What’s the hardest part about watching family movies? Picking something to watch.
Research shows that Americans spend up to 110 hours a year trying to decide what family movies to watch. With endless choices—and different preferences among family members—agreeing on what to watch can feel impossible. That said, some families have figured out how to choose faster and keep everyone engaged. Below, find some proven strategies and tips that can help make the decision a little easier.
Use the algorithm—don’t let it use you.
Streaming platforms push recommendations all day. While some people find these recommendations limiting, a study by media research firm Magid shows that teens actually like them. The research, commissioned by Verizon, showed that 83% of teens want video services to show them content based on their viewing history. To make the most of the algorithm that recommends those family movies, you need to interact with the streaming service with intent. So give shows a thumbs up or thumbs down. If you like a show, watch it all the way through. If you don’t, skip it ASAP.
Reset the algorithm and make a new playlist.
If you don’t like the family movies your streaming platform recommends, reset its algorithm. How? Some families will simply start a new profile and start saving a list of current favorites so that the new profile’s algorithm will focus on what they really like.
You can strengthen that recommendation algorithm by watching a few of those family movies together. From there, follow the advice above and give a thumbs up or a thumbs down to get more of what you want.