These Are The Childhood Movies You Need To Show Your Kids
This isn't your typical list of movies. It's more of a survival-guide of films that kids show know about. It varies from the world of PG to the world of R-rated movies.
These are the best films for future filmmakers. Every generation craves the nostalgic feel from their childhood, and these movies could do the same thing for your kids and their kids. So, you might as well go get the popcorn ready.
The Goonies
This is one of the most beloved adventure-comedies ever. They're kids from a variety of backgrounds and the actors who played them went on to have successful careers.
The understanding of the traumas of adolescence is in this film. If only family or kids films today had kids portray complex, foul-mouthed, I'm-smarter-than you characters. Kids could relate to that.
Harry Potter
For more than a decade, J.K. Rowling's magical books took movie audiences into a world of wizards and witches.
It's hard to imagine your child not knowing the stories behind Hogwarts, the rules of Quidditch, and some guy who must not be named. Every kid will see this as an exciting adventure.
The Princess Bride
A princess, pirates, an evil prince, and giants. This is a fairy tale for the meta-age. Boys might resist this movie because of the name, but I assure you it has something for everyone.
But the film preserves the novel's narrative style by presenting the story as a book being read by a grandfather to his sick grandson.
The Sandlot
This one of the best sports movies out there. It has something for everyone. Sports, girls, and a giant slobbery dog.
The film is filled with nostalgia thanks to the Babe Ruth scene and kids having a passion to play the game they love. If this doesn't get your kid to start swinging for the fences, I don't know what movie would.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Matthew Broderick plays a teenager who just wants to have fun. So, he decides to skip school for the day to hang out with his girlfriend and his best friend.
Unfortunately, little do they know the principal is on to them. But, the fear of having your kid pull off what Ferris did shouldn't be a surprise, because every kid has this dream.
The Muppet Movie
The perfect film to start a child's pop-culture education. Jim Henson's masterpiece is like a gateway to all the wonderful things this movie can be.
It's clever, entertaining, hilarious, and jam-packed with some musical numbers. Kids will love it at six years old, and maybe when they're 12 years old too.
The Parent Trap
It's not the original but it's still good. It's the modern-day version of the 1936 film of a divorced couple who separated after the birth of their identical twins.
Lindsay Lohan is probably at her best in this movie, but really, that's all your kids need to know about the actress.
Home Alone
This Christmas classic taps into the fear of being left behind. It's every kid's nightmare, but for Kevin McCallister, it's nothing but a hilarious, fun-filled celebration with a whole lot of unsupervised freedom.
The poor kid isn't as helpless as he seems, especially when the Wet Bandits target his quiet little neighborhood.
Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
SCTV alumni Rick Moranis plays Wayne Szalinski, an inventor who accidentally shrinks his children.
Surprisingly enough, the movie was a box office success thanks to its plot and Moranis' nerdy character. However, don't show your kids the disastrous sequels. In fact, just tell them there's only one film.
Jurassic Park
There's no doubt that Steven Spielberg is one of the best directors ever. There's Jaws and Indiana Jones, but a great one for kids is Jurassic Park.
It's a good way to introduce your child to the grown-up fears of the horror genre, without showing them a movie like Psycho. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser — I mean, who doesn't like dinosaurs?
Big
Penny Marshall's film magically transforms a 12-year-old Josh Baskin into a thirty-year-old man overnight. He gets a job as a toy company executive with a dream loft apartment.
The film not only throttled Tom Hanks into the limelight, but this movie is a reminder of the trials and tribulations of growing up.
Back To The Future
Michael J. Fox plays Marty McFly, a rebel your kids can rally behind. McFly seems like a troublemaker, but his biggest crime is hanging out with Doc.
The best part about it? It's super easy to follow and it's an ideal introduction to science fiction. Once they're old enough, introduce them to Rick and Morty.
E.T.
Another Spielberg classic tells a story of an unexpected bond between a lonely child and a Reese Pieces-loving alien.
It's simple and universal for any kid, with a few elements of The Wizard of Oz. Special effects have come along way since 1982, but Elliot's bike leaving the ground will give your kid the chills.
Groundhog Day
Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell live through the same day over and over again thanks to a groundhog.
Not only is this one of the most clever scripts ever written, but it's a hilarious movie surrounding a boring holiday. Your kids may or may not have an appreciation for Groundhog Day after watching it.
Elf
Will Ferrell, in his green, fur-lined Elf costume, is nothing but a giggle fest. With his childlike antics, it will leave your youngster in stitches, especially when he downs an entire liter of Coke.
Outside of Home Alone, this is the other Christmas classic your kid will fall in love with.
Annie
Critics weren't sold on the big-screen adaption of the Broadway play. Annie is a chance to see economic conditions through the eyes of children who are hungry and unloved.
The boozy mother of the orphanage, played by Carol Burnett, may be your kid's first introduction to a sympathetic villain.
It Takes Two
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson gave kids some of the best films of the nineties. When it comes to this film, it was a hit.
The Olson twins were a popular commodity, and it starred Kirstie Alley and Steve Guttenberg. It doesn't get any more nineties than this!
Toy Story
When you show your child Pixar's very first feature film for the first time, they'll be shocked that the toys come to life.
It inspires the child's imagination to run wild, and the film introduces kids to mismatched couples like Woody and Buzz. It's also a jam-packed animated film that will make your child watch it more than once.
Wizard Of Oz
When you aren't in Kansas anymore, who knows what could happen. There's the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion, oh and Toto.
This would be a great gateway film to other classics. However, your kid is still young enough to have a whole lifetime of rewatching this iconic film.
Finding Nemo
It's one of the most beautiful Pixar movies ever. A clown fish named Marlin, ventures to find his missing son, Nemo. He partners up with a happy-go-lucky fish named Dory, as they navigate through sharks and laid-back turtles.
Fun fact: your child will learn how to speak whale. That's something you don't do every day.
The Land Before Time
Don Bluth's animated masterpiece is dark, scary, but ultimately hopeful. Set in the prehistoric age, it follows Little-Foot, a young apatosaurus who must journey to the Great Valley to be reunited with his herd. If there's one thing that remains true between generations, it's that kids today still love dinosaurs and will be invested in this film.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
When Who Framed Roger Rabbit premiered in 1988, it delighted adults and children alike. The groundbreaking technology used to create this film seamlessly blended the world of cartoons with live-action actors. A hard-boiled noir with a dash of goofiness, Who Framed Roger Rabbit still holds up today.
The Princess Diaries
Anne Hathaway's career began with Disney's adaptation of the beloved YA book series by Meg Cabot. Mia Thermopolis is an awkward, unpopular teenage girl whose life is suddenly changed when she finds out she is the heir to a European throne. With Julie Andrews in a memorable supporting role, The Princess Diaries was a live-action hit for Disney in the modern era.
Batman
Before the reboots and recastings, Tim Burton's Batman brought the Caped Crusader to the screen in a way audiences had never seen before. Burton's vision of Gotham City was gritty and cruel, reinforced by a strong performance from Jack Nicholson as The Joker. It's safe to say that this film set the bar for future superhero movies to come.
Big Fat Liar
In the early 2000s, Amanda Bynes and Frankie Muniz were basically teen royalty, so when the two were cast in Big Fat Liar, every tween and teen was begging their parents to see it. The movie was surprisingly funny, thanks to a no-holds-bar performance from Paul Giamatti. Over the years, this one might have been forgotten, but it's worth checking out this gem.
Father of the Bride
Steve Martin was everywhere in the 1990s, but one of his most memorable roles was as George Banks in the reboot of Father of the Bride. This was one of those rare movies that the entire family could sit down and watch together – and everyone would actually be entertained by it. The movie's sequel, Father of the Bride 2, is also worth a watch.
The Santa Clause
It just wouldn't be Christmas without watching Tim Allen in The Santa Clause. Somehow, this movie found the perfect balance between Allen's grouchy character, Scott Calvin, and loads of Christmas whimsy and wonder. Besides the spot-on comedic acting, the movie's sets and costumes were also top-notch.
The Incredibles
Pixar's The Incredibles pushed the studio in a new, exciting direction. Taking on the genre of superhero movies, The Incredibles wasn't afraid to be too controversial or scary for its target audience. The gamble paid off with The Incredibles becoming one of Pixar's most successful franchises.
The Secret Of NIMH
Don Bluth's dark classic, The Secret Of NIMH, follows the journey of Mrs. Brisby, a mouse who must face terrifying danger to save her children. While the film wasn't as popular as many Disney movies made around the same time, for kids who grew up in the '80s and '90s it made a lasting impact on all of us.
Superman: The Movie
Way back in 1978, Christopher Reeve set the standard for superhero movies when he was cast as Superman. To this day, his performance as the Man of Steel is considered one of the best interpretations of the character. For us kids, he was so believable that we actually thought he could fly faster than a speeding bullet.
