There is nothing like hanging out with your children on movie nights. With that bowl of snacks to munch on, family time is more fulfilling with entertainment that both the kids and the adults look forward to when being together. Here is a list of 12 movies that are age-friendly enough to occupy the entire family in a movie watching session. Classics, musicals, animated, all the way to the retro goodies, this list has it all. Maybe the kids will go one step further and ask to read the books the movies are based on. It might be time to put down Harry Potter and discover the classics.
1. The Big Friendly Giant
The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and brings to life Roald Dahl’s book, as it tells the tale of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent Big Friendly Giant. They embark on an adventure to capture the evil, human-eating giants. The movie revolves around discovering friendship and family in the unlikeliest places, and is wholesome with themes such as courage, empathy, and perseverance.
2. A Wrinkle in Time
The movie is an adaption of Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 classic book about a teen named Meg, her brilliant little brother, and her friend on an epic voyage to find her missing father. They are guided on their journey across time and space by three supernatural beings. The movie is diverse with themes like courage, perseverance, and teamwork, the dominating message being: love triumphs over all perils.
3. Peter Rabbit
Based on Beatrix Potter’s books, the movie brings Peter Rabbit to life in this animated feature. Peter Rabbit, his three sisters: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton Tail and their cousin Benjamin indulge in many escapades to harass Mr McGregor in his vegetable garden. After Mr McGregor dies, his relatives inherit the house. The fight continues with the new owner until he has a change of heart. The main moral behind Peter Rabbit is that you reap what you sow.
4. The Little Prince
The Little Prince is based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s book that is considered a world classic. A young girl befriends the old man next door, the Aviator. He shows the girl a world where she learns to enjoy her childhood and learns lessons about the preciousness of human connections. The sole message of animated film is to make time to enjoy the many moments that life offers.
5. The Goonies
The Goonies is a children’s movie from the bygone days, and might come with its set of problems of people being represented as stereotypes. Written by Steven Spielberg, the movie is about a group of young misfits called The Goonies, who unearth an ancient map and depart on an adventure to find a pirate’s lost treasure only to encounter dangerous obstacles along the way. This movie makes an entertaining watch, embracing themes such as friendship and endurance.
6. Annie
Annie is based on a 1924 comic strip. The film is a musical comedy about an orphan girl named Annie who lives in an orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan. Oliver, a rich man fostering her, announces a search and reward for Annie’s parents, which attracts many bad people who want to claim Annie as their own. The movie is filled with some unforgettable songs and there are many morals surrounding the determination of Annie as she goes from rags to riches.
7. Coco
The film portrays a child’s desire to become a musician despite his family’s wishes. Miguel ends up in the Land of the Dead, and makes it into the real world with the power of unconditional love. In some parts, the movie is dark and sad, it might effect children who have lost people close to them. In tackling these difficult themes, death is presented in beautiful ways. The movie pays tribute to family, tradition, customs and culture.
8. Moana
The animated film is about a Polynesian island chief’s daughter, Moana, who embarks on a quest to save her people with the demigod Maui. The music in the movie is memorable. Moana is a typical Disney role model. The movie tackles themes such as empowerment, courage in the face of danger and understanding one’s own identity.
9. Beethoven
A retro children’s movie about an adorable St Bernard dog named Beethoven, who causes much trouble for his human family. Beethoven also saves most situations and brings the best out of people. A veterinarian, along with his henchmen, runs a stolen dog ring business, giving rise to scenes about the abuse of animals in the name of research. Overall, the movie and it’s squeals are a fun watch for most animal loving families.
10. Mary Poppins Returns
The present-day sequel to the 1964 Mary Poppins classic film catches the flying, singing, moral-imparting Mary as she arrives to help Michael Bank’s children. The family home is in danger of repossession. The movie has many captivating songs and positive themes along the lines of gratitude, compassion, humanity, the power of family and believing in oneself.
11. Where the Wild Things Are
The film is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s picture book. Max feels he does not fit at school or home and escapes to the land of the Wild Things. The creatures allow Max to become their leader, and he promises to create a kingdom where everyone will be happy, only to find out that being king is not easy. The movie can be dark at times, but the overriding themes surround friendship, insecurity, loneliness and the fear of changes.
12. Hugo
The film is adapted from a historical novel by Brian Selznick. The orphan Hugo lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. He oils and maintains the station’s clocks, but his true passion lies in cracking the code of the machine written in a notebook left to him by his late father. Hugo is also on a quest to find a place he can call home. Themes include perseverance and overcoming fears.