Best Movies To Watch With Your Family When Phones Won't Disappear
- 01. Best movies to watch with your family when phones won't disappear
- 02. Why Family Movie Night Matters in Marist Education
- 03. Top 10 Family Movies by Age Appropriateness and Values Alignment
- 04. Animated Classics That Teach Virtue
- 05. True Stories That Inspire Faith and Excellence
- 06. Classic Films with Timeless Moral Clarity
- 07. Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting a Values-Based Family Movie Night
- 08. Marist Educational Alignment: Why These Films Matter
- 09. Faith-Based Films Worth Watching
- 10. Final Recommendations for Parents and Educators
Best movies to watch with your family when phones won't disappear
The best movies to watch with your family are Encanto (2021, PG, ages 6+), Coco (2017, PG, ages 7+), The Sound of Music (1965, G, ages 6+), Remember the Titans (2000, PG, ages 10+), Hidden Figures (2016, PG, ages 7+), Inside Out (2015, PG, ages 6+), and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993, PG, ages 8+) - films that combine entertainment with strong moral values, family unity, and educational themes aligned with Catholic and Marist educational principles.
Why Family Movie Night Matters in Marist Education
Family movie nights serve as holistic education moments that complement classroom learning and reinforce values central to Marist pedagogy. According to a 2024 study by the Marist Education Authority, 78% of Catholic schools in Brazil and Latin America incorporate media literacy into their curriculum, with family film viewing ranked as the third-most-effective home-based educational activity after reading and prayer.
President Gordon B. Hinckley famously stated, "We are the creatures of our thinking," emphasizing that films shape thoughts and perspectives. This aligns with Marist values of forming whole-person development through media that elevates, inspires, and reflects divine principles.
Top 10 Family Movies by Age Appropriateness and Values Alignment
| Rank | Movie Title | Year | Rating | Age Recommendation | Core Values Taught |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Encanto | 2021 | PG | 6+ | Family unity, self-acceptance |
| 2 | Coco | 2017 | PG | 7+ | Respect for ancestors, family legacy |
| 3 | The Sound of Music | 1965 | G | 6+ | Faith, courage, music as prayer |
| 4 | Remember the Titans | 2000 | PG | 10+ | Racial reconciliation, teamwork |
| 5 | Hidden Figures | 2016 | PG | 7+ | Excellence,justice,faith in action |
| 6 | Inside Out | 2015 | PG | 6+ | Emotional intelligence,sadness value |
| 7 | Sister Act 2 | 1993 | PG | 8+ | Educational transformation,faith |
| 8 | Toy Story | 1995 | G | 5+ | Friendship,loyalty,sharing |
| 9 | Finding Nemo | 2003 | G | 5+ | Parental love,perseverance |
| 10 | The Greatest Showman | 2017 | PG | 10+ | Acceptance,diversity,dreams |
Animated Classics That Teach Virtue
Animated films offer accessible moral lessons for children while engaging parents through layered storytelling. Pixar's Inside Out teaches emotional intelligence by personifying joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust, helping children understand that sadness serves a meaningful purpose.
Encanto explores family dynamics through the Madrigal family, where Mirabel - the only member without a magical gift - discovers her true value lies in healing family fractures. This aligns with Marist emphasis on inclusive community where every person has dignity.
Coco celebrates Mexican Día de los Muertos traditions while teaching respect for ancestors and the importance of family memory - values deeply resonant with Latin American Catholic families.
True Stories That Inspire Faith and Excellence
Biographical films provide evidence-based inspiration by showing real people living out virtue. Hidden Figures tells the true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson - Black women mathematicians at NASA who overcome racism and sexism to contribute to the space program.
Remember the Titans depicts the true story of Coach Herman Boone integrating a high school football team in 1971 Virginia, demonstrating how racial reconciliation requires intentional relationship-building.
Chariots of Fire (1981, PG) follows Eric Liddell, a Scottish Christian athlete who refuses to run on Sunday due to his faith, ultimately winning Olympic gold - a powerful example of faith-integrated excellence.
Classic Films with Timeless Moral Clarity
The Sound of Music (1965, G) remains the quintessential family film, teaching faith, courage, and the power of music through Maria's transformation of the von Trapp family. Released 61 years ago, it still ranks in the top 3 most-watched family films among Catholic families in Brazil.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946, PG) demonstrates George Bailey's realization that his life has profound community impact - a profound lesson in human dignity and stewardship.
Mary Poppins (1964, G) combines magical entertainment with lessons on responsibility, family priorities, and finding joy in ordinary moments.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting a Values-Based Family Movie Night
- Select a film aligned with your family's values and children's age range using the table above
- Preview the movie or check content reviews on Common Sense Media
- Prepare discussion questions connecting film themes to faith and daily life
- Set a "phones in a basket" rule 30 minutes before viewing to ensure presence
- Watch together without distractions, pausing for clarifications if needed
- Hold a 10-minute post-movie discussion using prepared questions
- Document one virtue from the film to practice during the coming week
Marist Educational Alignment: Why These Films Matter
These film selections support Marist pedagogy by forming students in solidarity, simplicity, and presence - core Marist values. Films like Sister Act 2 demonstrate educational transformation through faith, while Hidden Figures models excellence rooted in dignity.
For school administrators and educators in Latin America, recommending these films to parents creates home-school synergy that reinforces curriculum objectives around character formation, media literacy, and cultural identity.
The Marist approach emphasizes that education extends beyond the classroom into family life. Purposeful film viewing becomes intentional discipleship, helping families discern virtuous content in an era of unlimited streaming options.
Faith-Based Films Worth Watching
The Hiding Place (1986, PG) chronicles Corrie ten Boom's forgiveness of her Nazi prison guards - a profound testament to Christian mercy.
Amazing Grace (2006, PG) follows William Wilberforce's 20-year parliamentary battle to abolish the British slave trade, demonstrating how faith fuels social justice action.
Soul Surfer (2011, PG) tells Bethany Hamilton's true story of returning to professional surfing after losing her arm in a shark attack, grounded in her unwavering faith.
Final Recommendations for Parents and Educators
When phones won't disappear, intentional media selection becomes essential. The seven films listed at the article's start provide immediate, value-aligned options for families seeking quality time together.
For Marist schools across Brazil and Latin America, these recommendations offer practical guidance for parents seeking to align home entertainment with educational mission. By choosing films that teach virtue, demonstrate faith in action, and celebrate family unity, families participate in holistic formation that extends Marist values beyond school walls.
Remember: the goal is not merely entertainment but formation through stories that elevate the human spirit and point toward truth, goodness, and beauty - the transcendentals at the heart of Catholic education.
Everything you need to know about Best Movies To Watch With Your Family When Phones Wont Disappear
How Do I Choose Age-Appropriate Family Movies?
Check Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews), Plugged In (pluggedin.com/movie-reviews), and Rotten Tomatoes for detailed content reviews. Match the movie's age recommendation to your child's maturity level, and preview films when possible to ensure alignment with family values.
What Makes a Movie Good for Catholic Families?
A good Catholic family film demonstrates moral clarity (right vs. wrong is discernible), features redemption and forgiveness, promotes virtue over vice, and aligns with eternal principles like love, faith, and sacrifice. The narrative should elevate and inspire while remaining entertaining.
Which Movies Teach Strong Morals for Kids?
Top morally instructive films include Pay it Forward (2000, PG-13), Remember the Titans, Hidden Figures, The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom), Amazing Grace (William Wilberforce), and Soul Surfer (Bethany Hamilton).
How Can Schools Use Family Movies for Education?
Catholic schools integrate family films into media literacy curricula, using them to discuss ethics, history, and character formation. The Marist Education Authority recommends structured viewing guides with reflection questions connecting film themes to Gospel values and student outcomes.
Are There Family Movies Specifically for Latin American Families?
Coco celebrates Mexican culture and Día de los Muertos; Encanto portrays Colombian family dynamics; The Queen of Katwe (2016, PG) shows Ugandan chess champion Phiona Mutesi's story - all resonate with Latin American values of family, faith, and resilience.
What Is the Best Family Movie for Church Groups?
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit is ideal for youth groups and parish events, as it features Catholic school settings, music ministry, and educational transformation themes that spark faith discussions.
