Because my fear of COVID is nothing compared to my fear of another month of "Power Rangers" marathons.
Friends are often surprised to learn that we only have one TV in our home. We also have several iPads and laptops between us, but we’ve always approached TV watching as a family affair. I’ll admit, it’s more difficult with our 5-year-old, Levon, than it ever was with our older boys, who were 8 and 12 when we married and have always been sophisticated viewers. To Levon’s credit, he often chooses Indiana Jones or Dark Knight Rises over cartoons, but we tolerate a fair share of Power Rangers as well. Luckily, I have an extraordinary ability to ignore the TV, even when I’m staring at it. Just recently I realized that the PJ Masks are not a cast of cats.
Speaking of which, Tiger King is fantastic, but not exactly family viewing for the 5 and under set. Stuck in quarantine with my 30 year-old sister, my 21 year-old stepson, and my 5 year-old, we’re on the search for something to watch during family movie nights. (And days. So many days that last so many hours.) Classic series like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Pirates of the Caribbean are obvious favorites, but by April 47th, we’re all going to need to dig a little bit deeper, so I reached out to the families I know who have siblings far apart in age for suggestions. Below are 25 movies and TV shows recommended by moms and teens with younger siblings that promise to entertain your whole crew.
Jurassic Park
A pragmatic paleontologist visiting an almost complete theme park is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose.
Night at the Museum
A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.
The Princess Bride
While home sick in bed, a young boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
Timeless
An unlikely trio travel through time in order to battle unknown criminals and protect history as we know it.
Wall-E
(The Pixar movie that people don't remember.)
In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.
The Mighty Ducks
A self-centered Minnesota lawyer is sentenced to community service coaching a rag tag youth hockey team.
LEGO Super Heroes
Search "LEGO Super Heroes" on Netfix and you’ll get everything from Black Panther to Spider-Man to Batman and beyond.
Rookie of the Year
When an accident miraculously gives a boy an incredibly powerful pitching arm, he becomes a major league pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
The Sandlot
In the summer of 1962, a new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many adventures.
Back to the Future
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown.
My Neighbor Totoro
When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
Goonies
A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure.
Uncle Buck
Bachelor and all-round slob Buck babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Agent Carter
In 1946, Peggy Carter is relegated to secretarial duties in the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR). When Howard Stark is accused of treason, he secretly recruits Peggy to clear his name with the help of his butler, Edwin Jarvis.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The missions of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Fantastic Beasts
The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.
Home Alone
An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation.
Naruto
Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent ninja, struggles as he searches for recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village's leader and strongest ninja.
Jumanji
When two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man trapped in it for decades--and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
In 1938, after his father Professor Henry Jones, Sr. goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. finds himself up against Adolf Hitler's Nazis again to stop them from obtaining its powers.
Labyrinth
Sixteen-year-old Sarah is given thirteen hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue her baby brother Toby when her wish for him to be taken away is granted by the Goblin King Jareth.
Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger
Two teenagers from very different backgrounds find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers while growing closer together every day.
The Amazing Race
Multiple teams race around the globe for $1,000,000 to 'amazing' locations.
Mandalorian
The travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.
All synopsis c/o IMDB.
