Your Child's Favorite Movies

I have two boys ages 6 and 4. They LOVED the new movie "Up" (I loved it too!) There is the old classic Pinnochio which my older son LOVED a summer ago (2008). Madagascar is a good one, funny, music.

Hi M.,

I am amazed at how scary childrens movies can be, especially from Disney. My daughter (2 1/2) loves Mary Poppins and goes around singing the songs from it. The only part that might be a little scary is the scene right after the kids leave the bank, but that only lasts for a very short time. I know that there are others out there, but I can't think of any right now!

The Tinkerbelle movies are pretty mild, and if you can stomach Barbie, those movies are pretty easy going as well. Space/Snow Buddies are cute, Hans Christian Andersons Thumbelina, Little Rascals......these are a few of my kids non-scarier favorites on movie nights (I have two 5 year olds and a 3 year old.

Try 'Kiki's Delivery Service' or 'Totoro'. Great stories that encourage thoughtfulness and independence while stressing the importance of family.

I just saw "the perfect gift" and as long as you're Christian, it'll be good for your daughter. It's about the Christian meaning of Christmas and a bit cheesy/bad acting, but surprisingly captivating.

My kids are into Mary Poppins, Milo & Otis & the Cinderella movies at target for $5

My 6 & 8 yr old love Veggie Tales (good message & not scary), Toy Story (both 1&2), WALL-E, Ratatouille, & CARS (I could list movies all day that they like). They also enjoy the old Disney classic cartoons (Cinderella, Mickey Mouse, Goofy) & old Disney live action movies (like the Shaggy dog, Herbie, etc). Some movies can be scary in parts but with mom & dad close the kids feel safe & realize that it is not real & can snuggle down with you for a good story.

If you do Netflix (or something like that)or visit the library or video rentals, you can browse lots of movies in the children & family section. On-line you can read reviews about the specific movie & even sort them by age group and type of movie. If you are at a rental store - ask for good suggestions of the ones they have in stock. There are some wonderful movies out there that the entire family will enjoy & will fit where you need them to be for your daughter. Enjoy this time with your daughter! God Bless

we just watched the movie "Up" and it was so cute, nothing scary.

British TV & Pixar are probably your best bets... although diving into old classics like Pink Panther or Stuart Little could be options as well. Disney would be a big no-no.

Brit TV examples:

- Angelina Ballerina
- Thomas the Tank Engine (not the movie, but the episodes)
- Firman Sam (has both strong & silly female characters to match the strong & silly males)
- Bob the Builder (ditto)

I'm fond of Cars because nobody's mother bites it in the first five minutes! My son (almost 5) is a little sensitive, too, but he loves Cars.

Hi M.,
I am also very weary of what my daughter sees, here are a few suggestions:
Curious George the Movie
Wall-E (Disney)
Fun & Fancy Free (Disney)(there is a giant in Mickey & the Beanstock, but he is more silly than anything)
Milo & Otis
The Little Rascals the Movie

Hope this helps. Good luck with Movie night! :)

My daughter is 8 and is also very sensitive about scary things in movies. She absolutely loves all of the Barbie movies. I actually like them too. They teach good lessons and are very clean. The Homeward Bound movies might be good for her.

Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Incredibles, Night at the Museum 1 and 2 are both hilarious to boot. The Shrek films yes there is some adult humor but it is so well done if flies over most children's heads. Paint Your Wagon, Kismet is an old musical, Totoro,

I second the Miyazaki films (totoro, kiki's delivery). When I was around that age is when my dad got me into Classics. Singing in the Rain is STILL one of my faves!

I was "sensitive" too (to the point of crying hysterically until I threw up once AT the theater), and my parents used movies and books as a wonderful way to explore emotions. They were at the mercy of TV and movie theater since it was the 70s and instant media was not quite available. I still cry at cartoons, but now it's more of an appreciation thing for good storytelling. Help your daughter understand those things too, instead of shielding her.

My daughter is ultra sensitive to movies also, but loves both the Tinkerbelle movies and Curious George movie and Cars.
We can't watch any Princess movies or any of the Dalmation movies as they are too scary.
I have heard UP is good, but we haven't watched it yet.

Surf's Up and Happy Feet are both cute penguin movies. :-)

M. - My girls are 5 and 7, and although they don't scare easily (they love Star Wars with their dad, as well as Harry Potter), they also are very into "old" movies. My husband will pick out more recent films to watch with them, including all the Disney and Pixar brands, but I like to get movies like (the original) The Parent Trap, Swiss Family Robinson, Annie, The Three Lives of Thomasina, Pollyanna, Pete's Dragon, etc. These are more low-key movies where the story is told more through dialog than loud action sequences, and I hope it helps them become more well-rounded!

Tinkerbell is great! My daughter is also very sensitive to scary parts.