Member Poll: Family Special

The BFI Member Poll returns and we want to know what film you would like to see in our cinemas. Previous polls have featured horror, film noir and heist movies – all voted for by BFI Members. This time, we’re inviting you to vote for your favourite family film. It could be a recent favourite or a childhood classic that has long gone unseen.

Here are the top five family films you voted for. But which one is the best? Pick your favourite from the top five list, and the winning film will be screened at BFI Southbank on Sunday 16 August at 12:10. All children can go for free, if you call our box office or book in person.

Poll closes on Wednesday 25 June.

Enter the poll

 

Have a look at what other Members suggested and why:

Helen D. - E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
After a lot of thought I’ve opted for E.T. because children are central to the narrative - adults are periphery. There is a great arc to the story of siblings caring for each other and then caring for the stranded extra-terrestrial. Eliott and E.T.’s relationship encompasses fun and sadness. The film itself has moments of magic. I first saw it as an adult along with my elderly mother. We held hands and laughed when Eliott and E.T. first flew on the bicycle as we felt that joy of rising into the sky. How Spielberg managed to convey that is still something of a mystery but it happens. The film can definitely be enjoyed by both children and any adult who still retains something of the child in them.

Jean-Marc M. - Paddington 2
Paddington was magical, but Paddington 2 is one of those rarities in cinema where the sequel is better than the original: Hugh Grant is brilliant (as are the rest of the cast of course), but it really is a FAMILY story, especially the beautiful ending. Sorry, have to go, someone is cutting onions somewhere in the house...

Stefan S. - Breaking Away
A coming of Age film that shows the decline of a proud community and the clashes between Town and Gown. Also a movie about Cycling that deals with its subject with humour, style and thrills. A movie that is greater than the sum of its parts!

Kevin D. - Spirited Away
A magical film that all my children adored growing up. A great story and beautifully illustrated.

Judith B. - E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
E.T. is a perfect film. It has stayed with me since I first saw it when it was released and I think of it often. So emotional but not at all shmaltzy. It is funny, emotional and exciting and completely flawless. I love it.

Maryam M. - School of Rock
Feel good, funny, and fantastic

Randall S. - Stand By Me
The Journey the boys undertake to find a dead body. How they each are so unique and the year to be simple small town heroes. When they discover who the Murder is the Boys have grown up very quickly and leave the childhood behind. I do wish there was a sequel or an origin story to unpack the characters a bit. The most awesome Family Movie besides Goonies which my Husband loves.

Shelley G. - How to Train Your Dragon
The beautiful animation, wonderful voice performances and the score, which is one of the best ever written in my opinion. It’s just a lovely, lovely film - a great story executed to the highest quality. I love the original animated film, but the whole trilogy is good. I watched the third film in a preview screening at the BFI years ago, and I cried to much I was a total mess afterwards!

Tariq R. - Bag of Rice
A beautiful Iranian film about a little girl helping her gran buy a bag of rice and the problems and issues she encounters and solves along the way, as well as the moments when she gets to just be a child. Beautiful film that reminds us that around the world, we are all essentially the same.

Jamie F. - Home Alone
While this might’ve been selected in a somewhat errant category, as it is clearly a Christmas film, it is about family at its core and was my first thought when seeing the question. Fun, funny, silly, scary (it is, honestly), heartwarming and Christmassy, it’s an entertaining and enjoyable watch 35+ years on.

Jack E. - Jumanji (1995)
A film that was thrilling, funny and captivating the whole way. Robin Williams at his best.

John D. - The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s clever, subversive, and charming enough to appeal to adults, with enough frivolity, good music, and Christmas magic to be a great choice for kids. It is the film I loved most in my childhood, and which as an adult I would most look forward to sharing with my future kids.

Roopak G. - Gremlins
Not sure I’ve heard NFT1 in so much laughter ever! Seen it so many times since I was a kid, but maybe the most unexpected and perfect example of ‘you haven’t really experienced it till you’ve seen it in the cinema’.

Paul B. - The Princess Bride
Fun for adults and children. It’s inconceivable not to vote for it.

Alan C. - Kensuke’s Kingdom
Such a brilliant film that the whole family can enjoy. It also teaches children about different parts of the world and different cultures. They can also read the book before or after the film.

 

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