The rain has set in and you’re stuck indoors with the kids — sound familiar? Here are 5 family films perfect for a rainy day that will keep everyone entertained and cosy while the weather does its worst outside.
Grab the blankets, pop some popcorn, and settle in for one of these family favourites.
#1. Fly Away Home
She finds some abandoned goose eggs and takes care of them. But winter is coming and the geese don’t know how to find their way south.
“Gentle and enjoyable film”
You might also enjoy reading Top Ten Classic Films to Watch With Children
#2. Because of Winn-Dixie
She comes across a stray dog, whom she names Winn-Dixie after the supermarket she finds him in, and gradually the dog changes their lives.
As the film develops, the story of her mother also begins to become clear.
“Have the tissues ready for the ending!”
You might also enjoy reading 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
#3. Spirited Away
Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film Spirited Away tells the unusual story of a girl, Chihiro, who has to cross over to the spirit world to try to save her mother and father, who have been turned into pigs for being greedy when they stumble into a mysterious town on their way to their new home.
A young boy, Haku, helps Chihiro find work in a bathhouse for the thousands of Japan’s gods and spirits, and she embarks on a journey of discovery as she tries to rescue her parents.
“Slightly scary in some bits, so better for older kids”
#4. E.T.
A young boy, Elliot, discovers and befriends a gentle alien who becomes stranded on Earth, and brings him home.
Elliott introduces E.T. to his brother and little sister, and the children decide to keep him secret. But when E.T. falls ill, the government arrives, and Elliott has to decide how to help the alien.
“This is such a great family film — we all love it”
You might also enjoy reading The Best 80s Family Movies to Watch With Kids
#5. The Jungle Book
One of our all-time favourites, and the kids love it too — The Jungle Book is a classic Disney animated film based on Rudyard Kipling’s book.
Mowgli is an abandoned child raised by wolves, but the return of the man-eating tiger Shere Khan threatens his existence. Bagheera the panther agrees to help Mowgli return to the man village, however Mowgli stumbles into the carefree bear Baloo and refuses to leave the jungle.
“We all love singing The Bare Necessities together”
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good rainy day film for families?
Look for stories with warmth, gentle humour and characters kids can root for. A mix of live-action and animation keeps things interesting, and having a good cry or a good laugh together is part of the fun.
Are these films suitable for all ages?
Most are great for a wide range of ages, though Spirited Away has some scarier moments and suits older children better. It’s always worth checking a film’s age rating before watching with younger kids.
Where can I watch these films?
Availability varies depending on your streaming services and region, so it’s worth checking your usual platforms or local library for rental and streaming options.
Related Articles
Looking for more rainy day inspiration? You might also enjoy:
- Top Ten Classic Films to Watch With Children
- 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
- The Best 80s Family Movies to Watch With Kids
Save This for Your Next Rainy Day
Bookmark this list so it’s ready to go the next time the weather turns — and browse our other rainy day ideas for even more ways to keep everyone happy indoors.
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What favourite family films do you enjoy on a rainy day? Share it with us in the comments below.
