The Best Family Movies of 2017, Reviewed and Rated

What makes a family movie great in 2017 and beyond

Every year brings a handful of films that feel built for multi-generational viewing: stories that balance adventure, humor, and heart while respecting young audiences and parents alike. In our evergreen guide to the best family movies of 2017, we focus on titles that remain accessible, rewatchable, and meaningful over time. Rather than chasing hype, we weigh verified content details, runtime, age appropriateness, and themes so you can choose confidently for movie night.

Profile breakdown: Our 2017 family movie selections

Our process is simple and fact-first. We look at wide theatrical releases and carefully reviewed limited releases that clearly reached or deserved family audiences. For each candidate, we verify runtime, MPAA or local age ratings, and the core premise in a concise dataset. We then score them across four evergreen signals: emotional clarity, thematic durability, rewatch potential, and cross-generational appeal. The following rows summarize the standout 2017 titles and why they earned a place in this guide.

Coco: musical legacy and family memory

Coco anchors 2017 as a peak year for family animation. Its story centers on Miguel, a young musician whose journey into the Land of the Dead reframes how families remember ancestors. The film pairs bold visual spectacle with careful attention to cultural imagery, and its songs advance character rather than simply decorate. Runtime sits under two hours, keeping attention steady for younger viewers while still offering emotional depth for adults. Verifying age suitability, it carries a PG rating for thematic elements and brief mild language, making it broadly appropriate for kids comfortable with skeleton motifs.

Key themes and evergreen signals

Long after release, Coco remains useful for conversations about tradition, creativity, and compromise. Its themes survive shifting trends because they tie into universal family rituals: storytelling, honoring elders, and navigating generational differences. The film’s clear emotional milestones give parents natural entry points to discuss disappointment, ambition, and reconciliation with children.

Wonder: everyday courage in middle school

Wonder adapts R.J. Palacio’s bestselling novel into a human-scaled drama about a boy with a distinctive face navigating school for the first time. Unlike high-concept fantasy, its power comes from quiet scenes and restrained performances. At 113 minutes, it offers a more dialogue-driven experience that works well for early middle-school audiences and thoughtful family viewing. The PG rating reflects mild bullying references and brief language, but content remains focused on perspective-taking and empathy.

Why Wonder endures as family viewing

Wonder translates well to repeated watches because its conflicts are recognizable and its lessons are actionable. Families can pause at moments of choice—standing up for classmates, asking for help, or admitting mistakes—and rehearse responses. Its durable popularity lies in how it mirrors real classroom dynamics while preserving a hopeful arc that parents and kids can discuss together.

Kubo and the Two Strings: craft, folklore, and gentle adventure

Kubo stands out for its handcrafted aesthetic and narrative economy. Each scene feels carefully composed, turning stop-motion techniques into storytelling strengths rather than distractions. The film introduces Japanese folklore in digestible pieces, framing contests of wit and courage rather than graphic peril. At just over 100 minutes, it respects young viewers’ stamina while offering sophisticated visual rewards for adults.

Navigating themes and tension

Kubo balances poignant memory with playful creativity, and its antagonists remain stylized rather than frightening. Parents can use its mythology to explore broader topics—responsibility to family, the ethics of storytelling, and how art preserves legacy. The PG rating captures occasional scary figures and peril, but the overall tone remains measured, supporting repeat viewing without fatigue.

How to choose for your family’s movie night

With multiple strong options, decision-making works best when grounded in concrete constraints and shared preferences. Consider your children’s sensitivities, attention spans, and appetite for music, humor, or adventure. Think about messages you want to highlight—kindness over popularity, creativity over perfection, or memory over fear. Matching these priorities against verified content details ensures that your choice will feel enriching rather than merely entertaining.

Quick family-fit checklist

• Runtime: All listed titles stay under 120 minutes, helping younger viewers stay engaged.
• Age ratings: Each carries a PG certification, though parental guidance varies by scene.
• Themes: Legacy, kindness, courage, and creativity appear across titles without heavy peril.
• Rewatch value: Strong narratives and clear emotional arcs support family rewatch habits.
• Discussion prompts: Prepare one or two questions about choices, consequences, and feelings.

Evergreen takeaways for 2017 family films

The best family movies of 2017 combine verified care in storytelling with durable emotional clarity. They earn their PG badges not by avoiding conflict, but by resolving it in ways that invite conversation. By focusing on legacy, empathy, craft, and everyday courage, these films remain flexible tools for family connection across school years and evolving interests. Choosing with both content details and your family’s values in mind turns movie night into a consistent, shared ritual rather than a weekly scramble.

Final verdict

Reviewing the best family movies of 2017 with an evergreen lens shows a strong, coherent group centered around memory, creativity, and kindness. Coco, Wonder, and Kubo and the Two Strings each handle age-appropriate tension with care, offer clear takeaways, and support rewatchability. When you align their verified strengths with your family’s routines and values, these films continue to deliver long-term value far beyond their original release year.