Films kids *have* to see

[chickenchargrill]

It's not exactly eco or ish, but what films do my kids have to watch? Trying to come up with a nice list to continue their cinema education.

Got a few to introduce them to horror, like Abbot and Costello and some Hammer films, although they've seen a few on the list already, like Shaun of the Dead, and there's a few I'm not happy about introducing *just* yet, like April's Fools Day. Anything I can explain because it could never happen in real life are cool, I tend to follow the Lego principle with films.

Classics they've already been introduced to are:

Many of the Jim Henson, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth...

Lots of the Hayao Miyazaki films.

Rouge Ballon

Most animated, including Secret of the Kells, Nimh, Last Unicorn.

Sci-fi - Serenity, Star Wars, Fifth Element, some superhero films.

Horror wise: Aliens (eldest), Shaun of the Dead, The Fly, some animated stuff.

So yeah, chuck some film suggestions my way. Going to need some for the next few months, going to be as good as a single parent life for me with all the hours the OH will be working as a games tester. Going to need to some indoor down time. Kids are nearly 9, 7 and 18 months (although takes naps so ignore youngest)

[Zech]

I was just discussing Dead Poets Society with my sister in law. That is a classic that everyone should see, though your kids may be a bit young for it yet.

[chickenchargrill]

That is an awesome suggestion though, I'm not sure the younger ones would appreciate it, but my eldest would. Definitely one for the summer hols or a none school night.

[Sadoldhippy]

I showed my 12 coming on 13 year old daughter this 35 min animation vid on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... OMWzjrRiBg It is called "There's No Tomorrow" and is about Peak everything
It puts it all really clearly.

[baldybloke]

The Hogfather.
Seven years in Tibet.
Swiss Family Robinson.

[citizentwiglet]

Where The Wild Things Are

Tom's Midnight Garden

Kes

Walkabout

Rabbit-Proof Fence

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas

[demi]

all those old epic kids movies, some you've already mentioned - the dark crystal, willow, laberinth, ledgend, the wizzard of oz........ cant think of more at the moment.....


also im shocked you let your 9 year old watch horror movies like alien. i was never allowed to see and scary movies as a child. i never started watching scary films till i was about 16 and was allowed a tv in my room. all my friends had seen those films though, my mum was overprotective with me, i wasnt allowed to play outside our estate as a child, not even alowed to walk the few streets away to the shop to buy sweets!
but i dont think its good for young kids to be alowed to watch 15 or 18 movies. they'll have nightmares.

[Carltonian Man]

Matilda (DeVito 1996). Always good for hearty laugh and typical Dahl can be taken on many different age levels.

[chickenchargrill]

Oo, yes, Matilda. Been a while since we've watched that one and don't think my middle daughter has seen it. Noticed it was on Netflix the other day as well.

Awesome suggestions, citizentwiglet, thank you!!

[demi]

oh i love roald dahl!

the witches, james and the gient peach, williw wonka, the BFG, fantastic mr fox.......



what about the harry potter movies, you've probably seen them. my daughter liks harry potty, although i think bits of it are too scary for her to be watching, shes only 5.

[gregorach]

Not films, but if they haven't seen the surviving works of Oliver Postgate, they've missed out.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Men in Black 1,2 & 3. I know I shouldn't but I really like them.

[Zech]

Seven years in Tibet

I haven't seen that film, but that just reminded me of a really beautiful Tibetan film I watched when it came out, which Google tells me was in 1999, called The Cup (or Phorpa in the original Tibetan). It's hardly a "must see" classic, but I'd definitely recommend it for children if they can cope with subtitles. It's a growing-up story about football-mad novice Buddhist monks - there's a good review of it here: http://www.lovefilm.com/film/The-Cup/41 ... ew/123225/

I'm not sure how you'd actually get hold of it, but I'm going to try because I want to watch it again now!

[dustydave]

Mosquito Coast is a great film for all dads to watch.

It reminds me that, while some of my ideas might sound great after a few beers, they would not make me a good dad!

[battybird]

Men in Black 1,2 & 3. I know I shouldn't but I really like them.

Why not? Has a sense of humour, silliness and a story, I love them too!

Agree with all Roald Dahl inc. BFG and Witches. What about Lion King and the Walt Disney classic like Dumbo, Jungle book etc...especially for the younger kids. The Lord of the Rings series? The Clangers...not a film tho! Mine loved the Princess Bride and Stardust, but might be a bit tame for Alien and Shaun of the Dead watcher! I think there was a Steve Martin film called Parenthood which appealed to mine when they were 5-10ish. The March of the Penguins, Gnomeo & Juliet, Tintin...
I watched a quirky little animated film called Nine recently which was different and thought provoking. Superhero films like Captain America, Kickass and Batman?