Top Romantic Family Films Of All Time

How gushy are you feeling today? Are you ready to well-up with happy tears as you watch your favourite couple smooch on screen? I am a hopeless romantic and have watched thousands of romantic films over the years. Most of them are family-friendly flicks that you can watch with your child. So I have compiled a list of what I think are the top 10 romantic family films of all time. I haven’t listed them in any order of preference, but if I did, the last film on this list is my absolute favourite romantic film of all time.

Disclaimer: I was a very sensitive child and easily scared when watching films. Also, I was very naive and didn’t learn about the birds and bees until my parents told me when they thought I was old enough. To protect your child, I have only reviewed films that are rated PG or U. In addition, I will add the following emojis to warn of any scary or ‘grown-up’ scenes that you may not think suitable for your child.

The Princess Bride

This film has it all; adventure, giants, pirates, sword fights, miracles and true love. What more can you want from a romantic movie? It’s a timeless classic. I watched it over and over again as a child, when we finally had it on VHS. Sure, I fancied Cary Lewis, but I am sure many women did. I am sure many boys were smitten by Robin Wright as well. Strangely, Sops does not like this film. She says it is boring, but she is a Philistine.

Hercules

Be warned, Disney films will feature a lot in this post. They are the masters of good storytelling, especially when it comes to romance. I could add many more Disney films to this list, but I am going to pick out the creme de la creme. And nothing is more romantic than a man who gives up his life for his true love and then gives up his godhood for his true love. Meg will have a lot to live up to considering the great sacrifices Hercules made for her. This film is entertaining with fabulous music and a great moral message.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Can you remember the first time you heard the story of Romeo and Juliet? Did you watch the Baz Luhrmann adaption featuring Leonardo Di-Caprio and Claire Danes? Or Zefferelli’s 1968 version starring Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting? Perhaps you first read it at school? It’s a terrible tragedy, showing how family feuds can have a devastating impact on true love.

How can one possibly introduce the themes of sex, violence and even suicide to a younger audience? The answer is you don’t. You turn the great Shakespearean tragedy into a romantic comedy and that is what Gnomeo and Juliet is all about. The blue-hatted gnomes are at war with the red-hatted gnomes, but somehow two gnomes find true love and after many misadventures unite the warring factions. This is a great film to introduce your child to the story of Romeo and Juliet in a fun and entertaining way. You can draw back on this film when your child is older and studying Shakespeare’s original play.

Fun fact: Romeo and Juliet were both ‘only children’. The moral is, don’t get in a feud with another family if you only have one child.

NB: If your child is studying the bard or wants to learn more about Shakespeare, our post, Learning about Shakespeare will help.

Splash

He’s a human. She’s a mermaid. But they are destined to be together. The only thing dividing them is a strange set of rules she has to follow, an obsessed scientist, cultural norms, and the fact she is a different species. But love will find a way. This is a great classic romantic comedy. Some themes are a little adult, which your child may not fully understand. However, they will be enchanted by the mythical and romantic story. This is a great film for the whole family to enjoy.

I can’t think of anything particularly scary or disturbing in this film as a child, but if your child is sensitive to noise they may not like hearing her name in mermaid talk.

Enchanted

This is a great movie. Disney has taken all the classic romantic troupes of their original fairytale movies and turned them on their head. No longer is it fashionable to marry the first man you meet and assume that is true love. This film teaches that romance requires work. As Giselle sings, “how does she know you love her?” suggests that actions speak louder than words. Everyone can learn about true love from this film. The humour crosses generations with parents and children finding funny moments throughout.

Beauty and the Beast

Of all the classic European fairytales out there, Beauty and the Beast has to be the most romantic film, and no it is not Stockholm syndrome! Belle sacrifices her freedom for her father, which is romantic on a familial level. The beast gives her a library! If that is not love, I don’t know what is? Oh yes I do, he gives her her freedom. He is willing to sacrifice his chance of breaking the curse by granting Belle her freedom. Although, some may ask why he hasn’t considered his poor cursed staff when granting her freedom? In this version, Disney adds an antagonist in the form of Gaston, an arrogant man who thinks his good looks will win the heart of any fair maiden. But Belle is not attracted by looks, only by a loving heart. Let this be a lesson to all of us.

A Knight’s Tale

I instantly fell in love with this film the moment I watched it. Who couldn’t love the adorable Will Thatcher and his motely crew of misfit friends all devotedly championing him onwards to his dream of becoming a knight? Granted, the main plot is focused on Will fulfilling his desire to become a knight. However, the romantic subplot between him and Joslin is beautiful to behold, especially with the anachronistic blend of music and fashion. A truly delightful medieval masterpiece.

Lady and the Tramp

This is a romantic film in more ways than one. Not only is it about 2 dogs who cross the class boundaries to find love, but the film was inspired by Walt Disney giving his wife a puppy as a present. How many couples have copied the spagetti scene in their own homes or even out in public as a homage to Lady and the Tramp? Have you ever copied this iconic scene? However, I do wonder why the parents leave their new born baby with the aunt for so long. You wouldn’t do that to your only child, would you?

Up

Okay, I admit it, most of the romance in this film is in the first 10 minutes montage entitled ‘married life’. But it is an iconic scene spanning decades of true love and heartbreak. Many a hard-hearted grown man has wept over this scene. But throughout the film, Carl refers to his wife often and Russell respects that. The friendship bond between Carl and Russell is inspiring. I don’t think Russell has any brothers or sisters, and he also seems to have an absent father. The message of this film is that anyone can meet the needs of an only child so long as they care.

Ever After

Of all the various adaptations of the Cinderella story this is my favourite of all time. In fact this is my favourite film of all time. There is no magic. No pumpkin coaches or footmen mice. There is no fairy godmother, only the artist Leonardo DaVinci. But the film oozes romance. In this version, ‘Cinderella’ is actually called Danielle. She meets the prince before the “ball” and thinks he is insuffable, until love starts to flourish. I think taking out the magic of the story makes it more natural and believable and so one doesn’t have to suspend disbelief. You can just get sucked into the bauty of Renaissance France with their lucious costumes.

Comments on Romantic Family Films

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