"Never get involved in a land war in Asia."
- Vizzini in The Princess Bride

Flying nannies. Swashbucklers. Talking cars. As rare as they are in everyday life, these whimsical characters are regular players in the ever-popular genre of family films. One of the broadest of genres, family flicks are defined less by what they include than by what they leave out: Excessive violence, nudity, and strong language are all left out in an effort to obtain a coveted G or PG rating. But don't equate family films with silly, kids-only entertainment. No, the goal for family film writers is to create a complex story that will successfully hold the interest of an all-ages audience—everyone from toddlers to grandfathers. Through meaningful storylines, relatable themes, and humor (often layered for different maturity levels), successful family films offer a careful balance of kid-friendly plots and adult-oriented dialogue.

Usually focused on the adventures of a child protagonist, family films are often coming-of-age movies in which the hero must learn to take responsibility. However, since family films are defined by their intended audience rather than a common story structure, the plotlines and central characters in family films can vary quite a bit. The genre also freely borrows techniques and structures from other genres, most often from adventure, animation, and comedy films. Keeping their stories focused on universal goals and problems that audience members of all shapes and sizes can appreciate, family film writers ultimately aim to remind viewers of what it’s like to be a kid. The wonderment of childhood is a phenomenon understood by everyone, and by tapping into these early emotions, writers hope to create movies that will be loved for a lifetime.