It was an innocent question from my daughter in the middle of her first week of summer. “Mom, I know it’s not movie night, but can we watch a movie today?” I didn’t even think twice when I replied, “Sure it’s summer why not? We can watch movies any day this summer, as long as it’s not a cartoon.” Translation – ditch Frozen and Lego Friends and find some new non-animated movies..pronto!
30 Awesome Non-Animated Movies for Kids!
Usually Friday is movie night, which means pizza for dinner, and popcorn sprinkled with M&m’s for dessert. But this summer all bets are off. Since we are doing minimal camps and activities, most of our summer fun is at home or with friends, so introducing some new movies sounded like fun to me! Sure we go on excursions, read, attend Vacation Bible School, swim, and play…but sometimes it’s fun to beat the heat on the couch with a cuddle. Plus new movies are great for summer road trips!
But finding age appropriate non-animated movies was actually harder than it seemed. So I asked friends and fellow bloggers for suggestions, and raided the discount DVD bins at Target and Walmart to come up with a plan. I may have to screen some of these before we watch them…but I think it’s a good start!
The Classics
- Wizard of Oz
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder, 1971)
- Annie (and the newer version too!)
ANIMAL FILMS
- Buddies Movies Series (Air Bud, Treasure Buddies, Santa Buddies etc.)
- Babe
- Because of Winn Dixie
- Free Willy
NOSTALGIA
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- The Princess Bride
- Cheaper By the Dozen
- Mrs. Doubtfire
- Honey I Shrunk the Kids (Less than $5 for a DVD)
- Spy Kids
PRINCESS TALES
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- The Princess Diaries (Anne Hathaway & Julie Andrews, 2001)
- Enchanted (Amy Adams & Patrick Dempsey, 2007)
- Maleficent
- Ever After (Drew Barrymore, 1998)
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FANTASY
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- Jumanji
- The Never Ending Story
- Labyrinth (David Bowie, 1986)
- Harry Potter
- ET
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SPORTS
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- Mighty Ducks (Emilio Estevez, 1992)
- The Sandlot
- Little Giants
- Space Jam – Did you know most kids don’t know who Michael Jordan is? Mine will.
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OLD SCHOOL DISNEY
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- Mary Poppins
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
- The Absent Minded Professor (Fred MacMurray, 1961)
- Parent Trap (Haley Mills, 1961)
- Freaky Friday (Jodie Foster, 1976)
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I seriously doubt we’ll get through this list, but it’s a good start, right? And thanks to The Mad Mommy, Gym Craft Laundry, Oh Honestly, and Minutes of Motherhood for your help thinking of these throwback films!
Looking for more movie lists? Check out these 30 Awesome Non-Princess Netflix Movies for Kids! And don’t forget to follow along on Facebook for more great ideas!
Or my Top 10 Chick Flicks to Watch When Sick.
Also check out my page on activities for kids!
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Yes, yes, yes to all of the above, especially Annie and The Parent Trap, which I truly loved as a kid and thank you for the suggestions, as I think I feel a movie night coming on here very soon now with a few of these, too 😉
im trying to introduce fewer animated films as well. I would add The Incredible Mr Limpet and the Nanny McPhee movies:-)
ooooh Nanny McPhee awesome pick!
Aww, this is a GREAT list! Space Jam was actually playing on vh-1 over the weekend and I tuned in for my boys..they kinda watched for maybe 15 minutes. It’s just so crazy to me that when they see “Looney Tunes” characters…they have NO IDEA who they are!!! Makes me feel kinda “dated!”
Goonies!!!! That’s a must. And Flight of the Navigator!!!! I personally find Charlie and the Chocolate Factory creepy. Lol
Goonies I love but my kids may be too little. Good one though Flight of the Navigator.
I love so many of these. We watch ET at least once a year. Now that I have a few older kids we have been able to add Back to the Future and Adventures in Babysitting. There is a version of Charlotte’s Web that is not animated. I didn’t see that on the list. My kids loved it.
This is such an amazing list! I am so glad that you put it together! Great job! I am so pinning and sharing this!
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (has some animated parts), Short Circuit and Batteries Not Included are some other old throwback movies. I love Who Framed Roger Rabbit, too, but our local library system doesn’t carry it.
This is a fabulous list. It brought back so many memories. I am going to have to share some of these with my kids!
great list! you have to add Dolphin Tale – kids 4-84 love it!
This is a great list… also my son and nephews LOVE watching Home Alone! I bet he would love Jumanji… and I need to get Mary Poppins too!
I need to add Home Alone to a Christmas Movie post!
Popcorn sprinkled with M&Ms? Can I come over on a Friday night??
This is a great list. Scarlet asks for movie night often and I’m sick of the same things over and over.
Great list! Surfing Netflix can get old really quickly, especially when they just show you the same titles over and over. I definitely try to include a mix of non-animated movies in our rotation too. We recently watched Fly Away Home and my boys (5 & 3) really enjoyed it. Also, the Narnia movies are much loved here. The Planet Earth and Blue Planet documentaries aren’t really stories but my animal-loving children enjoy those on occasion as well.
Thanks for this list. I’m pinning for future reference!
I haven’t seen the Narnia movies but will add them! It seems this list could have been MUCH longer!!
Check out Pete’s Dragon for nostalgia! It has a great musical score.
Also, Cinderella Story is a good flick. 🙂
i know! We are still stuck in the Curious George loop… So I love this! We just watched The Princess Bride with the 7 year old last week, she loved it! We are now reading the book. I kind of like that the movie prompted her to want to read it 🙂
What a great list! Some of my mummy’s favourites too! #TwinklyTuesday
awesome list! thanks! #twinklytuesday
We’ve let the 5-year old watch March of the Penguins and Chimpanzee…she loved both of them and still talks about them often. I wonder if she’s ready for Enchanted… Though my Mom bought her a Shirley Temple box set that she loves, and I can’t wait to show her old movies like Singing’ in the Rain.
This list is AMAZING! I totally needed this.
Is it terrible that I haven’t seen The Princess Diaries?
OMG – we’ve watched just about all of these! In fact, 1/2 the kids watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang while the others watched The Waterhorse just tonight.
And for some reason, The Last Dragon is a favourite (can I get a Sho Nuff?) as is just about anything with Jackie Chan.
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Alexander’s Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and the Harry Potter series were also enjoyed.
Ooooh I haven’t heard of the Last Dragon, will check it out! And yes to Judy Moody!
This is such a fab list! Some great films on there, Jumanji and Honey I shrunk the kids among my faves! Zachary is still at the age that he won’t sit through a film but I can’t wait until I can show him all these! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
We started with the non-animated films this summer as well. My boys are 5 and 3 and they love the Free Willy and Dolphin Tale movies…and also the Annie (remake)
We enjoy the Pacifier, Paul Blart Mall Cop, Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies andAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.
Thanks for this amazing list. I love watching such kinds of movies. I have watched all movies for kids on the Hungama.com website . (Not once but many a times :P)
Definately great movies list i watched most of them
I would definitely let my kids watch them today, thank you so much.
Hello 🙂 Great list, I thought maybe I could share a few more with you some of my kids favs! Oldies but deffinatly goodies!!!
POLLYANNA
all the HERBY’S aka (LOVE BUG)
THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE
DAVEY CROCKETT
MY FAIR LADY ( has one swear word though..)
SINGING IN THE RAIN
SNOWBALL EXPRESS
INSPECTOR GADGET
and some CHRISTmas movies..
MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL
WHITE CHRISTMAS
ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE
CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (course Charlie Brown is animated but still a great movie)
NATIVITY STORY
Just a few more if you wanna add 🙂
You can also check out these really great movies from STEPPINGSTONES.com
My mom was looking for movies that are family friendly to have to when the grandkids come over. Lots of good movies with good values taught. Some of my kids really enjoy…
NO MORE BATHS
PRINCE BRAT AND THE WHIPPING BOY
PAPER AIR PLAIN
SECRET OF TREASURE MOUNTIAN
GORDON FAMILY TREE
MICKEY MATSON
It is my last day of school. I may suggest these movies to my teacher.
All of these are so good! What a great list of movies to make us all feel better right now. Check on more information from the link below:
https://www.tecreals.com/mobiletvshows/