Timeless Family Classics From The 1970s

By WatchListHQSeptember 4, 2025
The 1970s was a decade that brought us some of the most iconic and beloved family films of all time. With a mix of adventure, comedy, and fantasy, these movies have captivated audiences of all ages and continue to be enjoyed today. From animated classics to live-action favorites, the 1970s had something for every type of family. Whether you're looking for a film to watch with your kids or just want to relive some nostalgic memories, this list has got you covered.

One of the defining characteristics of 1970s family films is their ability to balance entertainment with valuable life lessons. Many of these movies feature themes of friendship, perseverance, and self-discovery, making them not only fun to watch but also enriching for young viewers. Additionally, the 1970s saw the rise of talented filmmakers and voice actors who brought these stories to life with their unique talents and styles.

The movies on this list represent some of the best of 1970s family cinema, with a range of genres and styles to suit every taste. From the magical world of fantasy to the hilarious antics of comedy, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So why not take a trip back in time and experience some of the most iconic family films of the 1970s?

With their timeless themes, memorable characters, and nostalgic charm, these movies are sure to delight both kids and adults alike. Whether you're a fan of classic animation, live-action adventure, or heartwarming drama, this list has a little bit of everything. So grab some popcorn, gather the family, and get ready to enjoy some of the most beloved films of the 1970s.
The Black Stallion
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The Black Stallion

#1

While traveling with his father, young Alec becomes fascinated by a mysterious Arabian stallion that is brought on board and stabled in the ship he is sailing on. When it tragically sinks both he and the horse survive only to be stranded on a deserted island. He befriends it, so when finally rescued both return to his home where they soon meet Henry Dailey, a once successful trainer. Together they begin training the horse to race against the fastest ones in the world.

1979118 min
FamilyAdventure
7.0
307 votes
The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie
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The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie

#2

A collection of Warner Brothers short cartoon features, "starring" the likes of Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Wile.E.Coyote. These animations are interspersed by Bugs Bunny reminiscing on past events and providing links between the individual animations which are otherwise unconnected. This 1979 feature-length compilation includes several of his best cartoons. Among the 11 shorts shown in their entirety are the classics "Robin Hood Daffy," "What's Opera, Doc?," "Bully for Bugs," and "Duck Amuck". Th

197997 min
AnimationComedyFamily
7.4
212 votes
The Muppet Movie
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The Muppet Movie

#3

The Muppets gather to watch their newly-finished big-budget rich-and-famous feature film: a talent agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there, he meets a bear, a pig, a whatever (his future muppet crew), and some special celebrity guest stars, while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

197995 min
FamilyComedyAdventure
7.2
653 votes
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

#4

This Emmy Award winner for Best Animated Special is based on the first book of C.S. Lewis' acclaimed series, "The Chronicles of Narnia." Four children pass through a mystic portal in a wardrobe and discover the magical kingdom of Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures. There, an evil witch's spell has cast the land into eternal winter. Fearing that an ancient prophecy is coming to fruition, and that the children are Narnia's rightful rulers, the White Witch tricks their younges

197995 min
AnimationFamilyTV Movie
6.7
53 votes
Heidi, Girl of the Alps
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Heidi, Girl of the Alps

#5

Heidi is five years old when her aunt Dete, who has raised Heidi since her parents' deaths four years earlier, takes the orphaned Heidi to live with her formidable grandfather in the Swiss Alps.

1979107 min
AnimationFamilyAdventure
7.8
133 votes
The Olsen Gang Goes to War
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The Olsen Gang Goes to War

#6

Some criminal EU ministers plan to turn Denmark into a gigantic fair ground and holiday paradise. Egon gets his hand at some important documents which could both make him rich and take care of Denmark's future.

1978107 min
FamilyComedyCrime
6.8
50 votes
The Cat from Outer Space
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The Cat from Outer Space

#7

A UFO is stranded on earth and impounded by the US government. Its pilot, a cat with a collar that gives it special powers, including the ability to communicate with humans, has eluded the authorities and seeks the help of a scientist in order to reclaim and repair his ship and get back home.

1978104 min
ComedyFamilyScience Fiction
5.9
141 votes
Lucky Luke: The Ballad of the Daltons
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Lucky Luke: The Ballad of the Daltons

#8

The story opens in a Western saloon, where a young musician with a banjo begins to tell a tale of Lucky Luke and his sworn enemies the Dalton brothers: Joe, William, Jack and Averell. Luke has, once again, as he has done many times before, thrown the four outlaws into jail. The prison is also the abode of a guard dog named Rin Tin Can (Rantanplan in the original French language version).

197882 min
FamilyAnimationComedy
6.8
108 votes
Duro pero seguro
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Duro pero seguro

#9

Nicolasa sells tacos near a movie studio and her popularity threatens the restaurant's own studies. She drops the food when seeing actor Armando performing and the director expels her out.

197897 min
FamilyComedy
7.5
59 votes
Candleshoe
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Candleshoe

#10

When ex-con artist Harry claims that a secret treasure is hidden inside Candleshoe, an English estate, he creates an elaborate plan to find and steal the prize. By convincing a girl named Casey to impersonate the estate owner's long-lost granddaughter, Harry hopes to uncover the treasure's location. But when Casey has a change of heart, she must follow the clues and find the treasure, in order to save Candleshoe and stop Harry before it is too late.

1977101 min
Family
6.9
115 votes
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

#11

The story follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a diminutive creative who resides in a place called Middle-Earth before he is compelled to go on a quest to find a treasure buried deep in the heart of Lonely Mountain.

197777 min
FamilyFantasyAnimation
6.5
337 votes
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
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Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July

#12

Winterbolt is trying to make the North Pole his evil wonderland, and it is up to Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and others to stop him.

197997 min
AnimationFantasyFamily
6.3
76 votes
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again
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The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again

#13

Amos and Theodore, the two bumbling outlaw wannabes from The Apple Dumpling Gang, are back and trying to make it on their own. This time, the crazy duo gets involved in an army supply theft case -- and, of course, gets in lots of comic trouble along the way!

197988 min
ComedyFamilyWestern
6.4
70 votes
Nezha Conquers the Dragon King
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Nezha Conquers the Dragon King

#14

Tells the fable from Chinese mythology about the young warrior Nezha who takes on a group of evil dragons.

197965 min
AnimationFantasyFamily
7.7
51 votes
Arabian Adventure
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Arabian Adventure

#15

An evil caliph (Christopher Lee) offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to a prince if he can complete a perilous quest for a magical rose. Helped by a young boy and a magic carpet, Prince Hasan (Oliver Tobias), has to overcome genies, fire breathing monsters and treacherous swamps to reach his prize and claim the hand of the Princess Zuleira (Emma Samms).

197998 min
FantasyScience FictionFamily
5.8
50 votes
El Chanfle
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El Chanfle

#16

Although he always wanted to become a professional soccer player, El Chanfle has settled for being the props boy and water boy for Mexican soccer's Club América, whose coach they both have trouble getting along with because of the Chanfle's heightened sense of honesty and cleanliness on the court, something the rigid coach does not share. When he is asked to cheat during a game he refuses and is fired from his job, but his friend, the team doctor will try to get him back. At the same time, his w

1979106 min
ComedyFamilyDrama
7.3
91 votes
Spider-Man Strikes Back
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Spider-Man Strikes Back

#17

At the New York State University, one of Peter Parker's tutors has accidentally given three students all the materials they need to create an atomic bomb. While Peter Parker tries to find out what's happened, the police suspect him of the crime, and Peter has to deal with an attractive journalist determined to get an interview with Spider-Man. Then dastardly millionaire Mr. White shows up, and will stop at nothing to get his hands on the atomic bomb. Spider-Man must defeat this scheming villain

197890 min
ActionAdventureFamily
5.9
77 votes