From R-rated 1980s movies we love to rewatch to the best action movies turning 30 in 2025, action cinema is largely produced for an adult, or at least mid-adolescent audience. Of course, there is no dearth of great animated action movies that stay within the limits of being age-appropriate for children, but that’s not as common in live-action. The action-comedy genre can be a great source for family-friendly live-action action movies. Movies like 21 Jump Street and ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool are obviously wildly inappropriate, but action comedies that focus on physical comedy are often tamer.

Sometimes, recontextualizing tropes and shifting the focus from intensity to hilarity also helps create kid-friendly movies, like how Home Alone is Die Hard for kids. However, family-friendly live-action adventure movies are less rare. Adventure movies often feature intense action sequences, and can enthrall younger viewers with enjoyable choreography that acknowledges the stakes, but doesn’t commit wholeheartedly to violence. Steven Spielberg has made a career out of creating child-friendly live-action cinema, and some of his most notable works are perfect action movies to watch as a family.

10

The Karate Kid (1984)

Directed By John G. Avildsen

One of the most obvious choices for family-friendly non-animated movies is John G. Avildsen’s martial arts classic. Following a kid named Daniel, who becomes the target of bullying after moving to Los Angeles, The Karate Kid is one of the most inspirational action movies ever. Mr. Miyagi became a pop culture sensation as one of the greatest fictional teachers of all time, and there are incessant references made to him and The Karate Kid, especially in 2000s cinema.

While the most successful movie in the franchise inspired by Avildsen’s movie is the 2010 remake, one of Jackie Chan’s best recent movies, it fails to live up to the standard set by the original. The brilliant score, Miyagi and Daniel’s relationship, the training scenes, the iconic Cobra Kai Dojo — which inspired the Netflix spinoff series — and the compeтιтion montage set to Joe Esposito’s “You’re the Best,” there’s something great in the movie to love, no matter how old you are.

9

Willow (1988)

Directed By Ron Howard

Criminally underrated, Willow is one of the best fantasy adventure stories with expansive lore that was created by George Lucas. While he didn’t write or direct the movie, the story was his idea, and he did participate in the process of making the movie as an executive producer. While Val Kilmer’s 1990s movies established him as an action star who belongs in the hall of fame, fans already knew him as Iceman from Top Gun when Willow came out, and the latter is considered one of his best movies.

A prophecy, an evil queen played by Jean Marsh, a charismatic and pompous swordsman played by Kilmer, a purely good hero played by Warwick Davis, a picturesque world, and imaginative action sequences, begs the question: “What’s not to love about a classic fantasy adventure?” You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy the child-like wonder of Willow‘s world, and its age-appropriate writing and visual design make it perfect for a family watch. It was a formative kids movie for many who grew up in the ’90s and the early 2000s.

8

Jurᴀssic Park (1993)

Directed By Steven Spielberg

Zoos and theme parks are some of the most common destinations for family outings, but what’s even cooler: a zoo/theme park filled with dinosaurs. John Williams’ iconic theme song lives rent-free in the head of anyone who’s ever seen Jurᴀssic Park, bringing back the sense of thrill and adventure that they experienced the first time they saw it. The exciting real-life renditions of the prehistoric creatures and the adrenaline-fueled chase scenes will engage viewers of all ages.

Jurᴀssic Park is not ideal for very young kids though, as it can qualify as a horror movie at times, like when the lightning-lit sH๏τs of the T-Rex reveal his terrifying silhouette. So, some discretion is advisable, but it’s more or less suitable for anyone above the age of 10. Michael Crichton, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, is an author who co-wrote his own movie adaptation, and created fascinating lore. The world-building captivated audiences so much that Spielberg made a sequel four years later, and the franchise is still going strong.

7

The Princess Bride (1987)

Directed By Rob Reiner

One of the best feel-good movies of the 1980s, The Princess Bride has stood the test of time as an iconic film. References to it can be found everywhere in our current pop culture too. A large-scale fantasy epic, it has everything one could ask for in a family movie: glorious heroism, fascinating subplots and side characters, a cute romance, a thrilling sense of adventure, and a picturesque setting.

Unfortunately, upon close scrutiny, the illusion of Princess ʙuттercup, who’s the тιтular princess bride, being a strong female character doesn’t hold up. She has agency and questions authority, but she’s still reduced to a damsel in distress who makes silly choices more often than not. However, as a lighthearted fantasy adventure, it’s perfect for a family watch. You just might have to look elsewhere for a good female role model in fiction, but this could also be a starting point for discussing representation.

6

Peter Pan (2003)

Directed By P.J. Hogan

J. M. Barrie’s story about the mischievous boy who never grows up continues to charm and entertain children today. Of all the Peter Pan movies, P.J. Hogan’s is perhaps the live-action version that is the most faithful to the source material. The story is brimming with wondrous charm, a thrilling sense of simplicity, and classic adventure tropes that will appeal to viewers of all ages, and is set in a world that seems ideal to live in.

The character of Tinker Bell is sᴀssy, powerful, and a force to be reckoned with, and it’s clear that Peter himself could become a damsel in distress without her. Apart from the fact that the world is magical and fun, Hogan also retains a lighthearted sense of adventure in his movie. So, even though there are life and death stakes, the duel between Captain Hook and Peter Pan is one of the best child-friendly action sequences made in live-action.

5

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

Directed By Steven Spielberg

Another franchise created by Steven Spielberg, Indiana Jones, which was also scored by John Williams, is a classic for a family watch. Despite what the joke from The Big Bang Theory says about Indiana Jones’ role in Raiders of the Lost Ark, he’s the hero of the movie that introduced him to the world. Indy is an iconic and archetypical adventure protagonist because of his strong moral compᴀss and the perfect time for kids to meet him is in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The genre scratches an itch that very few movies can, and the unique mix of historical exploration, daring stunts, cheesy one-liners, and charismatic heroism made it an instant classic. It might not be suitable for very young viewers because of the slight sensuality and mild violence on display, but anyone above the age of 10 or 11 can watch it, and they’ll most likely forever love Professor Jones. His exciting chase scenes, his skill with the whip, his brainy deductions, and his charismatic screen presence – there are too many reasons to adore him.

4

Spider-Man (2002)

Directed By Sam Raimi

Of the three Spider-Man movies made by Sam Raimi, the first two are both ideal for watching together as a family. A popular live-action rendition of one of the most iconic superheroes ever that’s faithful to its source material, the movie’s practically perfect. Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker isn’t as quick with his words and doesn’t make as many jokes during fights as Spider-Man is known to do, but he’s a great live-action introduction to the character.

Parker’s strength of character and his internal conflicts present a true hero for viewers. Moreover, Raimi’s films are unashamedly comic book movies, proud of their heritage, flaunting the beloved and iconic character in all his glory through vibrant color grading. There is a significant amount of grittiness in the action sequences, especially the ending, but anyone above the age of 10 should be fine watching Spider-Man.

3

The Mummy (1999)

Directed By Stephen Sommers

Historic exploration by a scruffy but charming hero who performs daring stunts and fights off mythical creatures – while most of this is true about Indiana Jones too, Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’Connell fits the bill even more precisely. Another classic children’s movie, although ideally only appropriate for people above the age of nine, The Mummy is a thrilling adventure set in Egypt. While the inaccuracies remain a subject of heated debate between critics and fans, no one can deny the rush of adrenaline that The Mummy gives its viewers.

Rachel Weisz’s Evelyn Carnahan is a significant strong female character in children’s fiction. Yes, Rick gets opportunities to save her, and he does, but she’s smart, capable, knowledgable, and also responsible for saving Rick’s life at times. Their dynamic is much more balanced than the usual romantic couple in ’80s and ’90s movies, and they make for good role models for kids. Moreover, the adventure, driven by interesting lore, with unique set pieces where Fraser performs his stunts will appeal to viewers of all ages.

2

Star Wars (1977)

Directed By George Lucas

It’s now known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, but when it came out in ’77, breakout director George Lucas didn’t even have a sequel planned, let alone a franchise. The original cut of the film, restored as a fan project in 2010, is less suitable for children, but the popularly available special edition is the ideal introduction to the world of Star Wars. While there is an argument to be made for watching in chronological order, the original space opera Western introduces the basic themes of right vs wrong and the Force and lightsabers better.

He is famous for being Indiana Jones too, but Harrison Ford is most known for his breakout role of Han Solo. The same can be said about Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. Princess Leia is a stubborn, capable, sᴀssy, funny, smart, and kind leader. While that becomes even more prominent in the later movies of the original trilogy, she’s just as iconic in the first film itself, and the perfect fictional female role model. As always, John Williams’ music is the perfect companion to the adventure.

1

Superman (1978)

Directed By Richard Donner

One of the world’s first superheroes, he’s arguably the most famous comic book character of all time. While he appeared in live-action in a show back in 1948, Superman’s first live-action movie appearance was in 1978, where Christopher Reeve portrayed him. It’s arguably the greatest live-action version of the character. The writers and the director understood Superman; the movie is unafraid to commit to goofy comic book shenanigans, it’s sweet and cute, and Superman is the perfect superhero he was created to be.

While modern reimaginations — barring CW’s Superman & Lois — particularly by Zack Snyder, have robbed Superman of his sunny disposition and his glorious presence as a symbol of hope, Reeve’s movie always inspires hope in a viewer, no matter when one watches it. Superman is the perfect action family movie to introduce children to superheroes. Yes, reversing the Earth’s rotation to travel back in time is silly, but it’s supposed to be. It’s over-the-top and the action may not feel as high-stakes anymore, but Reeve played the most inspirational Superman ever.