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School holidays are here! For many the next week and a bit will be filled with Easter eggs, pickled fish, hot cross buns and, of course, family. So what do you do with your kids when that chocolate sugar rush has worn off and they’re about to cry if they even smell another bit of curried onion? Well, Showmax has you covered as they offer a selection of awesome classic family movies you can now introduce your young ones to.

Based on the classic Saturday morning cartoon, 1991’s The Addams Family and its 1993 sequel Addams Family Values features everybody’s favourite creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky family led by lovebird parents Gomez (the late, great Raul Julia) and Morticia (Angelica Huston). Along with macabre kids Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman), mischievous Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd), solemn butler Lurch (Carel Struycken), crazy Grandmama (Judith Malina) and handy Thing, the Addams family try their hand (pun unintended) at fitting into normal American suburbia as well as fending off a scheming killer. Not sure which scenario is more sinister, but both end up being a whole lot of fun. The Addams Family films are devilishly delightful.

If your young ‘uns are okay with a little bit more darkness in their entertainment, then Laika’s brilliant adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel Coraline is a must-see. The first film produced by the studio, Coraline would put Laika on the map as it introduced the world to their incredible stop-motion magic. Dakota Fanning voices the eponymous heroine, an infectiously curious 11-year old girl who discovers a whole new world – filled with dark secrets – through a secret door in her new home. It’s a tale all about self-discovery and bravery that still looks as good as when it was released.

If you’re looking for more bright and breezy family-friendly fare then Beethoven and Beethoven’s 2nd should raise the woof of your house. Yes, I said woof, gosh darn it. These beloved early 90s films about a giant St Bernard dog who basically adopts a family instead of the other way around is just great wholesome entertainment. And who doesn’t love a good ol’ doggo? Especially one big enough to carry half the family on his back!

Sticking with the animals, you can’t go wrong with Babe, the heartwarming story of a little piglet who escapes the farmer’s chopping block to instead worm his way into infamy as he tries to become a sheepdog. Nominated for seven Acadamy Awards upon its release in 1995 – including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay,- Babe was a box office smash and critical darling, and for very good reason as the tale of this little piglet was not only endearing but also touched on great themes of being true to who you are, and how even the smallest among us can have the biggest heart.

As fantastic as it to have the old cockles warmed with great life lessons, sometimes kids also just want to get silly, and it doesn’t get much sillier than Ace Ventura. Jim Carrey’s cartoonish pet detective starred in a duo of films as he tries to solve the mystery of a missing NFL dolphin mascot and also gets caught up in African tribe politics while trying to track down a sacred bat. Ace Ventura’s humour may dip into the crass sometimes though, so this may appeal more to slightly older kids, but the youngsters should love Carrey’s crazy rubber-faced antics. Alrighty then!

For a modern spin on a classic cartoon then look no further than Steven Spielberg’s The Aventures of Tintin. Boasting cutting-edge motion capture performances and jaw-dropping CGI wizardry, this rip-roaring yarn brilliantly brings to life Belgian cartoonist Hergé’s classic intrepid reporter. Featuring the voices and performances of a stellar cast in Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and more, this colourful family adventure boasts a treasure trove of action and laughs that is sure to keep everybody – kids and adults – entertained.

These are only some of the great family films Showmax offers, with the likes of Charlotte’s Web, The Flintstones, Ella Enchanted, Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events, School of Rock and much more also available for your viewing pleasure. There’s something for every member of the family, so no need to spend your holidays fighting about who gets the last Easter egg.

 

Last Updated: March 29, 2018

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