Top Kids movies
It’s often assumed that kids movies don’t have to be particularly good. Some people assume that kids will watch just about anything. Ask any parent who’s had to listen to the “Caillou” series countless times, and they’ll confirm that kids aren’t always the best critics. But kids know when they’re watching something special. Even if they can’t explain why they like a movie, they’ll show you by watching it over and over again. They love it when a story stirs up emotions in them, even if it’s a little scary or sad.
There’s no secret formula for a great children’s movie. But the best ones always treat their audience with respect. They don’t talk down to children. Kids have their own tastes and know when a story is genuine. Here are 25 of the best movies for kids. Maybe you’ll find a few of your own favorites on this list.
HOCUS POCUS - 1
We watch this movie every year on Halloween for good reason. Kids love it. There’s something dangerous about it. The Sanderson sisters are the stars, and they’re actually pretty creepy. In the flashbacks, we see that they’re real child killers. In most movies, they’d be stopped before they could harm anyone, but not here. They actually have several victims to their name. The three kids—Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Thora Birch—are great, but the real star is the cat. Thackeray Binx is a 17th-century teenager who was turned into an immortal cat. He’s the reason everyone still loves this movie.
THE NEVERENDING STORY - 2
This movie is beautiful and a little sad. A boy named Bastian skips school to hide from bullies. In the school attic, he finds an old book. Every child who loves to read knows that feeling of wanting to lose themselves in a book. Bastian begins to realize that he can help the characters in the story. They need him to fight against the Nothing that is destroying their world. It’s a great introduction to the world of fantasy. The film isn’t afraid to be sad. It teaches us that life is a long journey and that we become stronger by getting through tough times.
ALADDIN - 3
Disney really got everything right with this movie. It stood out from their other films, such as “The Little Mermaid.” It’s set in the Middle East and is based on stories from “One Thousand and One Nights.” Aladdin is a street kid who dreams of a better life and wants to win Princess Jasmine’s heart. But the movie is famous above all because of Robin Williams. He played the Genie and was simply hilarious. He told jokes and did voice impressions that most kids back then didn’t even understand. He was like a stand-up comedian and a fairy godmother rolled into one.
TROOP BEVERLY HILLS - 4
This is an absolute hidden gem. Shelley Long was fantastic in it, even though Hollywood didn’t treat her very well after she left the series “Cheers.” She plays Phyllis Nefler, a wealthy socialite who’s going through a divorce. She decides to become the leader of her daughter’s “Wilderness Girls” group. The girls know nothing about life in the great outdoors, but they learn to use their own skills to win. It’s a truly entertaining movie about being yourself. And the outfits? They’re just perfect.
MY GIRL - 5
Sometimes kids have to learn that life can also be sad. Vada Sultenfuss is a girl who lives in a funeral home because her father runs it. Her mother died when she was still a baby. It’s a story about growing up and coming to terms with death. The scene everyone remembers is the one where her best friend, played by Macaulay Culkin, dies because he’s allergic to bees. Seeing Vada try to put glasses on him at the funeral—because he can’t see without them—is simply heartbreaking.
OVER THE MOON - 6
Netflix has produced some really good animated Kids movies lately. This one is about a girl named Fei Fei. Her father wants to remarry, and she’s sad about it. She builds a spaceship to search for a moon goddess her mother told her about. It’s a story about coping with grief and letting go, but it’s also an entertaining adventure. The film was even nominated for an Oscar.
THE PARENT TRAP (1961) - 7
This is the classic for every child of divorced parents. Hayley Mills plays twins who meet at summer camp. They don’t know they’re sisters. They decide to hatch a plan to bring their parents back together. Hayley Mills is simply wonderful in both roles. When you watch the movie later in life, you realize just how great Maureen O’Hara is as the mother. She brings so much energy to the film.
WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - 8
Kids love chocolate. They also like it when things get a little spooky. This movie is about a man who owns a factory and puts children in dangerous situations to teach them lessons. An absolute classic. Gene Wilder plays Willy Wonka, and he’s just perfect. Right at the beginning, he does a somersault, and you never know whether he’s lying or telling the truth. The movie has a dark side, but that just makes it even better.
HOME ALONE - 9
This is a great Christmas movie. Kevin McCallister is eight years old, and his family forgets him when they travel to Paris. He’s a little mischievous, but his family is also pretty mean to him. He has to protect his house from burglars. It’s so funny to watch him set up traps to stop them. Macaulay Culkin is simply fantastic as Kevin. He’s what makes the movie what it is.
QUEEN OF KATWE - 10
Chess doesn’t usually seem like a very entertaining topic for a movie, but this one works. It’s about a girl from the slums of Uganda who learns to play chess. She gets really good and competes in major tournaments. Lupita Nyong’o stars in it, and the story is very inspiring. It shows that talent can help you succeed, even when life is very hard.
ANASTASIA - 11
People always think this is a Disney kids movie, but it isn’t. It’s about a girl named Anya who might be a lost princess. The film is set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, so it’s pretty dark. But it’s also full of hope. The songs are great, and the villain, Rasputin, is one of the best ever. He’s a zombie-like guy whose body parts fall off. The movie is way grosser than a Disney movie.
PADDINGTON 2 - 12
It’s rare for a sequel to be better than the first movie, but that’s the case with this one. It’s so heartwarming. Paddington is a bear who just wants to find a home. In this installment, he gets into trouble and has to fight to get back to his family. Hugh Grant plays the villain, and it might just be his best role ever. The movie is just so endearing and cheerful.
THE SECRET GARDEN - 13
This movie is like a work of art. It’s about a girl named Mary who is sent to live with her uncle. She discovers a hidden garden and helps bring it back to life. Kids love secrets, and this movie has a big one. The garden looks fantastic. It makes you wish you had a place like that to hide away.
AKEELAH AND THE BEE - 14
Most kids who compete in spelling bees have parents who pay for tutors. Akeelah is different. She’s from South Los Angeles and has real talent. She works hard to qualify for the national competition. It’s a feel-good movie with great actors like Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. It’s a bit predictable, but you can’t help but root for her.
THE PARENT TRAP (1998) - 15
We’re adding this kids movie to the list, too. Why? Because it’s just as good as the original. Lindsay Lohan plays the twins and is simply fantastic. She gives the girls different accents and personalities. Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson are also very funny as the parents. It’s just so much fun to watch this movie.
MATILDA - 16
Every child who loves books can relate to Matilda. She’s a genius, but her parents are mean and ignore her. She goes to school and meets a teacher named Miss Honey who actually likes her. She begins to use her abilities to get back at the mean adults. It’s a great story about being misunderstood and finding your own way.
WADJDA - 17
This was the first film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia by a female director. It’s about a young girl who wants a bicycle. She tries to win a contest to get the money for it. It’s a very important story about being a girl in a place where people don’t always listen to you. The film is inspiring and very honest.
TOY STORY - 18
It’s comforting to watch this movie—as long as you don’t think about the fact that the toys might actually be alive. Woody is the favorite toy, but then Buzz Lightyear shows up. It’s a story about jealousy and friendship. Kids can relate to how the toys feel. Plus, the neighbor boy Sid is actually pretty scary.
CASPER - 19
This is a spooky but cute story. A girl named Kat moves into a haunted house. She meets Casper, a ghost boy. He’s very friendly. His uncles, on the other hand, are not. It’s a story about growing up and the feeling of loneliness. Plus, Devon Sawa, who played the human Casper, was a huge crush for many kids.
A LITTLE PRINCESS - 20
This movie will make you cry. Really cry. Sara Crewe is a rich girl who is sent to boarding school. Then her father disappears in the war, and she loses everything. She has to work as a maid for a mean lady. The film is visually stunning, with beautiful colors and a great story about holding on to your heart.
THE GOONIES - 21
This is a great adventure. A group of friends finds a treasure map while trying to save their homes from demolition. It’s a real adventure, the kind kids hardly ever experience these days. There are traps and villains. While some of the jokes aren’t quite up to date anymore, the cast is so likable that you still want to join them on their journey.
E.T. THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL - 22
This is a must-see. A boy named Elliot finds an alien and hides him. The two become best friends. Thanks to the special effects, E.T. seems like a real living being. The music is perfect, and the story is simply beautiful. There’s nothing to fault in this movie. It’s perfect.
HALLOWEENTOWN - 23
Disney Channel movies are sometimes better than those in theaters. This one is about kids who find out their grandma is a witch. They head to a place called Halloweentown, where monsters live. The movie is imaginative and fun. It should be a classic that everyone should see.
A WRINKLE IN TIME - 24
The book is a classic, but Ava DuVernay’s film is something special. She cast a Black girl as the main character. This makes the story feel completely fresh. It’s about finding your inner strength. For little girls, it’s very important to see someone like themselves on the screen.
GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE - 25
Kids love silly humor, and this movie has plenty of it. Brendan Fraser is hilarious as a man raised by monkeys who’s trying to navigate the human world. He’s not particularly good at swinging on vines. The movie is just silly, fun, and will have you laughing out loud..
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