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Whether you’re a parent looking for a moral, entertaining movie night with your kids, or you’re a young student of movies making the leap on your own, check out these 50 Essential Movies For...
50 Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12. From musicals, prince and princess tales, and animated animals to heroic adventures and feel-good favorites, these must-see classic movies will appeal to the whole family.
- The Goonies (1985) Suitable for: Kids ages 10+ Rating: PG. Who's in it: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman. Run time: 114 minutes. This coming-of-age ’80s classic has got it all: hidden treasure, everlasting friendship, edge-of-your-seat thrills and a young Josh Brolin.
- Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) Suitable for: Kids ages 8. Rating: PG. Who's in it: Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley. Run time: 106 minutes.
- The Greatest Showman (2017) Suitable for: Kids ages 8+ Rating: PG. Who's in it: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya. Run time: 105 minutes.
- Moana (2016) Suitable for: Kids ages 5+ Rating: PG. Who's in it: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison. Run time: 103 minutes. The first of many Disney flicks on our list, this musical adventure earns extra points for its killer soundtrack (courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda) and total badass heroine (no prince swooping in to rescue her).
- Movies For Families with Teenagers
- Movies For Families with Middle Grade Kids
- Movies For Families with Elementary Schoolers
'School of Rock'
“School of Rock” features Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck musician who poses as a substitute teacher at an elite preparatory school after being ousted from his own rock band. Under the guise of Mr. Schneebly, Dewey forms a band with his students to compete in a Battle of the Bands, planning to use the prize money to cover his rent. Rating: PG-13
'Barbie'
“Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie in the title role, is a sharp-witted musical comedy that explores Barbie’s existential crisis as she ventures into the human world to discover her purpose and identity. And Ken, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, is there, too. As the saying goes, “She’s everything. He’s just Ken.” Rating: PG-13
'Mean Girls'
The Plastics — Regina George, Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith — recruit newbie Cady Heron into their clique at school. On the surface, they're friends. But underneath, they secretly plot against each other. Rating: PG-13
'Wonka'
Drawing from the character in Roald Dahl's 1964 children’s novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Wonka” serves as the origin story for eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet. It chronicles the journey of a young Willy Wonka, who attempts to establish his first chocolate shop amidst competition from rival chocolatiers. Rating: PG
'Sky High'
Every student in “Sky High” has super powers. Their high school trains them to use their skills — an investment that proves useful when their school comes under attack. Rating: PG
'Akeelah and the Bee'
Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishbourne star in this classic about students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and high schools competing in spelling bees. It’s a lighthearted story with some heavier moments sprinkled in (not to mention oodles of star talent). Rating: PG
'Trolls'
“Trolls” is an animated musical comedy starring Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake as the optimistic Poppy and cautious Branch. When the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy and Branch set off on a mission to rescue fellow trolls before they are eaten. Rating: PG
'Bee Movie'
In “Bee Movie,” Jerry Seinfeld voices fresh-out-of-college honeybee Barry B. Benson. On a rare trip outside the hive, Barry is saved by a florist named Vanessa, played by Renée Zellweger. As their friendship develops, Barry learns that humans have been exploiting bees for honey and decides to sue the human race. Rating: PG
'Kung Fu Panda'
Po, a worker in his father's noodle shop, dreams of being a kung fu warrior alongside the Furious Five — Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper and Mantis — but thinks it'll never happen. His dream becomes a reality when a supervillain threatens all of their livelihoods. Rated: PG
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- The Wizard of Oz (1939) It may seem like cheating to give an extremely famous movie that is nearly 90 years old the top slot. But. Come on. Everything comes from The Wizard of Oz.
- Paddington 2 (2017) Paddington was winsome, entertaining, funny, and a visual treat and Paddington 2 is even better — and less scary. Less scary is a good thing, since Nicole Kidman terrified young kids who saw the first film.
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Disney movies might be magical, but Hayao Miyazaki (aka Studio Ghibli) movies pull off honest-to-god magic tricks. My Neighbor Totoro’s enchantment stems from Miyazaki telling a story convincingly and surreally through the eyes of a young child, Mei.
- The Dark Crystal (1982) With five successful seasons of The Muppet Show under his belt, Jim Henson did the unthinkable: He pulled the plug on his highly successful primetime variety show and turned his attention to writing and directing an expansive fantasy-adventure film, told entirely with puppets.
2 days ago · Stuck home and looking for great family films to watch? The RT staff hand-picked these under-the-radar kids movies that adults will love, and which have a lesson to learn by the time the...
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