This curated list of family-friendly films explores the profound theme of life after death. These movies offer comfort, understanding, and a gentle way to discuss mortality with children and adults alike. Each film provides a unique perspective on what might happen after we pass, making it easier for families to navigate conversations about loss and the afterlife.

Field of Dreams (1989)
Description: Ray Kinsella builds a baseball field in his cornfield after hearing voices, leading to encounters with the spirits of baseball legends, offering a magical take on life after death.
Fact: The film was adapted from the novel "Shoeless Joe" by W.P. Kinsella.


Ghost (1990)
Description: Sam Wheat, a murdered banker, remains on Earth as a ghost to protect his girlfriend from danger, exploring themes of love, loss, and the afterlife.
Fact: The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two.


Defending Your Life (1991)
Description: After dying in a car accident, Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, where he must defend his life choices before moving on to the next phase of existence.
Fact: The film was written, directed, and starred Albert Brooks.


What Dreams May Come (1998)
Description: Chris Nielsen dies and enters a beautiful afterlife, but when his wife commits suicide, he ventures into Hell to save her soul, offering a visually stunning depiction of the afterlife.
Fact: The film won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.


The Sixth Sense (1999)
Description: While not strictly a family film, this movie's exploration of a boy who sees dead people provides a unique perspective on life after death, suitable for older children and teens.
Fact: M. Night Shyamalan wrote the screenplay in just three days.


The Lovely Bones (2009)
Description: This film tells the story of Susie Salmon, who watches over her family from heaven after her untimely death. It explores themes of loss, healing, and the afterlife in a way that's accessible to older children and adults.
Fact: The film was directed by Peter Jackson, known for his work on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.


Heaven Is for Real (2014)
Description: Based on a true story, this film recounts the experience of a young boy who claims to have visited Heaven during a near-death experience. It provides a comforting narrative for families dealing with the concept of the afterlife.
Fact: The book on which the film is based became a New York Times bestseller.


Coco (2017)
Description: "Coco" follows Miguel Rivera, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family's ban on music. His journey to the Land of the Dead reveals the importance of remembering and celebrating our ancestors, making it a poignant exploration of life after death.
Fact: The film was inspired by the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, and it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.


The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
Description: A couple who can't have children magically receive a boy named Timothy, who teaches them about life, love, and the importance of family, with a touch of the supernatural.
Fact: The film was produced by Disney, known for its family-friendly content.


Heart and Souls (1993)
Description: Four ghosts who died in a bus crash in 1959 are tied to a baby born at the same moment, and they must resolve their unfinished business through him, exploring themes of life, death, and redemption.
Fact: The film was Robert Downey Jr.'s first starring role in a major studio film.
