As busy as my family is, we don't often find ourselves all home at once on Saturday nights. When everyone is home, however, we like to gather in the living room and have family movie nights.
Finding a good movie on Netflix seems to get harder every time we try. Trying to find an action-drama-comedy without sex scenes and limited expletives is surprisingly difficult despite Netflix's large movie selection. The 'Children and Family Movies' tab is no help either. Either the movies there are all cartoon or way too childish for two college students and their parents to enjoy. But in the midst of all the rubble, I've found a few gems.
Using Common Sense Media, I always check out the ratings, reviews, and summaries of all the movies I watch on Netflix with my family before I watch them. If you click the words 'Common Sense Media rating' under any of the movies below, you'll be taken straight to their full review page! Happy Netflix Movie Night-ing!
1. "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Rated: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars
Chris Gardner - played by the brilliant Will Smith - has a hard life trying to make a living and providing for his family. Finally fed up with her husband's inability to make ends meet, his wife leaves him and their young son-played by the adorable Jaden Smith- alone to live in poverty. This movie is one that will bring tears to your eyes (Who am I kidding? It will make you ugly cry). It is full of important life lessons and is a great one for families to enjoy together.
2. "Lion"
Rated: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars
Based on a true story, Lion is an adaptation of Saroo Brierley's book "A Long Way Home." 5-year-old Saroo ends up on a train that takes him far away from his home in Ganesh Talai, India. Unable to properly pronounce the name of his hometown or speak the language of the people around him, Saroo is taken to an orphanage where his is adopted by an Australian couple. Years later, Saroo goes on a hunt using Google Earth to find his mother, brother, and sister. Common Sense Media says of the movie, "Great performance in emotional, intense biographical drama". This movie has no supporting characters as every relationship is fascinating. You will be on the edge of your seat the whole movie and will find yourself emotionally invested by the end. This too is a tear jerker but one that your family will absolutely enjoy.
3. "The Imitation Game"
Rated: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars
The Imitation Game is the story of Alan Turing (played by the always elegant Benedict Cumberbatch) who is recruited by the British government in 1941 to help break a German code called Enigma. Aside from the pressures to break the code that would save millions of lives, Alan faces internal struggles of his own. With British humor all throughout, this movie is a great addition to a family movie night.
4. "Big Eyes"
Rating: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars
This biopic is about painter Margaret Keane (played by Amy Adams) whose husband takes credit for her paintings. Margaret, who at first isn't aware, discovers her husband's dishonesty and struggle to keep the secret while he rises to fame statue. Though the movie isn't full of action, if you can follow the storyline about a very timid character, your family will be satisfied with this '50's era film.
5. "Hush"
Rating: R
Common Sense Media rating: 2/5 stars
Unlike Big Eyes, this thriller is full to the brim with action. If your family is looking for something new for your next movie night, this is it! I was so excited to watch this movie solely because of the concept and the execution did not disappoint. Hush is about a deaf writer who lives in the middle of the woods. One night, Maddie finds herself being stalked by a masked killer who for whatever reason, wants to kill... her. Even though the movie leaves a lot open to interpretation, you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time. Common Sense Media gives the movie a low rating because of the graphic violence and explicit language typical for horror movies and thrillers.
6. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl"
Rating: PG-13
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars
Disclaimer: You do not need to have seen all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies or even know the story line to enjoy this movie (I know from experience). This movie is hilarious! If you can't find anything else to watch on Netflix and don't mind watching a series out of order, then you'll thoroughly enjoy this movie. It it kind of a long film, but you'll be entertained every minute of it.
7. "The Jungle Book"
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars
This live action remake of a classic childhood book and movie is absolutely mesmerizing! The graphics do not disappoint. Even if you're not a fan of talking animals, the movie is actually very "life-like"- as life-like as a child raised in the wild can be. Parents, teens, and small children can all easily enjoy this film.
8. "Queen of Katwe"
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 4/5 Stars (because they're apparently seriously hard to impress)
Based on a true story, a young girl from the slums of Uganda is taken under the wings of a young missionary who teaches her and a large group of village boys how to play the game of chess. You might not think that Disney could make a movie this impactful but Queen of Katwe is an inspiring, eye-opening, and honest story. This movie combines culture and comedy to create a masterpiece. If you like to get emotionally invested in characters, you'll be beaming with pride at the end of this beautiful flick.
9. "Spectral"
Rating: TV-14
Common Sense Media rating: 3/5 Stars
Spectral is a Netflix original movie. Common Sense Media rates Spectral as having 0/5 stars for Positive Messages and 0/5 stars for Positive Role Models and Representations... they're not wrong... This movie is jam packed with action but also some really confusing scenes. If your family enjoys military-themed action movies and the concept of uncomfortably advanced technology, then this is the movie for you.
10. "Cool Runnings"
Rating: PG
Common Sense Media rating: 3/5 Stars
Jamaican bobsledders... need I say more? Cool Runnings is the type of movie your family will be able to watch over and over and laugh every time. Based on the Jamaican bobsled team's appearance in the 1988 Olympics, this Disney film is the definition of a mood booster. If you're craving an island vacation but can't find the time (or money) this might be the movie for your next movie night.
