Top 10 Take-Along Classic Kid’s Movies

If you're tired of the Harry Potter and High School Musical movies, here are some old flicks for the new generation. Kids and parents alike will enjoy these (somewhat recent) classics.

Hitting the road without a few excellent movies for a rainy day, traffic or other vacation delay can be dangerous. A mutually enjoyable movie can provide much needed down time on a busy vacation. But what to choose? You need a movie that will entertain both you and your child. Try something new that is also a classic.

To get you started, here is a list of ten great classics for kids ages six to twelve guaranteed not to drive you insane at the third or fourth viewing. No recent popular hits, like the Harry Potter movies or Finding Nemo are included, because you already know these movies. These are older classics. Try something new that is old.

Adventure

The Goonies, rated PG, is the best adventure movie made strictly for kids. I never get tired of watching it. Home Alone (the first one only), also rated PG, is the first of it’s kind: a movie about a boy left behind who defends his home. Although the premise is scary, the self-sufficiency the boy displays sends an excellent message. And it’s funny, too.

Superman (The old classics, not the new releases. 1 is the best, 2 is also good) movies are excellent adventures with Christopher Reeve as the perfect Clark Kent. The first movie begins in outer space and tracks Superman through his infancy and early life on Earth to the Metropolis.

Animals

Animal movies are loved by everyone: boys and girls alike. This category is big and it was difficult to choose. Babe (G) is a wonderful movie about a pig who thinks he’s a sheep dog. Beethoven 1 & 2 (PG) are the best to choose (because they are the only ones with Charles Grodin). These stories about homeless St. Bernard dogs taken in by an enthusiastic family and a reluctant father are original, amusing and poignant at the same time.

Homeward Bound, a jazzier, funnier remake of The Incredible Journey, has Sally Field, Don Ameche and Michael J. Fox doing the voices of the animals. This charming movie can easily be viewed repeatedly. The dogs and cat encounter all kinds of obstacles on their journey home. But for a cat-and-dog buddy movie, you can’t beat Milo & Otis (G). The orange tabby cat and the pug become fast friends on a farm, float downstream to a strange land and have adventures on their trek home. With Dudley Moore doing all the voices you can understand why it’s one of the funniest animal movies ever made.  

Animated

For the top honors in new wave animation, Toy Story (too scary for kids under 9, even though its rated G – Remember the bizarre toys created by Sid?) and Toy Story 2, also rated G. The characters/toys are inventive and original, as are the stories for both movies. Jokes and gags appeal to both children and adults.

Disney Specials

Lady and the Tramp (G) is probably the greatest classic animated movie. With terrific music and the classic love story of the lady-like dog and scruffy tramp dog, this movie will win the heart of every family member, from toddler to grandma.

Old-Timers

Almost anything by Abbott & Costello is fun family viewing. They made many movies with good themes, so pick your favorite. Keep in mind their movies are not rated. Their military movies are charming and hilarious. And they even made some scarier movies that are more funny than frightening. Try these classics: Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein – with Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi. Costello calls the Frankenstein monster, “Frankie,” and is afraid of everything. Lon Chaney turns into a werewolf, but doesn’t kill anyone.

Watching Abbott and Costello, you never know when you’ll run into their old, but still side-splitting, routine of Who’s on First? Pick one Abbott & Costello with your favorite theme to get re-acquainted. Or check out the entire Abbott & Costello DVD collections and get several movies all at once.

Buy some popcorn and other treats, dim the lights, plump up the pillows in your motel room and pop in one of these classics. Or set them up for your kids in the car. It’s great movie time. Relax and…roll it!