The Best Family Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (August 2021)

Hook (1991): An Underrated Robin Williams Classic

This '90s retelling of the Peter Pan story sees Robin Williams slip into the tights of the Boy Who Never Grew Up. Now an adult with a family, Peter is whisked back to Neverland by Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) so he can once again defeat Captain Hook (a scenery-chewing Dustin Hoffman) and rescue his kids. While it's not among the best of Williams' films, it's a fun watch that's gained more affection in the years following his death, especially among the internet savvy who've turned it into numerous memes.

Seabiscuit (2003): An Inspiring, if Saccharine Story About a Race Horse

Seabiscuit is a saccharine but inspirational film about a businessman (Jeff Bridges), a jockey (Toby Maguire), and a trainer (Chris Cooper) who helps a losing racehorse become a winner. It's based on the real story of Seabiscuit, a horse who failed to win his first 17 races before becoming the top-earning racehorse of the 1930s and a symbol of hope for people during the Great Depression.

Annie (1982): Best '80s Musical About Adoption

This classic '80s musical stars Aileen Quinn as the titular Annie, an orphan with a head full of red curls and a tough, but perky attitude. She goes from living in an orphanage run by the mean Mrs. Hannigan (Carol Burnett) to living in the mansion of Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks (Albert Finney). While the ending might be a little too gritty for the youngest viewers, the songs are catchy and there are legends like Carol Burnett and Tim Curry hamming it up in memorable performances.

Surf's Up (2007): A Clever Parody of Professional Sports

What's better than a surfing movie or a penguin movie? How about a penguin surfing movie! This 2007 animated film is a mockumentary about penguins competing in a surfing championship. The pseudo-documentary format is fresh enough to set it apart from other animated films featuring the flightless birds. It's a cheerful 85 minutes to spend with the kids.

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999): A Sweet Film for a Single-Digit Age Audience

This 1990s classic sees Elmo travel to the trashy Grouchland in search of his beloved blue blanket. It's in the hands of a villain named Huxley (Mandy Patinkin). He'll get it back with the help of new friends like a Grouch girl named Grizzy and the Queen of Trash (Vanessa Williams). Obviously designed for small children, the film is sweet and moralistic, with just enough weirdness to hold a parent's interest.

Pinocchio (2020): A Faithful Adaptation of the Classic Fairy Tale

This live-action adaptation of the classic fairy tale comes from Italy and stars Life Is Beautiful actor and director Roberto Benigni as Gepetto. While some of the special effects might be a little too uncanny valley (looking at you, Pinocchio), it's visually stunning and sticks closely to the original, timeless story of a puppet who wishes to become a real boy. Parts of it might be a little too dark for younger kids.

The Last Unicorn (1982): A Charming (And Sometimes Dark) Animated Classic

This classic animated fantasy is based on the 1968 novel by Peter S. Beagle. When a unicorn finds out she's the last of her kind, she enlists the aid of a bumbling wizard to find out what happened to the others. Along the way, she encounters an evil witch, battles an evil king, falls in love with a prince, and discovers what it feels like to be human. While some elements of the film might be too dark for younger viewers, it's still a charming fairytale backed by some strong vocal performances.

Belle and Sebastian (2013): Best Boy and His Dog Foil Nazis Film

Belle and Sebastian is a charming family film based on an equally delightful children's book about a 6-year-old boy and a stray dog who help defend their French Alps home from Nazis during World War II. While some of the film's themes might be a bit too much for younger viewers, this old-fashioned adventure is a pleasant diversion.

Troop Zero (2019): Best Underdog Scout Revenge Story

This Amazon Original movie tells the story of Christmas Flint (Mckenna Grace), a young girl growing up in rural 1970s Georgia. Shut out of the local Birdie Scout group, she rallies a group of fellow misfits to create their own troop and compete for the chance to have their voices transmitted into space by NASA.

Though it deals with some heavy themes and emotions, Troop Zero is a fun comedy with an uplifting message that the whole family can enjoy.