A Glean movie guide
Beyond the Playground
Cinema the whole family actually enjoys.
Sophisticated stories and sharp wit that parents will love as much as the kids.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Princess Bride
A timeless fairy tale fueled by sharp wit and meta-commentary on storytelling.
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
- 02
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
A visually stunning masterpiece that explores complex themes of identity and mentorship.
Struggling to find his place in the world while juggling school and family, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales is unexpectedly bitten by a radioactive spider and develops unfathomable powers just like the one and only Spider-Man. While wrestling with the implications of his new abilities, Miles discovers a super collider created by the madman Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk, causing others from across the Spider-Verse to be inadvertently transported to his dimension.
- 03
Paddington 2
A charming adventure featuring Wes Anderson-inspired visuals and a deeply earnest heart.
Paddington, now happily settled with the Browns, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy, but it is stolen.
- 04
Spirited Away
A breathtaking animated epic rich with allegorical layers and world-building.
A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.
- 05
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Wes Anderson’s signature deadpan humor brings a sophisticated edge to this stop-motion caper.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox, bored with his current life, plans a heist against the three local farmers. The farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with the sly fox, seek revenge against him and his family.
- 06
Inside Out
A highly conceptual look at emotional intelligence that resonates deeply with adult experiences.
When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home.
- 07
Toy Story
A foundational classic that uses a buddy-comedy lens to explore anxieties about being replaced.
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
- 08
Wall-E
A nearly dialogue-free first act delivers sharp satire on consumerism and a touching romantic arc.
- 09
Back to the Future
A masterclass in screenwriting that balances high-concept sci-fi with relatable family dynamics.
Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and - with the help of his eccentric inventor friend Doc Brown - return to 1985.
- 10
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
A quiet, philosophical mockumentary that tackles grief and community with surprising depth.
Marcel is an adorable one-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. When a documentarian discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, his resulting short film brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope at finding his long-lost family.
- 11
Up
A sophisticated exploration of marriage and loss wrapped in a high-flying adventure.
Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.
- 12
The Incredibles
A superhero story that doubles as a clever exploration of mid-life crises and domestic life.
Bob Parr has given up his superhero days to log in time as an insurance adjuster and raise his three children with his formerly heroic wife in suburbia. But when he receives a mysterious assignment, it's time to get back into costume.