38 Classic Movies To Watch With The Kids

Sometimes, flicking through Netflix trying to find something to watch as a family can be really uninspiring…..

I remember watching videotapes (yes I’m THAT old) on the weekend over and over and over again. Classic movies, movies that I still remember most of the lines.

Slowly, I’ve been introducing these movies to my two boys. At first, they didn’t want to watch ‘Old Movies’ – as they called them (pfftttt) – but they LOVE them, as much as I loved them back then. So if you want a blast from the past, and a rocking good family night in, grab one of these movies and enjoy!!!!

1. Encino Man (1992)

Stars: Sean Astin, Brendan Fraser, Mariette Hartley

Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction

When two geeky teenagers discover a frozen caveman in their backyard, they unfreeze him, bringing him to modern life where he teaches the young teenagers how to really enjoy life.

Why Kids Will Love It:

The movie is just so goofy and loveable. Particularly good for younger kids in the primary school age. And remember Pauly Shore? His quirkiness was at its annoying peak in this movie (before it got old!).

“I’m not a geek, I’m a unique weasel.” – Stoney

2. Gremlins (1984)

Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton

Genre: Dark Comedy, Horror

A boy who receives a cute and cuddly pet breaks important rules concerning the well-being of his furry friend, which unleashes a terror beyond belief, releasing monsters into their small town.

Why Kids Will Love It:

Cute and furry creatures turn into trouble-making fends – cheeky, imaginative and unique. The older kids are sure to love this adventure, thriller movie.

“With Mogwai comes much responsibility. I cannot sell him at any price.” – Grandfather

3. The Goonies (1985)

Stars: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen

Genre: Adventure, Family

In order to save their hometown, a clan of misfits head out on an adventure to find treasure.

Why Kids Will Love It:

It has pirates, buried treasure, unique inventions, a fat kid that is proud of it, and bad guys.

“Okay, I’ll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my Uncle Max’s toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hewbrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog. When my mum sent me to summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch, I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out. But the worse thing I ever done – I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theatre, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: huaaaa, huaaaaa, huaaaaaaaaaaaa. And then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life!” – Chuck

4. The Princess Bride (1987)

Stars: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

A young boy is sick in bed so his grandfather reads a book about a tale called The Princess Bride.

Why Kids Will Love It:

A story like no other, with all sorts of creatures and fairy tale stories. This is a movie kids will love. A fantasy movie that is exciting and fun.

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” – Inigo Montoya

5. Babe (1995)

Stars: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Christine Cavanaugh

Genre: Comedy, Family, Drama

A little pig taken to a farm is inadvertently trained to be the new dog.

Why Kids Will Love It:

Farm animals and educational in ways, it is a movie that even adults can love to watch. A sweet story that takes an unexpected turn of events.

“That’ll do pig. That’ll do.” – Farmer Hoggett

6. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Stars: Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman

Genre: Comedy, Family

A scientist father of two accidentally shrinks his kids and goes on a journey to bring them back to size, while the teens must survive the many dangers of being insect size.

Why Kids Will Love It:

A quirky comedy with lots of twists and turns is sure to be a winner in the kids’ new favourite movies to watch.

“Dad, don’t eat me!”

7. The Sound of Music (1965)

Stars: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer

Genre: Musical, Romance

Why Kids Will Love It:

The music is awesome, the storyline is timeless. A movie every family should watch.

“After all, the wool from the black sheep is just as warm.” – Sister Margaretta

8. Dances with Wolves (1990)

Stars: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene

Genre: Adventure, War

Lt. John Dunbar is sent to a western civil war outpost where he befriends wolves and Indians, which makes the military disapprove his new stance.

Why Kids Will Love It:

A cultural movie that has lots of learning lessons and an interesting story line with wolves, natives and adventure.

“The strangeness of this life cannot be measured. In trying to produce my own death, I was elevated to the status of a living hero.” – John Dunbar

9. Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Stars: John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur

Genre: Adventure, Family

A family stranded on an island by shipwreck must survive to make it home together.

Why Kids Will Love It:

A story that is intriguing with interesting sets and characters. A family movie for everybody to enjoy.

“The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn’t you ever dream of a house up on a tree top?”

10. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Stars: Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Henry Thomas

Genre: Action, Science Fiction

A troubled child looks to his new alien friend for guidance and in return seeks to find a way for his friend to get back to his own home planet.

Why Kids Will Love It:

Let their imagination run free with this movie, a classic that every kid loves to watch. Aliens, escape tunnels and friendship for everybody to love.

“You could be happy here, I could take care of you. I wouldn’t let anybody hurt you. We could grow up together, E.T.” – Elliott

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Movies Kid's movies 80s movies