History SoMyKidsCanWatch / Film

* Creator/JackBlack inverted this trope when he starred in Film/TheHoliday. He wanted to make a movie that his mother would enjoy.

** Creator/MarkRuffalo took the part of the [[Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk Hulk]] from ''Film/TheAvengers2012'' onward for this reason (that, and Creator/EdwardNorton didn't want to come back). Backfired when his kids became so terrified he had to take them out of the theater.

** Creator/DjimonHounsou has said he took the role of Korath in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' because his son is a big fan of the {{Superhero}} genre, and he'd like to show him a more racially diverse depiction of comic characters.
** Creator/JamesSpader claims one of his big motivations for playing the title villain in ''[[Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron Avengers: Age of Ultron]]'' was that his sons are superhero fans. [[AwesomeDearBoy That, and he'd wanted to do a superhero film for a while]].
** Creator/TimRoth was best-known for playing [[Film/RobRoy murderers]], [[Film/PulpFiction robbers]], and badasses in general but did ''Film/TheIncredibleHulk'' once his sons were old enough to start going to his movies. He was, however, still typecast as the villain. (Interestingly, he turned down the role of [[Film/HarryPotter Professor Snape]] in favor of the ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes2001'' remake...)

** Gambon's [[TheOtherDarrin predecessor]], Creator/RichardHarris, initially turned down the role of Dumbledore because he knew [[AuthorExistenceFailure he wasn't going to be around for seven movies]]. His 11-year-old granddaughter heard about it and threatened never to speak to him again. He changed his mind on the grounds that he couldn't do without her.

** After playing a NobleDemon [[Series/TheWire corrupt gangster]] and [[Series/{{Luther}} even more terrifying]] CowboyCop, he starred in three films for Creator/Disney in 2016: ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'', ''Film/TheJungleBook2016'', and ''WesternAnimation/FindingDory''. Never mind the fact that the second film, despite being a LiveActionAdaptation of a [[WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967 classic children's film]], is essentially DarkerAndEdgier than its [[Literature/TheJungleBook source material]] and the fact that [[spoiler: [[BigBad Shere Khan]] suffers a FamilyUnfriendlyDeath [[KillItWithFire by fire]] in the climax]].

* Creator/JamesMarsden took the role for Prince Edward in ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' so that he and his kids could have something to watch together. After the birth of his 9-year-old son, he starred in ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020'' and the upcoming ''[[WesternAnimation/TheBossBaby The Boss Baby: Family Business]]''.

* Dame Judith took the part of T'Lar in ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'' for her nephew, whom she jokingly said would never have forgiven her for turning down a role in a Star Trek film.

* Dame Creator/JudithAnderson took the part of T'Lar in ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'' for her nephew, whom she jokingly said would never have forgiven her for turning down a role in a Star Trek film.

* Creator/DameJudithAnderson took the part of T'Lar in ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'' reportedly because her nephew would never have forgiven her if she turned down a part in a Star Trek film.

* Creator/RobinWilliams (again, no relation). He didn't start doing it right after his first son, Zachary, was born (1982), though. But after his other two children, Zelda (1989) and Cody (1991) were born, he did stuff like ''Film/{{Hook}}'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', ''WesternAnimation/FernGullyTheLastRainforest'', ''Film/{{Jumanji}}'', and ''Film/{{Jack}}''. ''Film/MrsDoubtfire'' might also count as a family film, albeit one [[ParentalBonus for the WHOLE family]]. Williams had gone back to the more adult roles sometime in the [=2000s=], but he still did [[WesternAnimation/{{Robots}} a few]] [[WesternAnimation/HappyFeet kiddie flicks]] [[Film/NightAtTheMuseum here and there]] before his suicide in 2014.

** Rumor has it that Music/ChanceTheRapper joined ''World Tour'' as Prince D because her daughter Kensli is a fan of the franchise before being recast with Music/AndersonPaak.

* Creator/AntonioBanderas did the ''Spy Kids'' franchise, the ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' franchise, and ''WesternAnimation/PussInBoots'' so that her daughter and [[Creator/DakotaJohnson stepdaughter]] could watch films he was in, since most of [[Film/{{Desperado}} his films]] [[Film/OnceUponATimeInMexico were too violent]], [[Film/TheMaskOfZorro too mature]], or [[Film/TheThirteenthWarrior too visceral]] to enjoy. His later roles in ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOutOfWater'' and ''Film/{{Dolittle}}'' could also count.

** Creator/MichaelDouglas said the exact same thing about taking on the role of [[ComicBook/AntMan Hank Pym]] in ''Film/AntMan1'', stating that his 13-year old son is a huge superhero fan, whom he took to Comic-Con to promote the movie.

** Likewise, Creator/TomHardy's son was a fan of Venom, so he became Eddie Brock in ''Film/{{Venom|2018}}''. And given it's an AntiHero with a pechant for violence, Hardy snarked at the SDCC:

* Creator/KevinKline: [[OldShame Just don't mention]] ''Film/WildWildWest'' [[OldShame to him]]. He also starred in ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'', ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'', ''Literature/TheTaleOfDespereaux'', and ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'' for his son Owen and daugther Greta.

* Creator/RyanReynolds is most well known for his R-rated roles, particularly Film/{{Deadpool|2016}}. He leapt at the opportunity to do something more kid-friendly, the titular star of ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'', [[https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/2019/08/11/ryan-reynolds-talks-why-making-detective-pikachu-was-important-to-him/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook so his children could enjoy a movie he was in]].
** Creator/BillNighy also gave this reason for being in the film. That, and [[ConvertedFanboy an other reason entirely...]]

** Similarly, her fiance Music/BlakeShelton took roles in ''WesternAnimation/TheAngryBirdsMovie'' and ''WesternAnimation/UglyDolls''.

* Creator/JohnnyDepp, in numerous roles. He still manages to remain [[Film/{{Rango}} incredibly bizarre]] ([[WesternAnimation/CorpseBride even]] [[Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory creepy]]) in these roles. In an interview, he confessed that it wasn't ''fully'' motivated by this trope, but he didn't want "the [=DVDs=] for his movies all at the back of the shelf".

** Considering Alec Baldwin is known for having a sardonic sense of humor, he might have been joking. His role in ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' is likely an example of this too. However, [[WesternAnimation/MadagascarEscape2Africa his]] [[WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians later]] [[WesternAnimation/TheBossBaby works with]] Creator/DreamWorksAnimation could be seen as better attempts.

* Creator/RobertRodriguez made the ''Film/SpyKids'' franchise, ''Film/{{Shorts}}'', and ''Film/WeCanBeHeroes'' for his children. ''Film/TheAdventuresOfSharkBoyAndLavaGirl'' was even written by his children (see above).

** ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'' has a lot of interesting ideas that were fumbled in execution. But there is one relatively last-minute change which makes it controversial: Anakin was supposed to be 12 and not 8, which makes his relationship with Padme less confusing. But George wanted to make movies for his kids and that's how old they were. Overall this change makes the movie more kid-friendly, which isn't terrible on its own but that's why we have Jar Jar.

* Creator/RaulJulia took the role of M. Bison from the ''Film/StreetFighter'' film as a gift to his children. He already knew he was dying of cancer and wanted to earn a decent final salary as a legacy to his surviving family members. He let his sons choose his last role from the ones he was currently being offered, and they, fans of the series, chose that one. [[HamAndCheese And did he give himself a send-off.]] Fans of Raul Julia weren't pleased that he was sent off with such a horrible movie... but those that could slog through the crap he had to deal with were treated to one of the most [[MemeticMutation DELICIOUS]] {{supervillain}}s ''ever''.

* According to the man himself, Creator/AdamSandler's ''Film/BedtimeStories'' and ''Film/JackAndJill'' were created for his kids, made apparent by the lack of raunchy humor Adam Sandler movies are typically known for in favor of more lighthearted, juvenile gags. He also starred in the ''WesternAnimation/HotelTransylvania'' franchise and ''Film/{{Pixels}}''...of course, whether or not the latter film can be [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids considered family-friendly]] is up to debate.
* Creator/BrookeShields did ''Film/FurryVengeance'' for her kids.
* Creator/WillSmith: Aside from the aforementioned ''Film/MenInBlack'', ''Film/WildWildWest'', and ''WesternAnimation/SharkTale'' for his son [[Creator/JadenSmith Jaden]] and daughter [[Music/WillowSmith Willow]], he also did ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'', ''Film/Aladdin2019'' (a LiveActionAdaptation of [[WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}} the animated Disney film of the same name]]), and ''WesternAnimation/SpiesInDisguise''.
* Creator/MarySteenburgen played Clara Clayton in ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII'' (and subsequently in [[WesternAnimation/BackToTheFuture the animated series]]) because her children begged her. This was quite fortunate for the filmmakers, who regarded her as their first and only choice for the part.
* Creator/MerylStreep took the role of Aunt Josephine in ''Film/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'' upon the request of her daughter, a big fan of [[Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents the books]]. On the other hand, she starred in ''Film/MammaMia'' specifically to ''embarrass'' her children.
* Despite the film's R rating, Creator/DenzelWashington made ''Film/{{Virtuosity}}'' because his son asked him to do the film.
* Creator/SigourneyWeaver appeared in ''Film/{{Holes}}'' because it was her daughter's favorite book and she begged her to play the Warden.

* Creator/WaltonGoggins: He appeared in roles like ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'' and the upcoming ''[[WesternAnimation/SpiritRidingFree Spirit Untamed]]'' for his son Augustus.
* Although he doesn't have children himself, it could be argued that Creator/JakeGyllenhaal starred in ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' and the upcoming ''[[WesternAnimation/SpiritRidingFree Spirit Untamed]]'' for his niece Ramona and goddaughter Matilda.

** After the birth of his next two daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, he then took roles as the demigod Maui in ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}''; Dr. Smolder Bravestone in the PG-rated ''Film/JumanjiWelcomeToTheJungle'', which came out soon after an R-rated turn in another remake, ''Film/{{Baywatch}}'' (and in the midst of his starring in the adult-oriented TV series, Series/{{Ballers}}); the sequel ''Film/JumanjiTheNextLevel''; an executive producer in the superhero film ''Film/Shazam2019''; and the upcoming ''Film/JungleCruise'' along fellow entry Creator/EmilyBlunt.

** Considering Alec Baldwin is known for having a sardonic sense of humor, he might have been joking. His role in ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' is likely an example of this too.

* Creator/JohnnyDepp, in numerous roles. He still manages to remain incredibly bizarre (even [[Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory creepy]]) in these roles. In an interview, he confessed that it wasn't ''fully'' motivated by this trope, but he didn't want "the [=DVDs=] for his movies all at the back of the shelf".

** After the birth of his next two daughters, Jasmine and Tiana, he then took roles as the demigod Maui in ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'', Dr. Smolder Bravestone in the PG-rated ''Film/JumanjiWelcomeToTheJungle'' which came out soon after an R-rated turn in another remake, ''Film/{{Baywatch}}'' (and in the midst of his starring in the adult-oriented TV series, Series/{{Ballers}}), the sequel ''Film/JumanjiTheNextLevel'', and an executive producer in the superhero film ''Film/{{Shazam}}''.
Johnson once recounted a story on ''[[Creator/DavidLetterman Late Show with David Letterman]]'' about how he asked the studio to make him a special copy of ''Film/TheScorpionKing'' -- only his scenes, and cutting anything that wouldn't get a G rating, because his very young daughter wanted to see "Daddy's movie." This special cut ran about 5 minutes. He would later go on to play the demigod Maui in ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'' for this reason. He also .

* Creator/KevinKline: [[OldShame Just don't mention]] ''Film/WildWildWest'' [[OldShame to him]]. He also starred in ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'', ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'', and ''Literature/TheTaleOfDespereaux'' for his son Owen and daugther Greta.

* Creator/TimBurton doing ''Film/BigFish'' and ''Film/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'' can be justified by the birth of his son and the death of his father.

** Creator/TomVaughanLawlor joined ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'' and ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' as [[EvilSorcerer Ebony]] [[TheSociopath Maw]] so his son could see an age-appropriate film he was in, as noted here in [[https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/my-son-thinks-its-funny-because-i-look-so-ugly-tom-vaughan-lawlor-opens-up-about-villainous-role-in-avengers-infinity-war-36855675.html this article]]. This, despite the fact he plays one of the villains [[spoiler: and suffers a FriendlyUnfriendlyDeath to boot]].

** After playing a NobleDemon [[Series/TheWire corrupt gangster]] and [[Series/{{Luther}} even more terrifying]] CowboyCop, he starred in three films for Creator/Disney in 2016: ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'', ''Film/TheJungleBook2016'', and ''WesternAnimation/FindingDory''. Never mind the fact that the second film, despite being a LiveActionAdaptation of a [[WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967 classic children's film]], is essentially DarkerAndEdgier than its source material.

* [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]] seems to be becoming notorious for this. Johnson once recounted a story on ''[[Creator/DavidLetterman Late Show with David Letterman]]'' about how he asked the studio to make him a special copy of ''Film/TheScorpionKing'' -- only his scenes, and cutting anything that wouldn't get a G rating, because his very young daughter wanted to see "Daddy's movie." This special cut ran about 5 minutes. He would later go on to play the demigod Maui in ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'' for this reason. He also took a starring role in the PG-rated ''Film/JumanjiWelcomeToTheJungle'' which came out soon after an R-rated turn in another remake, ''Film/{{Baywatch}}'' (and in the midst of his starring in the adult-oriented TV series, Series/{{Ballers}}).

** Creator/AntonioBanderas also said he did ''Spy Kids'' so his kids could watch. His roles in ''WesternAnimation/Shrek2'', ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheThird'', ''WesternAnimation/ShrekForeverAfter'' can also count.

* Creator/AngelinaJolie: For every ''Film/LaraCroftTombRaider'', ''Film/MrAndMrsSmith'', ''Film/{{Wanted}}'', and ''Film/{{Salt}}'', there is one ''WesternAnimation/SharkTale'', ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'', ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'', ''Film/{{Maleficent}}'' ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda3'', ''Film/MaleficentMistressOfEvil'', and the upcoming ''[[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse Eternals]]''.

** One of the main reasons the Creator/McElroyBrothers wanted roles in ''WesternAnimation/TrollsWorldTour''.

* Creator/StephenGaghan, best known for [[Film/{{Traffic}} crime dramas]] and [[Film/{{Syriana}} political thrillers]], directed ''Film/{{Dolittle}}'', a children's fantasy blockbuster, for his two younger children.

* Creator/MNightShyamalan said he did ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' for his kids because they all loved the ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' show. [[OldShame It...]] [[CreatorBacklash didn't]] [[ExecutiveMeddling pan out]] [[CreatorKiller the way]] [[BoxOfficeBomb he intended]].

** Creator/AnthonyMackie pursued the role of ComicBook/TheFalcon so that his son, nieces, and nephews could have a black superhero to look up to.

** Creator/MichaelDouglas said the exact same thing about taking on the role of [[ComicBook/AntMan Hank Pym]] in ''Film/AntMan1'', stating that his 13-year old son is a huge superhero fan.
-->'''Douglas:''' And most importantly, I did it for my children. They’re so excited. I’ve finally got a picture that they are so excited about. Dad is cool. You have to understand, for most of my career, I’ve done so many R-rated pictures. They can never see any of my movies. Just recently, at 14 and 12, they’re becoming more aware of some of the things that I’ve done. So, this is a lot of fun.
** Creator/CateBlanchett has commented that she joined in ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' for the massive amounts of street cred that it will give her with her kids. Apparently, it was one of her sons (reportedly the eldest) who suggested that she do a blockbuster movie in the first place after she finished filming the comparatively more serious ''Film/{{Carol}}''. This is also what persuaded her to agree to do the voice of Valka in ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2'', saying that her initial response was to smile at the director and tell him the first movie was very popular in their house.

--->I took the film because I have grandchildren now, and I get to ride around on a giant bumblebee... My grandchildren are... going to say to kids at school, "Can ''your'' grandfather do that?"

** Likewise, Creator/TomHardy's son was a fan of Venom, so he became Eddie Brock in ''Film/{{Venom|2018}}''. And given it's an AntiHero with a pechant for violence, Hardy snarked at the SDCC that "I wanted to do something my son could watch. So I did something where I bite people's heads off."

-->'''[=McConaughey=]:''' I look back at my last ten years and I haven't made anything my kids can see. It's not a good idea to sit them down in front of a lot...''anything'' in the last ten years ''yet''.

** Creator/RobertRedford wanted to do ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' because his grandchildren are fans of Marvel movies and he wanted them to see him in one.

** Creator/CateBlanchett has commented that she joined in ''Film/ThorRagnarok'' for the massive amounts of street cred that it will give her with her kids. Apparently, it was one of her sons who suggested that she do a blockbuster movie in the first place after she finished filming the comparatively more serious ''Film/{{Carol}}''. This is also what persuaded her to agree to do the voice of Valka in ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2'', saying that her initial response was to smile at the director and tell him the first movie was very popular in their house.

** After playing a NobleDemon [[Series/TheWire corrupt gangster]] and [[Series/{{Luther}} even more terrifying]] CowboyCop, he starred in three films for Creator/Disney in 2016: ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'', ''Film/TheJungleBook2016'', and ''WesternAnimation/FindingDory''. Never mind the fact that the second film, despite being a LiveActionAdaptation of a [[WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967 classic children's film]], is essentially DarkerAndEdgier.
** [[Film/{{Thor}} His]] [[Film/ThorTheDarkWorld roles]] [[Film/ThorRagnarok in the]] Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, Film/StarTrekBeyond, and Film/HobbsAndShaw could count as well.

** He later took roles in ''WesternAnimation/AChristmasCarol'', ''WesternAnimation/Planet51'', and ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'', the latter two as the BigBad again.

* Creator/MatthewMcConaughy starred in ''WesternAnimation/{{Sing}}'' because [[Literature/TheLincolnLawyer his]] [[Film/KillerJoe most]] [[Film/Mud recent] [[Film/MagicMike body]] [[Film/DallasBuyersClub of]] [[Film/TheWolfOfWallStreet works]] were too mature for his kids to watch.

** * [[Series/TheSoup Joel]] [[Series/{{Community}} McHale]] said this was why he did ''Film/SpyKidsAllTheTimeInTheWorld''. Creator/JessicaAlba also appeared in it for her children.

* Mary Steenburgen played Clara Clayton in ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII'' (and subsequently in [[WesternAnimation/BackToTheFuture the animated series]]) because her children begged her. This was quite fortunate for the filmmakers, who regarded her as their first and only choice for the part.

* JenniferGarner: She starred

* Creator/RashidaJones did the voice of Donna Lou-Who in ''[[WesternAnimation/TheGrinch2018 The Grinch]]'' for her then soon-to-be-born son Isaiah.