15 Best Non-Animated Movies to Watch With Kids

1. The Princess Bride

In The Princess Bride, a grandfather reads his grandson a classic love story. But this isn't your typical tale! Princess Buttercup is set to marry Prince Humperdinck, but she's actually in love with her farmhand, Westley. But wait, there's a twist! Westley is thought to be dead, but in reality, he's become the mysterious Dread Pirate Roberts. Along the way, there are sword fights, giants, and even rodents of unusual size.

2. Night at the Museum

Imagine being a night guard at a museum where every exhibit comes to life! Larry Daley finds himself in this very predicament when he takes a job at the Museum of Natural History. From a talking T-Rex skeleton to a cheeky miniature cowboy and Roman general, Larry's in for quite the adventure. The main challenge? Getting everyone back to their spots before morning. Teddy Roosevelt riding around on a horse inside a museum – you've got to see it to believe it!

3. Matilda

Matilda Wormwood isn't your typical child. Not only is she a genius, but she also has telekinetic powers. Sadly, her family doesn't appreciate her brilliance. At school, things aren't much better with the tyrannical principal, Miss Trunchbull, ruling with an iron fist. But with the help of her lovely teacher, Miss Honey, Matilda discovers her potential and stands up to the bullies. Who else got major satisfaction seeing Miss Trunchbull getting a taste of her own medicine? Works every time.

4. The NeverEnding Story

Bullied young boy Bastian finds solace in a mysterious book. But this isn't just any story! The land of Fantasia is in peril from a force called "The Nothing" and it's up to a young warrior named Atreyu to save it. However, as Bastian reads on, he realizes he's more involved in Fantasia's fate than he could ever have imagined. Riding Falkor, the luck dragon, through the skies is every kid's dream, isn't it?

5. The Goonies

Who's up for a treasure hunt? When a group of friends discovers an old map in Mikey's attic, they set off on an adventure to unearth the long-lost fortune of pirate One-Eyed Willy. As they navigate booby traps and evade criminals, the bond between the Goonies grows stronger. The iconic truffle shuffle and the phrase "Hey, you guys!" – this film is chock-full of memorable moments.

6. Hook

What if Peter Pan grew up? Robin Williams plays Peter Banning, a workaholic lawyer oblivious to his past as Peter Pan. When Captain Hook kidnaps his children, Peter returns to Neverland. With help from Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys, he rediscovers his childlike wonder and courage to save his kids. The dinner scene, where belief turns empty bowls into a feast, gets me every time.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Four siblings, Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter, are sent to a country house during World War II. Lucy stumbles upon a wardrobe that's a gateway to the magical land of Narnia, frozen in eternal winter by the wicked White Witch. With the help of the majestic lion, Aslan, the children embark on a quest to free Narnia. Turkish delight, mythical creatures, and epic battles – it's a whirlwind of adventure!

8. The Karate Kid

Daniel LaRusso, a teen who moves to a new town, finds himself bullied by karate-trained classmates. Enter Mr. Miyagi, the handyman with a secret past in martial arts. As he teaches Daniel the true way of karate (through tasks like "wax on, wax off"), not only do they form an unbreakable bond, but Daniel also learns valuable life lessons. The final karate tournament scene? The most epic of possible endings to the story.

9. Jumanji

When siblings Judy and Peter find a board game, they have no idea it's about to turn their world upside down. With every dice roll, wild jungle elements – from rampaging animals to monsoons – burst into reality. The goal? Finish the game and restore order. They're joined by Alan Parrish, who's been trapped in the game for 26 years.

10. The Secret Garden

Sent to live with her uncle in England after her parents' deaths, Mary Lennox feels lost and lonely. But things change when she discovers a hidden, neglected garden on the estate. As she nurtures the garden back to life with her cousin Colin and friend Dickon, she also rejuvenates her spirit and that of those around her. It's all about finding beauty in the unexpected.

11. Stardust

To win the heart of his beloved, Tristan ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star. Plot twist: the star is not a piece of rock, but a celestial being named Yvaine. As they journey together, they're pursued by witches and princes. The market scene where everything (even memories) can be bought and sold? Mind-blowing!

12. Holes

Wrongly accused of theft, Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake, a correctional facility. But there's no lake, just endless digging. The boys are tasked to dig holes, supposedly building character. As Stanley digs, he uncovers a mystery that traces back to his ancestors. Lizards, treasures, and onion-eating outlaws – it's a wild ride.

13. The Witches

Based on Roald Dahl's novel, it tells of young Luke, who stumbles upon a witches' convention plotting to turn all kids into mice. And guess what? Luke gets turned into one! With his grandma's help, they hatch a plan to thwart the Grand High Witch's evil scheme. Those hotel scenes? Pure, heart-pounding suspense!

14. Nanny McPhee

Enter Nanny McPhee, with her unique looks and magical cane. She's hired to watch over seven unruly children, who've driven away all previous nannies. As they learn valuable lessons, her appearance starts changing. By the end, you might ask, who really needed the nanny: the kids or their widowed father?

15. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

It's all the way back from 1982, but it's absolutely timeless. A stranded alien named E.T. forms a bond with a young boy named Elliott. As they share moments – from flying on bikes to that iconic finger touch – government agents close in, aiming to capture E.T. It's a race against time for Elliott and his siblings to help their otherworldly friend phone home.