There are countless movies available for children. Children continue to fall in love with the newest, latest and greatest films designed with them in mind. Even with great new children’s films coming out every day, there are many classic films that every child should see.
An American Tale
One of my favorite movies growing up, was An American Tale. This fascinating story starred a young mouse by the name of Feivel who becomes separated from his family while immigrating from Russia to the United States. The poor mouse undergoes a series of trials and tribulations during his quest to reunite with his family and makes some new friends along the way, including an unusual cat by the name of Tiger.
The Seventh Brother
In The Seventh Brother, a young puppy named Tiny is traveling through a rainstorm when he is accidentally left behind by his family. After spending the night cold, alone and afraid, a family of rabbits takes him in and he becomes part of the family. Tiny eventually gives up on his hopes of finding his original family, but as winter approaches, his rabbit family realizes that Tiny is becoming weak because he isn’t eating the foods a dog should. As Tiny becomes weaker and weaker, the rabbits fear that tiny might not make it through the winter and the rabbits set out to find Tiny’s family.
Rock-A-Doodle
In Rock-A-Doodle, a little boy named Edmond is told the story of an uncannily-like-Elvis rooster named Chanticleer. Chanticleer fails to make the sun rise, but as the rain and floods continue to threaten Edmond’s family’s farm, Edmond becomes more and more determined to bring Chanticleer back to raise the sun and save the day.
Jack Frost
Most kids have seen Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, but I am surprised by the number of children (and even adults) that I encounter who have not seen the claymation children’s movie, Jack Frost. In this heartwarming film, Jack Frost falls in love with a young woman by the name of Elisa and Father Winter allows Jack Frost to become human in hopes of winning Elisa’s heart. There’s a catch though. Jack must marry Elisa by spring, or he’ll be returned to his duties of bringing winter to the land. Unlike most movies, Jack surprisingly doesn’t win Elisa’s heart, and he’s returned to his winter duties. Despite the sad outcome for Jack, it’s really a positive and uplifting film.
The Secret Garden
In The Secret Garden, young Mary was left orphaned in India following a tragic earthquake and is sent to live with her uncle and her sickly cousin in England. Her uncle is still grieving the loss of his wife a decade prior, and is not attentive or concerned with Mary. While exploring her uncle’s large property, Mary discovers a garden that has been left unattended to and locked since the death of her aunt. With the help of her friend Dickon, the garden is restored and Mary becomes determined to show the garden to her bedridden cousin.
Matilda
In the movie Matilda, an abrasive and horribly mean couple adopt a baby girl named Matilda. Matilda is treated terribly throughout her childhood by her adoptive parents and brother. Matilda is sent to a special school with a cruel headmistress, but soon discovers she has telekinetic powers. Matilda makes a special connection with her teacher, Miss Honey, who turns out to be the headmistresses daughter and later adopts Matilda.
All Dogs Go To Heaven
I won’t say anything good about any of the sequels or spin-offs to All Dogs Go To Heaven, however, the original film was simply amazing. A dog by the name of Charlie is murdered by his arch nemesis Carface, and finds himself in Heaven, but returns to Earth to seek revenge on Carface for his death, even though doing so will damn him to hell. While on his quest, Charlie meets an orphan girl with the ability to talk to animals, helping him to gain more resources to fund his quest. Even with revenge imminent, Charlie becomes fearful, having nightmares about Hell, and hoping he can prove he is worthy of Heaven.
Pippi Longstocking
Stranded with her horse and monkey, and her father lost at sea, quirky young Pippi Longstocking has to take care of herself and her home and do her best to keep herself from being sent to a home for children. Her funny adventures get even better when she finds two friends to share her adventures (or misadventures) with.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Although Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp is a great film, it pales in comparison to the original version, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory that was was released in 1971. The quirky and eccentric tale follows the journeys of a handful of children, all of which have won a tour of the secret chocolate factory that has been locked and guarded for years.
A Little Princess
The tear-jerking film, A Little Princess, tells the story of a young girl who believes her father is killed in war. When her father enlists to go to war, Sarah is sent to a boarding school in New York; the same one her late mother attended. Sarah clashes with the headmistress, and later, when Sarah’s father is believed to have died, the headmistress turns Sarah into a maid alongside another orphan, Becky. Sarah later discovers her father is alive and a surprising twist of fate has more in store for Sarah and Becky than they thought.