Rainy days, lazy nights, post-beach exhaustion, and the magic of a sunset projector—this summer gave us plenty of chances to cozy up and catch some fun family flicks. Whether we were curled up in our pajamas during a surprise storm or projecting a movie on the side of the sailboat with popcorn in beach buckets, here are four family movies we watched (some more than once) and what we thought.
Spoiler-free. Sass optional. Snacks required.
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🍜 1. K-Pop: Demon Hunters
Streaming: Disney+
Rating: PG
Review: This one was a surprise hit in our house. Imagine if BLACKPINK started fighting demons between world tours—with killer fashion and catchy songs. It’s visually stunning, a little spooky (in a fun way), and packed with enough action and humor to keep everyone engaged. Our older kid was obsessed with the choreography; the younger one kept yelling, “Get the monster!”
Kid Verdict: “Can we watch it again and learn the dance?” (Can’t wait to see this in action! haha)
Parent POV: It’s fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly deep. Bonus: I’m obsessed with the music and I don’t care!
🦹 2. The Bad Guys 2
Streaming: Peacock
Rating: PG
Review: The gang is back and just as chaotic—in a good way. If your kids loved the first Bad Guys movie, this sequel delivers: high-stakes heists, slick animation, and lots of clever jokes that adults will catch too. There’s a strong theme of second chances and teamwork, which we love. Plus, the characters are just cool.
Kid Verdict: “We should get walkie-talkies and make a secret plan too.” (Not totally sure I like this idea - haha!)
Parent POV: Would totally rewatch. It’s clever without being exhausting.
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🔵 3. The Smurfs Movie (2025 Reboot)
Streaming: Netflix
Rating: G
Review: A fresh take on the classic blue crew! This reboot has updated animation and fun new characters but keeps the original Smurf charm. Papa Smurf still has the wisdom, Smurfette still runs the show, and Gargamel is just the right amount of ridiculous. It’s a great choice for your youngest kiddos.
Kid Verdict: “I want to be a Smurf for Halloween.”
Parent POV: It’s sweet and harmless—perfect for a rainy afternoon when you just need them to sit still and chill.
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👽 4. Elio
Streaming: In theaters + Disney+ (limited)
Rating: PG
Review: Elio feels like a Pixar throwback in the best way. It’s a story about an awkward kid who accidentally becomes Earth’s ambassador in a galactic court. The animation? Gorgeous. The story? Thoughtful and quirky. Some scenes sparked good convos about bravery, belonging, and being different.
Kid Verdict: “Can we make a spaceship out of the couch cushions?”
Parent POV: Beautiful and surprisingly emotional. Like WALL-E meets Inside Out. Bring tissues.
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This summer, our movie nights gave us more than just screen time. They gave us snuggles under beach towels, silly dance parties, popcorn-filled memories, and a few quiet moments where everyone—yes, even the toddler—was glued to the screen instead of climbing me like a jungle gym.
Need a way to keep kids occupied before the movie starts (or while waiting out the previews)? We always stash a Buggy Bag or two in our movie-night bin—quiet, mess-free, and the perfect warm-up before showtime.
So grab your comfiest blanket, make the popcorn, and throw one of these gems on the screen before summer fades into school supplies.
Have you seen any of these? Got a new fave we should add to our watchlist? Drop it in the comments! 👇🎥✨