From edge-of-your-seat adventures and stunning fantasy worlds to moving true stories and powerful role models, these 14 movies offered the best of 2016 for children, teens and families, but it's not too late to watch them in 2017.
A Beautiful Planet, age 6+
This stunning documentary takes viewers onto the International Space Station. It offers incredible views, sobering images of humanity's impact on Earth and great astronaut role models.
Finding Dory, age 6+
Poignant and beautifully acted, this adventure promotes teamwork, perseverance and unconditional love. It's everything a sequel should be.
Moana, age 6+
Centering on a brave, inquisitive female character who's far more interested in helping her people than in finding romance, this animated adventure has lovable characters, great music and strong messages.
Pete's Dragon, age 7+
A sweet throwback to Disney movies of the past, this remake is wholesome, fun and exciting. It mixes moments of peril and sadness with messages about love, friendship, finding family in unexpected places, appreciating nature and opening yourself up to believing in magic.
The Eagle Huntress, age 8+
This powerful, inspiring documentary about extraordinary Kazakh teenager Aisholpan Nurgaiv soars as it shows viewers exactly why girls and women should never be underestimated.
Zootopia, age 8+
Clever and heartwarming, this charming buddy-animal animated adventure has great messages about courage, empathy, tolerance, teamwork and the dangers of reducing others to stereotypes.
The Jungle Book, age 9+
This update of the Disney classic has many intense scenes, but it's also visually dazzling, with strong messages about the importance of courage, teamwork, family and friendship.
Kubo and the Two Strings, age 9+
With themes of courage and teamwork, this epic adventure is set in an alternate fantasy Japan. Despite its peril, at heart it's a story of familial love, as well as the tale of a young storyteller learning how to be a hero.
Hidden Figures, age 10+
Packed with great role models and positive themes (including integrity, perseverance, teamwork and communication), this inspiring, fact-based drama is about three brilliant black women who worked at NASA in the 1950s and 1960s as human computers.
Queen of Katwe, age 10+
This inspiring true story about a girl from the slums of Uganda who becomes a chess champion has many hard scenes, but they're accompanied by strong themes of empathy, humility, integrity and perseverance.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople, age 12+
Quirky and charming, this New Zealand story is part buddy comedy, part coming-of-age drama, part family adventure and all heart. Plus, it promotes teamwork and friendship between an unlikely pair of allies.
Life, Animated, age 12+
This moving documentary tells the story of a young man with autism who processes emotions and relationships via Disney characters and story lines. It's a phenomenal, poignant movie that's ideal for families with young teens or middle school-age 'tweens.
Loving, age 12+
Inspired by the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, this powerful drama deals with some tough topics. But ultimately the message is one of hope and courage: Love and compassion conquer all, even hatred and prejudice.
Sing Street, age 13+
This winning, thoughtful musical drama celebrates creativity. It has some edgy content, but ultimately it's a rallying cry to be bold, take chances and make mistakes on the way to self-expression.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization offering ratings and advice for families making media and technology choices. Check out its ratings and recommendations at commonsense.org.
Family on 01/04/2017