30 Funny Kids’ Movies That the Whole Family Will Love
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The past year has been a doozy, so it’s no wonder most of us are gravitating towards more light-hearted fare when it comes to family movie night. Still, it can be hard to find a quality comedy that’s appropriate for kids, without being painful for the rest of the family to watch. Good news: We rounded up the best funny kids’ movies that check both boxes, so you can skip the browsing and bickering and get straight to the main event.
RELATED: The 60 Best Family Movies of All Time
1. Shrek (2001)
What’s it about: Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy are a comedy dream team as voice actors in this film—a fairytale rethink about a surly ogre who turns out to be Prince Charming in the end.
Who’s in it: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow
Funniest part: Body humor abounds here, but the ‘are we there yet?’ scene—complete with the backseat antics of Donkey (Eddie Murphy)—is sure to get a laugh from parents and kids alike.
2. Ratatouille (2007)
What’s it about: Another unexpected hero delivers laughs in this stunningly animated film, which follows the adventures of a little rodent who has big dreams of becoming a chef in Paris.
Who’s in it: Patton Oswalt, Brad Bird, Janeane Garofolo, Lou Romano
Funniest part: When Remy (the rat) teaches Linguini, an unskilled restaurant worker, how to cook, despite the language barrier. Hint: There’s some uproariously funny body language involved.
3. The Princess Bride (1987)
What’s it about: This cult classic fantasy film about a farmboy-turned-pirate and his quest to reunite with his true love is sure to engage viewers with a solid dose of adventure—but it’s the witty script and Mel Brooks-style spoofs that make it truly special.
Who’s in it: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant
Funniest part: The ‘battle of the wits’—when Wallace Shawn’s character, Vizzini, uses his “dizzying intellect” to evade a duel by poisoned cup. (Unsuccessfully.)
4. Despicable Me (2010)
What’s it about: A criminal and all-around villain adopts three orphan girls as part of an evil scheme, only to discover he has a soft spot after all. Despicable Me is equal parts humorous and touching.
Who’s in it: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand
Funniest part: The bait-and-switch when super-villain Gru appears to comfort a little boy who has dropped his ice cream cone by making him a balloon animal. Spoiler: Gru is actually just being, well, despicable.
5. Madagascar (2005)
What’s it about: After a series of odd events, a group of zoo animals wind up in the jungle of Madagascar—and they’re entirely unprepared to be there.
Who’s in it: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen
Funniest part: When the escaped zoo animals wreak havoc (unintentionally) at the Grand Central subway station.
6. Aladdin (2019)
What’s it about: We’ll admit that we’re partial to the original 1992 animated flick but this updated version is sure to have kids ooh-ing at the special effects, singing along to the catchy tunes and laughing to Genie’s antics. The plot follows Aladdin, a street urchin, as he falls in love with Princess Jasmine—can his new friend, the wish-granting Genie help him win her over and battle the wicked Jafar?
Who’s in it: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari
Funniest part: Any scene with Will Smith as the Genie, but especially when he has to coach Prince Ali of Ababwa through his first meeting with the sultan ("move away from the jams...").
7. Home Alone (1990)
What’s it about: A young kid has to single handedly protect his home from burglars when his family accidentally leaves him behind over the holiday vacation. (Fortunately, said kid is just as diabolical as the robbers.)
Who’s in it: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara
Funniest part: Marv’s high-pitched scream when Kevin McCallister puts a tarantula on his face.
8. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
What’s it about: Footage of real animals is used to tell the story of two dogs (Chance and Shadow) and a cat (Sassy) who brave the wilderness to find their way back to their owners. The adventure will keep kids on the edge of their seats, and the quips and wisecracks the animals exchange along the way will keep everyone laughing.
Who’s in it: Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Ameche
Funniest part: When Chase catapults Sassy off the backyard seesaw.
9. Moana (2016)
What’s it about: In order to break a curse that’s destroying her island, Moana, a teenager in Ancient Polynesia, sails across the ocean with the (reluctant) help of the demi-god responsible for the bad fortune.
Who’s in it: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
Funniest part: When Hei Hei, a not very smart rooster from the island who accidentally boards Moana’s boat, realizes he’s very far from dry land.
10. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
What’s it about: Monsters power their city by visiting the human world to scare children, but the tables are turned when a little girl wanders into Monstropolis. Sully and Mike Wazowski—the two main monsters of the movie—are terrified of her, but have to help her get back home nevertheless.
Who’s in it: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, John Ratzenberger
Funniest part: The bathroom scene when Boo hides from Sully.
11. Minions (2015)
What’s it about: This spin-off prequel to Despicable Me tells the story of the minions, gibberish-speaking creatures who live to serve bad guys, and their quest to find the next great supervillain to be their master.
Who’s in it: Sandra Bullock, Pierre Coffin, Jon Hamm
Funniest part: When the minions' bathing suits fall off and they go running into the ocean.
12. The Incredibles (2004)
What’s it about: A Pixar action flick that explores relatable family themes with a story of a superhero family in the suburbs who suddenly must abandon their mundane routines to save the world.
Who’s in it: Brad Bird, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson
Funniest part: “Where’s my super suit?” (i.e., when Frozone calls his wife for his super suit and the two end up arguing about saving the world vs. keeping their dinner plans.)
13. The Boss Baby (2017)
What’s it about: When Tim becomes an older brother, he quickly realizes that the new addition to the family is no ordinary baby. Alec Baldwin basically plays his character from 30 Rock as the Boss Baby, a businessman sent to the family on an assignment that he can only complete with Tim’s help, provided sibling rivalry doesn’t get in the way. The story explores family themes and the witty script delivers laughs from start to finish.
Who’s in it: Alec Baldwin, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel
Funniest part: The baby powder scene when Boss Baby is grooming Tim before they go to Puppy Co. together.
14. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
What it’s about: A pampered terrier’s world is turned upside down when his owner takes in an unruly stray dog, but an unexpected bond is formed when the two dogs get picked up by Animal Control and are forced to work together to escape numerous perils and find their way back home.
Who’s in it: Kevin Hard, Jenny Slate, Louis C.K.
Funniest part: When Chloe the cat waits for her owner to leave before kicking her food bowl across the floor and raiding the fridge.
15. Zootopia (2016)
What’s it about: Zootopia is a city in which animals of every size and description live together, but not always in perfect harmony—a fact that hits home for Judy Hopps when she becomes the first rabbit to join the city’s police force. Judy has 48 hours to solve a crime if she wants to earn the respect of her colleagues and get a break from meter duty, but that’s easier said than done since, among other things, there’s a mischievous fox making her job harder.
Who’s in it: Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Byron Howard, Shakira
Funniest part: The scene when Judy Hopps waits for ‘Flash the Sloth’ to run a license plate.
16. Paddington (2014)
What’s it about: A young Peruvian bear is lost in Paddington station and without a home until the Brown family takes him in. However, there’s still one thing standing in the way of him finding bliss in the big city—a sadistic museum taxidermist who has set her sights on him.
Who’s in it: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman
Funniest part: When Paddington floods the bathroom (and hilarity ensues).
17. Toy Story (1995)
What’s it about: Woody the Cowboy is a prized toy until a new action figure threatens his standing. A profound rivalry develops, but when the two toys get lost they must set their differences (and Woody, his jealousy) aside and find their way back to their boy-owner—and past his evil neighbor—before he and his family move to a new home.
Who’s in it: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn
Funniest part: When the rubber squeaky shark toy gets a hold of Woody’s hat and does a hilarious impression of the cowboy.
18. The Goonies (1985)
What’s it about: A band of teenagers are in for a big adventure when they stumble upon an old pirate map in the attic, which leads them underground in search of treasure. This action-packed film is full of humor, albeit the kind best-suited for slightly older audiences.
Who’s in it: Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Corey Feldman
Funniest part: The dialogue when Chunk drops a statue and the kids try to reattach a certain private part.
19. Mary Poppins (1964)
What’s it about: Two young kids are in for a treat when the magical Mary Poppins lands the job as their new nanny and takes them on adventures—a heartwarming and whimsical storyline that culminates with the kids becoming closer to their absentee father.
Who’s in it: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
Funniest part: When the line of prospective nannies are carried away one-by-one on the wind that blows Mary Poppins in.
20. The Muppets (2011)
What’s it about: A die-hard Muppets fan, with the help of his two human friends, reunites the Muppets in the hopes that the gang can stop a greedy oil mogul from demolishing the Muppets Studio and turning it into a drilling site.
Who’s in it: Jason Segel, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Amy Adams (and the muppets of course).
Funniest part: The montage of muppet-napping that shows the gang being gathered, so to speak.
21. Robin Hood (1973)
What’s it about: Chances are you already know the story, but in this Disney animated film it’s a (weirdly handsome) fox who steals from the rich and corrupt King John to feed the poor.
Who’s in it: Brian Bedford, Roger Miller, Monica Evans, Phil Harris
Funniest parts: When Prince John sucks his thumb and asks for mommy upon realizing he has been hoodwinked and robbed (by Robin Hood dressed as a fortune teller).
22. Ice Age (2002)
What’s it about: A gang of prehistoric animals—including a mammoth, saber-tooth tiger, and something resembling a rat—get a big dose of adventure (and peril) as they migrate south to escape the sub-zero temperatures of the impending Ice Age; viewers get a big dose of slapstick comedy.
Who’s in it: John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Denis Leary
Funniest part: When Scrat discovers a UFO and goes to outer space because of his prized acorn.
23. Hook (1991)
What’s it about: The former Peter Pan has turned into a boring, out-of-shape businessman who has little time to devote to his own children and no memory of his time in Neverland. However, all that changes when Captain Hook drags Peter back for a duel by kidnapping his kids.
Who’s in it: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts
Funniest part: When Peter and Rufio start exchanging insults over dinner with the Lost Boys.
24. The Parent Trap (1998)
What’s it about: A remake of the 1961 classic, this Parent Trap is more modern and refreshingly free of some of the dated gender roles portrayed in the original. The story is the same, though: When two identical twins who were separated at birth and raised apart by one of their (divorced) biological parents are reunited, they conspire in the most hilarious ways to get their dad to ditch his girlfriend so that their parents can do the same.
Who’s in it: Lindsay Lohan, Denis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix
Funniest part: When the girls pushed the sleeping girlfriend out into the lake in the middle of the night and she woke up in shock.
25. Turbo (2013)
What’s it about: A silly story about a snail (i.e., Turbo) who, after a freak accident, has the gift of super speed. Although he doesn’t fit in with the other snails, Turbo embraces his talent and dreams of competing in the Indie 500. Ultimately, this is an upbeat comedy with positive messages about pursuing and achieving goals against all odds.
Who’s in it: Ryan Reynolds, Ken Jeong, Snoop Dogg, Michael Pena, Paul Giamatti
Funniest part: The pit stop scene with Turbo on the day of the big race.
26. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
What’s it about: Robin Williams plays the part of a divorced dad who will do anything to spend more time with his kids, including cross-dressing and posing as a nanny to watch them while their mom is at work. Needless to say, crafting the disguise is much easier than maintaining the ruse.
Who’s in it: Robin Williams, Mara Wilson, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan
Funniest part: When Williams’ character does a string of uproarious impressions during an interview with a humorless court liaison.
27. Beethoven (1992)
What’s it about: Of all the on-screen pups, not one makes a bigger impression than Beethoven, the lovable St. Bernard whose troublemaking antics drive the comedy in the film. The real trouble, though, is when Beethoven falls into the clutches of an evil vet who wishes to euthanize the dog and use him for animal experiments. Fortunately, there’s a happy ending and plenty of humor along the way.
Who’s in it: Charles Grodin , Bonnie Hunt, Stanley Tucci
Funniest part: The 90s-era grumpy dad musical montage, which concludes with Charles Grodin’s character thinking he’s making moves on his wife...but it’s actually his 200-pound St. Bernard.
28. The Sandlot (1993)
What’s it about: A coming-of-age sports comedy about a new kid in town and how he spends the summer of ‘62 with his newfound friends—a local baseball prodigy and the other members of his colorful team. Light-hearted, nostalgic and full of comedy—this one is a shoo-in for movie night with a tween.
Who’s in it: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, James Earl Jones
Funniest part: Patrick Renna’s inept attempts to flirt with teenage girls at the public pool before doing a cannonball and drenching them all.
29. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
What’s it about: Trouble arises when geeky dad and aspiring inventor Wayne Shalintsky leaves his latest project, a shrink ray, unattended in the attic. When the kids stumble upon it while searching for a baseball, the whole gang becomes microscopic and a whole adventure ensues as they try to avoid peril and make their parents aware of the unusual problem.
Who’s in it: Rick Moranis, Amy O’Neill, Marcia Strassman
Funniest part: When Wayne rigs a harness over the grass so he can hover above it and search for the shrunken kids without inadvertently stepping on them.
30. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
What’s it about: A cult classic for the tween and teen crowd—Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is about a trouble-making teen and the hilarious highs and lows of his day playing hooky with both his girlfriend and his reluctant, rule-abiding friend.
Who’s in it: Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Grey, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
Funniest part: Matthew Broderick’s opening monologue.
RELATED: 7 WAYS TO WATCH MOVIES TOGETHER ONLINE (IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK)
PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.
