Movies for Kids

A list of fun and original children's movies you might not have seen

When looking for movies for kids these days, it's often easiest to take them to the latest offering from Disney or Pixar. But going to the theater can be expensive, and there is a great wealth of fun and original kids' movies available on video and DVD if you know where to find them. So with fun and originality in mind, here's a list of children's movies we recommend watching.

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T has the distinction of being the only feature film ever written by Dr. Seuss. The musical story is set in the surreal dream of a young boy named Bart who hates taking piano lessons. In his dream, Bart is trapped at the terrible Terwilliker Institute, where his mad piano teacher has enslaved Bart and 499 other boys to play his giant piano.

But as in most great kids' movies, Bart triumphs in the end with the assistance of sink installer Mr. Zabladowski, who helps him build a "very atomic" noise-sucking machine to foil Dr. Terwilliker (and his pair of rollerskating Siamese twins joined at the beard).

Bugsy Malone (1976)

This kids' movie is a real oddity. Bugsy Malone is a musical film that features gangsters, bartenders, hitmen, and nightclub singers — all played by children. The gangsters shoot splat guns that spray whipped cream and drive around on pedal bikes. The cast includes such future stars as Jodie Foster and Scott Baio. Bugsy Malone remains unique in the history of kids' movies, and though it's less known today, it received an Oscar nomination for its musical score.

Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

To this day, Swiss Family Robinson remains one of the best live action kids' movies Disney has ever made. It has action, adventure, romance, wild animals, an exotic island setting, and a great finish in which the Robinsons use an assortment of booby traps to stave off a pirate attack. This classic kids' movie was filmed in the South Seas, a setting that is also a great part of the movie's appeal. After they see the tree houses, your kids will want to be shipwrecked too.

The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

If your children loved Aladdin, this earlier version of the story is another kids' movie they might enjoy. Co-directed by Michael Powell, who was known for his dazzling use of color, The Thief of Bagdad suffers a bit in the special effects department because of its age, but its story elements of a flying carpet and a genie and an evil vizier should entertain children today as well as it always has.

Physical comedians

Finally, give your children a taste of film history with the movies of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, and Jacques Tati. All three were brilliant physical comedians, and their films are still loved today. As for which of their movies are best for kids, we recommend Lloyd's Safety Last!, Chaplin's The Kid, and Tati's Monsieur Hulot's Holiday.

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