Disney movies are always acceptable for children. Even adults can get into Disney movies. "The Lion King" is a great movie that teaches family values and being proud of your heritage. "The Little Mermaid" is a favorite among little girls, and while they may not realize it immediately, the movie is about being proud of who you are and where you come from. Disney's classics, such as "Bambi" and "101 Dalmatians" are as lovable now as they were decades ago.
Pixar is making movies that are destined to be classics. These films are kid-friendly rather than movies for kids. This means that most adults will be able to sit down and watch a Pixar film with their kids and come away feeling as if they've gotten some entertainment value as well. Pixar classics-to-be include "The Incredibles," "Shrek," "Madagascar," "A Shark's Tale," "A Bug's Life," "Cars" and "Robots."
"Miracle on 34th Street" is a classic Christmas film from the late 1940s that many adults enjoy. It's a great story and was remade in the mid-1990s. The updated version is one you can present to kids between the ages of eight and 12. The story is basically the same, but the updated version is more apt to hold your child's attention. Tim Allen's "Santa Clause" movies are also holiday favorites for all ages.
If you have children in the 8-to-10-year-old range who want to watch something scary, try any of the "Harry Potter" movies or the classic R.L. Stine "Goosebump" movies. The "Goosebump" movies present spooky material that is exciting but won't, in most cases, lead to nightmares. "Nightmare Before Christmas," "Ghostbusters" and "Halloweentown" are other recommended scary movies for younger viewers.