Famous Children’s Movies

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Children’s movies are one of the many genres of movies which include action, adventure, comedy, historic, epic, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers ,and family movies. It is this last genre to which the kid movies belong and though known as kids’ movies they are very often enjoyed equally by parents and at times preferentially so. Family movies are generally PG-13 or under.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has a rating system to suggest the mainstream suitability of a movie. A’G’ rating is suitable for the general public and it is mostly assigned to the kids’ movies. ‘PG’ rating suggests that it may be partly unsuitable for children, and therefore needs parental guidance. PG-13 means the movie is unsuitable for children under 13, while ‘R’ rated movies are considered unsuitable for youngsters under 17 years. Although this rating is not a legal classification or binding upon anyone,  it is very much in the best interest of kids and parents to consider the MPAA ratings of movies.

1. Snow White and Seven Dwarfs

 Snow White and Seven Dwarfs
Snow White and Seven Dwarfs

Produced by Walt Disney in 1937, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs is based on the famous German fairy tale by Brothers Grimm. The tale is about the princess Snow White, her wicked step mother- the queen, and the seven dwarfs – Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey.  It is an animated film with many firsts and honors. It was the first animated film wherein non-combustible cellulose acetate film replaced the usual combustible cellulose nitrate film. It is the first movie produced in full color, the first produced by Walt Disney Productions, and the first in the Walt Disney Animated Classic Series. Snow White and Seven Dwarfs  premiered on December 21, 1937 at Carthy Circle Theatre. Recognised as ‘Culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant’, the movie was added to the United States National Film Registry. In 1997 it ranked 49 in the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 greatest American films of all time. In 1998 AFI named the movie as the greatest American Animated film of all time.

2. A Kiss for Cinderella

Cinderella
Cinderella

A Kiss for Cinderella is a play by J.M. Barrie. It was featured on Broadway in 1916 and opened on December 25, 1916. The play ran for 152 performances. In 1925 Paramount made a silent movie featuring this drama. In this movie, Maude Adams performs the role of Miss Thing who is a poor London Girl, taking care of a group of refugee kids from different countries during World War I. Miss Thing loves the story of Cinderella and so she dreams of a debutante Ball- which is an event when a young female is introduced to the society. In many societies debutante balls are associated with the wealthy class only. The movie is a silent fantasy starring by Betty Bronson and Tom Moore. It was made by Paramount’s Astoria Studios in Astoria, Queens.

3. Gulliver’s Travels

Gulliver's Travels
Gulliver’s Travels

The movie ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ is  based on  Jonathan Swift’s eighteenth century  novel Gulliver’s Travels and is perhaps the only literally ‘equally’ liked movie by kids and their parents. Following the Walt Disney’s Box office hit movie ‘Snow White and the seven Dwarfs’ the 1939 cel-animated Technicolor film ‘Gulliver’s Travels ‘ was produced by Max Fleischer and released by Paramount Pictures on December 22, 1939 as their first animated movie. Many later versions have lost the charm due to too much deviation from the original story.

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

There are no kids or parents in the present time who do not know about Harry Potter. Harry Potter has been one of the most favorite stories of the growing kids in all its forms including the hard copy or books and the silver screen for sure. It is 2009 PG Fantasy Film based on the novel ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ by J.K.Rowling. Written by Steve Cloves, It is the sixth installment of the Harry Potter Film Series. In this movie, Harry potter, in his sixth year at Hogwarts, becomes obsessed with a mysterious book, falls in love and tries to recall his memories. Daniel Radcliff starred as Harry Potter in this film.

5. Lassie Come Home

Lassie Come Home
Lassie Come Home

‘Lassie Come Home’ is a story of friendship between a boy and his pet ‘Lassie’ a rough coat, tricolor, collie sheep herder dog. The Yorkshire parents of the boy were constrained under the economic depression to sell the dog to the rich Duke of Rudling. Lassie was not happy there, and was therefore sent hundreds of miles away to Scotland. The duke’s grandfather released the dog in consideration of its being unhappy. Lassy, after lots of suffering ultimately reached the boy, Joe Carraclough’s home. ‘Lassie Come Home’ is an MGM 1943; film starred by Rody McDowall and Canine Actor; Pal.

6. Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland

Written by Linda Woolverton and directed by Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 American computer animated fantasy film. It is based on the Novel ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ written by Lewis Carroll in 1865. Film star Mia Wasikowska plays the role of Alice, the 19 years old girl who on her return after a long time is informed that she was only one who could kill Jabberwock; the dragon to free the inhabitants from the terrorism of the controlling Red Queen of the dragon. The film premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on February 25, 2010.

7. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

This movie is adapted from the novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ written by Roald Dahl in 1964. It is a musical film directed by Mel Stuart and starred by Gene wilder playing the role of Willy Wonka. The story is about Charlie Bucket who received a golden ticket and visited Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory along with four other children from different parts of the world. It was filmed in Munich in 1970 and released on June 30, 1971. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score

8. Superman Doomsday (PG-13)

Superman Doomsday
Superman Doomsday

Superman Doomsday is a 2007, direct to video, animated super hero, American Film. It is based on the famous DC Comic story ‘The Death of Superman’. Before its release, the film was screened by San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2007 and released on September 18, 2007. On account of action and violence, the film was rated PG-13 by MPAA. In the US, it was first shown on Cartoon Network. The opening dialogue of Lex Luthor highlights heroic deeds of superman and includes, ‘There comes a time when even gods must die’. The story is that during construction work ,the engineers of Lex Corporation dig out a genetically engineered super soldier called ‘ Doomsday’ who kills all the staff and injures Superman ,who after killing Doomsday, succumbs to his own injuries and dies. The movie was directed and produced by Bruce Tim. It was narrated by James Marsters and starred by Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche and James Marsters. It was distributed by Warner Home Video.

9. The Lion King

The Lion King
The Lion King

The Lion King is an American animated musical adventure film. The film is inspired by William Shakespeare’s drama ‘Hamlet’ and the Biblical tales. Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff directed the film while Don Hann produced it. The story is about a young lion ‘Simba’ who has to succeed his father’ Mufasa’ as king. Simba’s uncle ‘Scar’ however kills Mufasa and Simba has to avenge his fathers death and has also to capture his place as king. Simba’s story is very absorbing, both for kids and their parents. The Lion King was released on June 15, 1994 and it is 15th highest grossing feature film. It has won two academy Awards for its achievement in music composed by Elton John. It has also won Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture.

10. The Jungle Book 2

The Jungle Book 2
The Jungle Book 2

The Jungle Book 2 is an American Animated film produced by Disney Toons Studio in Sydney, Australia, in 2003. It was released in France on February 5, 2003 and in US on February 14, 2003. It is not based on Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The second Jungle Book’ but has some common characters. Haley Joel Osment stars as ‘Mowgli’ the most attractive character and John Goodman plays as ‘Baloo’ in it.

Conclusion:

Kids’ films and family movies have played a vital role in the emergence and success of animation in movies. Through these movies, kids enjoy watching their dreamland within a vibrant and lively environment, having all sorts of characters which the kids see in their sweet imaginings.

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