Who says kids movies are only for kids? They’re a great way to entertain the whole family, from your distracted toddler to your grumpy grandparent. Sure, some of them can be unbearable, the kinds of films that only your child might enjoy (Good Burger is a great example of this; kids loved it, adults hated it). But many children’s films are created with adults in mind.
They’re well-crafted and might rank among the best films of the year, like Disney’s animated, Oscar-nominated classic Beauty and the Beast. Their stories might include themes that resonate with us as adults and tug at our heartstrings (we’re looking at you Pixar). Others children’s movies might just be downright hysterical. We found them comical when we were kids ourselves. And when we rewatch these movies years later, we find that they still can deliver the laughs. Sometimes, we even catch adult jokes that we never would’ve understood as children. Here are nine hilarious kids movies that will have people of all ages doubling over with laughter.
9 Big (1988)
Although it has some sexual scenes and adult concepts, Big is considered a kids/family movie (that’s the ’80s for you). Josh (Tom Hanks) goes from being 12 to 30 overnight after his wish of growing up magically comes true. Now he’s forced to be an adult and somehow make a living. Kids will enjoy Josh’s childish antics and interests, such as playing and working with toys. Meanwhile, adults will laugh at the more grown-up jokes that would never land for a kid. “187?!” Josh cries excitedly when he sees his first paycheck. “Yeah, they really screw you, don’t they?” his colleague responds dismally. And then there’s the scene where Josh tells his date that he wants to be on top, referring to the bunk beds in his apartment instead of…something else. Josh’s ignorance throughout the movie will have the whole family laughing. Just maybe not at the same parts.
8 Toy Story (1995)
The original Toy Story has it all: innovative animation (for the time), an imaginative concept, and lots of humor. It’s amusing to see toys from our own pasts pop up in the movie, like Etch A Sketch or Mr. Potato Head. And you can’t help but laugh at the cynical Woody and delusional Buzz as they bicker back and forth. “The term you’re looking for is ‘Space Ranger’,” Buzz tells Woody. “No, the word I’m looking for…I can’t say because there are preschool toys present!” Woody snaps back. It also helps that both characters are voiced by actors who have experience in comedy, with Tom Hanks taking on Woody and Tim Allen playing Buzz. Toy Story also features some adult-only jokes. Like when Mr. Potato Head yanks off his lips and slaps it against his backside, insinuating that Slinky is…a word that wouldn’t be said in a kids movie.
7 Home Alone (1990)
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Home Alone takes the phrase “home alone” to the next level when 8-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) gets accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation. He and his enormous suburban house become prey to two dim-witted burglars, prompting Kevin to reinforce his house with booby traps. Only an adult might laugh at Kevin’s precociousness, especially whenever he goes grocery shopping (“Those are for the kids”). But adults and children can laugh together, watching the two burglars stumble through Kevin’s house and fall victim to his traps. Seeing someone get hit in the face with paint cans will never not be funny. It doesn’t matter if it’s the holiday season or not. Home Alone is hilarious all year ’round.
6 Frozen (2013)
Unless you live under a rock, then you’ve heard of the movie Frozen. It was the Disney phenomenon that had adults and kids everywhere singing the words “Let It Go” — and also laughing until their sides hurt. Frozen is one of the funniest Disney films in a long time. On Anna’s (Kristen Bell) journey to find her sister Elsa (Idina Menzel), she meets some comical characters. There’s Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, who have a humorous relationship. Anna and Kristoff also have a humorous relationship, though only adults might understand it — like when Anna tells him, “Foot size doesn’t matter.” But the film’s best comedy comes from everyone’s favorite snowman Olaf, voiced perfectly by Josh Gad. Everything Olaf says is hilarious, like when he casually talks about getting impaled or when he sings about his love for summer. Or when the camera randomly cuts to an extreme close-up of his face, and he tells us in a baffled voice, “I don’t have a skull. Or bones.”
5 Despicable Me (2010)
At this point, Despicable Me has become an animated classic. It’s no surprise that Steve Carell is hilarious in the lead role. But the comedic icon makes it twice as funny with his ridiculous “quasi-Russian” accent. In Despicable Me, super villain Gru (Carell) adopts three orphan girls to help him with his diabolical plan. Gru’s interactions with the girls are comedy gold. Their day at the amusement park will have the whole family laughing with the girls, as they ride roller coasters while Gru screams for his life. The villain’s elderly sidekick Dr. Nefario, voiced by Russell Brand, is so oblivious that you can’t help but laugh at him. And of course, we can’t forget the funniest part of the movie: Gru’s lovable Minions. The Minions’ bizarre language, love for bananas, and overall stupidity had audiences begging for more. So naturally, they were given their own successful franchise.
4 Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin is arguably the greatest Disney animated film but indisputably the funniest. And that’s thanks to legendary comedian Robin Williams. Everything changes for an impoverished young man named Aladdin (Scott Weinger) when he frees an all-powerful genie (Williams), who will grant him any three wishes he desires. Aladdin gives Williams room to stretch his wings and do what he does best: impersonations. Throughout the film, Genie makes pop culture references and celebrity impersonations that no child, or any person in Aladdin’s time period, would ever catch onto, like Jack Nicholson and Groucho Marx. Williams is hysterical as the Genie and creates one of the most iconic characters in Disney. It was also the first time that a celebrity had been cast in an animated film rather than a voice actor, a trend that’s still very alive today.
3 Elf (2003)
Elf is another family movie and holiday classic that will make you laugh anytime of the year. It stars comedy legend Will Ferrell at the height of his popularity. After learning that he’s really a human and not a toy-making elf, Buddy (Will Ferrell) leaves Santa’s workshop for the mystical land of New York City in search of his estranged father (James Caan). Buddy’s innocence and naivete provides lots of laughs, as he tries navigating our world. He struggles to get on an escalator, has no understanding of social cues, and thinks that a coffee shop with a sign that says “World’s Best Coffee!” actually serves the world’s best coffee. Elf is irresistible and will have you laughing from start to finish.
2 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Mrs. Doubtfire is classified as a family movie, though it contains many adult themes — and jokes. This one also stars Robin Williams, who delivers laugh after laugh. After getting a divorce, Daniel (Williams) disguises himself as Euphegenia Doubtfire, a firm but lovable British lady, to spend more time with his kids. Williams’ performance as Mrs. Doubtfire is as iconic as it is hilarious. His fake breasts catch on fire, his prosthetic face gets run over by a car, and he’s constantly implying that his ex-wife’s new boyfriend is small in a very specific area. The funniest part though comes at the end, where Daniel’s juggling both identities in the same restaurant and keeps forgetting which one he’s supposed to be.
1 Shrek (2001)
Shrek pokes fun at the fairy tale genre, taking everything you’d expect from a Disney movie and turning it on its head. It features tons of classic fairy tale characters with humorous twists, like the Gingerbread Man who poops gumdrops when he’s nervous. Its top two stars are comedy legends. Mike Myers’ grumpy ogre Shrek pairs well with Eddie Murphy’s fast-talking Donkey, who has too many funny lines to list.
Shrek is another one of those children’s movies with adult jokes hidden in its narrative. The film’s villain Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) is a small man with a huge castle. When the comedic duo see his castle for the first time, Shrek jokes that he’s “compensating for something.” In that same scene, they’re welcomed into Farquaad’s kingdom by puppets that merrily sing, “Please keep off the grass / Shine your shoes, wipe your…face!” The kids in the room may not get it, but the adults can laugh knowing what that last word could’ve been. Shrek also includes many pop culture references that only adults might get, like signature moves from WWE and The Matrix. The film’s massive success birthed a franchise, with a fifth movie reportedly in the works.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
