9 Movies to Watch with Kids at Home
From fantasy tales, animation, super hero adventures to comedies, there is a wide selection of movies to watch with kids.
When watching movies with kids, we often want to educate them as well. The movies in this list are entertaining and often contain positive messages that are beneficial to them.
So, get comfortable on your couch, prepare the snacks and drinks and get together to watch some incredibly wonderful movies with your kids at home.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away is a story about a 10-year-old gril Chihiro Ogino who enters a fantasy world of spirits based on Japanese Shinto folklore. Kids would enjoy seeing the wide variety of spirits depicted in the animation.
Spirted Away also has some serious themes and messages to convey. For example, the stink spirit who visits the bath house was actually a river spirit.
The river spirit had become so polluted with trash such as car tires, a bicycle and all sorts of garbage. He only managed to become clean again when Chihiro pulled out all these filth from him. This is a good lesson and reminder to kids on the importance of Saving the Earth.
2.Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies is set in Japan in the final months of the Second World War. The film features two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, and their tragic story as they struggle to survive during the war.
Grave of the Fireflies is a sad movie that is bound to make you or your kids (or both) tear up. The example set by Seita in the film is also a good chance to teach your kids to love and take care of their siblings and family.
3. The Iron Giant (1999)
The Iron Giant is an animated film based on the novel The Iron Man written by Ted Hughes. The novel was published in the United States as The Iron Giant.
In 1957 during the Cold War, a young boy names Hogarth Hughes found himself faced with a gigantic metallic robot, the Iron Giant.
Hogarth befriends the Giant who came from outer space. At the same time, the Giant was being hunted by the U.S Military. Kent Mansley, a federal agent was the main antagonist who was hell bent on finding and destroying the Giant.
Kids will enjoy seeing the wide arsenal of weapons and abilities that the Iron Giant has but the more mature theme behind this film is that of “You are who You Chose to Be”.
It is hinted that the Iron Giant was created as a weapon of mass destruction but in the end, he choose to save the people on Earth. A good lesson to impart to kids while watching movies at home. We have a choice and control over who we want to be in life.
4. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke tells an epic fantasy war story and has breath-taking visuals even by today’s standards.
The story is about a young Emishi prince Ashitaka and how he was caught in the conflict between the gods of a forest and the humans who are consuming its resources and destroying the environment at the same time.
5. Up (2009)
The introduction of Up told a more beautiful love story in 5 mins than The Twilight Sage did in 5 movies. That is why everyone should watch this movie.
Every adult and kid should at least watch the opening scene in Up. It is possibly one of the best love stories told in the shortest possible time.
6. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Howl’s Moving Castle is another animation of this list from Studio Ghibli.
The world of Howl’s Moving Castle has both magic and technology co-existing. It tells the story of a young girl named Sophie who was turned into an old woman by a curse from a witch.
Two kingdoms are at war and Sophie meets a wizard named Howl and gets entwined in his resistance to fighting for the King.
Howl’s Moving Castle is a movie with gorgeous visuals and is suitable as a movie to watch with kids at home. Kids may not mind the disconnected plot in certain parts but the stunning visuals would probably keep them entertained.
7. The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles is a computer-animated superhero film produced by Pixar and released by Disney. The story revolves around a family of superheros.
The Father, Mr Incredible, has super strength. The Mother, Elastigirl has body elasticity. The Daughter and eldest sister, Violet, has the ability to generate force fields and turn invisible. The Son and younger brother to Violet, Dash, has super speed. Yet the youngest in the family, Baby Jack-Jack has the most variety of powers. Baby Jack-jack’s powers were displayed briefly at the end of The Incredibles and we got to see the whole range of his powers in Incredibles 2.
The Incredibles is a family friendly film as it is centered around a family of Superheros. The plot is deep and compelling and the visual treats throughout the film are sure to keep you and your kids at the edge of your seats.
8. Monsters, Inc (2001)
Monsters, Inc is a computer animated comedy film produced by Pixar and distributed by Disney. The general consensus on this movie is that adults would find themselves enjoying, rather than enduring with their kids.
Monsters, Inc is probably among the top 3 film on the list of movies to watch with kids at home.
I really like the whole idea of how they found that kids’ laughter generated much more energy than kids’ scream. This is very deep story which made me evaluate that we could be doing certain things wrongly in our lives. By changing an angle of how we approached the problem, we could actually generate more value for all the parties involved.
9. Toy Story (1995)
The Toy Story Franchise is up to 4 films now with Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019).
Toy Story was a film that I could relate to very much. I grew up in the 80s playing with toy figures such as He-Man, G.I. Joe and Transformers. The thing about playing with toys is that you need imagination to create a plot and a story line.
This is the reason why Toy Story is a great movie to watch with kids at home. Nowadays, kids spend most of their years growing up playing with smartphones. I find this extremely unhealthy. Constant exposure to these devices is harmful for their eyes. On top of that, kids are deprived of the chance to exercise their imagination and creativity.
Watching Toy Story is a great way to introduce kids to the fun of playing with toys.
In Conclusion
These movies may be old, but they have withstood the test of time. Each one of them is a classic in its own right.
If you want a relaxing weekend at home with your kids with some popcorns and drinks, these are great movies to start with.
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