08 movies every child must watch before turning 10

Movies are not only a source of entertainment but can also be a powerful medium to spread messages. Movies educate children and provoke their creative thought processes.

Pop the popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for a family movie night. But what to watch? There are endless options for children’s entertainment these days — from always-on TV channels to streaming kids' TV shows to the new sequels, plus plenty of animated movies, live-action remakes, and reboots that get cranked out every year — the quality on them varies.

08 Best Kids' Movies of All Time, From Old Classics to New Favorites

1. Movie Name: Finding Nemo (2003)

Movie Type: Family, Adventure

IMDB: 8.1/10

Duration: 1h 40m

Morals: Love, family values, journey, disability, support, surprise.

Age Group: Recommended for ages 5 & up.

Laugh until your tummy hurts as this timid clownfish dad searches the great ocean for his son. Every underwater creature has a catchphrase that’ll become your guppy’s new mantra. Just keep swimming … just keep swimming!

Rated G.

2. Movie Name: Home Alone (1990)

Movie Type: Family, Comedy

IMDB: 7.6/10

Duration: 1h 43m

Morals: Courage, family reunion, robbery, trap, loneliness.

Age Group: Recommended for ages 7 & up.

This perfect Christmas movie will give your tots a movie dose of bravery, when it comes to being by themselves, as they watch a smart-aleck eight-year-old defend his home from a pair of bumbling burglars. Note: There is some sibling squabbling that isn't all that nice.

Rated PG.

3. Movie Name: The Karate Kid (2010)

Movie Type: Drama, Family

IMDB: 6.2/10

Duration: 2h 20m

Morals: Bully, sports, violence, faith, hard work, success,

Age Group: Recommended for ages 9 & up.

This remake of the 1984 classic is geared toward a slightly younger audience with the help of the talented Jaden Smith, who stars as the new kid on the block who struggles to learn karate to fend off bullies and win the girl.

Rated PG.

4. Movie Name: Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Movie Type: Family, Drama

IMDB: 7.3/10

Duration: 1h 52m

Morals: Aggression, bravery, competition, dedication, discipline, hard work, Respect, struggle

Age Group: Recommended for ages 8 & up.

A little girl from a tough neighbourhood in LA learns she's got a knack for spelling—and that she doesn't need to change herself to fit in. Lawrence Fish burn stars as the spelling tutor who coaches her to the Scripps National Spelling Bee while teaching her to believe in herself. Note: There is some mild profanity in the film, so parents who have a no-tolerance policy toward this may want to wait a few more years.

Rated PG.

5.  Movie Name: Cool Runnings (1993)

Movie Type: Sport, Comedy

IMDB: 7/10

Duration: 1h 38m

Morals: Sports, runner, legacy, friendship, competition, responsibility.

Age Group: Recommended for ages 8 & up.

Everything seems stacked against these athletes who are completely unprepared for the cold, let alone bobsledding. Loosely based on a true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team, Cool Runnings is a real inspirational film for young dreamers.

Rated PG.

6.  Movie Name: Coco (2017)

Movie Type: Family, Comedy

IMDB: 8.4/10

Duration: 1h 45m

Morals: Adventure, fantasy, mystery, stunning, beautiful, colourful, powerful, happiness.

Age Group: Recommended for ages 7 & up.

Based on the Mexican holiday, Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, Coco tells the tale of 12-year-old Miguel who finds himself in the Land of the Dead and with the help of his musician great-great-grandfather dives deep into his family history (and their generations-old ban on music!). There are strong family vibes in this blockbuster, and your kids will love the whimsically colourful, melodic story!

A note for parents—this movie deals with the concept of mortality and could be slightly upsetting for young kids.

Rated PG

7. Movie Name: A League of Their Own (1992)

Movie Type: Sport, Comedy, Drama

IMDB: 7.3/10

Duration: 2h 8m

Morals: Team, friendship, values, reunion, emotional, tragedy.

Age Group: Recommended for ages 8 & older

If your kids ever ask you why girls don't play Major League Baseball, you can tell them, "They did"—and then show them this film, which tells the real-life story of the 1940s All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Tom Hanks shines as the grumpy coach.

Rated PG

8. Movie Name: Inside Out (2015)

Movie Type: Family, Comedy

IMDB: 8.1/10

Duration: 1h 35m

Morals: Fantasy, joy, sadness, anger, memory, emotions, fear, imaginary, control.

Age Group: Recommended for kids 7 & up.

Kids may not understand the big concepts at the heart of the movie (that they're watching the personified emotions inside a little girl's brain), but they'll be entertained just the same. We think the real value is for Mom and Dad, who may learn a little something about what's going on in their kids' crazy little heads.

Rated PG.

Try the movie question guide

To help facilitate conversations around movies with children, we’ve put together this movie question guide below printable version.

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