Family Movies and TV Guide: Movie Nights, Picks and Ratings
A guide to family movies and TV: movie-night lists, seasonal picks, true-story films and a few behind-the-scenes posts, plus rating and online-safety basics. Where we describe ratings, we use the rating bodies’ own definitions, linked in the quick answers.
By Olivia
Quick answers
- Common Sense Media rates titles for ages 2 to 18, giving each a recommended minimum age based on its content and developmental guidelines. — Source: Common Sense Media ratings
- The MPA says a G rating means generally no violence and no sexually related, drug or nudity content. — Source: MPA ratings guide (G)
- The MPA says a PG rating means generally mild violence, minimal language and milder action that can still create some excitement or anxiety. — Source: MPA ratings guide (PG)
- The ESRB rates games E (generally suitable for all ages), E10+ (ages 10 and up), T (ages 13 and up), M (ages 17 and up) and AO (adults 18 and up). — Source: ESRB ratings guide
- The FTC says COPPA applies to commercial sites and online services directed to children under 13 that collect their personal information, and requires verifiable parental consent before collection unless an exception applies. — Source: FTC COPPA FAQ
Start here
entertainment
The Real 7 Runners of McFarland’s 1987 Championship
Movie night
Our list of 12 family films about love and friendship to watch together.
Halloween picks
Halloween movies for kids, sorted by age.
Based on a true story
The real runners behind McFarland, USA.
Behind the screen
Reader-curiosity posts: Gold Rush mining profits, a visit to the Walk the Prank set, a Star Wars humidifier and the Despicable Me 3 villain Balthazar Bratt.
entertainment
Star Wars Cool Mist Humidifier
Printables and activity sheets
Zootopia activity sheets and Avengers: Age of Ultron printable color pages.
entertainment
Zootopia Activity Sheets & New Film Clip
Games and home video
Guitar Hero Live after GHTV, Snow White Blu-ray editions and the Edward Scissorhands 25th anniversary edition.
entertainment
Edward Scissorhands 25th Anniversary Edition
Ratings and online safety
Keeping kids safe in online multiplayer games.
Popular questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a PG rating mean for a kids’ movie?
The MPA says a PG rating means generally mild violence, minimal language and milder action that can still create some excitement or anxiety.
What are good G-rated movies for family night?
The MPA says a G rating means generally no violence and no sexually related, drug or nudity content. Check the rating of each title on filmratings.com before you add it to the list.
How do I pick movies for a 3 year old?
Common Sense Media gives each title a recommended minimum age. Its holiday list recommends A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman for ages 3 and up.
What makes a good family movie night pick?
Common Sense Media rates titles for ages 2 to 18 and gives each a recommended minimum age based on its content and developmental guidelines. The MPA’s G and PG definitions, linked in the quick answers, tell you what the ratings generally mean.