Last updated March 2024
On the hunt for sensationally awesome Best Family Movies 2012 ? See our compilation of 30 marvelous, universally beloved Best Family Movies 2012 handpicked for your viewing pleasure. Critically celebrated by revered IMDB reviewers and widely adored by our own legion of savvy users, these world-class titles simply have no equal. Lend fellow viewers a hand by voting up the titles you feel are keepers. We appreciate your stellar contributions showcasing the finest entertainment available!
Wolf Children (2012)
Plot Summary:
After her werewolf lover unexpectedly dies in an accident, a woman must find a way to raise the son and daughter that she had with him. However, their inheritance of their father's traits prove to be a challenge for her
Duration: 117 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Plot tags: werewolf, childhood, parents and children, children, single mother, wolf, female werewolf, death of father, supernatural, family relations, wilderness, school, friendship, breast feeding, social relations, human becomes animal, furry, transformation, love, self discovery, heartwarming, nature, coming of age, brother sister relationship, mother daughter relationship
English Vinglish (2012)
Plot Summary:
ENGLISH VINGLISH is the story of a woman who does not know English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. Circumstances make her determined to overcome this insecurity, master the language, and teach the world a lesson on the way to becoming a self assured and confident woman
Duration: 134 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: India
Plot tags: self fulfillment, self esteem, language learning, unsupportive spouse, housewife, family life, teachers and students, self discovery, fish out of water, language barrier, family relations, humiliation, doubts and hesitations, misfit, friendship, urban, women, feminist, hindu, meaning of life, violence against women, moving, mother daughter relationship, social differences, culture
Ernest & Celestine (2012)
Plot Summary:
Celestine is a little mouse trying to avoid a dental career; Ernest is a big bear craving an artistic outlet. When Celestine meets Ernest, they overcome their natural enmity by forging a life of crime together
Duration: 80 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: France, Belgium, Luxembourg
Plot tags: prejudice, friendship, mouse, bear, anthropomorphic animal, goodhearted, unlikely friendships, odd couple, supportive friend, racial prejudice, friends, animal, fighting the system, animal life, showdown, stop motion, european, anthropomorphism, coping, society, social problems, problem solving, ethnic conflict, social relations, cartoon mouse
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Plot Summary:
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle
Duration: 94 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 364000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: children, coming of age, adolescence, camp, island, first love, boy scout, orphan, youth, search party, summer camp, journey, social misfits, childhood, small town sheriff, camping, young love, childhood sweetheart, dysfunctional family, boy, lovers on the run, teenage love, letter, scout, misfit
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Plot Summary:
Wreck-It Ralph is the 9-foot-tall, 643-pound villain of an arcade video game named Fix-It Felix Jr., in which the game's titular hero fixes buildings that Ralph destroys. Wanting to prove he can be a good guy and not just a villain, Ralph escapes his game and lands in Hero's Duty, a first-person shooter where he helps the game's hero battle against alien invaders. He later enters Sugar Rush, a kart racing game set on tracks made of candies, cookies and other sweets. There, Ralph meets Vanellope von Schweetz who has learned that her game is faced with a dire threat that could affect the entire arcade, and one that Ralph may have inadvertently started
Duration: 101 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 450000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: imaginary, obsessive quest, friendship, prejudice, hacker, disguise, master of disguise, medal, heroes, chases and races, danger, villain, superhero, good versus evil, outcast, heroism, lifestyle change, giant, journey, misfit, wedding, party, jealousy, courage, escapades
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Plot Summary:
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world
Duration: 97 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 189000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, India
Plot tags: holiday, christmas, childhood, good versus evil, belief, friendship, fairy, protector, heroic mission, santa claus, imaginary, legends and myths, heroes, save the world, children, danger, dream, unlikely partners, talking animal, allies, youth, magic, mythology, creativity, transformation
Brave (2012)
Plot Summary:
Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Mérida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus and Queen Elinor. An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Mérida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Mérida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Mérida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin, the surly Lord Macintosh, and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall
Duration: 93 min
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
IMDB Votes: 434000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: princess, witch, coming of age, mother daughter relationship, bravery, happy ending, bear, heroine, female protagonist, rebellious daughter, archery, archer, father daughter relationship, feminism, woods, queen, domineering mother, transformation, good versus evil, disney princess, medieval, redhead, strong female lead, kingdom, courage
ParaNorman (2012)
Plot Summary:
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don't go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can
Duration: 92 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: stop motion, zombie, ghost, halloween, small town, supernatural ability, supernatural, witch, stereotypes, heroes, friends, misfit, best friend, escapades, danger, social misfits, imaginary, disorder, stupidity, paranormal activity, family relations, curses spells and rituals, dark humor, lgbt, fear
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Plot Summary:
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula has invited all his best friends to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!
Duration: 91 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 275000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: vampire, hotel, monster, dracula, creature, father daughter relationship, mummy, love and romance, supernatural, supernatural romance, magic, werewolf, frankenstein, witch, female vampire, single father, bigfoot, zombie, good versus evil, magical creature, invisible man, love, teenage love, parents and children, frankenstein's monster
Secret of the Wings (2012)
Plot Summary:
Tinkerbell wanders into the forbidden Winter woods and meets Periwinkle. Together they learn the secret of their wings and try to unite the warm fairies and the winter fairies to help Pixie Hollow
Duration: 75 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, India
Plot tags: fairy, magic, imaginary kingdom, magical, winter, imaginary, friendship, secret, woods, friends, escapades, tinkerbell, peter pan, love, courage, curiosity, female protagonist, snow, teenager, supernatural, beast, insect, fantasy world, 007, disney princess
Frankenweenie (2012)
Plot Summary:
When a car hits young Victor's pet dog Sparky, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's neighbors, he has to convince them that Sparky's still the good, loyal friend he was
Duration: 87 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: dog, stop motion, frankenstein, supernatural, life & death, mad scientist, experiment, macabre, afterlife, loss of loved one, reincarnation, animal, monster, halloween, pets, animal death, death of dog, creature, love, suburbs, back from the dead, friends, life, death, science
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
Plot Summary:
Animal pals Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria are still trying to make it back to New York's Central Park Zoo. They are forced to take a detour to Europe to find the penguins and chimps who broke the bank at a Monte Carlo casino. When French animal-control officer Capitaine Chantel DuBois picks up their scent, Alex and company are forced to hide out in a traveling circus
Duration: 95 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 194000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA, India
Plot tags: circus, penguins, zebra, getting home, talking animal, animal, friendship, villain, fantasy world, unlikely friendships, giraffe, silly humor, chase, creativity, jungle, hippopotamus, runaway, anthropomorphic animal, lion, escapades, dimwit, disorder, friends, animal life, uptight character
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012)
Plot Summary:
The luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain is a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side, and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted Pirate of the Year Award. It’s a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist, but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure!
Duration: 88 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: pirate, stop motion, mentor, rivalry, twists and turns, treasure hunt, greed, friendship, creativity, rescue, queen victoria, pirate ship, ship, betrayal, competition, crime gone awry, sailing, imagination, self discovery, monkey, love, civil war, sword, parents, renaissance
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
Plot Summary:
A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Plot tags: adoption, boy, wish come true, miraculous event, child, mother son relationship, parents and children, desire, family values, couple relations, family relations, childbirth, hopes, coming of age, young love, youth, father son relationship, parenting, kids and family, family life, parenthood, wanting a baby, magic realism, heartwarming, relationships
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Plot Summary:
Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world
Duration: 88 min
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB Votes: 221000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA, UK, Canada
Plot tags: animal life, iceberg, parents and children, danger, unlikely partners, pirate, natural disaster, talking animal, fantasy world, friendship, children, friends, getting home, escapades, disorder, hopes, animal, vengeance, family bonds, mammoth, overprotective father, partner, uptight character, dimwit, father daughter relationship
The Lorax (2012)
Plot Summary:
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world
Duration: 86 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 127000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, France
Plot tags: environmental, ecology, childhood, friendship, environment, deforestation, environmentalism, talking animal, greed, chase, heroes, society, small town life, kids and family, obsessive quest, justice, tree, meme, love, walled city, young heroes, magical, holiday, adventurer, consciousness
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012)
Plot Summary:
School is out and Greg is ready for the days of summer, when all his plans go wrong. What on earth is he going to do all summer?
Duration: 94 min
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Comedy, Family
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: childhood, child, mischievous children, kids and family, best friend, friendship between boys, parents and children, lifestyle, coming of age, youth, summer vacation, teenager, schoolboy, misfit, high school, brother brother relationship, first love, resort, dog, college, hip hop, moving, diary, amusement park, summer
Parental Guidance (2012)
Plot Summary:
Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work. Problems arise when the kids' 21st-century behavior collides with Artie and Diane's old-school methods
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 6.0/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Comedy, Family
Country: USA
Plot tags: youth, children, kids and family, punishment, life philosophy, family bonds, family relations, technology, adoption, eccentric family, bully, boy, family reunited, family life, mischievous children, disorder, couple relations, teaching the ways of the world, protective parent, house, coming of age, in laws, creativity, nothing goes right, winter
Escape from Planet Earth (2012)
Plot Summary:
Astronaut Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet
Duration: 89 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: alien, alien invasion, mad scientist, planet, mysterious planet, rescue, space program, monster, good versus evil, heroes, space wars, family relations, trap, escapades, deathtrap, disorder, silly humor, intergalactic, danger, daring rescue, space and aliens, super weapon, prison, evil alien, prison escape
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)
Plot Summary:
Sean Anderson partners with his mom's boyfriend on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island
Duration: 94 min
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: jungle, island, lost city, expedition, fantasy world, lost world, atlantis, legends and myths, giant lizard, beautiful scenery, treasure, chase, escapades, rescue, mission, gold, missing person, heroes, chases and races, mysterious place, danger, imaginary, youth, monster, magic
Radio Rebel (2012)
Plot Summary:
High school senior Tara is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out -- doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tara surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, "Radio Rebel" -- and to everyone's shock, she's a hit!
Duration: 85 min
IMDB Rating: 5.7/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Plot tags: high school, teenager, high school life, teenage girl, teenage love, prom, youth, popularity, secret identity, teenage life, first love, radio dj, shyness, parent child relationship, girl, friends, high school hunk, love and romance, female protagonist, rivalry, best friend, jealousy, party, shy girl, social relations
Mirror Mirror (2012)
Plot Summary:
After she spends all her money, an evil enchantress queen schemes to marry a handsome, wealthy prince. There's just one problem - he's in love with a beautiful princess, Snow White. Now, joined by seven rebellious dwarves, Snow White launches an epic battle of good vs. evil
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 5.6/10
IMDB Votes: 90000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: snow white, evil queen, female protagonist, imaginary kingdom, fall in love, good versus evil, palace, chase, imaginary, magic, prince, female warrior, queen, evil stepmother, medieval, princess, love and romance, beast, cinderella story, danger, female fighter, financial problem, save the day, attempted murder, magical mirror
Asterix & Obelix: God Save Britannia (2012)
Plot Summary:
Asterix crosses the channel to help second-cousin Anticlimax face down Julius Caesar and invading Romans
Duration: 110 min
IMDB Rating: 5.3/10
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: France, Spain, Italy, Hungary
Plot tags: roman, danger, imaginary, culture clash, underdog, save the day, rebelliousness, partner, disorder, silly humor, odd couple, dog, ancient history, superhero, ancient rome, ancient, idiot, peplum, wooing, comic book, meme, siege, magical potion, heroes, friends
The Three Stooges (2012)
Plot Summary:
While trying to save their childhood orphanage, Moe, Larry and Curly inadvertently stumble into a murder plot and wind up starring in a reality TV show
Duration: 92 min
IMDB Rating: 5.1/10
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Comedy, Family
Country: USA
Plot tags: escapades, friends, nothing goes right, disorder, silly humor, buddies, goofy hero, save the day, three stooges, fight, escape, caper, friendship, love triangle, conspiracy, deception, chase, absurdism, race against time, money problems, golddigger, betrayal, inheritance, infidelity, husband wife relationship
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)
Plot Summary:
8-year-old Finn who is terrified to learn his family is relocating from sunny California to Maine in the scariest house he has ever seen! Convinced that his new house is haunted, Finn sets up a series of elaborate traps to catch the “ghost” in action. Left home alone with his sister while their parents are stranded across town, Finn’s traps catch a new target – a group of thieves who have targeted Finn’s house
Duration: 87 min
IMDB Rating: 3.5/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Family
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: christmas, youth, heroes, heist, family in danger, privacy invasion, family relations, siblings relations, danger, mischievous children, nothing goes right, crime gone awry, young heroes, when the parents are away, coming of age, trap, brother sister relationship, child in peril, kids and family, robbery, holiday, child, heist gone wrong, xmas, relocation
The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure (2012)
Plot Summary:
It's Schluufy's birthday, and the Oogieloves (Goobie, Zoozie and Toofie), along with their friends J. Edgar, Windy Window and Ruffy, are organizing a party. (Shh! It's a secret.) Everything is going along just perfectly until J. Edgar trips and loses the last five magical balloons in all of Lovelyloveville--OH NO! The Oogiloves set out to find the magical balloons in time to save their friend's party. Along the way, they meet some very interesting characters indeed, including Dotty Rounder (Cloris Leachman), Bobby Wobbly (Carey Elwes), Milky Marvin (Chazz Palminteri), Rosalie Rosebud (Toni Braxton) and Lola and Lero Sombero (Christopher Lloyd and Jaime Pressly). Can these new friends help them recover the magical balloons and get back to the cottage in time to celebrate Schluufy's surprise birthday?
Duration: 88 min
IMDB Rating: 1.7/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Plot tags: friends, escapades, young heroes, friendship, disorder, youth, birthday, balloon, adventure hero, twists and turns, journey, target, obsessive quest, puppet, friend, getting along, family, adventure, puppets
Foodfight! (2012)
Plot Summary:
Dex, a superdog sleuth, is the law of the land when the world's most recognized brands take on the forces of evil and the devilish Brand X
Duration: 91 min
IMDB Rating: 1.3/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: food, supermarket, partner, misfit, escapades, rivalry, disorder, femme fatale, pun, fight, bomb squad, stupid kid, disappearance, marriage proposal, gay stereotype, innuendo, store, cooking and food, anti hero, love, robot, airplane, singing, club, city