Amid the upsurge in big-budget epic, fantasy, thriller, and animation movies in 2010, only a handful of remarkable live-action offerings were primarily meant for the family audience. These films didn’t necessarily use kiddie themes, but the way they presented their stories and the wholesome concepts make them ideal options for a family movie treat. This list is based on popular and critical reviews coming from some of the most credible movie sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
“Secretariat”
Based on a true story, the inspirational drama “Secretariat” features the extraordinary spirit of a housewife and mother who finds a reason to believe and prevail at a time when her family seems to be losing everything. This brings the viewers to the spectacular journey of Penny Chenery as she takes over her father’s long-running but now ailing Virginia-based stable.
Showing her strife with her extended family and the people around the horse and racing business, she struggles to prove herself with her lack of horse-racing knowledge in a seemingly gender-biased industry. Ultimately, her horse Secretariat becomes the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.
“Nanny McPhee Returns”
“Nanny McPhee Returns” is a sequel to the children’s fantasy movie “Nanny McPhee.” This charming family film is a cinematic adaptation coming from Christianna Brand’s “Nurse Matilda” books. For this second installment, Nanny McPhee arrives at the door of a young, struggling mother who is faced with serious household chaos at a time when her husband is fighting in the war. The magical nanny uses her powers to teach the mischievous children moral lessons.
Working as a smart and imaginative fairy tale that both children and their parents can appreciate, this film portrays the family with a flavorful mix of magic, humor, melancholy, and love.
“The Karate Kid”
“The Karate Kid” is a remake of the 1980s martial arts classic about a bullied boy who becomes an underdog contender for a martial arts competition. Although following the same plot as the original, this 2010 film uses a much younger main character and changes the martial art featured in the story from karate to kung fu.
Although the title issue arising from this is something to think about, this movie still delivers as a satisfying family flick about a boy from Detroit who moves to China with his mother and meets an aging maintenance man who turns out to be a kung fu master.
“Ramona and Beezus”
Based on the best-selling “Ramona” series from author Beverly Cleary, the family comedy “Ramona and Beezus” follows the misadventures of the accident-prone girl Ramona and her big sister Beezus. This light-hearted piece shows Ramona encountering one mishap to the next, which includes the many troubles she brings in her own attempt to help her family’s financial difficulties. After countless funny antics and accidents, her actions still pay off, as she and her family overcome their monetary issues, keep their house, and at the same time allow Ramona to stay in her school.
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