5 Movies I Hope My Kids Think are Funny
It’s no secret that I love movies. They were a big part of my childhood, back when going to the movie theater on the weekend was still a very popular pastime and going to Blockbuster even more so. I’ve also always enjoyed sharing movies with others, something that makes the entire experience even more enjoyable for me. So it’s only natural I turned into a dad that wants to share his favorite movies with his kids.
The movie experience is an entirely new beast nowadays. I think that streaming has made it harder for kids to fall in love with the movie experience in general - and more difficult to broaden their horizons too, since the show they know they love is available 24/7. And that’s probably why I feel like it might actually take a real concerted effort to introduce kids to classics these days.
And, when I find myself perusing my outdated DVDs and VHS tapes, there’s one thought that crosses my mind over and over again - “I hope my kids think this is funny.” I value a good sense of humor very much, and the more comedy you can enjoy to the fullest, the more chances you have to experience happiness. And if I can pass on that lifelong blessing to my kids, I’ll consider it a job well done.
Comedy can certainly be subjective, and even more so when it’s absurd comedy. I tend to like a lot of comedies where people tend to fall into two camps - either you really get it or you really don’t. And perhaps that’s the reason I’ve found myself wondering if my kids will like these movies. I just really hope they get them!
And it’s no guarantee by any means. Neither of them are much interested in live action movies at all yet, and my wife isn’t a fan of movies at all and is often puzzled why I think many of these movies are funny. But I won’t give up! Challenge accepted! I consider it my fatherly duty to raise these whippersnappers to appreciate a good laugh and to embrace the absurd.
There are of course many more funny movies out there that I love. But I chose these 5 movies because I have a very strong attachment to them, and I think they are excellent examples of movies people either adore or just don’t understand at all. And what is our duty as parents at all if not to help our kids understand things?
The Jerk (1979)
I have very fond memories of The Jerk, and it’s probably my favorite Steve Martin movie. But, despite that, I think it might also be the hardest sell to the next generation on my list. It strikes me as a good example of an older movie that will take a concerted effort to endear to kids.
The best scene for me is absolutely when he’s gathering up all the things he needs. “The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and this lamp, and that’s all I need!”
The Jerk is Steve Martin at his comedic best, and that’s saying a lot. It’s a lot more sophisticated than “this character is stupid and that’s funny.” I hope my kids grow up to appreciate his timing and the writing in this movie. It’s great character acting and a very memorable movie for me. Hopefully one day we’ll all be laughing while we watch Steve Martin walk down the sidewalk with his paddle ball and chair and ashtray.
Hot Rod (2007)
Hot Rod might be the one movie on this list that splits opinions more than any other, but that also makes it the perfect barometer for my dad skills. People either think this movie is hilarious or they don’t quite get it. And my kids will get it or I will die trying.
Andy Samberg has had a really successful run as an SNL cast member, and he managed to turn it into a great career in TV and film in a way that few SNL alums do. But, even so, Hot Rod is still criminally underrated. It is a hidden gem that’s laugh out loud funny from beginning to end.
The ensemble cast is also pretty amazing - featuring the amazing comedic talents of Bill Hader and Danny McBride as well. And Andy Samberg deserves even more credit than he is getting. The humor in this film is full of masterful deadpan and absurdity, and I hope the kiddos and I can appreciate it together one day.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Like many people out there, I have a lot of nostalgia for this movie. My dad shared it with me when I was young and I fell in love with perhaps partly because he loved it so much. But now us 2nd generation Holy Grail fans are tasked with passing it down to a 3rd generation of fans - and that’s a lot of pressure!
This film is widely known as perhaps the most quotable comedy of all time. Fans can spend hours spitting their favorite Monty Python quotes back and forth quite contently. And I don’t want my kids to miss out on all that fun.
Monty Python’s humor is definitely absurd, but it’s also very smart. Scenarios are often viewed from new perspectives, and they often unveil absurdities that already existed in the world. It’s a perfect mix of clever commentary and pure absurdity, and it feels like nothing short of a rite of passage in a silly young person’s life at this point.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
I cheated a little bit with this one, because I already know my children love Pee-wee. That’s because we used to watch old episodes of his TV show a lot. But the movie is rated PG, and it also features Large Marge. We haven’t watched the whole thing yet, because I’m pretty sure Large Marge would still give them nightmares. But I’m pretty sure they’re going to love this one.
Pee-wee and Tim Burton played up the very best parts of Pee-wee’s personality for the movie - his astounding self-confidence and his timely sass. Pee-wee is easy to love because of his childlike innocence, his absurdity, his joy, and his disregard for what other’s think. But he often takes that disregard to unheard of levels, which is what makes him so hilarious.
One of my favorite scenes in comedic history is Pee-wee talking his way out of a date with Dotty. “There’s a lot of things about me you don’t know anything about, Dotty. Things you wouldn’t understand, things you couldn’t understand, things you shouldn’t understand.”
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Napoleon Dynamite is perhaps the funniest movie ever made. It is, quite simply, a make-or-break moment as a dad. If my kids don’t love this movie, it will be seen as nothing more than an abject failure from me as a father.
Every single character in this movie is perfect. The casting was amazing, the acting is amazing, and the writing is amazing. Just thinking about how good this movie is has me sitting here scared that my kids won’t love it.
Each role is not only hilarious, but lovable as well. Napoleon, Pedro, Deb, Uncle Rico, Kip - they’re all amazing and memorable characters. And, despite being absurd, they’re all somehow believable as well. It’s easy to fall in love with the characters in this movie and to really root for them, unlike many comedies out there.
After Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I think Napoleon Dynamite might be the second most quotable comedy there is, and that’s certainly high praise. “I see you’re drinking 1%.”
Are there any movies you hope your kids will grow up to love? Which ones would be on your list? Let us know in the comments!
