the liberating life she’s been living have a huge impact on Woody’s outlook on life. The real star of the film is Forky. What’s not to love about the existential crisis he faces every 30 seconds? The additional cameo of Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom reignited every adult’s interest in regaling children about the feats of Evel Knievel. Rex’s best line, “The panic is attacking me,” is a life motto for adults.
Paddington 2 is One of the Best Family Movies of All Time
We don’t see too many family movies where the main character ends up as the main bear behind bars. The 2017 live-action animated comedy Paddington 2 finds Paddington Bear framed for a crime he didn’t commit but was forced to serve time. Just because we take a visit to prison doesn’t mean the film gets too dark for kids. The humor and wit remain upbeat through the more serious content.
While known for his rom-coms, seeing Hugh Grant as an over-the-top villain framing an animated bear is top-notch viewing. A 99% RT score is as scrumptious as the marmalade Paddington uses to win over his fellow inmates. Clever dialogue, gorgeous visuals, and messages of community and kindness for the younger audience make Paddington 2 better than the original.