24 kids movies that will get the whole family psyched for summer

Let’s start with a certified classic that deserves a revisit. In the 1977 animated film “Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown,” the Peanuts crew find themselves at the mountainous Camp Remote battling bullies, bobcats, bears, and the elements as they compete in a river race. We’re not sure who let a bunch of kindergarteners out into the wilderness without supervision, but we’re guessing it was some adult who sounded like a trombone. 

Here’s one for the teens and tweens, even though it’s rated PG. (The 1979 comedy’s mild language and ample innuendo likely would have earned it a PG-13 rating, but that designation wasn’t introduced until 1984.) “Meatballs” stars Bill Murray in his first leading role as a wacky camp counselor who’s not much more mature than the misfit kids he’s tasked with watching at the fictional Camp North Star. The campers look for love, engage in various shenanigans, and compete against their snooty rivals at Camp Mohawk in this classic comedy co-written by Harold Ramis and directed by Ivan Reitman (the first of many collaborations between Murray, Ramis, and Reitman.)

After moving from NJ to CA, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) is bullied and beaten before getting saved by his building’s handyman, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). Miyagi takes Daniel-san under his wing and teaches him karate, leading the youngster to the ultimate showdown against the baddest bully (William Zabka), who also happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Daniel’s crush (Elisabeth Shue). Although “The Karate Kid” isn’t technically a summer film, it has a warm-weather vibe and includes the debut of Bananarama’s 1984 hit “Cruel Summer.” If your teen(s) or tween(s) haven’t seen this classic, now is the time, as you can follow it up by watching the Netflix spin-off series “Cobra Kai” together!

We’re counting down the days until we can introduce our kids to “The Goonies,” as this fun, feel-good family film was a big part of our childhoods. We’ve always enjoyed treasure hunt adventures, and we adore this one even more in retrospect as it features a cast of kiddos played by future acting legends Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton, Joe Pantoliano, and Ke Huy Quan.

John Candy was the king of comedies back in the 1980s and early ‘90s. In addition to R-rated hits like “Stripes” and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” he also had a slew of popular family films, including “Home Alone,” “Cool Runnings,” “Uncle Buck,” and “Summer Rental.” In the latter, directed by Carl Reiner, Candy plays an overworked air traffic controller who takes his family on vacation to Florida. But as you might expect, the trip doesn’t go as planned, and hilarious hijinks ensue. “Summer Rental” isn’t one of Candy’s best films, but the lighthearted humor makes it worth a watch, and we’re not done with this legendary actor yet…

With all the attention John Hughes received for writing (and often directing) masterpieces like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “ National Lampoon's Vacation,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” it’s easy to overlook hidden gems like 1988’s “The Great Outdoors.” The film paired Dan Aykroyd and John Candy as rival brothers-in-law whose families must unexpectedly share a lakefront cabin together during their overlapping summer vacations. Critics initially weren’t kind, but it’s difficult to deny Aykroyd and Candy’s chemistry, and your family will find plenty of places to laugh throughout this silly family film.

Summer means sun, sand, and sea, which are all abundant in the classic 1989 Disney animated film “The Little Mermaid.” You probably don’t need a refresher on this musical’s plot, but you might need to be reminded that a live-action remake was released in 2023 starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, and Javier Bardem. Although the remake was impressive and generally acclaimed, we’ll always be loyal to the original.

Seeing “The Sandlot” is a right of passage for most kids, regardless of whether or not they like baseball. Sure, the sport and its history play a big part in this coming-of-age comedy starring Karen Allen, Denis Leary, James Earl Jones, and a ragtag group of young actors — but it’s also about friendship, storytelling, overcoming adversity, and accepting others. Even if your kids don’t fully appreciate “The Sandlot,” we’re certain they’ll remember many of its iconic scenes and quotes forever…for-ev-er…for-ev-er…

“The Sandlot” is a somewhat relatable baseball movie, but that’s not the case with “Rookie of the Year”...unless you also broke your arm, discovered your injury allowed you to throw 100-mph fastballs, and were signed by the Chicago Cubs all before your teenage years. That’s the plot of this Daniel Stern-directed comedy that stars Thomas Ian Nicholas and also features Stern as an incompetent Cubs coach. Despite the outlandish premise, “Rookie of the Year” was one of the movies we watched most as kids.

We hated summer camp and used to wonder what it would be like if the kids ran the camp. That’s essentially the premise of 1994’s “Camp Nowhere,” which likely explains why we enjoyed it so much in our youth. Christopher Lloyd plays an indebted former drama teacher who is blackmailed into pretending to be a counselor while the kids dupe their parents into believing their summer getaway is a computer camp, weight loss camp, military camp, etc. Peter Scolari, Thomas F. Wilson, M. Emmet Walsh, Jonathan Jackson, Andrew Keegan, and Jessica Alba (in her film debut) also star in this good-natured celebration of kid power.

If “Camp Nowhere” is about a dream summer camp, “Heavyweights” is a nightmare, as it centers on a group of kids banished to a weight loss camp ruled by the merciless fitness guru Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller). Critics shunned the kids comedy upon its 1995 release, but it has since been reviewed more favorably and developed a cult following thanks to the rude, crude, and silly script penned by Judd Apatow and fellow Adam Sandler collaborator Steven Brill (who also directed it), as well as a strong cast that includes Kenan Thompson, Tim Blake Nelson, Jeffrey Tambor, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Shaun Weiss, Paul Feig, and Allen Covert.

If Daniel Stern was a big part of your upbringing, you might be a Millennial. Stern first appeared on our radar as one of the bad guys in the 1990s “Home Alone” and its 1992 sequel. he was the wacky coach in the aforementioned “Rookie of the Year” in 1993, and two years later, he starred in the PG-13 comedy “Bushwhacked.” Although Stern once again plays a criminal, his character arc is a redemption story that starts with him on the run after being framed for arson and murder, but eventually leads to him becoming the unwitting leader of a Ranger Scouts troop. Absurd? Yes. But it’s also an entertaining, endearing, slapstick-fest that’s impossible to take too seriously.

Focusing an entire film on Goofy was a bold move, but 63 years after the character was first introduced, that’s exactly what Disney did in 1995’s “A Goofy Movie.” And the gamble paid off. Critics were kind, theaters racked up more than $37 million in ticket sales, and audiences were gifted an amusing family film that paired Goofy (Bill Farmer) with his son Max (Jason Marsden) for a zany, cross-country summer road trip.

The 1998 romantic comedy The Parent Trap is a remake of the 1961 film of the same name (another summer movie worth watching!) and was responsible for launching Lindsay Lohan's career. It also stars Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson as the divorced parents of twin girls (both played by Lohan) who were separated at birth, coincidentally meet as pre-teens attending the same summer camp, and switch places in an attempt to trick their parents into reconciling. This sweet film will tug at your heartstrings, and fans of the original will find plenty of Easter eggs hidden throughout.

We’re not sure if “Holes” actually takes place in summertime, but it’s set entirely under the scorching Texas sun, so it definitely has a summer feel. And not only did we enjoy this Shia LeBouef-led comedy when it was released in 2003, but we previously enjoyed the 1998 Louis Sachar novel on which it is based. Packed with ample adventure, “Holes” centers on a group of juvenile delinquents who are sentenced to spend their days digging in the desert for mysterious reasons. Parents will immediately recognize numerous members of the star-studded cast, including Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Henry Winkler, Eartha Kitt, and Patricia Arquette.

“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” is a coming-of-age dramedy that was released when many Millennials were coming of age themselves. Thus, the story of four friends’ first summer apart (and the pair of jeans they share) carved out a memorable place in their hearts, and not just because it helped launch or further the careers of its young starring quartet of America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, and Alexis Bledel.

“Camp Rock” is a Disney Channel film franchise that stars Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers as the counselors of a fictional music camp. As you might expect, it’s full of good, clean family fun. So why did we choose “Camp Rock 2” over the original? Because the sequel worked out some kinks and brought catchier songs, a better storyline, and more favorable reviews…so if you’re going to be watching it, too, your best bet is to opt for the second installment.

Ah, summer romances. They’re a fleeting yet important part of adolescence, but the two 12-year-olds in “Moonrise Kingdom” (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) take it a step further when they decide to run away together. The comedy-drama is just as sweet as it sounds, and because it was written, directed, and produced by Wes Anderson, it’s also beautifully filmed and features an all-star cast of Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Lucas Hedges, and Harvey Keitel.

The first two “Diary of Wimpy Kid” films take place during the school year, but the third, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,” is set in the summer. In this installment, Greg (Zachary Gordon) tries to avoid spending time with his disapproving father (Steve Zahn), but the pair end up stuck on a group camping trip together. Compared to the previous films, this one has more of a sitcom feel, making it perfect for a family movie night.

On the heels of their Oscar-winning film “The Descendants,” comedians Nat Faxon and Jim Rash once again received praise for penning a smart, charming, and funny script — this time for “The Way, Way Back,” which the duo also directed. Of course, this endearing story about a teenage introvert on a family beach trip to Massachusetts was helped by its incredibly talented cast, which included Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Rob Corddry, Liam James, Allison Janney, Amanda Peet, Sam Rockwell, and Maya Rudolph. Due to some mature themes, “The Way. Way Back” is best suited for teens and tweens.

Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) is a chief’s daughter who is trying to obtain a pounamu stone that will save her island home and its inhabitants. She seeks out the help of Maui (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), the shapeshifting trickster demigod of the wind and sea in Polynesian mythology. It’s obvious “Moana” is filled with aquatic themes, characters, and settings, and its punchy script will have you laughing and your kids singing. What can I say, except, “You’re welcome”?

With apologies to fans of “Finding Nemo,” we believe that its sequel, “Finding Dory,” is a better film to kick off your summer. It features a more entertaining protagonist (Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), the supporting cast is stronger (helmed by Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Idris Elba, and the return of Albert Brooks), the adventure is larger, and it’s just a little more humorous and a bit less sad than the first film.

You might be tempted to think of the “Hotel Transylvania” movies as a fall film franchise, but don’t forget that the third installment, “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation,” is perfect for the warmer months. In No. 3, Drac (Adam Sandler), Mavis ( Selena Gomez), Johnny (Andy Samberg) and their monster family members embark on a tropical cruise, but soon discover that the ship’s captain (Kathryn Hahn) is the great-granddaughter of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing. While some franchises might phone in their third film, “Hotel Transylvania 3” actually holds the highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Luca” is a newer Disney/Pixar animated film, but it takes place back in the summer of 1959. Set in the seaside Italian town of Portorosso, “Luca” is the story of two young sea monster boys who can turn into humans when completely dry and yearn to explore life on land. Parents will love this charming, Oscar-nominated film for its themes of friendship and acceptance, and they may also recognize the voices of comedians Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, and Sacha Baron Cohen.