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The Magic of Movies: A Guide to the Best Kids Films of All Time

By Karuna Patel|9 - 10 mins read| April 03, 2024

Films provide such an enormous entertainment source, as well as teaching and entertaining the audience in a unique and memorable way. Transformers can deliver them to fantastic realms, expose them to others, and work with them as mentors. On the other hand, the enormous amount of kids’ movies makes it difficult to select those that deserve to be named the “best.” Where do you draw the line when selecting which movies to watch and which ones to pass on? Do you consider all the criteria enough, or what standards should be followed to choose the best leader?

In this guide, we will try to answer the questions that come along with choosing a quality kids’ film by putting together several of the greatest children’s films of all time, as per some standards, such as critical reception, public appeal, age-appropriateness, and timeless messages. In our search, we will move into the area of different types of movies, including animation, live action, and comedy, and make an attempt to identify some of their strengths and significance. Finally, we will summarise by giving advice for choosing the proper movie for your kid based on their favourite types of movies, what they like, and how old they are.

Top Picks: A Journey Through Genres

Narrowing your children’s movie picks down can be achieved by considering different genres or certain types of movies. Each kind of genre has a particular style, tone, and audience fascination, which allows for different experiences that children are privileged to learn from such practices. Check out these types of kid’s movies, since the following are ones from every genre.

Animation

Animations are images that are in motion and are generated using multiple techniques, such as drawings, computer-generated graphics, or other forms of animate images. Animation can be the most varied and creative among film genres because it can conceptualise any artefact, huge quantity of people, or even a story in the world of humans’s imagination. Animation stands out because it can be used to convey meaning to everyone, from children to adults. It can do this by being basic in style and involving advanced techniques, realistic or imaginary. Some of the best animated movies for kids are

  • Toy Story (1995): The film that hired the first feature-length computer animation of the toy story tells the journey of toys that come into their lives when their owner is absent. The movie delves into the ideas of friendship, reliability, and character when they are subjected to various tests and difficult situations. Toy Story is the first one-of-a kind and touching film that exists in three sequels and lots of spinoffs.
  • The Lion King (1994): The Lion King, which is arguably the best and one of the most loved of all time in the group of animated movies of its genre, is the tale of Simba, a young lion who has to steal back his kingdom from his uncle, who usurped the throne after the death of his father. The film discovers the sparkling feature of coming-of-age stories, and it has some impressive visuals, some of the most memorable songs, and characters you won’t forget easily. The Lion King is a movie that depicts and influences youngsters without just advocating for morals and values, but also for life.
  • Spirited Away (2001): A Japanese animation masterpiece Spirited Away is a fantasy story about a girl who’s about 10 years old. The girl enters a mysterious world where magic reigns after her parents turn into pigs. The film shows a girl on a challenging journey with her natural environment, which is a source of courage, self-discovery, and ecology. Spirited Away is a charming creation and certainly a huge entertainment. It will be fascinating for both children and adults.

Live-Action

Real-time (live-action) is a cinematic medium that combines people, animals, or objects, capturing them through cameras or other devices. In addition to that, the live-action genre of movies is perhaps the most realistic and relatable one, since it’s capable of showing the world as it is or as it could be. Animation, on the other hand, enables kids to experience an entire branch of life, like adventure, drama, or romance, in a more natural way. Some of the best live-action movies for kids are

  • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): A classic sci-fi film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, tells the story of a young boy who befriends an alien who is stranded on Earth. The film explores the themes of friendship, acceptance, and family as the boy and the alien try to evade the authorities and return to the alien’s home planet. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a touching and thrilling film that can touch the hearts and minds of children and adults alike.
  • The Wizard of Oz (1939): A timeless musical film, The Wizard of Oz follows the adventures of Dorothy, a young girl who is whisked away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. The film explores the themes of courage, wisdom, and home as Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, seek the help of the Wizard of Oz to fulfil their wishes. The Wizard of Oz is a magical and colourful film that can spark the imagination and the spirit of children and adults alike.
  • The Princess Bride (1987): A witty and charming fairytale film, The Princess Bride tells the story of a young woman who is kidnapped by a band of outlaws and rescued by her true love. The film explores the themes of romance, adventure, and humour as the lovers face various obstacles and enemies. The Princess Bride is a film that can make children and adults laugh, cry, and cheer.

Family-Friendly Comedies

Comedy is the movie genre that aims to entertain the audience by making them laugh, hence the use of jokes, satire, or irony. Comedy is considered to be people’s favourite and the most entertaining genre among the movies for the reason that it can build confidence and make people laugh. Besides, comedy can be a part of children’s lives in many aspects that include pleasure, fun, and learning. Some of the best family-friendly comedies for kids are:

  • Home Alone (1990): The film Home Alone, which is fantastic, tells the story of a little boy, Kevin, who has been left behind by his parents when they are on a Christmas vacation. The movie is made up of these topics of independence, resourcefulness, and family, as the boy takes care of his house when two bungling robbers happen to steal it. Home Alone is a film that will make people around the globe laugh hard and realise the truth about home and family.
  • The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021): A recent animated film, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, tells the story of a dysfunctional family who must save the world from a robot uprising. The film explores the themes of technology, creativity, and family as the family uses their quirks and skills to overcome the machines. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a film that can make children and adults laugh and think about the role of technology in their lives.
  • Jumanji (1995): The tale of a board game as depicted in an adventure movie also Jumanji revolves around four children who mysteriously disappear within a jungle-themed game that also releases dastardly beasts and dangerous adventures. The picture portrays some of life’s important lessons: having fun, working together, and being responsible, as the kids strive to finish the game and resume their normal way of living. Jumanji is the kind of picture that manages to give the most amazing and educational excitement of an extraordinary journey not only to the children but to the adults as well.

Beyond the List: Choosing the Right Movie

The motion pictures mentioned above are only among the top-rated kids films in the world, since there are plenty more to watch and appreciate. While each movie may not be everybody’s favourite or suitable for every child’s age, the selection of a movie can be determined by whether the child matches he appropriate  age and likes it. Here are some tips on how to choose the right movie for your child.

  • Research the movie: Doing a little research before watching a movie, just to find out what it is about and whether it is suitable for everybody, is definitely a good idea. This could include checking the plot, genre, rating of the movie, reviews, and content. Those websites, magazines, books, or stories of Indians at home could be the media you need to let you know more about the movie, its production method, and its suitability for your child. Additionally, you can view the movie trailer or read the synopsis to get a sense of what the movie is about.
  • Check the rating: Generally, the majority of the movies have generalised star ratings, which denote the age group and the intensity (violence, profanity, or sex) of their contents in the movie. The rating system varies in the meantime, whether it is a particular country or the platform, but some of the common ratings are G (general audience), PG (parental guidance suggested), PG-13 (parents strongly cautioned), and R (restricted). Using the quota, you can determine if the movie is right for your child’s maturity level.
  • Involve your child: Among the most effective ways to decide a film for your child’s view is through their involvement. Virtually, you may inquire about their interests, which may be favourite movies, favourite actors or actresses, or sports, and their opinions, and you will do your best to pay attention to their feedback. In your case, you could browse for alternatives in a collection and talk about the strengths and downsides of every option. Through their participation, you can make your child feel more respected and important and involve them in exercising their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Conclusion

Movies have an amazing effect on kids: they entertain and educate kids of all ages, and they also inspire children to be better human beings. They become a part of various experiences and provide a range of benefits to people, including creativity, mirth, and memories that last forever. After all, there will be a lot of movies around, and it will be quite difficult to determine the quality ones from the others. Here, you can understand and easily recall the given information. Use the guidelines to discover the kids world of cinema with your children and discover movies suiting their tastes and needs. Happy watching!

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About The Author:

Karuna Patel

Last Updated: Wed Apr 03 2024

This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the above blog/article text are the personal views of the author, and not necessarily reflect the views of SchoolMyKids. Any omission or errors are the author's and we do not assume any liability or responsibility for them.