Here I am listing a few classic english movies that are all time favorites of kids. I am sure your kids would have already seen some of them, for the ones they didn’t , you can have a great family time watching these english movies with your kids.
All time popular movies for children and Classic movies for kids
#1.Mary Poppins
A classic musical drama that has Julie Andrews(Mary Poppins) at her best and title role. This film is about a wealthy family in search of a suitable nanny for their children. When the amazing nanny arrives in their lives, things get interesting…..
Awesome acting skills and a wonderful screenplay, this movie gets all ROFL ….
A must watch with your kids if you haven’t till now….its a very old film and certainly one of the classics in children’s movie category…
Released :1964
Cast: Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, Karen Dotrice, Mathew Garber and others.
Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel of Mary Poppins released in 2018. This was a huge hit as well and one of the most popular films that year by Walt Disney pictures.
This is surely a film I recommend if your kids enjoy movies set in the old times.
#2. E.T the extra terrestrial
This is a Science fiction directed as well as produced by Steven Spielberg. The story revolves around a boy who happens to meet an alien ( Extraterrestrial) and become friends with him. Life becomes unusual since then as humans try to mess up with his friend who is stuck on this globe…..
An exceptional cinematography for the time, this remains a classic enjoyed by all till day. This was one of the genius creation of Steven Spielberg. This movie is still considered as one of the best in its category and time.
This is definitely not a movie to be missed. Do make sure the kids watch it if not already.
I still remember going to the theater and watching this movie with my family as a child. Watching this movie will be a memorable experience for your child too.
Released: 1982
Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton and others.
#3. Toy story
About a cowboy doll and an astronaut action figure who are initially rivals but become friends later….how turn of events change relationships….and how reactions change when circumstances change, this movie is loved by all animation lovers irrespective of age.
This movie was a huge hit at the box office and surely had a marvelous screenplay and musical score. This film was loved by the audiences across and the performances of the casts in this unusual story was worth a praise.
An animated feature film that was the first film to be directed by John Lesseter. There were several sequels made after the success of toy story – Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 all of them were critical acclaimed movies and loved by the audiences.
A must watch in the list.
Released: 1995
Cast: The voice over is given by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Jim Varney and others.
#4. Home Alone
This movie is about a small boy who is left alone at home and has to bunglers trying to loot the house. He has to save his home and tries unique and funny ideas to keep the bunglers away and succeeds too….hilarious and sharp witted, this movie has it all to hold you in a smile till the end…..
Actually you can watch this film over and over again…..and never get bored….a family entertainer, loved by kids the most
In case you missed it somehow, its time you watch this with your children or have a showtime on the kids birthday party with this movie….the gang would love it though I am sure many would have already watched it…but as I said, kids love to watch this film repeatedly…
Released: 1990
Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, John Heard, D. Stern and others.
#5. Finding Nemo
Story of a young clownfish and its father. How he is overtly protected by his father but still captured by scuba divers and then a series of instances take place. While Nemo’s father chases a boat , he meets Dory, a blue tang and then again a story unfolds…
An Academy award winning film, it was the highest grossing animation movie at the time of his release. The movie was so popular that it was again released in 2012 in 3D.
The screenplay is just mind blowing and the animation has an edge to it.
Do watch ‘Finding Nemo’ with your kids and even if you have toddlers, they are going to understand and love it. Many toddlers will say this is their best movie.
This movie was released by Walt Disney pictures and produced by Pixar Animations.
Released: 2003
Voice Over for animated characters: Alexander Gould, Ellen DeGeneras, Albert Brooks and others.
#6. The Lion King
An animation film about a lion cub, Simba who grows up in the jungles of Africa. Simba is the son of the King and Queen of the jungle and Simba is under training.
There are twists and turns that take place and they are tricked by others no to get to the throne and a series of events that follow….’Circle of life’ is something that happens to everyone is what he learns.
Directed and produced by John Favreau, this film is the remake of the older 1994 film by the same name
The Lion King is supposed to be one of the most expensive films that is ever been made with an estimated budget of over 250 million dollars. Phew!!
Released: 2019 (remake of older 1994 film)
Voice over: Donald Grover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofer, Alfre Woodard and others;
#7. Sound of Music
The movie revolves around ‘Maria’, a young postulant who is free spirited and loves music and the mountains. She is not as disciplined as she is supposed to be and that causes a problem among her fellows. She is thus sent away as a governess to seven children to a villa and her life changes….
This film was the highest grossing film in many countries. Winner of the golden globe and academy awards, this movie was a huge hit of its time.
This is a very old film but the content of the story like and the fine acting skills, makes it an all time favourite.
The only flip side of very old movies such as this one is the fact that the print of these movies may not be what todays generation is used to. But if your children are not very young, and enjoys a good storyline, this one is a must watch.
Released: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Hayden and others.
#8. The Lego movie
This movie written by Phil Lord and Cristopher Miller is an animation movie about a Lego miniature figure. About lego toys, the story is about a toy who finds itself helping to stop a tyrannical businessman from attaching everything in the lego world into his vision.
The storyline, quality of animation and the way the fun element has been handled in this movie has been critically acclaimed.
A huge hit in the year of release this movie was a Academy award winning movie. A sequel of this movie was released on 2019, The Lego Movie 2: The second part.
Children specially who love Lego toys will find this movie like a fantasy world.
Released: 2014
Voice over for the lego toys: Chris Patt, Will Ferrel, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnet and others.
#9. Beauty and the Beast
This movies is about a beautiful enchantress who is disguised as an ugly beggar and arrives at a castle during a ball and offers a rose to the host, a selfish prince.
She asks for shelter during the storm but is refused. She then turns into her true self and surprises the host. As a punishment for his lack of empathy the prince is turned into a beast and the rest happens…..
The movie was a bit and was loved by most of the critics.
Having read the book, It feels like a fantasy revisited and children are sure to love it.
Released: 2017
Cast: Emma Watson. Dan stevens, Luke Evans
#10. Matilda
This movie is based on Roald Dahl’s novel, ‘Matilda’. Centers around a young girl with extra ordinary abilities and how she uses her powers to deal with her family….
Though this film did not do very well at the box office, most critics were positive about the reviews.
If your child has read the book, It can be a good watch.
Released: 1996
Cast: Rheah Perlman, Danny Devito and others.
#11. Mrs. Doughtfire
This is a hilarious movie….literally. If you haven’t still watched it, which is a rare possibility though, please don’t waste any more time and watch it ASAP!!
And if you already have, this is just a reminder that watch it together with the kid!
About a man whose wife doesn’t trust him much for the messes he lands himself into , goes though a divorce. To put back the pieces of his shattered life, he dresses himself as a lady housekeeper and starts working at his wife’s recidence where he can get access to his children and then the drama unfolds. Funny and full of Witts, this is a movie you can think of and smile later….
It was a huge success in the box office and one of the most hilarious movies of all times.
Released: 1993
Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan and others.
#12. Tangled
This one is a 3D animation produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
This movie is about a beautiful princess with long blonde hair who just dreams of getting free from her secluded tower where she lives a lonely life. She takes the help of an intruder to take her out in a new world but against the wishes of her mother. Then the drama unfolds…..
The movie looks to be inspired by the German fairy tale, ‘Rupunzel’.
The movie was a grand success commercially almost in all countries it released and children loved it. It was also one of the most expensive animation movie to be made.
Released: 2010
Voice cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levy, Donna Murphy and others.
#13.COCO
This is a 3D animation film by Walt Disney Pictures. A small boy gets to the land of the dead and meets his great great grandfather who understands the boy’s love for music. How he gets him back to lift the ban of music in his family. He has to go through a lot while doing this….funny yet emotional, children will love it.
The animation quality is amazing too..
An academy award winning film, it was inspired by the Mexican holiday, ’Day of the dead’.
This was a huge hit worldwide and one of the highest grossing animation film till the day of its release.
Released: 2017
Voice Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Geal Bernal, Benjamin Bratt and others.
#14. Aladdin
Aladdin, a kind hearted man, wanders in the street in an Arabian city with his pet monkey. He rescues a princess who seeks out of her sheltered palatial life and a lot happens….
Directed by Guy Richie, it grossed around 1 billion dollars but received mixed reviews. However, actors like Will smith and Scott, the costumes and its musical score was appreciated.
This is a good film to watch but has variations from the book. If you don’t draw parallels this is a fine film and kids will definitely enjoy
Released: 2019
Cast: Will Smith, Mena Massaoud, Naomi Scott and others.
#15. Finding Dory
You can call this movie a sequel of the movie, ‘ Finding Nemo’ . This film is about the amnesiac fish called ‘Dory’ who featured in the earlier film,’Finding Nemo’.
How ‘Dory’ goes on to be re-united to her parents….
Most of the voice over are by the same stars as that of ‘Finding Nemo’, except few who were replaced by others. That is why you find this movie to be an extension of ‘Finding Nemo even more.
A huge hit worldwide, it has great animation standards.
Released: 2016
Voice Cast: Ellen DeGeneras, Albert Brooks, Heyden Rolence and others.
#16. Jumanji: Welcome to the jungle
The film is about a group of young boys and girls in their teens who come across Jumanji (The 1995 film ‘Jumanji’ is the base of this movie ) – now its a video game.
The teenagers are trapped in the game and then the story takes its turns…
The movie fared well commercially and loved by the audience. It will be better appreciated by the ones who have seen the first film ‘Jumanji’ as they will be able to relate better.
This movie is actually better for kids who are a bit grown up and can imagine and correlate things certain things. I personally loved this movie and my elder child too loved it.
This movie also fared well in the box office and its sequel, Jumanji – the next level was also released later.
Released: 2017
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gilan.
#17. Honey I shrunk the kids!
This is an amazing movie and I still remember watching this as a child.
This movie is about a scientist who invents an electromagnetic shrinking machine and accidentally his own children along with the neighbors gets shrunk to tiny figures of about 6mm!! Without realising what happened initially , he happens to throw them out in trash and then the kids are left to fend for themselves and come back home…..
A huge hit of its time, this grossed huge commercial success. This movie actually became a franchise as sequels, television series and many more were made with this film as the theme.
Released: 1989
Cast: Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Trassman and others.
#18. The Incredibles
Another wonderful animation movie that revolves around a family of superheroes who hide their superpowers to maintain certain Government norms, and was finally drawn by the attraction to help others in need and events follow….
An acclaimed film both by the audience worldwide as well as critics, this fared very well at the box office and was the winner of Academy awards that year in two categories.
Released: 2004
Cast: Craig T Nelson, Hollu Hunter, Sarah Vowell and others.
#19. Shazam
Another American super hero film, This revolves around a boy who receives Super hero powers by a wizard as his new champion. Superhero Billy and his best friend must discover new powers to stop the evil…
A box office success, this movie is a different kind of a superhero movie with a good mix of human emotions
A good watch for kids for sure
Released: 2019
Cast: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel and others.
#20. Jurassic park
This is another film all kids must watch. A brilliant piece of work by Steven Spielberg, this movie is about some genetic scientists who create a wildlife park and experiments to bring back the Dinosaurs. The park is visited by some visitors with children who encounter the dangerous Dinosaurs…
A great piece of cinematic excellence, most of us would have watched it. Our kids must watch it too…
Released: 1993
Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and others.
#21. The Little Mermaid
This animated film is about a mermaid who wants to be a human and falls in love with a human prince.
This movie was critically acclaimed and loved by audience making this movie a commercial success.
Released: 1989
Cast: Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Bernais, Jodi Benson.