Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The 75 Best Kid Movies You've Never Seen

It's winter and its freezing and it's always dark and everyone is sort of sick. So at my house, it is the season of watching too much TV. This year, I'm determined to watch great movies with my kids instead of the exact same ones over and over again until I want to curl up and rock in the corner.

So a couple of weeks ago, I asked you guys on Facebook to suggest your very favorite off the beaten path kid movies. Here's a list of those you suggested. I can't thank you enough for sparing me from another viewing of Dora's Mermaid Adventure. I've seen about a third of these, and I can't wait to watch the rest!

For the top 15 movies that you picked (based on how many times they were recommended) you can check out my slideshow on Babble. It also has some movie descriptions and inane commentary.

UPDATE: Lots of mentions for the The Princess Bride - totally agree! Best movie ever. Also Mary Poppins, Ponyo and Nanny McPhee. We sort of thought those movies were ones everyone knew about, though. That's why we didn't put them on the list. But due to popular demand, we added them at the very top because if you haven't watched those movies with your kids - awesomeness.

What you consider OK and age appropriate for your kid may be different than other folks and that's cool (and the gang). If you're worried about a movie being OK for your squiddos, why not check it out on Common Sense Media? There was a similar site mentioned in the comments, too. That way  - no unpleasant surprises.

  1. The Princess Bride
  2. Ponyo
  3. Mary Poppins
  4. Nanny McPhee
  5. Swiss Family Robinson
  6. The Secret of Moonacre
  7. The 10th Kingdom
  8. The Sand Lot
  9. Kiki's Delivery Service
  10. My Neighbor Totoro
  11. The Secret of Kells
  12. A Little Princess
  13. The Secret of Roan Inish
  14. The Black Stallion
  15. Howl's Moving Castle
  16. Stardust
  17. Milo and Otis
  18. The Last Unicorn
  19. The Secret Garden
  20. The Brave Little Toaster
  21. Secondhand Lions
  22. The Great Mouse Detective
  23. Holes
  24. Matilda
  25. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  26. The Goonies
  27. Lifted
  28. Time at the Top
  29. Thumbelina
  30. Arthur and the Invisibles
  31. The Parent Trap (1961 version)
  32. Annie
  33. Hook
  34. The Secret of Nimh
  35. The Dark Crystal
  36. Labrynth
  37. Savannah Smiles
  38. The Muppet Movie
  39. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
  40. Escape to Witch Mountain
  41. Flubber
  42. Rigoletto
  43. The Boy Who Could Fly
  44. The Never Ending Story
  45. Herbie the Love Bug (old version)
  46. The Incredible Mr. Limpet
  47. Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
  48. Pete's Dragon
  49. Flight of the Navigator
  50. Babe
  51. Anne of Green Gables (movies 1 & 2 but apparently not 3)
  52. The Shaggy Dog (old version)
  53. Little Monsters
  54. American Tale
  55. Homeward Bound
  56. Babes in Toyland (Annette Funicello version)
  57. The Great Mouse Detective
  58. Inkheart
  59. 5 Children and It
  60. The Waterhorse
  61. Dr. DoLittle (Rex Harrison version)
  62. Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (this also made some IMDB Top 100 list)
  63. Incredible Journey
  64. Angels in the Outfield
  65. The Rescuers
  66. Robin Hood (Disney version with the fox)
  67. The Wizard of Oz
  68. Hook
  69. Doplhin Tale
  70. The Sword in the Stone
  71. National Velvet
  72. Akeelah and the Bee
  73. Dragon Hunters
  74. Fastastic Mr. Fox
  75. The Last Starfighter
Thanks again so much for all your suggestions!  If you have more, I'll add them here - just leave a comment.

xo, Lydia & Kate

(c)Herding Turtles, Inc. 2009 - 2011
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212 comments:

  1. I always loved The Ewok Adventure. A made for tv movie from the early 80's. Not sure where to find it now but I'd love to see it again.

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    1. i own them on dvd yep great 1s i was surprised to see not on here should be a top 5you can buy them in stores,sunday nights in 80s there was a show called wonderful world of disney was great,a new movie every week,i liked the live action alice in wonderland from same time period too i won that as well

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    2. I have seen all of them and got it and I saw itr before I was 13 and now im 20

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  2. Ferngully
    All Dogs Go to Heaven
    Once Upon a Forest
    Neverending Story
    Pagemaster
    Casper
    The Princess Bride
    Spaceballs
    Kindergarten Cop

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    1. I totally just posted Ferngully, lol!

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  3. The Ghost of Buxley Hall and The Apple Dumpling Gang!

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  4. Love most of the list.
    My additions: Spirited Away, Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T., Pete's Dragon, Bed Knobs and Broomsticks.

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  5. Great list! It's missing "Little Nemo" though ;-) One of my favorites as a kid :-)
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104740/

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  6. Nanny McPhee & Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium are two more recent ones that have become favorites here!

    As for one of my absolute favorites: Bedknobs & Broomsticks!

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  7. Replies

    1. I love pollyanna, great movie for kids of all ages even really old ones :-)

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  8. The Neverending Story (both 1 & 2). They were my favorites as a kid, LOVED them.

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  9. Labyrinth, The Never Ending Story, Legend,

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  10. 'My Neighbor Totoro' is the coolest, greatest and MOST AWESOME KID MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN EVER. It will blow your mind! ~Melissa

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    1. She's right. All three of mine loved this one and so did I!

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  11. Return to Oz.

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  12. No documentaries?

    Check out "The Story of Stuff"; you can google it and watch it with your kids for free.

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  13. Depending on your kids and their preferences, I'd suggest The Sound of Music, Wild Hearts Can' be Broken, The Filghy of the Navigator, and Pollyana

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    1. Love Wild Hearts Can't be Broken!

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  15. Mary Poppins!! How did that not make it on the list? Best kids' movie ever!

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  16. We love Babes In Toyland at our house.

    And I love that Milo and Otis made it onto this list! It was the first "full-length" movie my boys sat all the way through.

    I'm not sure if you'd count them as "off the beaten path", but two other favorites are Mary Poppins and Charlotte's Web. (Did you know the music for those two movies is by the same composer?) The "Fair is a veritable smorgasbord" scene in Charlotte's Web was one of my favorites growing up, and now my kids get the giggles every time.

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  17. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that Swiss Family Robinson is at the top of the list! That movie was a monthly (maybe even bi-weekly) library rental in my childhood! I still laugh to myself about the ostrich scene.

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  18. Bonus "The 10th Kingdom" was an 8 hour long miniseries, at least the one on NBC was that long. If you are watching the with Kimberly Williams NBC miniseries version beware there is some sexual inuendo towards the end of the series, so unless you are ready to "the talk" with your kids I'd write it off as the characters playing with each other.

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  19. I've watched most of Hailey Mills' movies, and yes, they're old, but so cute. Also, Nanny McPhee is good. The second Nanny McPhee, not so much. These would be too advanced for my kids (5,4,& 21 mos.) but fine from about age 7 on.
    Carol

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  20. Rock-A-Doodle & The Penguin and The Pebble

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  21. oh lord sorry for the poor grammar, one should never type while also holding a baby.

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  22. "Pete's Dragon" was and still is da bomb.

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  23. The Princess Bride!

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  24. The Dark Crystal
    The Apple Dumpling Gang
    Monster Squad (A little crude - boys love it)
    Mrs. Doubtfire

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  25. Flight of the Navigator was my favorite growing up! Classic version of the Absent Minded Professor is a good one too.

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  26. Some of those are soooo good! I'd like to add: "The Neverending Story" and also "Wild Hearts Can't be Broken"

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  27. Great list, I love love love Stardust ♥

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  28. Candleshoe!!! A great old movie with Jodi Foster. It's a treasure hunt type story - one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES!!

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  29. Fox and the hound
    Dumbo
    Lion king
    Homeward bound
    Ferngully(sp?)
    Bambi

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  30. My favorite "scary" off the beaten path kids movie is "Mr. Boogedy" and "Bride of Boogedy"

    Made in 1984 and ran on The Wonderful World of Disney for Halloween. We had them taped from tv and I watched it so much that my brother and sisters would always hide it from me!

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  31. I love some of the movies you listed!! Milo & Otis, Brave Little Toaster, Parent Trap (1961), Annie, Sandlot..all soem of my favoritesa s a child. Some movies that my siblings & I always loved: Homeward Bound, Land Befor Time, Ferngully, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Escape to Witch Mountain, Return to Witch Mountain, The Watcher in the Woods

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  32. The Incredible Mr Limpet, all the 'Flubber' movies, all the 'Herbie' movies...

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  33. ^^ Reading this list and the comments SO takes me back to childhood! So many AWESOME movies!

    They just don't make movies cool like that anymore. Now it's all bright colors and stupid songs.

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  34. This is a GREAT list! We've seen most of these, but I'm very excited to try those we haven't. Especially happy to see the Japanese listings by the great director whose name I can't spell. Thanks, ladies!

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  35. Someone mentioned Spaceballs. Awesome movie. I saw it when I was 8 and got in trouble for repeating one of the lines in school, just an FYI. It's a PG-13, for sure.

    Personally I think Disney's Hercules is WAY underrated. It's one of my all-time favorites.

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  36. The Neverending Story
    The Point
    Fantasia

    Also, they're not movies, but introduce them to Animaniacs and Tiny Toons! You can get episodes online or on dvd.

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  37. I remember loving the original Witch Mountain movies.

    And while I'm glad Milo & Otis, Annie, and Matilda made the list (all fun movies), these were all movies that WERE on repeat at my house when my daughter was younger. We never fell in with the Dora lot around here..

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    1. Witch Mountain has a special place in my heart... This is where my mother chose my name from!!!

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  38. The Boy Who Could Fly was a favorite of mine when I was a teenager. Probably more suitable for 11 and above, I think (it's been a while since I've seen it).

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  39. The Dark Crystal
    The Labyrinth (Davie Bowie, and a young Jennifer Connelly! Awesome)
    Savannah Smiles (old, old, old, but also awesome)
    The Muppet Movie
    Muppets Take Manhattan

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  40. The Last Unicorn is like the awesomest movie! Glad to see it made the list. Here is a couple more

    Flubber
    The Cat in the Hat (My daughter just got this for Christmas and I <3 it!)
    Peter Pan
    The Wizard of Oz (we have the Original and we DVR'd the Tom and Jerry cartoon one too!)
    Secret Garden

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  41. you forgot Ponyo, finding nemo ,labyrinth, dark crystal, or any of the Muppets movies

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  42. Nanny McPhee & Mrs. Doubtfire...Best movies EVER! How did they not make the list?? Or maybe I just have a Nanny fantasy...

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  43. Rigoletto! It was a Focus on the Family but I still will sit down and watch it.

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  44. It's a short one (only 30 minutes), but my favorite as a kid was Rikki Tikki Tavi, the bravest mongoose in history!

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  45. We just watched "Babe" this past weekend. I would also suggest "Chicken Run" or anything by the Wallace and Gromit folks.

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  46. Don't forget Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea! There may be a third one too. Think they are wonderful. My mom and I watched them when I was 13 and had the chickenpox. Wild Hearts Can't be Broken was a favorite of mine too. Sarah Plain and Tall was good.

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  47. Labyrinth, definitely. Thank you TwinsMommy2005 for reminding me of Savannah Smiles, I loved that movie as a child! Yay!

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  48. yup The Labyrinth like TwinsMommy2005 said!

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  49. I know its not a 'movie' but the Fraggle Rock series is fantastic. My 2.5yo got it for christmas last year and she sings the theme song ALL THE TIME!
    I also put in my vote for James and the Giant Peach and Wallace & Gromit.

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  51. I haven't seen anyone suggest any of the Barbie movies- they're actually quite good, and teach good morals to girls! I highly recommend them- especially the older movies!

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  52. I remember watching Flight of the Navigater and loving it!! Princess Bride is a classic. Also loved Homeward Bound, Hook and I remember a movie called "Batteries Not Included" that I LOVED but can't find it anywhere now :(

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  53. Return to Oz, and an American Tale. My 9 year old loves War Games. The technology from the 80's blows his mind.

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  54. 'PONYO', 'the Labyrinth', and 'A Series Of Unfortunate Events'

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  55. Ponyo and Rikki Tikki Tavi definitely.

    Laughing at the Tom & Jerry Wizard of Oz. We have that one DVR'd.

    Any of the Muppet Movies. Kermit's Swamp Years is a lot of fun.

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  56. From your list, I have to agree that "Totoro" and "Secondhand Lions" are fabulous... my top two picks from your list. Also love "The Little Princess," "The Secret Garden" and "Matilda" (along with most of the other Roald Dahl movies). I have to say though that I hated "Swiss Family Robinson." I loved it as a kid, but when I watched it as an adult with my kids, I thought it was shockingly horrible, and it went in the garbage. I'll never willingly watch it again....

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  57. I am so glad The Parent Trap made it. We love that movie.

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  58. Don't forget about Ponyo! And I have to second My Neighbor Totoro, too.

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  59. Fantasia
    Fantasia 2000
    The Planet Earth miniseries
    Singing In the Rain
    The Music Man
    Oklahoma
    The Fox and the Hound

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  60. OMG you HAVE to watch:

    "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" starring Angela Lansbury. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie!

    "The Neverending Story"

    "Escape to Witch Mountain"

    "Return to Witch Mountain"

    "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" with Dick Van Dyke

    "Annie" (the original)

    "RAGS TO RICHES" starring Joseph Bologna from 1987...another must see!!

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  61. Looks like you got most of our favorites. We are also fans of The Princess Bride (my son was Inigo Montoya one Halloween!), but its too scary for little ones. My weird crew can also quote a lot by Mel Brooks- Young Frankenstein, Robin Hood Men in Tights, and Space Balls are eternal favorites. Some salty language though...

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  62. How could Indiana Jones not be on this list?!?

    My little girls(4,7 and 10) all love Indy! I think the Temple of Doom is my four-year-old's favorite. (She covers her eyes when they rip the guy's heart out, though...)

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  63. Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, any of the OLD Muppets movies, The Neverending Story.... and they're not movies, but my son loves the old Muppets TV show and the Dinosaurs TV show (Not the Momma!!)

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  64. 2 I haven't seen mentioned yet:

    Little Monsters (with Fred Savage)

    A tv show I wish I could find called The Odyssey
    (cuz I didn't get to see how it ends - if it did)

    For the list posted - which version of Little Princess? Shirley Temple or the more recent one?

    Also, someone mentioned Babes in Toyland - which version? I prefer the Annette Funicello (sp?) one to the Drew Barrymore one.

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    1. Thank you for posting Little Monsters, I loved that movie when I was younger, but could not remember the name to post, Also Princess bride and Labyrinth.

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  65. Some of these movie need to be watched by a parent first before sitting down with your kids. Movies I thought were amazing when I was little are horrifying now.

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  66. The Great Mouse Detective always creeped me the eff out :/ but I borrowed it from my grandma at the first opportunity lol.

    Have to second Once Upon A Forest, Rock-a-Doodle, Rainbow Brite, Ferngully, and Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.

    Love Totoro, Matilda, Kiki's, and The Last Unicorn. I had a heart attack when I saw it on DVD at walmart but the so wouldn't let me but it :( lol.

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  67. How did The Princess Bride not make that list! Also, I think it's Escape to Witch Mountain that has one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in it! Might be Bedknobs and Broomsticks - both are good.

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  68. Inkheart is a favorite in our house, along with pretty much all of the above suggestions!
    I'd note, though, that Return to Oz freaks me out because of the whole electroshock thing at the beginning, and do not under any circumstances watch Mars Needs Moms without previewing it first - the whole mom being abducted thing really freaked out my 6yo who is normally good with anything on a TV screen.

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  69. 2 that I think of that most people don't know - "5 children and it" and "the water horse"... I LOVE that you have roan inish on the list...

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  70. Bedknobs and broomsticks has to go on that list!!
    The Wizard of oz (though it might be scary for smaller children)

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  71. Not a movie, but old episodes of Flipper and Gentle Ben are great! My daughter loves them!

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  72. THE SOUND OF MUSIC!!!

    and MAry poppins!!

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  73. It looks like someone is being introduced to Miyzaki movies!

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  74. We really like Tinman, on Netflix.

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  75. I haven't seen "Benji" in any comments yet. It was a huge hit with my then 3-year-old, and he still likes it at age nine.

    Also, don't dismiss Shark Boy and Lava Girl.

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  76. Tall Tale is a favorite of mine, and as a bonus Patrick Swayze plays the part of Pecos Bill.

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  77. Kiki's Delivery Service oh yes. My son (15) just pulled it out and watched it again. Telling me "I think that's the movie that really made me want to fly" (he's planning on joining the Air Force, if he can get off his ADHD meds)Now he wants to try to build the plane! Boys - their toys just get more expensive...

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  78. How about the Iron Giant. My son loves that movie! And Dr. Dolittle! The one with Rex Harrison, great movie for kids! Clash of the Titans is another that would appeal to lovers of monsters and mythology. The effects are a little hokey now days, but my 5 year old loves it! But then again he inherited my love of Godzilla movies as well.

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    1. Our son LOVES Iron Giant, Godzilla, and the old Clash of the Titans. I'll need to rent Dr. Dolittle, he loves the old flubber movie. Your son might like the newer Gamera and the old Sinbad or Jason and the Argonauts.

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  79. Iron Giant is one I haven't seen mentioned. We all love it!

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  80. there are some great movies on this list. I would like to add Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea (the 3rd movie sucked and had nothing to do with any of L M Montgomery's books), The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Mr Popper's Penguins (another P L Travers book) we really liked, Little Big League, Little Monsters, James and the Giant Peach, Corrina Corrina (Whoopi Goldberg), Born Free, and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend.

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  81. So glad someone mentioned The Boy Who Could Fly. I also really liked The Man in the Moon as young teen.

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  82. Our very favorites are not on the list!
    Recipe for Disaster
    The Reluctant Astronaut
    Shakiest Gun in the West
    Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy
    Angels in the Outfield

    All hillarious favorites of our four under 8.
    Cheers and enjoy!

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  83. I'd add the Lassie movies (the old ones, from the 40s), National Velvet, and Court Jester.

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  84. The War of the Buttons (for a little bit older kids).....

    also loved Roan Inish

    Printing this list to hang on the fridge !

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  85. Don't forget E.T. ! ( and get the Reece's Pieces out for the movie...marketing at it's finest!)

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    1. I was scanning this for E.T. and see that at least a couple of other recommended it--good show!!

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  86. "The Incredible Journey", (the original Disney movie that "Homeward Bound" was based on), it's definitely a family favorite, along with "Milo and Otis".

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  87. The Neverending Story, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth were always some of my FAVORITES!!

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  88. My absolute favorite is Mary Poppins!
    My little brother's favorite was Mary Martin's Peter Pan (so good too!).
    Angels in the Outfield is a great sports feel-good movie.
    I LOVE the Fievel movies (American Tale, Fievel Goes West).
    I LOVE the Rescuers movies (Rescuers, Rescuers Down Under).

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  89. Many of these are among my favorites! But I didn't see The Water Horse listed. It was a little sad (Mama cried, Stomp did not) but really amazing. Definitely recommend it!

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  90. My all time favorite as a kid was Alice and the Looking Glass....does anyone remember it?? It was a live person version of alice in wonderland and had the jabberwalkey and a whole bunch of famous people?? ive GOTTA find a copy for my kids....also Andre is a GREAT movie

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  91. And oh my gosh, even yesser on Savannah Smiles. My FAVORITE movie as a little girl!

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  92. I would add Race to Witch Mountain and, of course, Pete's Dragon!

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  93. ooh, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the original Herbie the Love Bug

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  94. One movie I loved as a kid that I haven't seen on the list or comments is "Islands of the Blue Dolphins" (1964). I grew up in the 80s and haven't seen it again in YEARS, so I don't know how much I'd like it now, but my brothers and I all watched it over and over as kids.

    Also, FYI, I recently came across kidsinmind.com, which rates movies on sex/nudity, violence/gore, and profanity and lists specifics to explain the ratings. It's a great resource to see if movies are appropriate for you or your children. Unfortunatley, it's mostly newer movies (2000s+, some from 1990s), so it won't help with many of these suggestions, but still a great website to bookmark!

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  95. I concur with Princess Bride (my 6-yr old loves it)!! She also loves My Big Fat Greek Wedding...go figure. I do object to The Last Unicorn, though. Scary beyond belief and it makes NO SENSE...why would gypsies be eating tacos?!?!!?!? My daughter can watch it again when she goes to college because it has been banned!

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  96. The Last Starfighter!

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  97. Wizard of OZ for SURE and on the weekend Free Willy 1 and 2 were on and we pvr'd them - what a hit! Totally would have not thought of those but the kids loved them.

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    1. Free Willy 1,2,3, and 4 were awesome not just 1 and 2

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  99. HOW did Thumbelina make the list??? There is nothing good about that movie, especially the music, lol. Mary Poppins and Sound of Music need to be on there. :)

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  100. Flight of Dragons
    Spirit (its the voice of Matt Damon and who wouldn't love to sit and listen to him talk for two hours.)
    Winnie the Pooh (it was one we used to watch daily in the 80's when my brothers were little.)
    Robin Hood (the disney cartoon version, loved the songs as a kid)

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  101. The Rookie,
    The Princess Bride,
    Free Willy,
    Miracle,
    Fly Away Home
    (Love these for older kids)

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  102. Thanks added some of these to my Netflix

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  103. I LOVE the 10th Kingdom. Of course, the book is better.

    The Velveteen Rabbit is also a VERY good one!

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  104. The Incredible Journey! Old version OR new, both tearjerkers, but so, so good!!! I loved that movie as a kid.

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  105. Little Monsters, Sandlot

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  106. Kristin, The Ewok Adventure(and Battle for Endor)are both available on DVD on Amazon, but they are expensive, I still have my VHS versions.

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  107. The New Adventures of Pippy Longstocking
    The Last Starfighter

    My favorites were Labyrinth, Legend, Last Unicorn, Dark Crystal and Ewok Adventure. :)

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  108. Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Pete's Dragon, Babe, Raggedy Ann and Andy Movie.

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  109. I LOVED Milo and Otis when I was a kid! I was also obsessed with Pete's Dragon!

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  110. American Tail, Radio Flyer (will prob make you ugly cry), Short Circuit, and Batteries Not Included

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  111. OMG! <3 Swiss Family Robinson. Also, I don't yet have any kids, so I don't know how popular it is in parenting circles, but "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" was so unbelievably awesome, it will melt your face (in the good way)And I'm 25, so I think most adults would get a kick out of it. ALSO, why do so many kids movies start with "The Secret..."? you have " - of Moonacre," " - of Kells," " - of Roan Inish," " - Garden" (also an awesome movie), and " - of Nimh." Kids sure do love them some secrets. :D

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  112. Mary Poppins, Fern Gully, American Tale, any of The Rescuers movies, Rainbow Brite, Wizard of Oz (original), The Sandlot, Rookie of the Year. Babes in Toyland makes me want to poke my eyes out, LOL. Also, not a movie, but the show Mighty Mouse was always a favorite.

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  113. Oh, I forgot the Homeward Bound movies, and The Land Before Time movies!

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  114. Um, ladies, there was a distinct omission here. Where was The Princess Bride? I have 3 boys, and they adore this flick. It's actually one of my favorite movies. They also love:

    Spaceballs
    All Star Wars movies (but the 'old' ones are best!)
    Old X-men cartoons on DVD
    Mary Poppins
    Hook
    E.T.
    Race to Witch Mountain

    I'm sure there are more, but I've got mom-brain today.

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  115. Heidi's Mountain MamaJanuary 11, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Second Hand Lions! Ohhh I love that movie. And Spaceballs IS my favorite movie of ALL time...yes I'm that silly nerdy, I've been watching it since I was 4 years old. Let's see... Yes, Fraggle Rock is awesome, too. Heidi! That's a must! I love it, the Shirley Temple version, of course!

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  116. The Secret of Kells and The Great Mouse Detective are some of my absolute favorites. In my house we're all about watching old and kind of out-or-the-ordinary movies. So here's a short list of some of my son's favorites: He-Man (the 1970's cartoon series), Inspector Gadget (the old cartoon series), Fraggle Rock, Samurai Jack, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets in Space, the old Addams Family series, Witches (with Angelica Houston), the original Land Before Time, Mighty Ducks (and the sequel), Pete's Dragon, and old Magic Schoolbus cartoons (everybody loves Miss Frizzle).

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  117. Bedknobs and Broomsticks is the bees knees.

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    Replies
    1. Kate, not *the* KateJanuary 12, 2012 at 9:32 AM

      It so is! Love that one. Had a cat named Piewacket as a child :)

      Delete

  118. "Pollyanna"
    "That Darn Cat"
    "Neverending story"
    "The Witches"
    "5 Children and It"

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  119. Has nobody seen Dolphin Tale? It just came out on video. My kids (5&7)loved and I loved it - 11 years olds figure out how to save the dolphin. Girls and boys work together with no kissy-kissy, Ashley Judd actually looks like a real mom instead of the superstar she is - AND it's got Harry Connick Jr, Kris Kristofferson, and Morgan Freeman. Woohoo.

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  120. My singing/dancing toddler LOVES "Singing in the Rain." Family friendly! They don't make 'em like they used to.

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  121. Flight of the Nagivator is awesome (includes a teenager Sarah Jessica Parker). Also, make sure you see this version of The Secret Garden, makes me cry (good cry) every single time. And the soundtrack is beautiful. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108071/

    My favorite fantasy movie is Legend (teenage Tom Cruise with long hair? awesome) but it's probably a little scary for younger ones. Tim Curry is a really good devil.

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  122. Three movies in constant rotation here:

    How to Train Your Dragon (for the lesson in friendship, compassion, and the awesome score)

    Ponyo (the girls like the underwater sequences)

    Old Jacques Costeau documentaries (same reason - beautiful scenery)

    Despicable Me and Toy Story 3, for the lessons in group dynamics/working together.

    My daughters are also fond of princess flicks (you know the ones) but get bored when the princess invariably needs rescued.

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  123. The Big Green! And all of the Mighty Ducks movies. Great sports movies!

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  124. The movie "Shorts" was a big hit in our house

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  125. Great list, I printed it out.
    My only quibble is that with the Parent Trap (1961) the ex-wife, who we are supposed to hope gets back together with her ex-husband, is physically abusive. This seems to be why they divorced, she gives the husband a black eye during the film, and the girl cupid in the opening credits beats up the boy cupid [and the film seems to be expecting us to say "aw, isn't that cute"].
    It's spousal abuse played for laughs.

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  126. Try "BABY" - movie about kids who find a dinosaur
    or "RUSKIES" - a little dated but fun - kids find a Russian soldier and take care of him
    "SAND LOT" "THE LITTLE PRINCESS" (Shirley Temple is still tops)

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  127. Flight of the Navigator! It was one of my favorites as a kid...

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  128. Another couple of favourites are Darby O'Gill and the Little People (with a young sean connery mmmm mmmm good) and Aristocats!

    Shannon

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  129. The Secret of Kells is an eerie movie that we adore- also, The Swan Princess, Beauty and the Beast, and The Music Man.

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  130. So many good ones already, but I don't see my fav Disney movie, The Sword In The Stone.

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  131. Ponyo should be on this list. It's my 3 year olds favorite movie, and I'm pretty partial to it myself.

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  132. for the animal lovers:
    Incredible Journey or "dog movie with the cat". as my kids called it,the original with the narration and not the later voiced one. that american staffie bodger coming over the hill at the end always made me ugly cry. Charlotte's Web, muppet treasure island with the shuffleboarding rats, muppet Christmas Carol,still love those rats! National Velvet with Liz Taylor, Fly Away Home, even my husband liked this one because it has airplanes in it. and the first teenage mutant ninja turtle movie with the live characters, Cowabunga, dudes!

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  133. Never ending Story, Flight of the Navigator, Dark Crystal, The (original) Dr. Dolittle, I have to second Stardust, and The Princess Bride. I will have to say, as a kid The Labyrinth was awful. There is like 3 actors in the entire movie, and it wasn't good. But watch it for yourself, and let us know!!

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  134. A couple people mentioned Spaceballs. This is not a kids movie. A teen movie, maybe. But not for kids. The humor and language is not for little ones.

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  136. There is a movie called Frog that I absolutely LOVED as a child. My sister and I would be so excited whenever it came on TV.

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  137. Troop Beverly Hills was a slumber party staple growing up, as was The Worst Witch.

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  138. Dragon Hunters (found on Netflix, I think) is a big hit in our house. It's weird and kooky, with amazing visual effects. I was really surprised at how much they loved. It's animation and Forrest Whittaker is the "star" of the movie! :)

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  139. We watch Fanastic Mr. Fox all the time over here. My husband loves it almost as much as the kids do!

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  140. Love this idea!
    For older kids [over 9?] who don't mind spooky mysteries and old movies that show their age:
    The Amazing Mister Blunden [early 70's, and it shows]
    Anna to the Infinite Power [80's]
    and
    The Peanut Butter Solution [80's and Canadian to boo-oot]

    You may have trouble getting a hold of these, though. I was psyched to find 2 at a VHS video rental store going-out-of-business sale and the other one I recorded off TV and watched until I broke the tape.

    Oh, and another vote for Savannah Smiles

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  141. A big second on The Watcher in the Woods - another spooky one made back when Disney was trying to branch out a bit. It stars the girl from the original Ice Castles [another good one for older kids] and Paris Hilton's aunt...

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  142. You have tons and tons of comments already, but I have to throw in these:

    Rigoletto (Feature Films for Families... very hard to find, but great if you can)
    Father Goose
    Operation Petticoat
    Gigi
    Gidget
    Yours, Mine, and Ours
    Anne of Green Gables 1 and 2 (not 3, it diverges from the books too much)

    I just love old movies for family movie time!

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  143. My 4-year-old is currently obsessed with WALL-E

    The Shirley Temple version of The Little Princess was one I liked before the WonderWorks version came out in the 80s called "A Little Princess" -- if you can get it, it's a much better adaptation of the book.
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090474/

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  144. The Neverending Story
    The Princess Bride
    The Sound of Music
    The Wizard of Oz
    Anne of Green Gables
    Rants from Mommyland: The Movie (Oh, nevermind. That one would be totally inappropriate.)

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  145. There are so many comments that I can't possible read them all...but I haven't seen E.T., The Sound of Music or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original) in any of the first 20 + that I read! Those are classics!!! (Did the Neverending Story and Labyrinth ever freak anyone else out?)

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  146. Loved "Trouble with Angels" with Hayley Mills. Very funny!

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  147. My boys love Ponyo. It's a little weird the first time seeing it, but it kinda grows on you.

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  148. Yes, January Dawn, Labyrinth and Neverending Story are freaky.
    My vote is Totoro. Where else can you see Japanese father-daughter relationships, respected grandparents, and soot gremlins--all with a giant flying catrabbitbus?

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  149. I used to love the old Disney black & white movies - "Run appaloosa run" "my dog the thief", they're were a bunch more but can't remember the titles.

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  150. I have seen all of these, very pleased with myself, even own a few on dvd

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  151. Care Bears movie, I still love this movie!
    Teenage mutant ninja turtles!! Because of Winn Dixie, fly away home, anastasia, sailor moon, I second or third or whatever The Iron Giant. Mighty Joe Young, clock stoppers. I am also a fan of the Barbie movies, I have gotten sucked into these more than once. Lol

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  152. Kate, not *the* KateJanuary 12, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    The Never Ending Story
    Secret of Nimh
    The Chronicles of Narnia (the old movies, not the new ones ... too scary!)
    Dukes of Hazard (I know it's not a movie, but we do the series on Apple TV)
    Johnny Quest (same as above)
    Emmet Otter's Jug Band (when you're burned out on other Christmas Specials, this is a really sweet re-telling of the Gift of the Magi story)
    The Muppet Movie
    Nanny McPhee

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  153. My boys are into all things sports so Bad News Bears and The Mighty Ducks are favorites in my house.

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  154. Muppet Treasure Island and Ponyo are also fantastic!!

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  155. Too many comments to read. Just a fair warning though. Annie is much loved by my kids (we've been listening to the soundtrack in the car for 2 1/2 years straight y'all) but for those who don't remember, the Rooster character drops the "goddamn" at the end of the movie. As in, specifically, "get back here you goddamn kid." Easy to forget until your 3yo starts chasing her 1yo sister, yelling that same line. I'm pretty sure I'm going to hear about this at preschool.

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  156. Some of my favorites from my childhood:

    Avonlea (the first 5 of 7 seasons are great!)
    Anne of Green Gables
    Lantern Hill (all L.M. Montgomery)

    In Search of the Castaways (Hayley Mills)
    The Trouble with Angels (Hayley Mills)

    The Box of Delights (BBC film from the 80s based on the book)

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  157. I can't believe I forgot "Savannah Smiles." Thanks so much for the person who brought it up on here - I know I drove my parents crazy with that movie when I was little! It's the best!

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  158. A few that have stuck in my mind, maybe not the best acting, but cute, One eyed one horned flying purple people eater. one about kids who start shoveling manure, to make money and end up starting a very thriving business, Can not remember the name. And one that when I think back on it, was similar to the boxcar children books, (not based on them though)

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  159. A lot of our old favorites have already been shared - "Pete's Dragon," "Secret of NIMH," and so many others. We like the "Muppet Christmas Carol" in all seasons, and my son loved "The Last Starfighter" and the original "TRON." (He's into retro/80s stuff - I want to watch "War Games" with him soon.) Anything "Wallace and Gromit," "Beakman's World," and "Popular Mechanics for Kids" are perennial favorites around here, even if they aren't movies. My daughter is into horse movies, and she loves "Second Chances" and the original "Misty of Chincoteague."

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  160. The Iron Giant is fabulous, although beware that it will make you cry big lady tears. I love the message, though, and for older kids it's a great gateway for talking about some big issues. I love Ponyo - the animation is gorgeous, and a bonus is that there's a positive scene about breastfeeding in it! We've also been watching old Inspector Gadget episodes on Netflix around here recently.

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  161. Oh, and more for older kids from the 80s:
    Hockey Night
    Quarterback Princess

    Still ridiculously relevant today. You might want to preview these, because there are different edits out there. When I first saw Hockey Night, there was a scene where the lead girl gets drunk with a friend, but a version I rented didn't have that scene in it.

    I seem to remember a really cute relatively recent movie called Prince Charming that might be suitable for most kids, but I watched it before I had kids...
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0261203/


    Another thing to consider is some "grown-up" movies with a little creative editing.
    Pirate Radio was an example of a movie without too much objectionable stuff in it, and we skipped over a couple of scenes that did have questionable stuff. It does require pre-viewing the movie and being fast with the remote, though. I think there are also some websites that offer "family friendly" edits of some grown-up movies, but I'm not sure they are legally or artistically correct...

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  162. OMG, AnonymousJan 12, 2012 04:03 PM, you're thinking of Kidco:
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087550/
    What I remember most about that movie was the argument that because they paid tax on feed to then also pay tax on manure was "being taxed on both ends"
    Oh, and what about The Beniker Gang?

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  163. The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking... I adored her as a kid, and I always wanted to scrub the floors with brushes attached to my shoes. :-)

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  164. If you LOVED Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, and are wondering if your kids are old enough to watch it yet, let them watch Fantastic Mr. Fox instead. It will make you happy.

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  165. My boys absolutely loved:

    The Cat from Outer Space
    The Incredible Mr. Limpet
    Legend
    Darby O'Gill and the Little People
    The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit
    The Computer that Wore Tennis Shoes

    Those are some absolutely wonderful movies.

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  166. Wait! WAIT! How could My Neighbor Tortoro and Kiki's Delivery Service make it to the list but not SPIRITED AWAY???? Gah!!

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    Replies

    1. I think Kiki and Totoro is much more kids friendly story line than spirited away. Spirited away, Howl's moving castle and princess momonoke are for older kids or adults (if you are into anime like me lol)
      Totoro is still my favorite among Mitazaki's anime. I also loved Miyazaki's anime version of Anne of green gables.

      Delete

  167. How about Flubber, Mrs. Doubtfire (little older kids), ET, Shaggy Dog, Freaky Friday the old one with Josue Foster, Little. Rascals 1994 movie, and Herby the love bug but not Lohan version..the old one.

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  168. So, I've looked into the "family-friendly" edited versions of movies since I posted about it as AnonymousJan 12, 2012 07:09 PM

    From about 15 minutes of internet searching and reading, apparently a lot of the editing services have been shut down [as I suspected they would be when I first heard of them years ago], BUT some of the studios are selling their own "family-friendly" versions of their own movies, and there seems to be a DVD player filtering service that loads editing codes directly into a special DVD player that does what you would do if you wanted to be quick on the remote and edit out the words or scenes in a movie you wouldn't want your kid to see as the movie is playing. Different codes for different folks, to borrow a saying.

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  169. Jim Henson's The Story Teller series is nice.

    Dot and the Kangaroo is the best. I great moveie to watch with even pretty little ones. I it can be a little scary and sad at the end, but that was always half the fun. No one watches it but it is wonderful with great songs.

    Princess Mononoke is good and has a nice message for a little older children. There is some violence, cartoon, but graphic enough depending on what you let your children watch normally.

    Skellig the Owlman in also good for a little older kids (5 plus)although my toddler liked it.

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  170. As with many people having complaints on here.... not very many are available on *netflix* which sucks for those of us with no movie store money.... (thankfully my parents pay the netflix streaming price) But I know I can troll netflix back and forth and find plenty of family friendly stuff thats not too lame... there were a few that were on there and even those we have not seen so THANK YOU SO MUCH since it gets dark 15 minutes after my kids get home and we are all very hard workers in my family even my kids so movie night is a very special time for all of us! and now I must pause on my mommy land time because I am pretty sure my girls are pulling each others hair out 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively.... for those of you whose eyes are popping out some are mine some are step kids! and sadly there is no t-box in my near future sometimes I wish I would break down and get one but I know i would feel guilty cause I could be getting something for one of our nine kids!!! and they are all here this weekend!!!

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  171. Yellow Submarine the Beatles animated movie.

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  173. Small bits of content which are explained in details, helps me understand the topic, thank you!


    quick watch repair beverly hills

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  174. I just have to say that The Brave Little Toaster scared the BEJEESUS out of me when I was a kid. There are a few scenes in there that are just really dark. Had nightmares about it for years.

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  175. ponyo creeped me out!!! way too weird for me and my son!!! but we pretty much love all the others. am i alone on this one, or did anyone else find ponyo really out there???

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  176. Little Nemo (no not Finding Nemo) and Ferngully should be on there! Oh, and you've got The Great Mouse Detective on twice :)

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  177. Bugsy Malone! I just showed it to a 7 year old and it still holds up...

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  178. All Dogs Go To Heaven, Rock A Doodle

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  179. If you and your toddler have never sat down and watched the 2 Gruffalo movies, you have missed alot

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  181. Free Willie, BEST MOVIE EVER. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  182. Bedtime stories and The spiderwick chronicles are two awesome newer ones, but spiderwick can be a little scary. I also loved melody time. I am soo glad someone said the penguin and the pebble, I loved that when I was little. And I totally agree that the Brave Little toaster is freaky!

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  183. Woops. Hook is on the list twice!

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  184. The Sweetness and thee Beast, an enormous box office success was also well-received by
    critics. Anyway fear films have the opposite effect on normal people iill minds will commit
    crimes anyway.

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  185. epic its amazing but I predicted a different ending I kinda thought it was stupid at the end

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  186. The old version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a great kids movie.

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