What Kinds of Movies Should Children Watch

Choosing the films your young children are allowed to see at which age can be more of a challenge than you might expect. Sure, it’s fairly obvious that movies featuring explicit language, graphic violence or sexuality should be reserved for older kids. It gets murkier though when you start thinking of time-honored classics for children that still contain complex, adult themes. Do you show a very young child a movie that involves death? What about a scary monster or villain? What if not everyone in the movie lives happily ever after?

What your kids see is a personal call, but as a general rule, stick to showing them movies that you know or make sure you read the summaries thoroughly. Some experts recommend that children under the age of three shouldn’t be watching television at all, giving you all the more reason to hold off on some of the classics until they can better appreciate them.

There’s no denying that in the Western entertainment pantheon, Disney rules children’s entertainment. Since the original cartoon Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs popped up in 1937, its creations have been both beloved and virtually inescapable.

Ask most parents about Disney films and you’re bound to evoke extreme reactions. Some absolutely refuse to show them to children on the basis that they promote outdated gender roles, blatant stereotypes, and an overly simplistic world view. Others tout them as beautifully animated classics rife with clever humor and epic, archetypal stories.

In the end, it’s your call, but it might be worth sitting down after Disney cartoons and asking kids what they really think of them. Also, bear in mind that while some of the films are appropriate for all ages, others might be too intense for very small ones.

Even some G-rated films feature the death of an important character and may be difficult for children to handle. These can be a good way to raise discussions about the subject with children, but should be saved for slightly old ones. Some examples:

● The Lion King – Classic it may be, but the death of a parent is hard to take. They’ll enjoy it more around six or seven anyway.
● My Girl – A morbid, hypochondriac girl suffering from the death of her mother loses her best friend to bee stings. Poignant, to be sure, but it’s a whole lot of grief experienced by very young characters. Save for early adolescence.
● The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Quasimodo’s mother is brutally murdered and the child then grows up under the care of a psychotic bigot. There’s also mild sexual overtones. Stunningly animated, terrific cast, and one of Disney’s most “adult” films, but definitely not for kindergarteners.
● Bambi – For all those cuddly animals, this maternal death can be rough on young children.
● Finding Nemo – Much of the movie revolves around recovering from the death of a mother. It’s sweet, but maybe better saved for later. Also, be sure to tell your kids not to flush their clownfish down the toilet. It doesn’t lead to freedom.
● Up – The opening sequence is heart-breaking and the film’s overriding theme is loss. Wait until your kids are older to let them enjoy this surrealist fantasy.

• Fantasia – This is perfect for all ages… until you get to the last scene and all hell literally breaks loose. Try showing them the film until the point where a giant winged Satanic figure starts wreaking nocturnal havoc on top of Bald Mountain.
• Sleeping Beauty – Even pre-Jolie, Maleficent was a serious bad gal. She sports devil horns, has an army of creepy minions, and, of course, turns into a dragon.
• The Incredibles – The violence is cartoonish, but still substantial. Best for tweens who will better appreciate the superhero parodies.
• The Princess Bride – Released in 1987, this fantasy parody/epic shows its age, but is still incredibly entertaining. Just wait until your kids are old enough to handle swordplay, mild violence and “rodents of unusual size.”
• Studio Ghibli works – Miyazaki’s works are children’s films at their very finest. Haunting, playful, whimsical and often poignant, they’re just as easily appreciated by grown-ups. Just be sure to preview them before showing them to kids. Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro are all suitable for little ones. The magic in Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle is equally surreal, but more disturbing, making them better for 10 and up. Princess Mononoke, while brilliant, is extremely bloody and The Wind Also Rises, focuses on WWII and features death, destruction, characters smoking and adult themes. Both are better suited for teens.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas – Skeletons, goblins, ghosts and kidnapping Santa Claus. It may be animated, but this Tim Burton feature is definitely for older kids. Save it, along with other whimsical, beautiful stop-motion pictures (such as Corpse Bride and Coraline) for 10 and up.
• The Little Mermaid – The tentacled, voice-sucking, identity-stealing sea witch Ursula might be Disney’s scariest villain to date.
• Mulan – Check out that strong female heroine and positive role model! In her quest to save China from an impending invasion, Mulan blows a whole lot of stuff (and people) up and engages is some non-bloody, but exciting cartoon violence. There’s also very mildly sexually suggestive content.
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks – This Angela Lansbury musical often gets compared to Mary Poppins, but it’s very good in its own right. The main character is a witch who animates a ghostly hoard of armor in the film’s climax. Dated, but ages seven and up will love it.
• Matilda – An adorable, extremely talented little girl feels oppressed because her parents don’t want her to read… and develops psychic abilities. The school’s principle might be too terrifying for the very young, but this nerd-power number from Roald Dahl is perfect for budding bookworms.

• Babe – This little creature feature got an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Not bad for a movie about a talking, sheep-herding pig.
• Wall-E – There are some deeply saddening undertones to this story, but nothing overtly frightening. As a plus, it’s a great way to talk to your kids about the environment.
• Mary Poppins – It’s cleverer than you probably remember as a kid. Despite its overtones about a broken family, this one’s suitable for everyone.
• Toy Story – Every single one is a gem. Despite their age, they manage to never feel dated. Some scary run-ins with other toys, especially in the first and third ones, but fine for five and up.
• Chicken Run – No, the kids won’t get all the cheeky references to WWII movies, but can appreciate this fun, lively adventure.
• The Sound of Music – Yet another movie that’s much better done than you probably remember. Some slightly scary parts towards the end, but solidly done, wholesome fun.
• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey – This story about a wisecracking bunch of pets making their way back to their family is heartwarming and, unlike many animal stories, happy. Spoiler alert: Shadow doesn’t die and everything works out in the end.
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Let’s pretend Johnny Depp’s neurotic, childish Willy Wonka just never happened and focus on the Gene Wilder classic. There’s some mean-spirited moments in there, but things never get out of hand.

Photo Credit: CJ Sorg via Compfight cc