Top 8 local Singapore films you can watch with your kids

Movie Time: Top 8 local films you can watch with your kids

Lim Han

16 May 2017

1/8
Home Run
Get your tissues ready, this one’s a real tearjerker. Home Run tells a story of a pair of poor siblings, a young sister and her older brother, and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes. Follow them as they overcome various obstacles in friendships, family, school and poverty. Their strong sibling bond through it all will tug at your heartstrings and possibly, have your eyes swelling with tears. Did we mention that the actress for the young sister was the first Singaporean to receive the accolade of the Gold Horse award?
2/8
I Not Stupid
Following the individual journeys of three Primary 6 boys placed in the lower academic stream, I Not Stupid shows each boy’s struggle to fit into the education system and displays the riveting family dynamics of their households. This heartwarming comedy exposes the undercurrent of social stigma in the local education system and advocates for parents to look beyond their children’s grades and see them for who they are, their character, talents and all. If you’re up for a time of both laughter and tears, this is the film for you and your kids.
3/8
I Not Stupid, Too
A sequel film to I Not Stupid, I Not Stupid, Too definitely does not pale in comparison in terms of awareness of audience and storyline. This time, the film portrays the adventures and family struggles experienced by three youths, 15-year-old Tom, his 8-year-old brother Jerry and their 15-year-old friend, Chengcai. Through the series of various events and turmoil, we see the difficulties that plague parent-child communication and how they should be overcome. This heartwarming film will tickle your kids one moment and have them tearing up the next.
4/8
Taxi! Taxi!
This comedy film tells the story of how a highly educated PhD microbiologist Professor Chua See Kiat struggles to find a new job and lands himself in the occupation of a taxi driver. Trying to hide it from his family while getting the hang of his new designation, Professor Chua goes through different problems and experiences that truly make audiences feel for his character. Keen to see how a learned professor tries to fit into the job of a cab driver? Gather your family for “movie time”! You and your kids are bound to be in stitches.
5/8
Already Famous
Are your kids a fan of Lulu in The Noose? Watch Michelle Chong, the actress herself, direct and take on another role in Already Famous, where she plays a village girl, Ah Kiao. Ah Kiao aspires to be a famous actress, like those she sees in her favourite soap operas which she religiously follows. To her family’s disapproval, she travels to Singapore to pursue her dream. However, an unexpected romance gets in her way when she meets a charming and innocent coffeeshop worker. Will she find her path to success? Or, will her love life be the cause of her downfall? We’ll let you find out that yourself.
6/8
The Wayang Kids
A Eurasian girl from China is enrolled into a Singapore primary school and is tasked to conjure a stellar Chinese Opera performance, alongside a Chinese autistic boy. Witness a heartwarming friendship that overcomes language and cultural barriers, as the two work together to fulfil their mission. This film will impart to your kids the importance of social acceptance and kindness, which crosses the boundaries of language and culture.
7/8
We Not Naughty
Director Jack Neo strikes again with another family movie on youths and their struggles. Touching on themes such as cyberbullying, gangsterism and morality, We Not Naughty trails 3 boys who are grappling with their academics and having difficulties connecting with their parents. Through various situations and incidents, the youths find their individual identities and talents and realise that their worth is not entrenched in their grades.
8/8
The Reunion Dinner
Although this isn’t a 2-hour movie, but a short film, The Reunion Dinner still proves to be more powerful and touching than several other full-blown movies. This short film revolves around the ritual of the Chinese New Year’s family reunion dinner and shows the dynamics of the network of relationships within a particular family. Spanning across a timeline from the 60s to the modern day, we witness the same ritual that transcends generations and unites the family together.

Welcome to the world of Hollywood – Singaporean style.

There’s no denying that blockbuster films and Hollywood movies are incredible to watch, with their high budget settings and spectacular graphics. I mean, James Bond and The Avengers? You’ve got to love those.

But, sometimes, we simply crave for good ol’ local flavours to be incorporated into our movies. There’s nothing like watching a stellar local film, steeped in our own culture and language. Where else would you find movies infused with a slew of Singlish phrases and Singaporean slang? Not to mention, those that feature themes which hit close to home and portray characters we can fully relate to.

From comedies to tearjerkers, the ton of movies that our local cinematic industry has churned out is truly impressive. Whether you’re up for a good cry or a time of laughter, our local film industry has got you covered. Of course, not every local film is child-appropriate, so we’ve picked out the top 10 local films that the whole family can enjoy. So, huddle up with your kids and dive right into our gallery!

Lim Han

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