Topic: Movies for kids

I was watching Aidan watch his first movie trailer yesterday, and began wondering about when and how to introduce him to film. Right now he's a little young, not quite 4 and a half months, but he's learned a few words (he can sort of say "hungry", "hello", "mummy", and is trying to figure out their context) so it won't be too long until he and I can begin watching short movies together - although comprehension may take a little more time.

This got me wondering if there's a good progression for kids film beyond the recommended age ranges; do I start him with Star Wars right off the bat, or do we need to build a foundation beforehand?

So far the following are on the list, and I've begun sorting by complexity. Any thoughts on introducing small people to movies, and is anything significant missing (is there a podcast in this)?

First movies

  • The Muppet Movie

  • Chicken Run

  • The Wrong Trousers

  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

  • How to Train Your Dragon

  • Matilda

  • Monsters Inc.

  • Mary Poppins

  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

  • Kung Fu Panda

  • Toy Story

  • Shrek

  • Wall.E

  • The Incredibles

  • Tangled

  • My Neighbour Totoro

Adding emotional complexity

  • Back to the Future

  • The Princess Bride

  • Home Alone

  • ET

  • Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

  • The Iron Giant

  • Star Wars

  • Short Circuit

  • The Road to El Dorado

  • Flight of the Navigator

  • Lion King

Introducing horror elements

  • Ghostbusters

  • The Goonies

  • The Nightmare before Christmas

  • Spirited Away

Movies for older kids

  • Edward Scissor Hands

  • Elf

  • Bridge to Terabithia

  • Finding Neverland

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

  • Mystery Men

  • Up

  • Porco Rosso

  • The Golden Compass

Last edited by Dave (2013-11-17 06:25:05)

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Re: Movies for kids

Introduce him to The Muppets as soon as possible, especially Sesame Street, all the colours and songs and stuff are great for kids. Then let him watch the movie Follow That Bird because it is great and not enough people have seen it.

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Re: Movies for kids

Have to admit my muppet exposure is pretty minimal too, great idea Jimmy. Added.

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Re: Movies for kids

smile They are great for young kids due to the voices and colours and they don't even have to get a lot of the jokes in the Muppet movies until they are older.

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Re: Movies for kids

Absolutely +1. The Muppets ares great for being able to grow up with them. I'm still going back to the movies and noticing things I didn't, despite the fact I've been watching them since I was really little.

ZangrethorDigital.ca

Re: Movies for kids

For Disney movies, I'd recommend Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King when they're younger. Hold off on The Hunchback of Notre Dame until they're a little older (there's a considerable amount of sexuality and scariness), but once they're at the right age it's undoubtedly the most mature of the Disney Renaissance films. I'd advise against The Little Mermaid—as Eddie has said before, it can be pretty damaging to a kid's worldview, particularly if that child is a girl.

Last edited by Abbie (2013-11-16 22:33:16)

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Re: Movies for kids

BigDamnArtist wrote:

Absolutely +1. The Muppets ares great for being able to grow up with them. I'm still going back to the movies and noticing things I didn't, despite the fact I've been watching them since I was really little.

Indeed, me too smile

Last edited by Jimmy B (2013-11-16 23:17:44)

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Re: Movies for kids

Dave wrote:

Right now he's a little young, not quite 4 and a half months

In that case, let's not forget
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/Winniethepooh.png

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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Re: Movies for kids

An easy way to introduce little ones to great movie franchises is through the LEGO video games. I know a second grader whose favorite movies are Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm not sure if he's even seen all of the movies, but he loves the games. Sow the seed! big_smile

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Re: Movies for kids

Even my mom, who doesn't like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, loves the games. So, you know, family activity wink

I am wary, now more than ever with my eldest at 4, of "kids movies," because Little Mermaid definitely isn't and Beauty and the Beast I hesitate on but am ok with now. Winnie the Pooh is great and there are several different selections out there to choose, as well as movies. "Piglet's Big Movie" is actually well done.

Lion King 2 deserves mention as it is a more fun, less Hameltesque story. Much more toned down.
If you have Netflix, then it is your friend as there are several children's shows on there, such as Sesame Street, and Cailou, which is my daughter's favorite right now. Cailou is a little more accessible since it focuses on a 4 year old and uses a lot of primary colors.

Emperor's New Groove is a second step movie, primarily for the sarcastic humor, which may be inaccessible.

Also, some of the newer Tinker Bell movies are surprisingly well done.

God loves you!

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Re: Movies for kids

In terms of TV we're pretty well served - Aidan has already grown quite fond of Peppa Pig, In the Night Garden, and Bananas in Pyjamas.

Lion King is a good one, thank you FireProof!

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Re: Movies for kids

One thing I'll add is with trying to get my daughters to sleep, especially after a busy day, I would find a show (or movie) that relaxes me. For the most part, the show was MASH and I could lay down, let them cuddle with me, and fall asleep. My wife would complain that I stayed up too late trying to get them to sleep, but it was an incredible bonding time for me and my girls.

If you're relaxed, they are relaxed, I've learned.

God loves you!

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Re: Movies for kids

Fire, I'm confused about how you draw the line between Beauty and the Beast and MASH. Where the latter is "hmm, I don't know" and the former is "oh sure all the way!"

I really don't get what you're judging on.

ZangrethorDigital.ca

Re: Movies for kids

BigDamnArtist wrote:

Fire, I'm confused about how you draw the line between Beauty and the Beast and MASH. Where the latter is "hmm, I don't know" and the former is "oh sure all the way!"

I really don't get what you're judging on.

LOL
It's more a matter of getting me to relax and then they will relax. Usually I just turn captions on and read it, and let them fall asleep in my arms.

Also, #7 and #3: http://www.cracked.com/article_16795_th … eaths.html

God loves you!

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Re: Movies for kids

Mr.Bean might be a great choice for young kids as well, I know I loved it when I was younger (still do, Rowan Atkinson rules). It's about as universal as comedy gets. Ditto for Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton if you want to go old-school. Anything Pixar will work great. Who Framed Roger Rabbit will play awesome once they're like 4.

Also, classic Nickelodeon cartoons would be a great choice. Get them watching the good stuff now, before they get hooked on the garbage "sitcoms" Disney plays all the time now (Disney channel kids shows are seriously shit nowadays).

I'm talkin Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Spongebob, and my personal favorite, Rocko's Modern Life.

As for when they're a bit older, once they're around 6-7 you can probably safely start introducing them to proper action movies like the Schwarzenegger/Stallone/Van-Damme back catalog. AKA, the best part of childhood.

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Re: Movies for kids

I'm assuming this was meant to be ironic, because there's no way in hell I'd show "the Schwarzenegger/Stallone/Van-Damme back catalog" to a 6 or 7 year old.

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Re: Movies for kids

Babe, but not Babe 2 - there's some seriously disturbing shit in that movie, even for adults.

not long to go now...

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Re: Movies for kids

Squiggly_P wrote:

For really young kids, I'd say that Henson's stuff is great. Fraggle Rock is fantastic.

The Gorgs from Fraggle Rock used to scare the shit out of me when I was a preschooler. I couldn't stand to watch those creepy fuckers.
http://kumquatwriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/the-gorgs-garden.jpg

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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Re: Movies for kids

Dave wrote:

I'm assuming this was meant to be ironic, because there's no way in hell I'd show "the Schwarzenegger/Stallone/Van-Damme back catalog" to a 6 or 7 year old.

Really? I guess I kinda just grew up watching HBO, so that stuff was my bread and butter. Don't think I turned out particularly messed up or anything, though I suppose your mileage may vary. I mean you wanna cherry-pick the less scary ones. I wouldn't show a 7 year old The Terminator, but T2 would be fine I think. When you get down to it, a lot of those 80s flicks are just more violent GI-Joe cartoons, so I think stuff like Eraser, Last Action Hero, Commando, and Tango & Cash would go over fine at that age.

Also around that time, Army of Darkness is a great intro to horror, since it's very slapstick and largely just an action-adventure movie.

BTW, if you for some reason haven't read it, Drew McWeeny's Film Nerd 2.0 column should be your first stop when deciding these movies, since he documents his kids' reactions and the kinds of questions they'll ask:
http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/f … things-are

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