Fifteen Films for Children Under Eight Years Old

Excepting times of sheer exhaustion on the part of my wife and I, or times when the cold-and-flu bug strikes particularly hard, our family watches exactly one movie a week with homemade pizza on Friday night. I treasure the hours snuggled comfortably on the couch with my arms around my children, as Julie Andrews makes us sing or Buster Keaton makes us laugh together for the umpteenth time.

I have three children six and younger, with a fourth on the way, and I increasingly appreciate movies that are truly worthwhile and appropriate for my children at their young ages. I know there are many other parents of young children who likewise look for quality over quantity—not more media to guzzle, but more visual victuals to nourish the soul. Here are fifteen more picks of this sort that our family has loved. Per my own definitions, they are not great, nor are they the type of good that prepares one for the great aesthetically, but we would recommend them nonetheless. Happily, as “no book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty,” neither is any movie.

Cinderella (1950); 5+

More than in any other princess movie, my heart is tuned to the gospel frequency in Cinderella. The pure maiden awaits rescue by her prince from the cruel world in which she temporarily resides, where Lucifer runs amok and a Spirit-fairy is her only help. She works diligently and suffers gracefully, showing kindness even to her persecutors. The kind of movie I can encourage my sons to rejoice in as much as my daughter.

Sleeping Beauty (1959); 5+

Like in Cinderella, the gospel pierces through in this 50s classic. The prince slays the dragon, then dances with his bride in the heavens. A worthy Friday night discussion that my children have eagerly engaged with.

Toy Story 2 (1999); 5+ & Toy Story 3 (2010); 6+

At its heart, the Toy Story trilogy is a trilogy about friendship: Woody learns to humble and sacrifice himself for Buzz, Jesse learns to love a new Emily, and the toys learn to face the end as friends. Though the trilogy is sprinkled with unfortunate name-calling and over-their-heads innuendo, I find it certainly worth the investment.

Peter and the Wolf (1946); 6+

I remember watching this classic short in music class growing up. Decades later, it still delights. Utilizing orchestral instruments instead of character voices, this film charms in animation, music, and story alike.

The Absent-Minded Professor (1961); 6+

The gimmick is part of the delight in this Flubber pre-make. Clean family fun to laugh at and enjoy together.

The Sound of Music (1965); 6+

It’s the movie that I wish had qualified for the Good Films List. Even at my children’s young ages, they were mesmerized by the beautiful singing and dancing and the gripping story. What a gift to enjoy together. What a winsome family to fall in love with.

Monsters, Inc. (2001); 6+

Pixar certainly had a golden age. Though this movie is weaker as an adult than it was as a child, it is still thoroughly enjoyable, with a tender Goodness at its center.

March of the Penguins (2005); 6+

Admittedly, I wanted my children to enjoy this more than they actually did. It is slow at times but didn’t fail to re-engage them every five minutes or so with something unquestionably incredible from God’s breathtaking animal kingdom.

The Navigator (1924); 7+

If I were to update the Good Films List, this movie would certainly make the cut. I appreciate Charlie Chaplin; I enjoy Harold Lloyd; but I adore Buster Keaton. A squeaky-clean riches-to-rags adventure-romance, this one includes some of our favorite visual gags and funny moments.

Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955); 7+

One need not be an ardent patriot to enjoy Fess Parker “grinning down bars”, helping American Indians, and defending the Alamo. It’s the kind of movie that makes a young boy want to stand up tall and become a brave and resourceful man.

The Happiest Millionaire (1967); 7+

We sincerely love this almost ridiculous portrait of a wholesome family with traditional values. I have not thought it quite accessible for my children at their current ages, but I eagerly await the day when, I’m confident, we’ll enjoy it time and time again.

Rascal (1969); 7+

Another movie that encourages boys to become capable men, but this time with a pet raccoon instead of the Alamo.

Chicken Run (2000); 7+

There’s something magical about this claymation prison-camp dramedy. Based on the likes of The Great Escape and Stalag 17, there is certainly something here for all ages.

Secret World of Arrietty (2012); 7+

With its more recent date of inception, I first watched this final movie with a degree of skepticism. What a lovely surprise it turned out to be. Essentially a retelling of Mary Norton’s The Borrowers, it’s a portrait of a well-meaning but ultimately rebellious teenager whose mistakes are both recognized and forgiven by her loving, wise parents. The kind of story seldom told, worth gleaning from for child and parent alike.

Happy watching!