With G-Force’s loveable rodents owning the box office last weekend, it got us to thinking about kids’ movies that adults also enjoy. Finding family friendly movies that adults can stomach can be a tall order (ask any parent tortured by a viewing of Space Buddies), so it’s a treat when kids’ movies make the grown-ups happy too. Pixar movies seem to fit the bill more than any other, but we’ve rounded up a bunch of others for our top 12 children’s movies that adults love too.
The Iron Giant (1999)
Jennifer Aniston
Harry Connick, Jr.
Vin Diesel
Christopher McDonald
The Iron Giant is a classic sweet sci-fi tale of friendship – as a boy befriends an alien robot and protects him when the military comes a-callin’ to destroy the giant. Nothing cutesy here and no musical numbers, The Iron Giant is just a straight shot of a great little story with a load of heart. Sometimes adults appreciate a kid flick without all the schmaltzy Disney-type elements – Giant is smart, funny, touching and has a message for all ages.
Finding Nemo (2003)Albert Brooks
Ellen DeGeneres
Willem Dafoe
Brad Garrett
Finding Nemo resonates with any parent who’s ever been just a little bit overprotective of their child, fretting some of the small dangers just as much as the big scary ones… when they should be letting their kids explore, learn and grow (safely, of course). Albert Brooks perfectly voices the worrisome Marlin, while Ellen DeGeneres’ ditzy Dory is a hit with young and old… and the fish tank gang, sharks and turtles are all great characters with well-written dialogue.
Babe (1995)James Cromwell
Christine Cavanaugh
Miriam Margolyes
Danny Mann
Hugo Weaving
Miriam Flynn
You’ve got your talking animal movies, and then you have Babe. More than just kid stuff, Babe offers up a sweet message about finding your place and achieving your potential, even if you don’t fit the typical mold. A pig raised by sheepdogs becomes a sheepherder like no other – a sheep pig, if you will. Babe offers up a sweet, simple story presented in chapters by the farm mice – it’s a great tale (tail?) that definitely holds up over the years. “That’ll do, pig. That’ll do.”
Shrek (2001)Mike Myers
Eddie Murphy
Cameron Diaz
John Lithgow
A fairy tale with a parody twist – we’ve got all your tried and true fairy tale characters with a crotchety green ogre thrown into the mix. Mike Myers’ Scottish tongued Shrek, Eddie Murphy’s annoying chatterbox Donkey and John Lithgow’s stunted Lord Farquaad (c’mon, that name was definitely conceived with adults in mind!) are enough to keep adults along for the ride while the kids point out the three blind mice, the gingerbread man and Pinocchio, among other fairy tale faves.
Up (2009)Edward Asner
Christopher Plummer
Jordan Nagai
Up is a touching story of a lifelong love and a man’s quest to fulfill the promise he kept to his wife, who passed away before going on her dream adventure. For adults, this movie resonates with anyone who has had a dream that’s gotten lost throughout the years… after all, life gets in the way sometimes… but it’s the journey of life that it’s important not to lose sight of. Living life to the fullest with the ones you love are the major themes, and while there’s plenty of cutesy kiddie stuff, more adults than not have reported shedding a tear for this heartwarming story.
Ratatouille (2007)Patton Oswalt
Lou Romano
Peter Sohn
Brad Garrett
Ratatouille may in fact be one Pixar flick that doesn’t particularly satisfy the young palate, but for adults, it’s oh-so-sweet. The tale of a rat that follows his dream to become a chef under his hero’s motto that “anyone can cook” doesn’t necessarily win over kids, but adults love the unique story and stunning animation. Remy’s quest to follow his heart, hiding behind the hapless chef Linguine by controlling him from under the chef’s hat offer up plenty of animated comedy.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)Gene Wilder
Jack Albertson
Peter Ostrum
Having seen this movie both as a child and an adult, it’s easy to see why grown-ups are fond of the eccentric Willy Wonka, played brilliantly by Gene Wilder, the psychedelic moments and the quirky little lines that seem to fly over little heads and through little ears, but are perfectly genius to grown ears. While the new Charlie and the Chocolate factory offers up the kookiness of a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration and doesn’t completely fall flat, there’s something perfectly wonderful about the original masterpiece.
Toy Story (1995)Tom Hanks
Tim Allen
Don Rickles
Jim Varney
Toy Story offered up something that adults could easily relate to – the toys of our childhood that would come and go, the favorite plaything that’s replaced with the flashier flavor of the day. With Pixar’s brilliant track record and voice talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles and the rest of the toys, the storyline connected with more than just the kiddos. This is definitely one for the big kids too – adventure, friendship and loyalty are all themes that are woven into this hilarious classic.
WALL-E (2008)Ben Burtt
Elissa Knight
Jeff Garlin
Fred Willard
Pixar definitely owns this list, with WALL-E grabbing high ranking on our list of kiddie movies that adults love. WALL-E’s beauty goes deeper than animation – the story of a little robot, his love for robot EVE, and some of the messages that are just a little too mature for the youngins (a look at what could happen to the human race after excessive consumerism and pollution is lost on little ones). WALL-E is just beautiful all around and a film that adults likely can appreciate much more than kids.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)Danny Elfman
Chris Sarandon
Catherine O’Hara
Tim Burton and director Henry Selick’s masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a pretty dark children’s movie – and, in fact, probably better suited for a more mature audience (kidnapping Sandy Claws isn’t exactly kid-friendly). Adults love quirky pumpkin king Jack Skellington, the magnificent animation and songs courtesy of Danny Elfman. Nightmare is charming, unique, smart, clever, and visually stunning… an easy watch over and over again.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Cary Elwes
Robin Wright
Mandy Patinkin
Chris Sarandon
Christopher Guest
The Princess Bride has to be the most quotable among the list – with gems like “No more rhyming now, I mean it. Anybody want a peanut?” and “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die,” adults can’t help but relish every comic moment of this offbeat fairy tale. The Princess Bride is a classic that gets better with repeat viewings. What are you waiting for? Go watch it… now!
