Are you looking for something fun to do with your family this summer? Start this summer family movie challenge to get in from the heat and spend some quality time together before the kids head back to school.
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Summer has officially arrived and I couldn’t be happier. I love the hot sunny days of summer with pool time, barbecues, summer salads, vacations, and hanging out with family and friends.
But, as busy as summer can get with all those fun summer activities, it’s nice to have those lazy days too where you can just relax with the family. One of my family’s favorite things to do when it’s too hot or rainy during the summer is to pop some popcorn and settle in for a movie night.
Last year we purchased an inexpensive movie projector and screen so we could start watching movies outdoors in the evening and it has made movie night during the summer even better.
This year, I thought it might be fun to get together and do a summer movie challenge and had the idea to share it with all of you.
What is a Summer Family Movie Challenge?
A Summer Family Movie Challenge is simply setting aside time to watch all the movies listed below (or any of your choosing) before the summer is over.
Despite how amazing and fun summer can be, there are always going to be those days when you just need a break, and what a better thing to do than spend some quality time together as a family watching some new and classic movies.
Many of the movies below take place during the summer and include heartwarming, coming-of-age stories as well, as a few animated must-see movies that even parents will enjoy.
I’ve included a free summer family movie worksheet to help you complete the challenge.
Best Summer Family Movies to Watch
There are 16 family-friendly movies that are rated G and PG in this summer movie challenge. But, I did include a few alternative movies in case you would prefer to watch something else.
You can find these family-friendly movies that are perfect for summer on Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max. Or check out your local library as you may be able to borrow many of these titles for free.
My Girl
A bittersweet coming-of-age story about a young girl who is trying to navigate the highs and lows of growing up. Rated PG (1991)
Karate Kid
A classic movie about a teenager, Daniel who after being bullied learns karate and also finds friendship and courage thanks to his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. Rated PG (1984)
The Goonies
A group of misfits tries to save their home from foreclosure by setting out to find a pirate’s treasure in this must-see classic. Rated PG (1985)
E.T.
A heartwarming story of a young boy who befriends a stranded alien and helps them find their way back home. Rated PG (1982)
Back to the Future
A must-see classic about a teen who travels back 30 years in a time-traveling DeLorean where he must reunite his parents or he’ll jeopardize the future of his existence. Rated PG (1985)
Jumanji
An action-packed comedy about two kids who sit down to play a board game only to bring to life a man that has been trapped inside for decades. Rated PG (1995)
Freaky Friday
An entertaining family-friendly comedy about a mom and daughter who switch places and try to adapt to each other’s lives. Rated PG (2003)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days
The hilarious 3rd movie from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series follows Greg as he tries to survive summer despite all the mishaps. Rated PG (2012)
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
A scientist accidentally shrinks his kids to be the size of insects in this action-packed comedy. Rated PG (1989)
Bedtime Stories
A hilarious comedy about a hotel handyman whose bedtime stories start coming true. Rated PG (2008)
Any Disney Movie
We love Disney movies in our home so it’s hard to pick just one to recommend. But a few of our favorites include:
Hotel Transylvania 3 Summer Vacation
A fun sequel to the Hotel Transylvania series, Mavis decides to surprise Dracula with a family cruise as a summer vacation. Rated PG (2018)
The Mitchell’s vs. the Machines
A heartwarming animated movie about a dysfunctional family who set out on a road trip to take their daughter to college and end up trying to save the world. Rated PG (2021)
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
One of our all-time favorite movies is about three pets who go on an adventure of a lifetime as they try to find their owners in San Francisco. Rated G (1993)
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
Judy Moody wants to have the best summer ever and finds out that it can come in the most unexpected ways. Rated PG (2011)
The Secret Life of Pets
A fun and entertaining animated movie about a jealous dog named Max who unexpectedly finds himself having to share his beloved home with another dog named Duke. Rated PG (2016)
More Family Movies to Watch This Summer
If you are looking for more family-friendly movies to watch this summer, here are some of my family’s favorites to add to your own summer movie challenge.
Madagascar
In this hilarious animated movie, four animals escape from New York’s Central Park Zoo and land themselves in Madagascar. Rated PG (2005)
Shrek 2
This lovable sequel picks up after Shrek and Fiona return from their honeymoon and makes a trip to visit Fiona’s parents in this hilarious animated comedy. (this is my family’s favorite of the Shrek movies) Rated PG (2004)
Charlotte’s Web
A charming spider named Charlotte sets out to help save her friend Wilbur, the pig as he finds out his days are numbered. Rated G (2006)
Despicable Me
A criminal mastermind named Gru finds himself adopting a group of sweet orphan girls as part of his latest scheme. Rated PG (2010)
The Sandlot
A coming-of-age movie about a young boy who moves to a new neighborhood and finds himself on one adventure after another with a group of kids he meets playing baseball at the sandlot. Rated PG (1993)
Cheaper by the Dozen
A fun family movie about two career-driven parents trying to raise their 12 children. Rated PG (2003)
Because of Winn Dixie
A touching movie about a lonely young girl who takes in a fun-loving but mischievous dog she names Winn-Dixie. Rated PG (2005)
Enchanted
A classic fairytale becomes a modern-day romance in this must-see Disney movie about a princess trying to find her true love. Rated PG (2007)
Free Printable for Summer Family Movie Challenge
You will find your free summer family movie challenge printable below. Every time you watch one of the movies listed above, find it on the sheet and cross it out.
The goal is to try and complete the entire list of movies before the summer is over. I’ve also included a blank challenge sheet in case you would like to choose your own movies to watch instead.
Enjoy and good luck!
You can also sign up for my Free Resource Library to help you stay organized this summer and all year long. It contains free printables, inspirational quotes, and planner pages.
Don’t forget to check out my Pinterest boards for more inspiration to live well on a budget.
