by: Arthur Davis

The summer is here, and your kids will be around the house more often. Sure, you have a vacation planned, but you still need to think of activities to keep them occupied when their attention isn’t occupied by their many devices. Movies are a great way to occupy and educate children for a number of reasons. Here are some of the best family movies for you to feast on. 

The Lion King 

The Lion King is Disney at its finest. This movie is a classic for a reason or make that many reasons. It contains classic storytelling, memorable characters, emotive events, and music that stays with you long after the credits roll. The story follows the fortunes of Simba, the lion cub and heir to the kingdom of Pride Lands, as his villainous uncle Scar has other ideas for him. 

The Lion King proved a hit with younger audiences thanks to the elements outlined above, but it has a surprising legacy living on in the imaginations of generations to come. These days you can find a live-action remake of The Lion King, which is a novelty to watch, but if you want an authentic experience for your kids, it’s best to return to the original for your summer movie night.  

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 

Some stories activate the imagination like no others and become embedded in mainstream culture overnight; that’s certainly true of the Harry Potter series that began life in the mind of JK Rowling. The young wizard and his magical companions made their way onto the big screen in 2001, giving fans their first movie impression of their favorite wizard and the world of Hogwarts. 

Why not kickstart the summer with some magic by putting Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on the big screen for your family to enjoy? This is a beloved movie that is sure to delight all age groups in your family. Whether your kids have seen Harry Potter yet or not, this movie is sure to set them on their merry way. This is a fantasy adventure movie that will leave an impression.   

Sun Moon 

If you are looking for the feel-good hit of the summer to watch with your family, look no further than Sun Moon. After being left at the altar at her wedding, Kesley gets the opportunity to teach English in Korea. She has nothing left for her in the town and decides to take a leap of faith. Korea turns out to be surprising, magical, and perhaps fulfilling for Kelsey and her love life. 

Sun Moon is both heartbreaking and humorous as Kelsey attempts to find a new path in a strange new world. The movie also has a strong spiritual theme running through it, as the Christian Kelsey attempt to understand God’s purpose for her life. Movies like this can instill values in young people, so why not watch Sun Moon the movie with your family this summer? 

ET the Extra-Terrestrial 

Some movies are instantly forgettable - we’re looking at you fast, and Furious franchise - but others are memorable for all the right reasons, namely a solid story that delivers an emotive climax, interesting characters that have become rooted in popular culture, a new take on a classic theme, and a setting that is never likely to age. Have you seen ET the Extra-Terrestrial?

If you have kids, you probably have, but there’s a good chance they haven’t. Make this summer the time when you introduce your young family to a must-see classic sci-fi movie. It’s no surprise that Steven Speilberg was behind this all-time classic since it combines a family blockbuster with childlike wonder. As with all Spielberg movies, this one also has a memorable soundtrack.  

Classic Star Wars 

Since we are on the sci-fi theme, why not continue educating your family by watching the classic Star Wars movies? Chances are your young ones will be more familiar with Rey and Kylo Ren than they are with Luke Skywalker and Darth Vadar, so why not wind back the clock and find out where it all began this summer by binge-watching the first two trilogies that kickstarted it all? 

It might take some time to get your kids interested in classic Star Wars movies - the quality of the cinematography alone is likely to put them off - but when they start to understand the storylines and characters, it should pique their interest, and when they see the epic lightsaber battles from the prequel movies they will be hooked. It’s the perfect project for the summer.