7 Movies to Watch as a Family this Fall

It's the fourth and final day of our journey through fall and Halloween-themed movies for different members of your family. Today, I'm sharing some seasonally-appropriate movies you can watch together as a family...plus five date night movies for when mom and dad need a break. Let's get started!

1. The Mask (1994)
Rated: PG-13
Let's start with something sure to tickle your funny bone. This was one of my family's go-to movies back in the 90s. Stanley Ipkiss, played by none other than Jim Carey, finds a magical mask possessed by a mythical god. Whenever he puts it on, he becomes a different person - funnier, bolder, and a bank robber. Don't let the PG-13 rating fool you, this movie has a Looney Tunes feel about it with a lot slapstick comedy.

2. Mary Poppins (1964)
Rated: G
This movie is practically perfect in every way. Mary Poppins, played by the incomparable Julie Andrews, literally flies into the Banks family's life to act as nanny to the two children, Jane and Michael. She, along with her friend Bert (Dick Van Dyke), use magic, music and dancing to bring the family closer together.

3. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Rated: PG
It's hard to believe there might be someone out there who hasn't seen this movie, but if anyone in your family falls in that category schedule a movie night stat! Dorothy is swept from her home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz. There she makes new friends - the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion - as she makes her way to see the Wizard. She's also gifted a pair of powerful ruby slippers that the Wicked Witch of the East badly wants. The flying monkeys and some of the scenes in the dark forest may be a little scary for younger viewers.

4. The Blind Side (2009)
Rated: PG-13
You know I had to include a football movie on this list. This is the story of Michael Oher, a black teenager taken in by a white family, the Tuohy's. The family, specifically mom Leigh Anne, do whatever it takes to make sure Michael succeeds. He goes on to receive a college scholarship and be picked in the first round of the NFL draft. Based on a true story.

5. October Sky (1999)
Rated: PG
This movie is also based on a true story. Homer Hickam is the son of a West Virginia coal miner. His father wants Homer to follow in his footsteps, but Homer wants to become a rocket scientist after seeing Sputnik 1 cross he sky. So Homer and a group of friends start building rockets...a lot of them. Everyone but a teacher thinks it's a waste of time and encourages the boys to shoot for the stars and enter the National Science Fair.

6. Stepmom (1998)
Rated: PG-13
Make sure you have the tissues handy for this one. It's a real tear-jerker. Jackie and Luke have been divorced for three years when Luke decides to marry his much-younger girlfriend, Isabel. Isabel does not get along with Luke's ex or his children, but Jackie is dying and soon Isabel will be the only mom the children have.

7. Harry Potter (2001-2011)
I couldn't put together a list of movies to watch in the Fall and not include the Harry Potter series. There are 8 movies in total, so strap in for about 20 hours of magical goodness as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go up against Voldermort.

Thanks for hanging with me for four days! Let me know in the comments what movies you'll be watching this Fall!

ICYMI: 10 Movies to Watch with Younger Kids this Fall
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