Parent-Child Family backdrop

Parent-Child Family movies

Family stories focused on parent-child bonds: care, responsibility, trust, generational tension, and repair.

Secondhand Lions

1. Secondhand Lions

Family Comedy Parent-Child Family Awkward Comedy
7.5
20031h 51min

Overview

The comedic adventures of an introverted boy left on the doorstep of a pair of reluctant, eccentric great-uncles, whose exotic remembrances stir the boy's spirit and re-ignite the men's lives.

Themes

Wealth as lure, Deception and loyalty, Intergenerational mentorship, Coming of age pressure, Family isolation vs attachment, Legacy and memory

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Freaky Friday

2. Freaky Friday

Family Fantasy Comedy Romance Parent-Child Family
6.4
20031h 37min

Overview

Mother and daughter bicker over everything -- what Anna wears, whom she likes and what she wants to do when she's older. In turn, Anna detests Tess's fiancé. When a magical fortune cookie switches their personalities, they each get a peek at how the other person feels, thinks and lives.

Themes

Generational role reversal, Family expectations and autonomy, Premature adulthood pressure, Selfless acts, Family bonding under stress, Parent child empathy

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Barbie as Rapunzel

3. Barbie as Rapunzel

Animation Family Family Animation Parent-Child Family
6.5
20021h 24min

Overview

Barbie stars as Rapunzel, a young girl who is entrapped by a magical barrier by the wicked, Gothel. Rapunzel finds an escape where she finds a Prince and a feud between two kingdoms which goes back to the day she was kidnapped as a child.

Themes

Deception and trust, Missing daughter tension, Feuding two kingdoms, Art as expression, Secret tunnel escape, Dragon companionship

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Way Home

4. The Way Home

Drama Family Family Drama Parent-Child Family
7.7
20021h 26min

Overview

This is the story of a 7-year-old boy, Sang-woo, born and raised in the big city, and his mute grandmother, who has spent her whole life in a small rural village.

Themes

Care under scarcity, Generational gap, Improvised family bonds, Material needs vs affection, Urban rural divide, Memory and affection

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Princess Diaries

5. The Princess Diaries

Comedy Family Romance Romantic Comedy Parent-Child Family
6.4
20011h 55min

Overview

A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom discovers that she is the princess of a small European country because of the recent death of her long-absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She must make a choice between continuing the life of a San Francisco teen or stepping up to the throne.

Themes

Intergenerational bonds, Public image pressure, Duty and adolescence, Familial expectations, Royal responsibility and identity, Social status pressures

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

An Extremely Goofy Movie

6. An Extremely Goofy Movie

Animation Family Comedy Family Animation Parent-Child Family
6.4
20001h 19min

Overview

It's all extreme sports and a life of freedom as Max sets off for college -- but Goofy misses Max so much he loses his job and goes to finish college alongside Max and his friends. But as Goofy tries to get closer to Max, both must go to the extreme to learn how to live their own lives together.

Themes

Parent child relationship, Single father, Father son conflict, College transition, Skateboarding culture, Competition and integrity

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Toy Story 2

7. Toy Story 2

Animation Comedy Family Family Animation Parent-Child Family
7.9
19991h 32min

Overview

Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggen, owner of Al's Toy Barn kidnaps Woody. Andy's toys mount a daring rescue mission, Buzz Lightyear meets his match and Woody has to decide where he and his heart truly belong.

Themes

Abandonment and trust, Loyalty through adversity, Belonging versus commodification, Identity and origin, Friendship and cooperation, Ownership vs exploitation

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Parent Trap

8. The Parent Trap

Comedy Family Romance Parent-Child Family Romantic Comedy
6.7
19982h 8min

Overview

Hallie Parker and Annie James are identical twins who were separated at a young age due to their parents' divorce. Unbeknownst to their parents, the girls are sent to the same summer camp, where they meet, discover the truth about their relationship, and come up with a plan to switch places in an effort to reunite their mother and father.

Themes

Deception through disguise, Family reconciliation, Shared custody pressures, Upbringing divergence, Romance vs loyalty, Public image expectations

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

To save her father from certain death in the army, a young woman secretly enlists in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.

Themes

Mentorship under pressure, Deception and disguise, Gender expectations in warfare, Filial duty vs personal choice, Courage under crisis, Cultural expectations and honor

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Matilda

10. Matilda

Comedy Family Fantasy Parent-Child Family Supernatural Fantasy
7.0
19961h 38min

Overview

Matilda Wormwood is an exquisite and intelligent little girl. Unfortunately, her parents, Harry and Zinnia misunderstand her because they think she is so different. As time passes, she finally starts school and has a kind teacher, loyal friends, and a sadistic headmistress. As she gets fed up with the constant cruelty, she begins to realize that she has a gift of telekinetic powers. After some days of practice, she suddenly turns the tables to stand up to Harry and Zinnia and outwit the headmistress.

Themes

Dysfunctional family dynamics, Resilience under pressure, Tyrannical authority, Power dynamics in schooling, Gifted child empowerment, Childhood neglect

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.