10Monsters, 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 our top 10 kids movies list 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.
9Big (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. 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.
8The 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.
7The Incredibles (2004)
#7 on our top 10 kids movies 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.
6Shrek (2001)
Once upon a time, in a far away 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). 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).
5Teenage 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. Our heroes are: Michelangelo (Robbie Rist), Donatello (Corey Feldman), Raphael (Josh Pais) and Leonardo (Brian Tochi). 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.
4The 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).
3Harry 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.
2Toy Story (1995)
Can an adult enjoy a movie made for children as well as the child it’s intended for? Not sure that was the aim of Toy Story, but the film does just that! 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 of his time things get sour.
1E.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 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.
