04/04/2020
*50 Movies Every Kid Should Watch Before They Turn 12*
By *Rachel Bowie*
Sep. 28, 2017
One of the best reasons to have a child: Vicariously reliving your own childhood by forcing them to watch the classic films that shaped you into the fine human being you are today.
*Here, 50 films every kid should see by the time they turn 12.* (PSA: Some are better viewed when they reach the older end of that spectrum, of course.)
WALT DISNEY PICTURES/PIXAR
*1. TOY STORY*
Introduce them to Buzz and Woody now, then sucker punch them with Toy Story 3 when they turn 13.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*2. THE MUPPET MOVIE*
All hail the OG Jim Hensen production. (There won’t be a dry eye in the room after Kermit’s “Rainbow Connection” ballad.)
PARAMOUNT
*3. CHARLOTTE?S WEB*
Speaking of dry eyes, your kids will never forget the film version of this classic by E.B. White.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*4. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO*
Two sisters move to the country and befriend the nearby Forest spirits (notably, the cute and cuddly Totoro). Tons of fun-filled adventures ensue. You can’t go wrong.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*5. THE SANDLOT*
This quintessential summer film will have your kid picking up a baseball mitt before the credits start rolling.
COLUMBIA PICTURES
*6. A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN*
Ditto on this one. (We love you, Tom Hanks.)
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*7. THE SOUND OF MUSIC*
Two words: Julie Andrews. Also, don’t be surprised if “So Long, Farewell” becomes your kid’s bedtime send-off in the weeks immediately following.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*8. THE LION KING*
Not only does it include the voice of 90s icon Jonathan Taylor Thomas (a throwback that’s mom and dad-approved), there’s the “Circle of Life” opening sequence. Disney gold.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
*9. BABE*
This film about a pig raised by sheepdogs comes with a solid reminder: The little guy doesn’t always finish last.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES/PIXAR
*10. FINDING NEMO*
Cue your kids’ new Pixar-inspired life motto: Just keep swimming.
MGM
*11. THE PRINCESS BRIDE*
Fairy tales? Ew, gross. Your kids will love the way this film pokes fun at love. (Fred Savage eye roll included.)
LIONSGATE FILMS
*12. AKEELAH AND THE BEE*
This is empowering story about a girl from South Los Angeles and her journey to win the National Spelling Bee is the perfect film to inspire daughters and instill fearlessness.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*13. MARY POPPINS*
Julie Andrews is the most epic super-nanny of all time. (Plus, shouldn’t you prep them now for the Emily Blunt re-release?)
WALT DISNEY PICTURES/PIXAR
*14. THE INCREDIBLES*
Coolest animated superhero family of all time.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*15. BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS*
Perfect for any kid nearing the age of not believing.
WARNER BROS
*16. THE WIZARD OF OZ*
Or, on the flip side, any kid with a runaway (and Technicolor) imagination.
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
*17. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST*
Tale as old as time: inner beauty beats outer beauty every time.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*18. REMEMBER THE TITANS*
A film with a topical lesson: Teamwork—regardless of skin color—makes the dream work. (And let’s not forget the Ryan Gosling cameo.)
WARNER BROS.
*19. A CHRISTMAS STORY*
More life lessons: Never ever in any circumstances touch your tongue to an icy flagpole.
LIONSGATE
*20. SHAUN THE SHEEP*
Some of the best Claymation we’ve ever seen.
LUCASFILM/PARAMOUNT
*21. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK*
Vintage Harrison Ford + archeological adventures = best family movie night ever.
WARNER BROS.
*22. THE GOONIES*
Ditto the adventures. (And nostalgia.)
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS/PIXAR
*23. UP*
Your kids aren’t crying, you’re crying.
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS/PIXAR
*24. WALL-E*
There’s no dialogue for the first 30 minutes, but your kids will still be mesmerized.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*25. BIG*
RIP FAO Schwartz.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*26. THE PARENT TRAP*
Either the Hayley Mills version or the Lindsay Lohan one. Your call.
SONY PICTURES
*27. HOOK*
Rufio, Rufio, Ruf-ee-ohhhhhh will be chanted in your household for days.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*28. MOANA*
It’s set in Hawaii…so the opposite of Frozen.
WARNER BROS.
*29. W***Y WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY*
Equal parts magical and ominous, aka Roald Dahl at his finest.
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
*30. WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?*
A classic whodunit that merges cartoons with real life.
MGM
*31. SINGIN IN THE RAIN*
No kid (however cool) will be able to resist the magic of Gene Kelly tap dancing in puddles.
UNITED ARTISTS
*32. WEST SIDE STORY*
Sure, this one’s for the older kids, but the modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet is one they won’t soon forget.
WARNER BROS.
*33. THE IRON GIANT*
A boy-meets-robot turned unlikely friendship that’s a total tearjerker.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*34. STAR WARS*
Yep, it still holds up.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*35. ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD*
Baseball movies are the best movies (especially when Christopher Lloyd shows up).
WARNER BROS.
*36. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE*
Just be sure they read the book first.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*37. MRS. DOUBTFIRE*
Robin Williams is a cross-dressing nanny—or as we like to call it, the modern Mary Poppins.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
*38. E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL*
Steven Spielberg at his finest.
WARNER BROS.
*39. THE LEGO MOVIE*
PSA: “Everything is Awesome” will get stuck in your head.
TRISTAR PICTURES
*40. MATILDA*
Just don’t time the first viewing with back-to-school.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*41. HOME ALONE*
Come on, it’s a Christmas classic.
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
*42. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON*
Also included: Some of the coolest flight sequences of all time.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
*43. JURASSIC PARK*
A good reminder at all ages: Don’t mess with science.
MARVEL
*44. THE AVENGERS*
For kids who love superheroes, this is the perfect starter film.
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS/PIXAR
*45. INSIDE OUT*
An emotional roller coaster that is as delightful for kids as it is for the adults.
COLUMBIA PICTURES
*46. STAND BY ME*
OK, so it has an R rating (for foul language and pie-eating contest, probably) but waiting until your kid turns 17 to watch this coming-of-age film just feels wrong.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
*47. FANTASTIC MR. FOX*
A Wes Anderson retelling of the Roald Dahl classic. (George Clooney and Meryl Streep voices included.)
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
*48. BACK TO THE FUTURE*
The allure of time travel (and Marty McFly) transcends all ages.
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
*49. THE MIGHTY DUCKS*
Fun fact for the parents: Yes, that is Pacey Witter.
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
*50. FROZEN*
Just be ready to listen to the soundtrack on repeat…for the rest of your life.
