10. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
We start our top 10 kids movies list with Monsters, Inc. We can’t see John Goodman and Billy Crystal together in an adult movie, but it works in the family movie pick Monsters.
Monsters Incorporated is the largest scare factory in the monster world, and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) is the CEO. His assistant is Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), a green, opinionated, and feisty little one-eyed monster. Together with other employees they generate their city’s power by scaring children.
Director: Pete Docter
Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Mary Gibbs
Release date: November 2, 2001
Runtime: 92 minutes
9. Big (1988)
After a wish turns 12-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks), he heads to New York City and gets a job at a toy company. And a chance encounter with company owner MacMillan (Robert Loggia) leads to a promotion.
Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), takes a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure proves too much, and he longs to return to his former life as a boy.
Director: Penny Marshall
Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
Release date: June 3, 1988
Runtime: 104 minutes
8. The Sound of Music (1965)
Our top 10 kids movies list continues with the musical The Sound of Music. A catchy, heartwarming story, based on the true-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers.
Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey. She later becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children. Of course, her love of life and music wins everyone’s heart.
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, Eleanor Parker
Release date: March 2, 1965
Runtime: 174 minutes
7. The Incredibles (2004)
#7 on our list is The Incredibles. Married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to assume mundane lives after all super-powered activities are banned by the government.
While Mr. Incredible loves his wife and kids, he longs to return to a life of adventure. He soon gets a chance when summoned to battle a crazed robot. Answering the question of which are the best kids movies on Netflix for this weekend.
Director: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Jason Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Peña
Release date: November 5, 2004
Runtime: 115 minutes
6. Shrek (2001)
Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers). His precious solitude is abruptly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) you see.
Determined to save their home, and his, Shrek cuts a deal with Farquaad to rescue the Lord’s future bride Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz). At his side is his buddy Donkey (Eddie Murphy).
This classic has been out for a while, but it still entertains audiences with little effort. The story is great, the actors are great, and Shrek is one of the best family movies on Amazon Prime too. What could be better?
Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow
Release date: May 18, 2001
Runtime: 90 minutes
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Halfway there–coming in at #5 in our top 10 kids movies list is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In New York, mysterious radioactive ooze has mutated four sewer turtles into talking, upright-walking, and crime-fighting ninjas.
Michelangelo (Robbie Rist), Donatello (Corey Feldman), Raphael (Josh Pais) and Leonardo (Brian Tochi) are our heroes. They were trained in the Ninjutsu arts by their rat sensei Splinter (Kevin Clash). When a villainous rogue ninja–a former pupil of Splinter–arrives and spreads lawlessness throughout the city, it’s up to the plucky turtles to stop him.
Director: Steve Barron
Cast: Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas
Release date: March 30, 1990
Runtime: 93 minutes
4. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet The Wizard (Frank Morgan.
In route they meet a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) that needs a brain, a Tin Man (Jack Haley) missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) who wants courage. Dorothy, who wants to return home to Kansas, asks The Wizard for help.
Their wishes will all be granted if they just bring him the broom of The Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton).
Director: Victor Fleming
Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charley Grapewin
Release date: August 25, 1939
Runtime: 101 minutes
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Upon his 11th birthday, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), who lives in misery with an aunt and uncle that don’t want him, learns from a giant named Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) that he is the orphaned son of powerful wizards.
Considered one of the best kids movies of all time, Harry Potter has a devoted fan base like few others.
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters
Release date: November 16, 2001
Runtime: 152 minutes
2. Toy Story (1995)
Can an adult enjoy a movie made for a child? Not sure that was the aim of Toy Story, but the film does that, and achieved best kids movies of the 90s status too.
The characters are brought to life by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, and others. The toys come alive in a little boy’s room, and they all vie for his attention. But when a new toy now receives all his time things get sour.
Director: John Lasseter
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Erik von Detten
Release date: November 22, 1995
Runtime: 81 minutes
1. E.T. (1982)
A blockbuster kids movie that defined the word imagination. The lovable creature from another galaxy is part of a feel-good story that kids, and their parents, will enjoy over and over.
One of the most popular kids movies ever, Steven Spielberg’s classic easily tops our top 10 best kids movies list. From a very young–and cute as a button–Drew Barrymore to the great line, “E.T. go home,” all the magic required in great moviemaking is here.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore
Release date: June 11, 1982
Runtime: 114 minutes