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Your favorite childhood movies will be your kid’s favorite, too

Want to rewatch your beloved childhood movies? Grab your kid and revisit these nostalgic films

Family watching a movie together for a family fun night
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We all have a soft spot in our hearts for the movies we were raised on. We grew up on those films and they helped shape the adult version of ourselves more than we might want to admit. These are the childhood movies that you have to watch with your little human that will show them the value of family and friendship and that kindness is always the right choice.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
100m
Genre Family, Fantasy, Comedy
Stars Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson
Directed by Mel Stuart
No pure imagination needed to learn to stick together as a family in hard times or to stand up for what is right when no one else will. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is full of life lessons that are perfect for kids of various ages.

The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

The Brave Little Toaster
90m
Genre Fantasy, Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Music
Stars Jon Lovitz, Timothy Stack, Phil Hartman
Directed by Jerry Rees
The Brave Little Toaster helps us embrace change when it seems scary and lets us know that our loved ones will always find a way to be in our lives, while letting us know there’s always a place where we belong.

My Girl (1991)

My Girl
103m
Genre Comedy, Drama
Stars Macaulay Culkin, Anna Chlumsky, Dan Aykroyd
Directed by Howard Zieff

My Girl made us all cry when it came out, but it touches on topics that still hold up today. The loss of a loved one and the relationship between a child and parent are beautifully told.

And, if you have a preteen or young teen in the house, it’s a good movie to open up a dialogue about romantic relationships in an age-appropriate way.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Hocus Pocus
96m
Genre Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Directed by Kenny Ortega
The most famed witches of all time might not have always been in the right when running amok, but they did always have each other’s backs. Hocus Pocus shows how siblings stand up for each other in all kinds of ways. It’s also filled with great one-liners to use year-around.

Jumanji (1995)

Jumanji
104m
Genre Adventure, Fantasy, Family
Stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce
Directed by Joe Johnston
Kids wonder what it would be like to live in a board game or have a game come to life. Not only does Jumanji let children see that happen, but there’s a sibling bond story that comes through nicely. It’s a good story about second chances and that it’s never too late to do the right thing.

The Sandlot (1993)

The Sandlot
101m
Genre Family, Comedy
Stars Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna
Directed by David Mickey Evans
Not only one of the best movies about childhood friendships and how easy life was in those old summer days, The Sandlot shows your children that your tribe is out there and will help you get through life for-ev-er.

The Iron Giant (1999)

The Iron Giant
86m
Genre Family, Animation, Science Fiction, Drama
Stars Vin Diesel, Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston
Directed by Brad Bird
Animated movies really know how to emotionally punch you in the gut. The Iron Giant shows us that friends come in all shapes, sizes, and species, and every one of them is worth standing up for. It tells the tale that we shouldn’t judge someone by how they look.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
90m
Genre Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction
Stars Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin
Directed by Stephen Herek
No movie taught us to be excellent to each other like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. The film shows us that life gets difficult, but we’ll get through it if we have the right friends there to support us while we party on.

No matter what season it is or what age your kiddo is, these films will make everyone feel good by the time the end credits roll. They go straight for the heart and show friends and family coming together to get you through life. Take a stroll down memory lane with these nostalgic movies that your offspring should watch at least once.

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Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
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