Steven Spielberg’s film classic, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial turns 40 this month. The heart-warming tale of an alien that just wants to go home became an instant family favourite, while also garnering nine Oscar nominations and four wins.

With Christmas just around the corner, you’ll likely be gathering your family together to enjoy the festive season. 

Why not settle in and enjoy a return to the world of Elliot and his alien friend in honour of their 40th birthday? 

Once you’ve reacquainted yourself with this family film classic, keep reading for a look at some more of the best-loved family movies of all time. 

1. Mary Poppins (1964)

Based on the books of P.L. Travers, this film musical stars Julie Andrews as the “practically perfect” nanny Mary Poppins. 

Alongside Dick Van Dyke’s Bert, the pair take the Banks children on a series of adventures and sing-a-longs that will turn the lives of the whole Banks family upside down.

The film won five Oscars, including best song for ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’.

Its mix of reality and fantasy, live action and animation, and its string of stirring song and dance numbers are sure to keep the family entertained this Christmas.

2. Home Alone (1990)

A perennial Christmas favourite that’s fun to watch all year round, Macauley Culkin stars as Kevin McAllister, a young boy left “home alone” when his family go on holiday.

While Kevin makes the most of his freedom, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern’s burgling duo – the “wet bandits” – lurk outside in the snow. Soon, Kevin is forced to defend his family home.

While Kevin’s mother is racing to get home to be reunited with her son, he is rigging the house with elaborate boobytraps to stay one step ahead of the robbers.

A riot of slapstick humour, the film is a heart-warming lesson on the importance of family, with a John Candy cameo to top it all off.

3. Toy Story 2 (1999)

Pixar’s 1995 original Toy Story was a game-changer in the film industry, introducing audiences to toys Woody and Buzz, as well as heralding a new era of animated filmmaking. But it was the sequel, 1999’s Toy Story 2 where the series really hit its stride.

Originally intended to go straight to video, the sequel expanded the film’s world. It gave grateful audiences new toys to fall in love with, expanded backstories for old favourites, and the perfect blend of emotion, comedy, and adventure.

When an unscrupulous toy collector steals Woody, he has taken to Al’s Toy Barn where he meets a new band of toys whose future is in Woody’s hands.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return alongside the original cast and are joined by Joan Cusack as cowgirl Jessie.

4. Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away won the best animated feature Oscar at the 75th Academy Awards. A hand-drawn masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the film’s success brought the legendary Japanese studio – and its back catalogue of animated film classics – to a wider audience.

10-year-old Chihiro unknowingly enters the Red Gate, a tunnel into the spirit world. As she explores an abandoned market, she finds her parents gorging on food before they are summarily turned into pigs.

Stuck in the spirit world, Chihiro must keep a low profile and avoid detection, all while finding a way to rescue her parents. 

The exquisitely realised world of Japanese folklore will captivate children and adults alike but be warned that the film is a PG. Some scenes – including the transformation of Chihiro’s parents and some of the scarier spirit creatures – may be unsettling for children below the age of around eight.

5. Paddington 2 (2017)

Upon its release, Paddington 2 joined a prestigious list of film sequels widely regarded as being better than their originals.

When Paddington (voiced by Ben Wishaw) is wrongfully imprisoned following a burglary at an antique shop, the Brown family (including Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins, reprising their roles from the first film) fight to clear his name.

While Paddington befriends his fellow inmates, including Brendan Gleeson’s head cook “Knuckles” McGinty, the Browns set out on a treasure hunt. It transpires that the book Paddington is accused of stealing includes a map to untold wealth. But can the Browns find it before the real thief does?

Hugh Grant in full pantomime mode leads a huge ensemble cast of excellent performances as struggling actor Phoenix Buchanan. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?