Recommendations
Family Films
(Younger Kids 2+)
Younger kids can be difficult to entertain with films, their capricious attention spans can deviate at a moments notice or they might not be able to engage with the narrative at all. These films, carefully selected and field tested by us here at the The Film List are what we feel will inspire their imagination and can keep them entertained. We’ve tried to stay away from anything obvious, obnoxious or irritating (us parents have to watch these films too) and highlight films you might not be aware of or haven’t considered.
Ponyo (2008)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring (English Dub 2009): Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon
Run Time: 1h 41m
UK Certificate: U
image: Studio Ghibli/Toho
Younger kids can be difficult to entertain with films, their capricious attention spans can deviate at a moments notice or they might not be able to engage with the narrative at all. These films, carefully selected and field tested by us here at the The Film List are what we feel will inspire their imagination and can keep them entertained. We’ve tried to stay away from anything obvious, obnoxious or irritating (us parents have to watch these films too) and highlight films you might not be aware of or haven’t considered.
Song of the Sea (2014)
Director: Tomm Moore
Writer: Will Collins
Starring : David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Lucy O’Connell, Lisa Hannigan
Run Time: 1h 32m
UK Certificate: PG
image: StudioCanal
Cartoon Saloon’s second entry in their Irish Folklore Anthology Trilogy (Secret of Kells and Wolf Walker’s being the other entries) is in keeping with their unique style and a seamless blend of traditional, hand drawn animation and CGI. Six years after losing his wife, light keeper Conor (Brendan Gleason) is convinced by his children’s grandmother that the island where they live isn’t safe for his young family. His children Ben and (mute) Saorise hate their new drab environment and begin a quest to return to their father meeting’s Ireland’s mystical inhabitants and learning the truth about their mother and Saorise. Like all of Cartoon Saloon’s films the subject matter is dealt with maturely and there’s deeper themes of grief and cultural identity but children will respond to the wide eyed fantasy and gorgeous animation.
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012)
Directors: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt
Writer: Gideon Defoe
Starring: Hugh Grant, David Tennant, Imelda Staunton, Russell Tovey, Martin Freeman, Lenny Henry, Brendan Gleeson
Run Time: 1h 28m
UK Certificate: U
image: Sony Pictures
Aardman’s adaptation of Gideon Defoe’s book of the same (extremely, long and cumbersome name) is a wonderful blend of their trademark stop motion enriched with computer animation. The Pirate Captain’s life is extremely busy full of looting, exploring and treasure hunting but he longs to win the prestigious Pirate of the Year competition – only problem is that he’s a terrible pirate who’s a laughing stock among everyone but his crew. Hugh Grant’s distinctive voice was made for animation and the film is packed with a stacked cast of British comedians and actors. Worth noting are David Tennant and Imelda Staunton as Charles Darwin and Queen Victoria respectively giving their all to this silly story. It’s engaging, fun and packed with jokes to engage the young and old.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)
Directors: Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham
Writer: Mark Burton
Starring: Ben Whitehead, Reece Shearsmith, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel
Run Time: 1h 22m
UK Certificate: U
image: Netflix/BBC
Wallace and Gromit are back, with Wallace’s latest invention running amok after being corrupted by an old nemesis. Ben Whitehead slips into Wallace’s checked slippers (after the death of Peter Sallis) and the voice change is imperceptible, sounding nearly identical to the original actor. Aardman is a British institution with their distinct, painstakingly detailed stop motion animation and this may be their masterpiece. It’s packed with jokes (it’s easily the funniest in the series) and set pieces and I defy anyone to not watch the film without a smile on their face. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) and A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008) come highly recommended to those unfamiliar with the studio’s longer releases since the 1990s.
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring (English Dub 2005): Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Timothy Daly, Pat Carroll, Frank Welker
Runtime: 1h 26m
UK Certificate: U
image: Studio Ghibli/Toho
With the titular Totoro (troll) featuring as the studio’s mascot My Neighbour Totoro is arguably the most recognisable of all of Studio Ghibli’s films. The film is centred around two young sisters who move with their father to the rural countryside. While helping prepare for the return of their mother who’s convalescing in hospital, they discover strange and magical creatures in the countryside surrounding their new home. It’s genuinely one of the most enchanting films ever made and every shot of the film is beautifully realised and guaranteed to capture the imaginations of younger minds. Like most of Miyazaki’s film’s there’s a wistful nostalgic quality that perfectly captures memories of childhood wonderment. With an incredible score (the theme especially is an earworm) and an excellent English dub the film is essential viewing no matter your age.
Paddington 2 (2017)
Director: Paul King
Writers: Paul King, Simon Farnaby
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters
Run Time: 1h 43m
UK Certificate: PG
image: StudioCanal
Riding on the duffle coat tails of Paddington (2014), it’s sequel surpasses its predecessor in every conceivable way. The premise is simple: Paddington wants to buy an ornate pop-up picture book for his beloved Aunt Lucy but if you’re familiar with this remarkable bear you’ll know nothing ever goes as planned. Hugh Grant (again) steals the show as an actor who frames Paddington for theft as he needs the book to locate hidden treasure and Brendan Gleason as hardened criminal won over by the bear and his marmalade. Paddington’s charm is bringing joy and rejuvenating the lives of everyone he interacts with, a radical empathy perfectly brought to live by Ben Wishaw’s soft spoken, endearing performance.
Labyrinth (1986)
Director: Jim Henson
Writer: Terry Jones
Starring: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Brian Henson, Dave Goelz, Toby Froud, Steve Whitmire
Run Time: 1h 41m
UK Certificate: (U)
image: Tri-star Pictures
Puppet (or more accurately Muppet) master Jim Henson helms this child friendly fantasy film populated by a teenage girl, an iconic pop star and the most elaborate and impressive creations of his career. When her baby brother Toby is kidnapped by Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie), Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) must enter the Labyrinth, solve it’s many puzzles and avoid treacherous traps to find the centre. The puppets are truly extraordinary, so lifelike and expressive that you’ll quickly forget that there’s an entire team of people coordinating their every movement. They’re as real as the film’s actors and the vocal performers are incredible to at bringing life to these characters. Connelly is great as the wide eyed heroine and Bowie is delivers a performance dripping in camp whilst still remaining menacing but it really is the Jim Henson Company creations that are the stars. There’s a dreamlike, ethereal quality to the film that makes it feel like a visual fairy tale and kids will quickly fall under its spell (plus who doesn’t love Magic Dance). I adore anything Henson related (especially his 1980s series with John Hurt – The Storyteller) but Labyrinth holds a special place in my heart.
Published 9th July 2026