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What To Stream With Your In-Laws Over The Holidays

Deciding what to watch with your extended family can be tough, especially when it comes to your in-laws. But that’s why we’re here because we know there’s nothing more awkward than a surprise sex scene leading to inquiry from the little ones in the room. Or when one of your seemingly harmless suggestions accidentally sparks conversation about political correctness or other topics that should and must remain out of all holiday conversation.

To help, we’ve picked the cream of the streaming crop to watch with the in-laws you still so desperately try to impress after all these years. Don’t worry, everything is free of nudity, politics, and other subjects that are taboo for the family-friendly holiday season. We even ordered them based on the viewing crowd: from the youngsters to adults.

1

Holiday classic: 'Elf' (2003)

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Photo: Everett Collection

Though this is a Christmas-oriented flick, it’s Rabbi Approved and great to watch any time of year. Will Ferrell is Buddy the Elf, a human raised among elves in Santa’s workshop, who discovers his dad (James Caan) lives in the magical land of New York City. There’s just one thing: he’s on the Naughty List. [Watch Elf on Amazon Instant Video]

2

For the girls: 'Frozen' (2013)

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Photo: Everett Collection

Have a lot of little girls in your extended family? Chances are they’ve already seen the story of Princess Elsa dozens of times, but so far, no one seems to be sick of it yet. Except maybe you and every other adult in America. Although when you put this one on, you can guarantee some peace, so just “let it go.” [Watch Frozen on iTunes]

3

Appease all generations: 'Toy Story' (1995)

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Photo: Everett Collection

While hanging out with the in-laws, you simply can’t go wrong with a Pixar movie. When it comes to pleasing mixed age groups: make Pixar your go-to. Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Wall-E, and Finding Nemo are written with adults in mind, but the animation is so enthralling to the little ones, their eyes are sure to be glued to the screen. [Watch Toy Story on Amazon Instant Video]

4

Nothing but good vibes: 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)

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Photo: Everett Collection

Arguably the best adaptation of the classic tale, Kermit and the gang teach “Bah! Humbug” Scrooge (Michael Caine) the true meaning of Christmas. This one is perfect to watch on Christmas Eve before the kiddies have to head upstairs for the night. [Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on Netflix]

5

For the golden oldies: 'Charade'

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Photo: Everett Collection

Time and again this movie comes through in the clutch with the older crowd. Audrey Hepburn plays Regina Lampert, a widow on the run from those after her dead husband’s fortune. While dodging threats against her life, she meets the dashing Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) who seems like he can protect her from it all — but can she trust him? Both Hepburn and Grant are truly at their best (and totally out of their element) in this classic spy comedy that will charm the socks off the old folks in your family clan. [Watch Charade on Netflix]

6

A love story without nudity: 'The Princess Bride' (1987)

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Photo: Everett Collection

This movie has everything: laughs, heart, giant rodents, and most importantly, a fairy tale ending to keep everyone happy this holiday season. [Watch The Princess Bride on Amazon Instant Video]

7

For wholesome laughs: 'Home Alone' (1990)

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Photo: Everett Collection

Take the remote, you filthy animal, and put on this John Hughes/Chris Columbus holiday classic. In the mayhem of leaving for an extravagant family vacation, the McAllisters forgot one thing at home: their youngest son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin). [Watch Home Alone on Vudu]

8

PG-13 fun: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014)

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Photo: Everett Collection

Marvel brings you a rag-tag group of criminals living in — you guessed it — space, who have to ban together to put an end to the evil Ronan the Accuser, whose very existence threatens the entire universe. It’s action-packed, totally family-friendly, and features one of the best soundtracks of the year. [Watch Guardians of the Galaxy on iTunes]

9

For a tight-knit clan: 'Nebraska' (2013)

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Photo: Everett Collection

It might sound corny, even for this time of year, but this is one of those movies that genuinely makes you feel warm inside. Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is hell bent on trekking to Nebraska to pick up the million dollars he believes he’s won from a sweepstakes. Maybe it’s the awesome performances from Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, and Bob Odenkirk or perhaps it’s calming nature of watching the snowy midwest in black and white, but there’s something about Nebraska that just makes you feel, well, good. Warning for sensitive ears: June Squibb drops an F-bomb, but if you’re among good-humored folks, it’s all good. [Watch Nebraska on Netflix]

10

Just the adults: 'Boyhood' (2014)

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Photo: Everett Collection

Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age masterpiece is technically rated R, but there’s nothing too risqué about Boyhood, which is perfect to stream with teens and adults who are looking to catch up on this year’s awards season contenders. Directed over the course of twelve years, Linklater tells the story of young Mason (Ellar Coltrane), from ages five to eighteen. [Watch Boyhood on Amazon Instant Video]