150 Best Kids Movies EVER! (Babes Choice)

 

 
If there’s one thing that unites our family (apart from food and Arsenal), it’s movies. Over October half term, I invited the babes to review the Top 20 kids films we’ve watched together as a family.

Jed (age 6) and Ezra (age 9) also decided to make their own Top 20 lists. So we ended up with our official Top 20 Kids Movies short list; individual Top 20 picks (with contributions from their dad and big bro Isaac, 19); and further below, an A-Z list of our 150 best kids movies — with a checklist you can print off and keep!

This was a wonderful activity to do with the kids that kept us engaged for hours. Direct quote from Ezra: ‘That was fun, more fun than watching television!’ #winning

What struck me when creating this guide:

a) Lack of diversity! I would love to see more mainstream family films (both live action and animation) that reflect who we are culturally. I was pleased when the boys included The Karate Kid (2010) and Akeelah and the Bee in our Top 20.

b) The impact film has had on them in a relatively short space of time. All the reviews are by the boys themselves (warning: spoilers ahead) and when I asked about the message of each film, I was tickled and often touched by their answers.

 

 

Top 20 Kids Movies (Babes Reviews)

 

1. ET

(reviewed by Ezra, age 9)

Bite size review: ‘Classic movie. One day an alien comes in a UFO to earth, children find him and try to help him get home.’

Memorable moment: ‘I remember when he was ill in hospital and his body turns all white. One of the kids became such close friends with him that he became ill too.’

Rating: ‘4 and a half stars.’

Age guidance: ‘4+ but you might need a parent with you as it’s a bit intense!’

Message: ‘Not everyone that is different is your enemy or unfriendly.’

 

2. Peter Pan

(reviewed by Jed, age 6)

Bite size review: ‘It’s about a boy who lives in Neverland, a place where he’ll never grow up and he fights against Captain Hook and his evil pirates. It’s also about a few kids who live in London who are taken away on an adventure by Peter Pan. And they fly!’

Memorable moment: ‘Captain Hook poisoned a glass that Peter Pan was about to drink but Tinkerbell drank it instead. She did it to save Peter Pan, because he was her friend.’

Rating: ‘5 stars!’ (from both boys)

Age guidance: ‘Any age, with a parent, it’s not too scary’ (Ezra). ‘Even if you’re 50 you can still watch it’ (Jed).

Message: ‘Just because you’re small doesn’t mean you’re not powerful’ (Jed).

 

3. The Lion King

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review (SPOILER ALERT): ‘A lion cub called Simba is destined to become king but one day his uncle Scar causes a herd to almost trample him, his dad tries to save him but he dies.’

Memorable moment: ‘When Simba fights with Uncle Scar who tries to kill him the way he killed his dad.’

Rating: ‘4 and a half to 5 stars’

Age: ‘3+, because people die in it.’

Message: ‘Don’t be too greedy for power’ (Ezra). ‘Just because someone you love dies doesn’t mean you die’ (Jed).

 

4. Beauty & the Beast

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘A girl called Belle wanders into a Beast’s castle and they eventually fall in love.’

Memorable moment: ‘When the Beast turns back into a human.’

Rating: ‘4 and a half stars.’

Age guidance: ‘4-5, because some kids might be scared by the Beast.’

Message: ‘Looks aren’t everything.’

 

5. The Incredibles

(reviewed by Jed)

Bite size review: ‘It’s about a family called The Incredibles who all have special powers and fight a boy who makes a suit that gives him evil power. Mrs Incredible is really stretchy like an elastic band.’

Memorable moment: ‘When the baby gets very angry and beats up the bad guy.’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age guidance: ‘5-6, it might be intense for very little kids’ (Jed). ‘No, I’d say age 3 to 4, nobody even dies in it!’ (Ezra).

Message: ‘Always work together as a family.’

 

6. The Jungle Book

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘It’s set in the same place as Tarzan and it’s about a boy called Mowgli who makes friends with a bear (Baloo). Mowgli makes funny faces a lot.’

Memorable moment: ‘When they sing Bear Necessities!’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age guidance: ‘Any age.’

Message: ‘You can belong anywhere.’

 

7. Ratatouille

(reviewed by Jed)

Bite size review: ‘A rat who learns how to cook, hides in a chef’s hat because he’s helping a boy who’s not very good at cooking.’

Memorable moment: ‘When that man came to taste some food and the rats make ratatouille and the man tastes it and goes back in his memory and sees himself as a boy when he first loved food.’

Rating: ‘5 stars. Definitely.’

Age: ‘3-4, but 2 year olds can watch it if they have a parent with them.’

Message: ‘Anyone can cook!’ (Mum: Even you? Jed: I can cook! I cook toast! Ezra: I cook guacamole!)

 

8. How to Train Your Dragon 1 & 2

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘A boy called Hiccup befriends a dragon called Toothless. The first movie is about their friendship and the second movie is about saving their village.’

Memorable moment: ‘When Hiccup teaches Toothless to fly again.’

Rating: ‘5 stars. Great movies! My favourite is the first.’

Age: ‘2+. Because of dragons.’

Message: ‘Your best friend can be anybody.’

 

9. Despicable Me 1 & 2

(reviewed by Jed)

Bite size review: ‘Minions! The film is about Gru, a baddie who adopts three girls and is not evil anymore and in the second movie he becomes a spy and falls in love.’

Memorable moment: ‘When all the purple minions get turned back into normal minions. With jam!’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age: ‘Any age.’

Message: ‘You can fall in love in many ways.’

 

10. Back to the Future

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ”80s teen Marty McFly is friends with Doc who builds a time machine out of a Delaurean. He goes back in time to 1955 and meets his parents. His mum has a crush on him!’

Memorable moment: ‘When they’re trying to get back to the future (1985)!’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age: ‘5+ because it’s pretty intense with guns and language. And kissing!’

Message: ‘As Doc says, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.’

 

11. Big Hero 6

(reviewed by Ezra and Jed)

Bite size review: ‘A robot called Baymax gets a fighting upgraded to protect his friend Hiro and the town of SanTokyo.’

Memorable moment: ‘When Baymax learns to fly’ (Ezra). ‘When the bad guy runs out of robots’ (Jed).

Rating: ‘Definitely 10 stars’

Age: ‘5-6’ (Jed). ‘No! Any age!’ (Ezra).

Message: ‘Size doesn’t matter.’

 

12. The Karate Kid (2010)

(reviewed by Ezra and Jed)

Bite size review: ‘A boy called Dre Parker travels to China and meets Mr Hao and learns kung fu to defend himself from bullies.’

Memorable moment: ‘When he does the backflip bad*** kick!’ (Ezra). ‘When Jackie Chan teaches him how to hang his jacket and also it’s a fighting move’ (Jed).

Rating: ‘5 stars’

Age: ‘5+, because of the bullying theme and fighting.’

Message: ‘Just because you’re good at fighting doesn’t mean you have to bully’ (Jed).

 

13. The LEGO Movie

(reviewed by Ezra and Jed)

Bite size review: ‘Emmett, a LEGO construction worker who’s so good at fitting in and following instructions that nobody ever notices him, until he’s mistaken for the chosen one.’

Memorable moment: ‘When he becomes a Master Builder’ (Ezra). ‘The romance between Emmett, Wild Style and Batman’ (Jed, with cheeky grin).

Rating: ‘5 stars, without a doubt!’ (both boys)

Age: ‘Any age.’

Message: ‘You don’t always need instructions’ (Ezra). ‘Everybody can build’ (Jed).

 

14. 101 Dalmatians

(reviewed by Jed)

Bite size review: ‘There’s a bad guy who’s a lady called Corella (Cruella) who tries to steal puppies and it’s about how they get back to their mummy and daddy.’

Memorable moment: ‘When the daddy dog gets an idea, gets all black with mud and all the puppies do it too, to disguise themselves.’

Rating: ’10 stars.’

Age: ‘1 and over.’

Message: ‘The more, the merrier.’

 

15. Paddington

(reviewed by Ezra and Jed)

Bite size review: ‘A bear from darkest Peru goes on a trip all alone, looking for a home and the Brown family see him and take him in.’

Memorable moment: ‘When their housekeeper comes through the ground and accidentally smacks the bad lady in the face.’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age: ‘4+, it might be a bit much for toddlers, all that talk about stuffing animals!’ (Ezra)

Message: ‘You can live with any kind of person (or bear).’

 

16. Akeelah and the Bee

(reviewed by Jed and Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘An 11 year old girl Akeelah Anderson who loves to spell enters a local spelling bee and tries to become the country’s best speller.’

Memorable moment: ‘When her mum lets her enter the bee’ (Ezra). ‘When the coach made her spell while she was skipping’ (Jed).

Rating: ‘4 stars’ (Jed). ‘5!’ (Ezra)

Age: ‘Any.’

Message: ‘No matter where you come from, you can be a great speller!’ (Mum: In other words you can achieve anything. Ezra: Yes that’s what I meant!)

 

17. Wall E

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘A little robot, the last from a species of robots, lives in a junkyard on earth. He meets another robot (Eve) and goes on a mission.’

Memorable moment: ‘The way he says his name. Waaalll-EEE!’

Rating: ‘4-5 stars.’

Age: ‘Any.’

Message: ‘One person (or robot) can make all the difference.’

 

18. Harry Potter

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘A boy brought up by a horrible auntie and uncle discovers he’s a wizard and is sent to Hogwarts School to learn magic and ways to defend himself from evil. They’re all great movies, I don’t prefer any.’

Memorable moment: ‘When Harry catches the golden snitch when he’s playing Qwidditch.’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age: ‘6-7+, they might find Lord Voldemort scary.’

Message: ‘Love is more powerful than any magic.’

 

19. Earth to Echo

(reviewed by Jed)

Bite size review: ‘Three boys, best friends, go to find what’s making their phones go funny, they follow a trail to find a robot (alien). Then they try to help him build a spaceship to get back to where he belongs.’

Memorable moment: ‘When they put sticks on Echo and he tries to walk with them. Echo’s so cute!’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age: ‘Any.’

Message: ‘Use your environment to be creative.’

 

20. Rango

(reviewed by Ezra)

Bite size review: ‘A chameleon who falls out of his tank in an accident, gets lost in the dessert and finds a small town called Dirt where there isn’t enough water, and he becomes sheriff.’

Memorable moment: ‘When Rango breathes fire in Roadkill’s face.’

Rating: ‘5 stars.’

Age: ‘5+, because of guns.’

Message: ‘There is always hope.’

 

Ezra’s Picks: Top 20 Children’s Films

1. Back to the Future
2. Harry Potter
3. Paddington
4. Winnie the Pooh
5. Big Hero 6
6. The Karate Kid
7. 101 Dalmatians
8. The LEGO Movie
9. Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark
10. Akeelah and the Bee
11. Earth to Echo
12. ET
13. The Incredibles
14. How to Train Your Dragon
15. Inside Out
16. The Jungle Book
17. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
18. Ratatouille
19. Finding Nemo
20. The Lion King

 

Jed’s Picks: Top 20 Children’s Films

1. Earth to Echo
2. The Incredibles
3. Peter Pan
4. Inside Out
5. Ratatouille
6. Back to the Future
7. How to Train Your Dragon
8. Winnie the Pooh
9. Madagascar 3
10. Kung Fu Panda
11. Toy Story
12. The Game Plan
13. Monsters Inc
14. Big Hero 6
15. The Mighty Ducks
16. 101 Dalmatians
17. The LEGO Movie
18. Akeelah and the Bee
19. Spy Kids 3
20. The Karate Kid

 

Uju’s Picks: Top 20 Children’s Films

1. The Sound of Music
2. Peter Pan
3. Beauty & the Beast
4. The Princess Bride
5. ET
6. The Parent Trap
7. The Lion King
8. The incredibles
9. Lady and the Tramp
10. Bugsy Malone
11. The Jungle Book
12. The Goonies
13. Despicable Me 2
14. Back to the Future
15. Elf
16. Toy Story
17. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
18. Spirited Away
19. Big
20. The LEGO Movie

 

Isaac’s Picks: Top 10 Children’s Films

1. The Lion King
2. Toy Story
3. Spirited Away
4. Monsters Inc
5. Finding Nemo
6. Mulan
7. Brother Bear
8. Space Jam
9. The Night Before Christmas
10. The Incredibles

 

Abiye’s Picks: Top 10 Children’s Films

1. Breaking Away
2. Return of The Pink Panther
3. Bridge to Terabithia
4. ET
5. Toy Story
6. Finding Nemo
7. Bugsy Malone
8. Home Alone
9. Star Wars
10. Lord of The Flies (!)

 

Our 150** Best Kids Movies EVER

(in alphabetical order)

A Bug’s Life
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Akeelah and the Bee
Aladdin
Alice in Wonderland (cartoon)
Antz
Arthur Christmas
A Shark’s Tale
Annie
Babe
Back to the Future
Beauty & the Beast
Bedtime Stories
Big Hero 6
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
The Borrowers
Bolt
Brave
Bridge to Terabithia
Bugsy Malone
Cars 1 & 2
Chariots of Fire
Chicken Run
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Cinderella (animated)
Cinderella (live action)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The Croods
Curious George
Despicable Me 1 & 2
Dumbo
Earth to Echo
Enchanted
ET
Fantasia
Fantastic Mr Fox
Finding Nemo
Flash Gordon
Fox and Hound
Freaky Friday
Frozen
The Game Plan
Ghostbusters
The Gruffalo
The Gods Must be Crazy
The Goonies
Harry Potter 1-8
High School Musical
Home Alone
Holes
Hotel Transylvania
How to Train Your Dragon 1 & 2
Hugo
Ice Age 1-4
The Incredibles
The Incredible Journey
Inside Out
The Iron Giant
James and the Giant Peach
Jumanji
The Jungle Book
Jurassic Park
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid (2010)
The King & I
Kirikou and the Sorceress
Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2
Lady & the Tramp
The LEGO Movie
Legends of the Guardians
Like Mike
Lilo & Stitch
The Lion King
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Little Mermaid
Madagascar 1-3
March of the Penguins
Mary Poppins
Matilda
Megamind
Microcosmos
The Mighty Ducks
Miracle on 34th Street
Mirror Mirror
A Monster in Paris
Monster’s Inc & Monster’s University
Monsters vs Aliens
Mr Peabody & Sherman
The Muppets Movie
My Neighbour Totoro
Mulan
National Velvet
The NeverEnding Story
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oliver
101 Dalmatians
Paddington
The Parent Trap
Peter Pan
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Pink Panther
Pinocchio
The Pirates (in an adventure with Scientists)
The Polar Express
Ponyo
The Princess and the Frog
The Princess Bride
Puss in Boots
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Railway Children
Rango
Ratatouille
Robots
The Red Balloon
The Rescuers
Rio 1 & 2
The Secret of Nimh
The Secret World of Arietty
Shaun the Sheep
Shaolin Soccer
Shrek
The Snowman
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
The Sound of Music
Space Jam
Spirited Away
Spy Kids
Star Wars
Stuart Little
Superman Trilogy
The Sword in the Stone
Tangled
Tarzan
Toy Story Trilogy
Turbo
12 Tasks of Asterix
Up
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit
Wall-E
Watership Down
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Wind in the Willows
Winnie the Pooh
The Wiz
The Wizard of Oz
Wreck-It Ralph
Zarafa

**alright, so it’s actually more than 150. I let the babes have final say and they couldn’t choose between some films and their sequels so they’re included as 1 title!

How many of these movies have you watched with your kids? What are your absolute favourite family films?

Click to download 150 Best Kids Movies as a checklist!

 
Useful Resources

Common Sense Media
Slightly hypersensitive, but helpful ratings and reviews, if you want to check whether a film is appropriate for a particular age group.

Movie Mom
Beliefnet columnist Nell Minnow’s take on media, culture and values.

Rotten Tomatoes Top 100 Kids & Family Movies
Regularly refreshed list of the top kids and family movies as rated by the critics.

Parent & Baby Cinema in London
Babes about Town guide to where to watch movies in London with your baby.

Coming soon: London Kids Cinema guide.