Even though they were made before my time, I grew up watching a lot of Disney classic live action movies for families.

When I was young, we got our first VCR and movie rental stores were popular. We’d stop by almost every weekend and rent a few movies to enjoy over the weekend. We often picked up one of these Disney classics. I watched all of these movies growing up and have now shared most of them with my own two kids. (There’s still a few that we still need to watch together.)

For your next movie night, try one of these fun choices. They’re fun for the whole family!

And if you enjoy family movie nights, I’ve got so many fun options of Family Friendly Movies you’ll enjoy at this link.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

There have been so many great live action Disney movies made over the years, but for this list I only included movies made before 1970.

As with any movie, they are reflections of the time period in which they are made. You’ll sometimes find stereotypes of its day and the movies can feel dated at times. But, that is the case with any old movie.

These Disney classic live action movies for families are all fun and kid-friendly, old-fashioned and tame, and great choices to share with your kids.

Note: I pulled the age suggestions from Common Sense Media. These suggestions are just that – a suggestion. You know your kids better than anyone and can best make the decision as to what movies are best for your family.

Best Disney Classic Live Action Movies for Families

Pollyanna (ages 6+, NR- nonrated) – If you’re looking for a movie full of old-fashioned fun, look no further than Pollyanna. It’s a fun story of a young orphan girl who brings sunshine and happiness to a small town. It’s fun and sweet and the book it’s based on is also a great family read.

The Parent Trap (ages 6+, rated G) – This is the first of a few movies on this list that were updated and remade. And, while the remake was great, you should definitely treat your self to the 1961 version of The Parent Trap starring Hayley Mills. It’s a fun story of identical twins who were separated as babies when their parents divorced. Watch to see what happens when the girls meet and plot to get their parents back together.

The Love Bug (ages 6+, rated G) – Herbie, the race car with a mind of its own, brings so many laughs to this fun Disney classic. It’s a fun, rollicking adventure! If you enjoy this choice, there are three other Herbie movies to watch.

The Absent Minded Professor (ages 6+, rated G) – Have you ever heard of flubber? This is the movie where it came from. There have been a few remakes of this story of a professor who invents an anti-gravity substance, but I love the 1961 version for it’s old-fashioned silliness. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a funny movie to share with your family.

The Shaggy Dog (ages 6+, rated G) – This is another movie on this list that’s been updated, but you really need to take the time to watch the original. It’s the fun adventures of a family whose teenage son turns into a big sheepdog after finding a magic ring. It’s fun, silly, and sure to get everyone laughing.

Fun Disney Classic Live Action Movies for Families

Pete’s Dragon (ages 7+, rated G) – This fun movie about a boy and his dragon is a mix of live action and animation. It’s full of fun action, silliness, and great music. This story of friendship is one of my favorites and one I’ve loved sharing with my kids.

Treasure Island (ages 7+. rated G) – Treasure Island, based off the book by Robert Louis Stevenson offers action, adventure, and… pirates! If you’re looking for a great adventure story, this classic is a good kid-friendly choice.

The Apple Dumpling Gang (ages 7+, rated G) – This fun western about a couple of bumbling outlaws is full of laughs, after all it stars two hilarious actors, Don Knotts and Tim Conway. This is a fun, and very funny choice, for family movie night.

Old Yeller (ages 8+, rated G) – I almost didn’t include this one on the list, because I haven’t shown it to my own kids yet. But, it is a classic and it is an excellent movie. It’s a great story about the love of a boy and his dog and you’ll cry for sure. So, my advice, is to know what your kids can handle before showing them this movie. (I’ve got one child who would have a difficult time with this choice). The Common Sense Media review here can help you determine if this movie is a good fit for your family.

Swiss Family Robinson (ages 8+, rated G) – Swiss Family Robinson, the story of a family that is shipwrecked on a deserted island, is another great adventure story for kids. It’s got wild animals, pirates, lots of adventure, but nothing too scary for kids. It’s great fun!

Which of these Disney classic live action movies for families are you going to watch for your next movie night?

You may also like one of these family movie night ideas:

Top 10 Sports Movies for Families

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Recommended Family Movie Night Resources:

If you’ve got Amazon Prime, it can be so easy to have a fun movie night. They’ve got so many family friendly movies, including many of these Disney classic live action movies for families available via streaming (in addition to other great benefits). You can sign up for Amazon Prime via this link.

Are you looking for more activities?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share idea for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Do you like to have movie nights with your family?

It’s one of our favorite things to do together, so I’m always searching for some fun family friendly movies to watch.

We enjoy all kinds of movies, comedies, sports movies, superhero movies, fantasy, and more. No matter what we choose, it’s always fun!

So settle in, grab some movies snacks, pop in a great movie, and get ready for a great family night!

Top Family Friendly Movies

No matter what type of movie your family likes to watch, I’ve got some great suggestions for  you.

Pick a topic, click through, and you’ll find some great family movies my family recommends. Maybe not everything will be a great fit for your family, but I can guarantee you’ll find some great choices to have an awesome family movie night.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Top Ten Musicals

If your family loves musicals, here are 10 fun family movies you’ll love.

Rewatch a favorite or find a new movies from these Top 10 Family Friendly Musicals.

Fun Sports Movies

Do you have a family full of sports fans? Or do you just love inspiring movies?

Then, you’ll want to fire up one of these suggestions from this list of Ten Sports Movies for Families.

Family Movies on Amazon Prime

You don’t have to look far to find a great choice for movie night. Try one of these great Family Movies on Amazon Prime.

Disney Classic Live Action Movies

I grew up watching many of these Disney classics and now I love to share them with my kids. They’re fun and all are very kid friendly.

Check out my 10 Favorite Disney Classic Live Action Movies for families at this list.

Superhero Movies

We love the action and adventure in a good superhero movies. These are often our top choice for family movies night.

If your family loves superheroes too, you’ll love the choices from this list of Top 10 Superhero Movies for Families.

Halloween Movies

It’s always fun to have a theme night during holiday time. So once October rolls around, you may want to try a fun and spooky family friendly movie.

So, check out this list of 10 Fun Halloween Movies for Families so you can have an awesome Halloween movie night.

If you have a little one you’re watching movies with, you’ll find some great suggestions with these fun Halloween Movies for Toddlers.

Are you ready to choose a fun family friendly movie for your next movie night? Are you going to try a musical, a sports movie, or something else?

Whatever you choose, I’m sure it’s going to be fun and you’ll have plenty of quality time with your family.

And, don’t forget the snacks! Try one of these yummy popcorn treats for family movie night for anyone that has the munchies.

Recommended Family Movie Night Resources:

If you’ve got Amazon Prime, it can be so easy to have a fun movie night. They’ve got so many family friendly movies available via streaming (in addition to other great benefits). You can sign up for Amazon Prime via this link.

You may also like one of these family fun ideas:

The Best Family Fun Ideas

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Volunteer as a Family – Support Your Local Food Bank

Easy to Play Card Games for Family Game Night

Find more great family movies:

Keep up to date on family movie night fun by following out Pinterest board below!

I’m not a big sports fan, but I love a good sports movie.

They’re full of feel-good moments, stories of teamwork, and underdog stories. And, these characteristics are exactly why they’re perfect for a family movie night.

So, grab the family and get ready to cheer with our Top 10 Sports Movies for Families! You’ll have a fun night!

And, when you’re ready to plan another movie night, check out all of our recommended family friendly movies here.

Note: I pulled the age suggestions from Common Sense Media. These suggestions are just that – a suggestion. You know your kids better than anyone and can best make the decision as to what movies are best for your family.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Sports Movies for Families with Kids under 10

Air Bud (ages 6+, rated PG) Usually, I try to find movies that appeal to both kids and parents, but I’ll confess that this choice is much more appealing to kids. But, it’s a cute movie for kids who love dogs – and sports. Plus, it’s the sports movie that best appeals to the younger kids.

The Rookie (ages 7+, rated G) The Rookie is the story of a high school baseball coach who promises his team that if they’ll win the division title, he’ll try out for the major leagues. This movie is great for families, but may not be as appealing to younger kids because the movie revolves around an adult and not kids.

Cool Runnings (ages 8+, rated PG) Cool Runnings is a funny and positive movie inspired by the Jamaican bobsled team’s appearance at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. It’s a fun choice if you love underdog stories.

Miracle (ages 8+, rated PG) If you’ve got hockey fans, this movie about the United States hockey teams’ unlikely gold medal victory in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. And even if you’re not hockey fans, you’ll enjoy this movie and will be cheering along the whole time.

The Sandlot (ages 8+, rated PG) This story about shenanigans of a pick-up neighborhood baseball team in the 1950’s. This movie is full of nostalgia and is a family favorite at our house. This movie does include swearing, including by some of the kids, so if that bothers you, you may want to pre-screen it.

Sports Movies for Families with Kids ages 10 and up

A League of Their Own (ages 10+, rated PG) A League of Their Own is a classic sports movie based on the All-American Girls Professional Girls Baseball League from the 1940’s. It’s full of positive female role models with a good message about teamwork.

Invincible (ages 10+, rated PG) I love this underdog movie about a 30-year-old down on his luck man who goes to open try-outs for the Philadelphia Eagles and makes the team. It’s a great movie that shows the power of dreams and that it’s never to late to chase them.

Little Giants (ages 10+, rated PG) What happens when you don’t make a peewee football team because you’re a girl? Well, hopefully your dad volunteers to coach your own rag-tag football team. This movie is full of potty-humor and has some swearing, but overall it’s a fun and positive choice.

Mighty Ducks (ages 11+, rated PG) The Mighty Ducks is the story of a ragtag hockey team and their coach, who doesn’t even want to be coaching but has to because of a community service violation. This is a fun and positive movie about teamwork and the joy of sports. But, like a few other choices here, there is some swearing which makes it more suitable for older kids than for younger ones.

Rudy (ages 11+, rated PG) I will confess that Rudy is one of my all-time favorite movies (and I’m not even a football fan). It’s based on the true-story of an underdog who overcomes great odds to play football for Notre Dame. You cheer, you’ll cry, and you’ll have a great time watching this with your family.

Which one of these sports movies for families are you going to watch for your next family movie night? Do you have a favorite that didn’t make the list?

You may also like one of these fun family movie night ideas:

Top 10 Halloween Movies for a Family Movie Nights

Popcorn Treats for a Family Movie Night

Top 10 Musicals for a Family Movie Night

Best Superhero Movies for Families

How to Make a Movie Theatre Snack Tray at Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Recommended Family Movie Night Resources:

If you’ve got Amazon Prime, it can be so easy to have a fun movie night. They’ve got so many family friendly movies available via streaming (in addition to other great benefits). You can sign up for Amazon Prime via this link.