When the temperatures climb above 90, and the kids have gone through every book they have, it’s time to hit the movie theaters (or Netflix). Each summer, the motion picture industry takes advantage of the captive audience of children on break from school. In addition to seeing the new movies in the theater, I find it fun to introduce my kids to classics movies from my childhood. My husband has been willing our son and daughter to grow up faster, so they could watch the “original” Star Wars trilogy. Both finally watched them over the past few months…and my husband hasn’t been happier. Here are my recommendations for summer movies, both new and old:
In the theaters
- Finding Dory – make it a double-header by watching (or re-watching) Finding Nemo
- The BFG – read the book by Roald Dahl together first
- The Secret Life of Pets
From my youth – check Netflix, Amazon Prime, Redbox, Itunes, your local library or video store
- The Goonies
- Any Disney/Pixar movie
- The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan
- The Never Ending Story
- Ghostbusters
- Back to the Future trilogy
- E.T.
- The Indiana Jones movies
- Superman
- The Sandlot
If you are staying home for a movie, move the couches and spread out blankets for a comfy viewing. The great thing about watching at home, is you can eat whatever you like for a third of the cost! We usually have popcorn (of course), but my kids also like to have a picnic dinner on the floor while watching. They also like to make ice cream sundaes. Whatever movies you don’t get to this summer, keep them in mind for those bitter-cold winter days. They’ll be here before we know it.
