10 Greatest Catherine O’Hara Kids and Family Movies, Ranked

Catherine O’Hara was an immensely gifted actress on both the small and large screens. Her dry wit and deadpan delivery made her one of the foremost comedic actors of the 20th and 21st centuries. She also possessed the ability to deliver extremely moving and tender performances with unassuming pathos. Her dynamic achievements in the performing arts earned her two Primetime Emmys and a Critics Choice Award. More than these accolades, O’Hara’s roles in some of the most cherished and celebrated kids and family movies have earned her a special place in the hearts and minds of many fans.

With the recent, tragic passing of O’Hara, it is a poignant time to remember some of her best works. For family audiences, there is a wealth of great choices to enjoy. From voicing the heroine in one of Tim Burton’s most iconic films to playing the mom everyone loved in Home Alone, O’Hara’s range and talent knew no bounds. Though she was a prolific performer and had over 100 acting credits to her name, these 10 kids and family films are undoubtedly some of her best.

10 'Elemental' (2023)

Appeared as Brook

A story about worlds colliding and two individuals finding a connection despite differences is Disney and Pixar’s 2023 film, Elemental. In Elemental O’Hara voices Brook, the mother of one of the main characters, Wade (Mamoudou Athie). O’Hara has an extensive career in voice acting, and Brook is a unique character as Elemental envisions water personified.

Elemental is one of Pixar's most visually stunning films, with fire, air, earth, and water all represented in clever and unique ways. The story of the two main characters, Wade and Ember (Leah Lewis), is a refreshing representation of how relationships work in real life. There are well-meaning but embarrassing parent meetings (like when Wade introduces Ember to his mother, Brook) and culture clashes as two individuals from different walks of life learn how to find common ground. Elemental is one of O’Hara’s most fun kids' movie roles and a great one to revisit.

9 'Monster House' (2006)

Appeared as Mom

Another animated film that O’Hara voiced a mother in was the eerie mystery movie Monster House. In the movie, three young kids investigate a house that is no ordinary dwelling. The architecture moves and behaves like it has a mind and a will of its own, and its intentions are not friendly.

Monster House is a hidden gem among horror movies for kids. There are top-notch elements of humor and suspense woven into the story, and all of the voice actors, including O’Hara, bring realism and expressive delivery to their characters. Monster House is an absolute banger from start to finish and a testament to O’Hara’s ability to embrace not only large blockbuster films, but more nuanced and niche projects as well.

8 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' (2004)

Appeared as Justice Strauss

A dark fantasy movie that failed to work box office magic, but earned a cult following with its fans, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events was based on the best-selling book series written by Daniel Handler. Under the pen name Lemony Snicket, Handler tells a tale of woe and misfortune and how three orphaned children rely on each other to prevail under arduous circumstances.

In Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, O’Hara appears as Justice Strauss, a well-meaning neighbor who is tricked by the maniacal Count Olaf (Jim Carrey) into performing a real wedding ceremony. When Justice Strauss unwittingly weds Count Olaf to his young charge, Violet Baudelaire (Emily Browning), the villain has a brief moment of glee as he thinks he now has access to a fortune left behind for Violet and her two siblings. O’Hara is perfect in the film, portraying a kind neighbor whose good intentions are easily taken advantage of by a nefarious fiend. A Series of Unfortunate Events is a macabre masterpiece that was ahead of its time. As aesthetics and audience tastes change over time, this highly underrated movie will only continue to grow in appeal for viewers who know where to look.

7 'Tall Tale' (1995)

Appeared as Calamity Jane

O’Hara got to play an infamous real-life legend in Disney’s 1995 western-themed adventure Tall Tale. Bringing her own signature swagger to the role, O’Hara is ideal as the historic sharpshooter Calamity Jane. Tall Tale explores the idea of what it would be like to meet your heroes in person. A young Nick Stahl stars as Daniel Hackett, a boy who receives supernatural help from his hero, Pecos Bill (Patrick Swayze), to help him save his family farm from a greedy railroad tycoon.

“Well, paint my toenails and curl my hair.” O’Hara is delightfully droll as Calamity Jane. She saunters into a crowded saloon, toting two identical pistols and firing with precise accuracy at any object or person who crosses her. Tall Tale also features two other folk heroes from American history, Roger Aaron Brown as John Henry and Oliver Platt as Paul Bunyan. Tall Tale is a cracking family-friendly western with a delightful mix of real and grandiose elements, and O’Hara is superb as always.

6 'Temple Grandin' (2010)

Appeared as Aunt Ann

Based on the life of Dr. Mary "Temple" Grandin, the 2010 movie starring Claire Danes in the title role featured O’Hara as her ever-patient and understanding aunt, Ann. Dr. Grandin is an American author, inventor, and academic who has been a pioneer in the humane treatment of livestock and an advocate for people on the Autism spectrum. The movie follows the events of Dr. Grandin’s early life and how she discovered her calling by applying scientific research to the ethical treatment of animals. The movie also depicts the struggles Dr. Grandin faced as a person on the Autism spectrum.

O’Hara shines as Ann. In a society that didn’t know how to interact with someone on the Autism spectrum, Ann is a lighthouse, helping bridge the gap of understanding. Ann helps Temple gain social awareness and teaches her how to pick up on cues, such as facial expressions and emotions. She is also willing to go to bat for her niece and ensure that a university continues to enroll her after a misunderstanding. Temple Grandin is best suited for families with teenagers, as some of the depictions of livestock treatment could be disturbing for very young children. O’Hara’s performance is full of tenacious empathy and is one of her very best.

5 'The Wild Robot' (2024)

Appeared as Pinktail

A movie that tackles motherhood in more than one form is the delightful DreamWorks hit The Wild Robot. An unconventional pairing happens when a young duckling named Brightbill (Kit Connor) imprints on a robot named Roz (Lupita Nyong'o) whose delivery crate accidentally crash-landed in the wilderness. O’Hara is a beloved on-screen mother, and her maternal aptitude both on and off the screen made her a perfect choice to voice the mother possum Pinktail.

Pinktail serves as a mentor for Roz, who is very new to parenting. Having had several successful litters of joeys already, Pinktail is a sage voice of advice to the unlikely mom. This casting was spot-on for O’Hara, who has played several well-known mothers in titles like Schitt's Creek. Pinktail is a neat character in that she delivers each pearl of knowledge within a setting of humor and tender nonchalance.

4 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)

Appeared as Sally and Shock

Tim Burton and O’Hara have worked together on several projects, and perhaps the most celebrated is the stop-motion animation film The Nightmare Before Christmas. Written by Tim Burton et al. and directed by Henry Selick, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a mashup of Halloween and Christmas themes, and whether it is a film better suited for which holiday is a topic still hotly debated. In this dark animated fantasy, O’Hara plays the heroine, Sally. Her intentional vocal choices for Sally made her stand apart from other leading ladies and enhanced the motivations and personality of the character.

Sally is a complex persona with many layers and attributes to discover upon each rewatch. To say The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a beloved fan favorite would be a massive understatement. O’Hara’s character has inspired aficionado tributes in every form, from tattoos to wedding themes, and everything in between. O’Hara’s ability to not only voice the character but also sing was invaluable as she gave an emotive performance in the titular “Sally’s Song.” O’Hara’s interpretation of Sally is a noteworthy example of her phenomenal depth of range.

3 'Beetlejuice' (1988)

Appeared as Delia Deetz

Delia Deetz (O’Hara) is not very amused when her husband Charles (Jeffrey Jones) relocates their family to an outdated country house in Beetlejuice. Two other beings who are not pleased are the ghosts who currently inhabit the house, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis). In a flip on traditional haunted tales, the two deceased dwellers hire an appalling entity named Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) to rid their home of the living.

O’Hara’s Delia is sublimely entertaining. Her passion for fashion and wild temper make her fascinating to watch. Saying at one point to her spouse, “I will go insane, and I will take you with me.” Delia is a riot. Beetlejuice is best suited for families with kids aged 13 and up, because it will probably be too scary for younger viewers. For teens who love a good scare and some good gross-out factors, there is no film better. Beetlejuice is one of Burton’s masterpieces and one of O’Hara’s most memorable.

2 'Penelope' (2006)

Appeared as Jessica Wilhern

A mother would do anything for her child. Including sequestering them for most of their life and preparing an endless parade of available suitors to facilitate an arranged marriage. At least that is what Jessica Wilhern (O’Hara) is prepared to do in Penelope. An unfortunate victim of a family curse, Penelope (Christina Ricci) was born with the snout of a pig instead of a human nose. Believing that only a marriage to a wealthy young man will set her daughter free, Jessica stops at nothing to try to secure a happily ever after for her child.

Jessica is a quintessential depiction of well-meaning motherhood. Her tendency to be short-sighted, self-focused, and overbearing never comes from a place of malicious intent. She is simply a mom who thinks her way is the best way of doing things, and she takes charge in a situation she doesn’t fully understand. O’Hara’s razor-sharp comedic talents get to shine brighter in Penelope than in many of her other films. The flawed and hilariously funny Jessica’s blend of sophistication and single-mindedness makes her a strong presence in the story and on the screen, and O’Hara is irreplaceable in the role. Penelope is a wonderfully whimsical movie that will keep audiences of all ages entertained, and O’Hara’s delivery is divine.

1 'Home Alone' (1990)

Appeared as Kate McCallister

When it comes to Catherine O’Hara and outstanding roles in kids and family movies, there is none more cherished than that of Kate McCallister in Home Alone. In the iconic ‘90s Christmas movie, O’Hara plays a busy wife and mother who is mid-air on a flight to Paris before she realizes that her youngest son, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), has been left at home, alone. Home Alone has a comedically stellar cast with Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and John Candy playing key roles in the film.

Home Alone is not only one of the best Christmas movies ever made, it is also one of the most perfect family films ever produced. O’Hara is exceptional as Kate, a relatable heroine whose vulnerability is on display as she faces one of every mother’s greatest fears. O’Hara’s ability to improvise with John Candy in his scenes, connect with Culkin in their scenes together, and confront strangers at airports when flying solo made her performance paramount. Home Alone is one of the most celebrated films to feature O’Hara as one of cinema’s most adored maternal figures. And this is a mantle she upheld with the highest standards of genius and affinity. Her loss is felt deeply by all those who knew her and all those who hold her in their hearts and ideals from her tremendous work. To paraphrase a touching tribute poem Culkin posted on Instagram, “[We] love you. [We’ll] see you later.”