50 Classic Kids Movies

Well, it has rained all day here, and if you're hip to our 100 Things to Do This Summer list, then you know that #5 (rent and watch classic movies) is the perfect activity for a day like today.

And even if it's not raining, while your kids are patiently biding time between the new Superman movie and the new Wolverine movie, you can teach them that heroes come in other forms too, such as Marty McFly and Indiana Jones. Of course, we Walkushes taught the boys that last year.

So, in honor of that suggestion, I give you a list of 50 classic movies that your kids should watch.

I've listed the year and rating for each movie. And to keep things simple, they are listed in alphabetical order (lest we launch into lengthy conversations about rankings). Please use your best judgment as to what movies are appropriate for your family.

1. An American Tail – 1986 – Rated G
2. Angels in the Outfield – 1994 – Rated PG
3. Annie – 1982 – Rated PG
4. Babe – 1995 – Rated G
5. Back to the Future: I, II, and yes, even III – 1985, 1989, 1990 – Rated PG
6. Bad News Bears – 1976 – Rated PG
7. Beethoven – 1992 – Rated PG
8. Beetlejuice – 1988 – Rated PG
9. Benji Movies (Benji, For the Love of Benji, Benji’s Very Own Christmas Story, Benji Off the Leash) – 1974, 1977, 1978, 1987 – Rated G
10. Big – 1988 – Rated PG
11. The Black Stallion – 1979 – Rated G
12. Charlotte’s Web – 1973 – Rated G
13. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – 1968 – Rated G
14. The Dark Crystal – 1982 – Rated PG
15. Edward Scissorhands – 1990- Rated PG-13
16. ET the Extra-Terrestrial – 1982 – Rated PG
17. Explorers – 1985 – Rated PG
18. FernGully: The Last Rainforest – 1992 – Rated PG
19. Free Willy – 1993 – Rated PG
20. The Goonies – 1985 – Rated PG
21. The Great Muppet Caper – 1981 – Rated G
22. Gremlins – 1984 – Rated PG
23. Harry and the Hendersons – 1987 – Rated PG
24. The Herbie Movies (The Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Herbie Goes Bananas) – 1969, 1974, 1977, 1980 – Rated G
25. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids – 1989 – Rated PG
26. Hook – 1991 – Rated PG
27. The Indiana Jones Movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, and Last Crusade (Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, if you must) – 1981, 1984, 1989, 2008 – Rated PG/PG-13
28. Jumanji – 1995 – Rated PG
29. The Karate Kid – 1984 – Rated PG
30. Labyrinth – 1986 – Rated PG
31. The Land Before Time – 1988 – Rated G
32. The Last Starfighter – 1984 – Rated PG
33. A League of Their Own – 1992 – Rated PG
34. The Mighty Ducks – 1992 – Rated PG
35. Mrs. Doubtfire – 1993 – Rated PG-13
36. The Muppet Movie – 1979 – Rated G
37. The Muppets Take Manhattan – 1984 – Rated G
38. The Neverending Story – 1984 – Rated PG
39. Newsies – 1992 – Rated PG
40. The Parent Trap – 1961 – Rated PG
41. The Princess Bride – 1987 – Rated PG
42. Radio Flyer – 1992 – Rated PG-13
43. Rudy – 1993 – Rated PG
44. The Sandlot – 1993 – Rated PG
45. Sister Act – 1992 – Rated PG
46. The Star Wars Movies (Episodes VI, V, and VI, none of this namby pamby I, II, and III stuff) – 1977, 1980, 1983 – Rated PG
47. Teen Wolf I & II -  1985, 1987 – Rated PG
48. Tron – 1982 - PG
49. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – 1971 – Rated G
50. The Wizard of Oz – 1939 – Rated G

For holiday-themed, kid-friendly movie suggestions, check out our 25 Kid-Friendly Halloween Movies and 40 Kid-Friendly Christmas Movies.

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