films for the kid
This is a list of films, shorts and TV-Series that are fun to watch for my boy and for me.
If he didn't like it, it's not on this list.
If I didn't enjoy it, it's not is this list either.
List is loosely ordered by suggested viewing age, starting at youngest.
Also check out this watchlist with films that we haven't watched yet, but plan to:
[link]http://www.imdb.com/list/G3I7OsO5gI0/[/link]
If he didn't like it, it's not on this list.
If I didn't enjoy it, it's not is this list either.
List is loosely ordered by suggested viewing age, starting at youngest.
Also check out this watchlist with films that we haven't watched yet, but plan to:
[link]http://www.imdb.com/list/G3I7OsO5gI0/[/link]
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- DirectorAlbert LamorisseStarsPascal LamorisseSabine LamorisseGeorges SellierA red balloon with a mind of its own follows a little boy around the streets of Paris.Lamorrisse won an Oscar for this short. There is barely any dialogue. Beautiful visuals.
- CreatorZdenek MilerStarsAntonín JedlickaPetr KyselaViola ZinkováAdventures of silent mole who is his own master in this vast world.These endearing cartoon shorts are perfect for little children.
The stories are simple, there is next to no dialogue at all, the graphics are beautifully old fashioned. - DirectorGene DeitchStarsGene DeitchThere are three robbers, each with their own unique weapon. One, a blunder bust, one, a pepper blower, and the third one, a big, red axe. They steal treasure, and one day, they start adopting young children and using their money to give these children a home.Gene Deitch made beautiful shorts adapting children's books for Weston Woods/ Scholastic.
This is one of them. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsCate BlanchettMatt DamonLiam NeesonA five-year-old boy develops a relationship with Ponyo, a young goldfish princess who longs to become a human after falling in love with him.As in all of Miyazaki's films, there is no evil villain who is evil just because, or a hero who is perfectly virtuous all of the time.
That is a quality, in my opinion. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsHitoshi TakagiNoriko HidakaChika SakamotoWhen two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
- DirectorGene DeitchStarsAllen SwiftPeter SchickeleA boy named Max imagines he is "Where The Wild Things Are''.This 7 min short is an animated version of Maurice Sendak's book, by Gene Deitch for Weston Woods/ Scholastic.
- CreatorDavid FineAlison SnowdenRichard StarzakStarsJustin FletcherJohn SparkesRichard WebberShaun The Sheep is a cheeky and mischievous sheep at Mossy Bottom farm who's the leader of the flock and always plays slapstick jokes, pranks and causes trouble especially on Farmer X and his grumpy guide dog, Bitzer.By Aardman Animation, who brought you Wallace & Gromit.
- DirectorVáclav VorlícekStarsLibuse SafránkováPavel TrávnícekCarola BraunbockLife changes dramatically for a Czech housemaid when the family coachman gives her three magical hazelnuts.A mix of Cinderella and Peau d'âne, with a strong and independent female lead.
One of the sweetest fairy tale adaptions I've ever seen.
Christmas time classic. - DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisSebastian CabotLouis PrimaBagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.I love this movie about as much as I despise Lion King.
Very much, that is. - StarsInger NilssonPär SundbergMaria PerssonThe adventures of Pippi Longstocking, an eccentric, super-strong, redheaded moppet and her best friends Tommy and Annika.
- DirectorOlle HellbomStarsInger NilssonMaria PerssonPär SundbergPippi Longstocking, a super-strong redheaded little girl, moves into her father's house Villa Villekulla, and has adventures with her next-door neighbors Tommy and Annika in this compilation film of the classic European TV series.Compressed version of the 1969 TV series.
Inger Nilsson is the quintessential Pippi Långstrump. - StarsJan OhlssonLena WisborgAllan EdwallThe series tells stories from the childhood of a sometimes naughty, but very lovable and kindhearted young boy growing up on a farm in southern Sweden in the early 20th century.Based on the book by Astrid Lindgren, Emil is a little boy living with his family on a farm in Småland, Sweden in the early 1900's, whose main occupation is pulling pranks.
- DirectorMark OsborneJohn StevensonStarsJack BlackIan McShaneAngelina JolieTo everyone's surprise, including his own, Po, an overweight, clumsy panda, is chosen as protector of the Valley of Peace. His suitability will soon be tested as the valley's arch-enemy is on his way.
- DirectorDean DeBloisChris SandersStarsDaveigh ChaseChris SandersTia CarrereA young and parentless girl adopts a 'dog' from the local pound, completely unaware that it's supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that's taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.Alien dancing to Elvis.
- DirectorAndrew StantonStarsBen BurttElissa KnightJeff GarlinIn the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.Story supervisor Jim Reardon describes the film as "like if Buster Keaton made a movie with Sigourney Weaver."
- DirectorBrad BirdJan PinkavaStarsBrad GarrettLou RomanoPatton OswaltA rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisEva GaborSterling HollowayWith the help of a smooth talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanDavid HandStarsBrian BedfordPhil HarrisRoger MillerThe story of the legendary British outlaw portrayed with the characters as anthropomorphic animals.
- DirectorMichel OcelotRaymond BurletStarsDoudou Gueye ThiawMaimouna N'DiayeAwa Sene SarrKirikou, an unusual little boy, must search the wisdom of the forbidden mountain in order to save his village from a spell cast by the evil sorceress Karaba
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.Based on the book by Roald Dahl.
- DirectorJacques-Rémy GirerdStarsMichel PiccoliAnouk GrinbergAnnie GirardotIt's a catastrophe! A flood has hit our planet and an unusual group of people are all that remains. Led by Ferdinand, a modern day Noah, this little group have managed to defy the furiously raging elements. People and animals alike are dragged through this incredible whirlpool of an adventure.
- DirectorFrancesco StefaniStarsChristel BodensteinCharles Hans VogtEckart DuxA brave prince wants to win the heart of a stubborn princess by finding the singing, ringing tree for her.
- DirectorDon ChaffeyDon BluthStarsSean MarshallHelen ReddyJim DaleAn orphan boy and his magical dragon come to town with his abusive adoptive parents in pursuit.
- DirectorMark DindalStarsDavid SpadeJohn GoodmanEartha KittEmperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.
- DirectorMel StuartStarsGene WilderJack AlbertsonPeter OstrumA poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMack SwainTom MurrayA prospector goes to the Klondike during the 1890s gold rush in hopes of making his fortune, and is smitten with a girl he sees in a dance hall.There are two versions to this classic. Whilst the original 1925 silent movie is arguably better,
the 1942 version has a spoken narration, which worked well with my preschooler. - DirectorWolfgang BeckerStarsWolfgang SielingRita RamachersThomas BohnenIt is about a gang of middle class teen kids who stumble upon a crime in their neighborhood. Remarkably one of the gangmembers is in a wheelchair, he is somewhat the leader of the group.
- DirectorTage DanielssonStarsHanna ZetterbergDan HåfströmBörje AhlstedtRonja, the only child of robber chief Mattis must learn to survive the dangers of her local wilderness. In secret she also befriends Birk, the son of a rivaling robber Borka.Astrid Lindgren strikes again
- DirectorLouis MalleStarsCatherine DemongeotPhilippe NoiretHubert DeschampsWith her mother away for the weekend, a brash and precocious ten-year-old country girl sets out to explore Paris during a Métro strike under her uncle's not-so-watchful eye. But can a little girl cause so much chaos in the city centre?Not really a kids' movie, my son likes it anyway.
Heavy on slapstick, puns and absurd humor.
Based on the book by Raymond Queneau, directed by Louis Malle.
Stay away if you're uncomfortable with children cursing, female impersonators or the word "hormosessual". - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinEdna PurvianceJackie CooganThe Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.
- DirectorStanley DonenStarsRichard KileySteven WarnerJoss AcklandA pilot, stranded in the desert, meets a little boy who is a prince on a planet.Please do read the book first.
This movie is a hilariously campy and psychedelic musical adaption starring Gene Wilder as a singing dancing fox. - DirectorGerhard LamprechtStarsRolf WenkhausKäthe HaackFritz RaspEmil goes to Berlin to see his grandmother with a large amount of money and is offered sweets by a strange man that make him sleep. He wakes up at his stop with no money. It is up to him and a group of children to save the day.
- DirectorThomas EngelStarsHertha FeilerPaul KlingerAnnie RosarDespite their social differences, daughter of wealthy parents Luise (aka Pünktchen) befriends Anton, a boy who must earn his own money in order to support his sick mother and himself. Together they undergo different adventures, even preventing a theft in Pünktchens home.
- DirectorMichel OcelotIan McIntyreStarsCyril MouraliKarim M'RibaHiam AbbassRaised by the same woman, the dark-complexioned, Asmar, and the flaxen-haired, Azur, set out on a quest to a strange and magical land to liberate the enchanting Djinn-fairy; but, only one can save her. Will the brothers be triumphant?
- DirectorPetr OukropecBohdan SlámaStarsJan HartlDaniel DrewesTereza BockováIn a city ruled by the diabolical Mayor, it appears that only one thing can save the old botanical garden from being demolished for the construction of an entertainment center: the Blue Tiger. Now it is up to Johanka and Matyas to protect the tiger from the evil clutches of the Mayor and his henchmen and save the garden.
- DirectorTomm MooreNora TwomeyStarsEvan McGuireBrendan GleesonMick LallyA young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsPeter RobbinsChristopher SheaSally DryerThe Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.Just the Peanuts in general, really.
- DirectorBibo BergeronStarsMatthieu ChedidVanessa ParadisGad ElmalehA 3D-animated movie set in Paris in the year 1910 and centered on a monster who lives in a garden and his love for a beautiful, young singer.
- DirectorJohannes SchaafStarsRadost BokelMario AdorfArmin Mueller-StahlIn the village of Momo the pace of time goes very slowly. Nobody is bothering about stress but everyone has time to chat and rest - until the day the grey men arrive. With a great selling strategy they offer the people an account to collect time. Now everybody is in stress in order to gain time for collecting, except for Momo who obviously is the only one without stress. Watching her former friends having no time at all for friendship and other social activities she decides to fight the grey men. The story is a modern fairy tale about how to use time.(Psst- the book is better..)
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppIsla FisherTimothy OlyphantRango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.A homage to classic Spaghetti Western.
A lot of the story will go over little kids' heads, due to jump cuts etc., definitely made with an adult audience in mind.
Still a lot of fun to watch both for my boy and me. - DirectorSuzie TempletonAn animated retelling set to Prokofiev's suite.Oscar winning short, featuring the original score, a little dark and gloomy.
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsMax RecordsCatherine O'HaraForest WhitakerYearning for escape and adventure, a young boy runs away from home and sails to an island filled with creatures that take him in as their king.This movie has some dark and heavy undertones.
Where Sendak's book alludes to themes like loneliness and confusion, Spike Jonez' adaptation really explores the conflicted psyche of little Max. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYôji MatsudaYuriko IshidaYûko TanakaOn a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.
- DirectorTony BancroftBarry CookStarsMing-Na WenEddie MurphyBD WongTo save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonOver two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.Never to early to introduce your kid to the genius of John, Paul, George & Ringo.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsBill MurrayDan AykroydSigourney WeaverThree parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
- DirectorLotte ReinigerCarl KochA handsome prince rides a flying horse to faraway lands and embarks on magical adventures, which include befriending a witch, meeting Aladdin, battling demons and falling in love with a princess.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsWinona RyderCatherine O'HaraMartin ShortWhen a boy's beloved dog passes away suddenly, he attempts to bring the animal back to life through a powerful science experiment.
- DirectorJean CocteauRené ClémentStarsJean MaraisJosette DayMila ParélyA beautiful young woman takes her father's place as the prisoner of a mysterious beast, who wishes to marry her.My kid knows and loves the disney version too, of course.
But when we caught this on TV, he liked it. So did i, and on the list it went. - DirectorPeter LordNick ParkStarsMel GibsonJulia SawalhaPhil DanielsWhen a cockerel apparently flies into a chicken farm, the chickens see him as an opportunity to escape their evil owners.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJared GilmanKara HaywardBruce WillisTwo 12-year-olds, who live on an island, fall in love with each other and elope into the wilderness. While people set out on a search mission, a violent storm approaching them catches their attention.Another not-really-for-kids movie we both liked.
- DirectorMajid MajidiStarsMohammad Amir NajiAmir Farrokh HashemianBahare SeddiqiAfter a boy loses his sister's pair of shoes, he goes on a series of adventures in order to find them. When he can't, he tries a new way to "win" a new pair.
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMichael CaineDave GoelzSteve WhitmireThe Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.
- DirectorHark BohmStarsMarquard BohmDschingis BowakowWilly SchultesMontana 1880: most aboriginal Americans have been killed or banned into reservations. Shepherd Alaska wants to pass the winter with his herd in this lonesome region. He saves the young Tschetan, one of the last of the tribe Lakota, from being lynched for cattle theft. Slowly they befriend each other, and together they stand up against their cruel neighbor, a self-righteous rancher.Neuer Deutscher Film goes Western.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsPaul TerryJoanna LumleyPete PostlethwaiteAn orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsDanny ElfmanChris SarandonCatherine O'HaraJack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.
- DirectorKarel ZemanStarsLudek MunzarJaroslav MouckaChristian BrücknerA young boy becomes an apprentice for a mysterious sorcerer, working at the sorcerer's strange and sinister mill where secretive black magic is being taught and performed at a very heavy price.Spooky folk tale, animated like a picture book
- DirectorEgon SchlegelStarsHans-Joachim FrankDieter FrankeRolf LudwigAdaptation of Grimm's fairy tale "Der Teufel mit den drei goldenen Haaren"
- StarsAndrea BalestriNino ManfrediGina LollobrigidaBased on Carlo Collodi's classic novel, this mini-series is about an animated puppet named Pinocchio and his father, a poor woodcarver named Geppetto.
- DirectorMerian C. CooperErnest B. SchoedsackStarsFay WrayRobert ArmstrongBruce CabotA film crew goes to a tropical island for a location shoot, where they capture a colossal ape who takes a shine to their blonde starlet, and bring him back to New York City.
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsAudrey HepburnGeorge PeppardPatricia NealA young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way.
- CreatorSydney NewmanStarsPatrick MacneeDiana RiggHonor BlackmanA quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
- DirectorMel BrooksStarsMel BrooksJohn CandyRick MoranisA star-pilot for hire and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a princess and save Planet Druidia from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorTen years after initially meeting, Anakin Skywalker shares a forbidden romance with Padmé Amidala, while Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a secret clone army crafted for the Jedi.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsHayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregorThree years into the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi pursues a new threat, while Anakin Skywalker is lured by Chancellor Palpatine into a sinister plot to rule the galaxy.
- DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacAs a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.
- DirectorAsk HasselbalchStarsOscar DietzAmalie Kruse JensenSamuel Ting Graf12-year-old Pelle is bitten by an ant and develops superpowers. Aided by comic book nerd Wilhelm, Pelle creates a secret identity as superhero Antboy. When a super villain The Flea enters the scene, Antboy must step up to the challenge.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsBill MurrayOwen WilsonAnjelica HustonWith a plan to exact revenge on a legendary shark that killed his partner, oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) rallies a crew that includes his estranged wife, a journalist, and a man who may or may not be his son.
- DirectorStephen HerekStarsKeanu ReevesAlex WinterGeorge CarlinTwo rock-'n-rolling teens, on the verge of failing their class, set out on a quest to make the ultimate school history report after being presented with a time machine.
- DirectorSylvain ChometStarsJames PidgeonMichoue SylvainAndrea Usher-JonesIn seductive central Paris, an undernourished gendarme willing to go to great lengths to feed himself hatches a desperate, yet utterly cunning plan.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.
- DirectorRobert StevensonStarsJulie AndrewsDick Van DykeDavid TomlinsonIn turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.
- DirectorTerry GilliamTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseEric IdleKing Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
- DirectorPaul WegenerCarl BoeseStarsPaul WegenerAlbert SteinrückErnst DeutschIn 16th-century Prague, a rabbi creates the Golem - a giant creature made of clay. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.
- DirectorFrank OzStarsRick MoranisEllen GreeneVincent GardeniaA nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.
- DirectorNicolas RoegStarsAnjelica HustonMai ZetterlingJasen FisherA young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.
- DirectorJean GiraultStarsLouis de FunèsGeneviève GradMichel GalabruGendarme Ludovic Cruchot is re-assigned to the French Riviera seaside resort town of Saint-Tropez where petty criminals and his own daughter give him a hard time.
- DirectorStephen DaldryStarsJamie BellJulie WaltersJean HeywoodA talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsBill MurrayDan AykroydSigourney WeaverThe discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business.
- DirectorFrançois TruffautStarsJean-Pierre LéaudAlbert RémyClaire MaurierA young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.
- DirectorTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseMichael PalinBorn on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsCary ElwesMandy PatinkinRobin WrightA bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
- DirectorJemaine ClementTaika WaititiStarsJemaine ClementTaika WaititiCori Gonzalez-MacuerViago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are struggling with the mundane aspects of modern life, like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts.
- DirectorLuc BessonStarsBruce WillisMilla JovovichGary OldmanIn the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr. Zorg at bay.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoMichelle PfeifferWhile Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.
- DirectorChris McKayStarsWill ArnettMichael CeraRosario DawsonA cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenJanet MargolinMarcel HillaireThe life and times of Virgil Starkwell, inept bank robber.