Labyrinth (1986)
David Bowie in fine form and that outfit. Jennifer Connelly announcing her presence as a young star and terrific actress. Jim Hensons jaw-dropping puppetry blending seamlessly with enthralling live-action.
Whats not to love about this coming-of-age fantasy adventure about a young woman desperately searching for her abducted baby brother?
Nanny McPhee, Vivo and Labyrinth are amongst the fabulous family movies now available to stream on Netflix.
After watching this, you and your whole family will be spellbound and Magic Dancing for at least the next three days.
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Dylan OBrien stars in Love and Monsters.
Love and Monsters (2020)
Already seemingly destined to be this decades Zombieland, South African director Michael Matthews charming and thrilling mon-rom-com (monster-romantic-comedy) has taken on extra resonance in our locked-down world. The conceit of desperation to end separation will strike a chord with many, as will the bubbled-up life of the bunkers.
At its heart though, Love and Monsters is a rollicking rollercoaster of a road movie. Our heros trek involves threats and colourful characters and beasties at every turn, writers Brian Duffield and Matthew Robinson stuffing the story with memorable moments, witty one-liners and, sometimes, a real palpable sense of danger. The latter is immensely assisted by the Oscar-nominated visual effects that bring the giant bugs and other creatures to life.
The Mitchells vs The Machines is filled with larger-than-life characters, laugh-out-loud moments and messages that linger long after the story plays out.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
The writers of the hilarious animated series Gravity Falls have crafted one of the most hilarious and heartwarming family films of recent years. From the enhanced opening titles to closing credits pictures of the cast and crew and their families, this AI-threat-to-humanity tale offers a plethora of visual and aural delights.
With a chunky animation style familiar to fans of the brilliant Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs movies, the story is filled with larger-than-life characters, laugh-out-loud moments and messages and moments that linger long after the story plays out.
Emma Thompson is Nanny McPhee.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
Based on former governess Christianna Brand’s popular Nurse Matilda books, this is a cheeky and charming film that still holds up more than 15 years on.
An almost unrecognisable Emma Thompson is the snaggle-toothed, monobrowed and warty eponymous childminder charged with looking after the seven mischievous Brown children.
Possessing the same magical feel as the Harry Potter series, Lemony Snicket and Narnia, it is distinguished by its dazzlingly bright and breezy art direction and Tim Burton-esque wild and wacky costuming.
Director Kirk Jones keeps the action coming thick and fast, while also being sure to establish strong characters and a great line in dark humour.
Paper Planes walks a fine line between pure crowd-pleaser and cheesy schmaltz.
Paper Planes (2014)
A throwback to Aussie kidult classics like Storm Boy and BMX Bandits, this tale of unlikely sporting glory and fractured father-son relationships is as inspirational, as it is unsubtle.
Borrowing ideas from everything from Kes to The Rocket, Paper Planes walks a fine line between pure crowd-pleaser and cheesy schmaltz.
Writer-director Robert Connolly has made a career out of engaging dramas about underdogs or those in sticky situations and this first foray into something lighter still boasted a dramatic edge, while unfolding an engaging tale of love, loss and life’s other more than little creases.
Ponyo is just one of the many Studio Ghibli delights available to watch on Netflix.
Ponyo (2008)
This was the adventure that will make you believe in the emotional power of anime.
On its original release, Japanese director Hayao Miyazakis adaptation of The Little Mermaid not only proved that there was still life in gently told, hand-drawn animation stories at a time when wise-cracking CGI dominated kids films, but it also weaved in environmental concerns and family fissures in a far more organic and subtle way than the likes of Happy Feet.
Naturally, it also helped that the visuals were beguiling and bewitching.
Part of Netflixs extensive Studio Ghibli collection.
Soul Surfer is very much a sports flick with a side order of faith.
Soul Surfer (2011)
Inspired by Bethany Hamilton’s life story, director Sean McNamara’s uplifting tale is very much a sports flick with a side order of faith. Using underwater shots, slow-motion, low camera angles and even time-lapse photography, he turns wave-shredding into an artform.
The central incident is well handled, with clever cutting and camerawork capturing the ensuing chaos as word spreads of the accident and the rush to get Bethany to safety becomes imperative. AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid star.
Knockabout comedic moments sit alongside meditations on mortality, immigration and vaccinations in Vivo.
Vivo (2021)
Lin-Manuel Mirandas lyrics, trademark staccato delivery and innate sense of the rhythms of Latino life lift what might otherwise have been a fairly forgettable animated adventure.
He voices the one and only Vivo, a mango and music-loving kikajou (aka a honey bear) who has, for many years, performed a double-act in a Havana square with Andres (Juan de Marcos González), the man who rescued him from the jaws of urban predators.
Co-director Kirk DeMicco and In the Heights co-writer Quiara Alegria Hudes screenplay doesnt shy away from the darker and sadder moments in life, knockabout comedic moments sitting alongside meditations on mortality, immigration and vaccinations.
The Water Man is a rare heart-wrenching and warming movie that tweens, teens and parents can enjoy together.
The Water Man (2020)
British actor-turned-director David Oyelowo uses the power of magic and storytelling as an engaging front for an emotional meditation on love and loss in this tale about a young boy searching for a monster who he believes may be able to cure his sick mother.
This feels a like a younger cousin of Stranger Things and a throwback to the family movies of the 1980s like The Goonies and E.T. that werent afraid to throw in some genuine peril and adult themes into a story with kids as the protagonists.
With its central message that hope is a powerful force, The Water Man is a rare heart-wrenching and warming movie that tweens, teens and parents can enjoy together.
Wish Dragon is a charming, contemporary and surprisingly emotional Chinese spin on Aladdin.
Wish Dragon (2021)
Writer-director Chris Appelhans has crafted a charming, contemporary and surprisingly emotional Chinese spin on Aladdin with this animated adventure.
Aside from the three wishes conceit, theres also a riff on the magic carpet and the boy from the streets trying to impress a girl who now lives in a whole other world.
Its the writing that really impresses.
Appelhans takes the expected tropes and subverts them, makes sly digs at other animated features, adding depth and nuance to traditionally fairly one-dimensional characters.read more
Lockdown viewing: 10 terrific family films to stream on Netflix right now
