There are always new kids and family movies being release but how about revisiting some old classics? Here are our picks of Ten Classic Films to Watch with Children.

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When I was growing up there were always old movies shown on the (small number of) tv channels we had. Some of these are great family films so we’ve chosen 10 of our favourite classics to watch with the kids.

Ten Classic Films to Watch With Children

#1. Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Howard Hawks’ classic screwball comedy about a palaeontologist (Cary Grant) losing a dinosaur bone to a dog belonging to an heiress played by Katherine Hepburn.

“Baby” is a leopard belonging to Hepburn’s aunt, and a series of escapades ensues.

#2. Top Hat (1935)

A Fred Astaire classic film, with Ginger Rogers. Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) is a dancer preparing for his new show when he meets Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers), who mistakes him for his producer who is already married.

Irving Berlin’s score and graceful dancing by Astaire and Rogers, to tunes such as “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” and “Cheek to Cheek” make this a delight.

#3. King Kong (1933)

A film crew heads off to a Skull Island where the female blonde star(Fay Wray) is kidnapped by the natives as a sacrifice to a 30 foot tall gorilla.

The crew must rescue her, dodging giant dinosaurs, managing finally to capture King Kong to bring him back to New York, and present him as the “8th wonder of the world”. However, the gala revelation of Kong does not go well, when he breaks free and rampages through New York street.

#4. Singing In The Rain (1952)

Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds star in this movie (many think it’s the best movie musical ever made) about a film company making the move from silent films to the “talkies”.

It includes the classic songs such as “Good Morning”, “All I Do Is Dream of You” and of course, the title song, with Gene Kelly running around splashing in puddles.

#5. Journey To The Centre of the Earth (1955)

Professor Lindenbrook (played by James Mason) leads an expedition to the centre of the Earth, encountering all sorts of prehistoric monsters and fabulous things on the way.

At the time, the special effects were considered spectacular but this adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel can still be enjoyed by all the family.

#6. Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers.

It tells the story of a magic nanny, Poppins, coming to work for a banker’s unhappy family. The film received 13 academy award nominations and won 5 oscars, including best actress for Julie Andrews.

https://youtu.be/9kKXYjOD-AI

#7. Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)

A rip-roaring adventure starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland and Basil Rathbone, this is the good old tale of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.

Flynn shines as Robin Hood, managing to escape the clutches of the evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and of course, woo the fair Maid Marian. Wonderful stuff.

#8. The Sound Of Music (1965)

The Sound of Music (Rogers and Hammerstein soundtrack) is an enjoyable tale of a failed nun, Maria(Julie Andrews) who goes to work as a governess for widower Captain Von Trapp’s(Christopher Plummer) seven children.

Maria teaches them all to sing and have fun, winning the Captain’s heart in the end. But Nazi Germany looms on the horizon, threatening to spoil a happy ending.

#9. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

This American musical fantasy is based on the 1900 children’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, and it has become, over the years, one of the best known of all films

Dorothy Gale(Judy Garland) is swept away on a tornado to a magical land, of witches, munchkins, flying monkeys and lots more! She embarks on a quest to see the wizard, who can help her return home.

#10. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

This 1968 musical film tells the story of a hapless inventor, Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke) who finally finds sucess in his creation of a flying car. However, the nasty Baron Bomburst,the tyrant ruler of fictional Vulgaria, wants to steal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and keep it for himself.

When he kidnaps Grandpa Potts, Caractacus sets off with Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) and his 2 children on a great rescue adventure.

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More Classic Films to Watch with Kids

• Some Like It Hot
• The Day The Earth Stood Still
• The Thief of Bagdad
• The Swiss Family Robinson
• High Noon
• It’s a Wonderful Life

Over to you now. Any more classic films you think we should add to our list? Tell us in the comments below.