Movie Mania: 10 Films you should watch with your child

Dione Chen 27 Jun 2016 updated the 28 June 2016 à 16:14

1/10
Toy Story (1995)
The best lessons come in the subtlest of forms. This award-winning movie might simply appear to be a feel-good film that's about toys coming alive and going through a series of exciting events in the day, but it really goes further than that. Toy Story tells of the importance of friendship (between Woody and Buzz), optimism, and the beauty of a child's imagination.
2/10
The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King's success sees itself all the way through to the present day, with the masses who continue to laud it as one of the best Disney films of all time, and even a Broadway musical created after it. The film is a rollercoaster of emotions - anger, guilt, hope, etc. - that teaches the value of family, along with an amazing soundtrack that you and your child will enjoy for years to come.
3/10
The Sound of Music (1965)
An adaptation of the Broadway musical by the same name, this film has won awards for its brilliant songs, beautiful cinematography (perhaps more so in 1965) and for being a generally wonderful film. It's a movie for both parents, who learn the significance of treating their children with kindness and respect, and kids, who see the power of music and family. Of course, the ending has to be a happy one, to give you a good night's sleep after you're done with the movie.
4/10
A Little Princess (1995)
Loosely based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess depicts the life of Sara, the daughter of a wealthy Captain Crewe, who has been placed in a boarding school while her father heads off to fight for the British army. This heartwarming film teaches us to stay strong, kind and courteous even though circumstances may be against us, and of course continue to hope that good will triumph evil in the end.
5/10
The Little Mermaid (1989)
When people tell you their favourite Disney princess is Ariel, we believe they've got lots of reason to do so. If you look through the eyes of a child, and disregard all the feminist comments that have been surrounding this film, you'll see that the catchy tunes and Ariel's bravery really gives hope to all the young ones, that dreams do come true if you fight for what you believe in.
6/10
Inside Out (2015)
Being human means having emotions, and by that we mean all of it. If you (or your child) have ever had doubts about your personality, this film will teach you that every emotion you feel has a purpose in making you the person you are and how beautifully all your sensations come together in an emotionally complex world. Other than that, the characters are exceptionally adorable... you'll fall in love with each and every one of them by the first five minutes of the film!
7/10
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
Gene Wilder will always be the perfect Willy Wonka in our eyes. The 1971 film was an excellent adaptation of Roald Dahl's best-selling book (which your kids might want to read as well), displaying whimsical, psychedelic scenes of pure goofiness and chocolatey delight, and the wonders of the imagination. Of course, there is a moral to the whole story, which is that honesty bags the prize, but it's really the vivid colours and strange details that gets us every time.
8/10
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
The second novel and the first film of C.S. Lewis' epic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia sees four children who find a wardrobe that leads them into the mystical, magical world of Narnia. It is a wonderfully original movie that will not only amaze you and your family with its intricate details and grand soundtrack, but also leave you thinking about betrayal and forgiveness that are the recurring themes of the film.
9/10
Home Alone (1990)
This movie was rated as the most successful live-action comedy film of all time for 21 straight years, and continues to be one of our top picks for a time of feel-good fun with the family (especially during the Christmas season). You will learn, firstly, never to leave your 8-year-old child alone at home, but also that bravery and wit have no age limits, and that it is often our child-like optimism and imagination that gets us through life's darkest moments.
10/10
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
This is yet another film with loads of child's imagination. If you've never read (or rather seen) the book by Maurice Sendak, we think the movie's a pretty great adaptation you've got to catch. The book's famous quote "there's one in all of us" tells us that we may have our wild sides, but it's perfectly normal and okay to embrace them. Max, the boy in the story, also shows us the true meaning of love and how there's no place like home.

They’ll make them laugh, they’ll make them cry, but, most of all, they’ll teach your kids life lessons they will never forget.

So, your child has been whining to watch his or her favourite television programme, but you’ve been reluctantly relenting (not before telling them to finish their mathematics homework, or recite to you a Mandarin poem they learnt in school, of course) because you don’t see how it’s benefitting them in any way. You wish there were shows that could both be entertaining to the kids, and helpful in their growth as a person simultaneously. Well, there are plenty! You’ve just got to know where to look.

The next time you sit in front of the television as a family, tell your kid you’ve got a surprise for them, and play one of these movies that we recommend. We assure you that they’re going to be hooked in no time. By the end of the film, you’ll know why we chose these options. It’s best if you guys discuss the movie after, to check in on what the little one has learnt. In any case, you’ll see that movies and shows don’t have to be as bad as they appear to be – there are the good ones too.

Now that you know which movies do wonders for your kid, it’s time to gather the rest for an evening of laughter, touching moments and a whole lot of fun!

Dione Chen

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