Live action films suitable for young kids?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm getting a bit sick of watching the standard pixar crap with my kids, and wondering what films (new or old) are suitable for 4-5 year olds?
My neighbour will show his kids anything, from Star Wars to Gremlins, but I haven't let my son see Star Wars yet, although I know he wants to, he is best friends with said neighbours kids! Am I being too protective? What good live action stuff would the PH massive recommend? Apart from Ichi The Killer which I have lined up for tomorrow night...
P.S. Just watching Indiana Jones (Lost Ark) and it seems a bit complicated for age 4-5. And if you're wondering why I keep saying 4-5 it's because I have one each age. Please save me from having to watched non-stop churned out animation!
I'm getting a bit sick of watching the standard pixar crap with my kids, and wondering what films (new or old) are suitable for 4-5 year olds?
My neighbour will show his kids anything, from Star Wars to Gremlins, but I haven't let my son see Star Wars yet, although I know he wants to, he is best friends with said neighbours kids! Am I being too protective? What good live action stuff would the PH massive recommend? Apart from Ichi The Killer which I have lined up for tomorrow night...
P.S. Just watching Indiana Jones (Lost Ark) and it seems a bit complicated for age 4-5. And if you're wondering why I keep saying 4-5 it's because I have one each age. Please save me from having to watched non-stop churned out animation!
Ichi the Killer, now thats a film I haven't seen in a while, might dig it out my collection and watch it again!
I think perhaps you are being a bit over protective, Star Wars is very tame, the kids aren't going to learn swear words or violence from those TBH.
I, like many others I suspect, used to sneakily watch films that I shouldn't have when I was a kid, I'd taped Alien & Aliens when I was at Primary school and loved watching them early in the morning when the parents were still asleep.
The media puts too much credence into the notion that watching bad films turns our kids into violent killers, I knew that what I was watching wasn't real, the most it did to me was make me want to go out and 'play' Aliens with my mates.
I can't really suggest films to watch, just heed the age ratings and make a decision yourself on whether you want your kids to watch it or not. If you don't show them Star Wars, they WILL watch them elsewhere if they really want to!
ETA: It doesn't really matter whether the film seems complicated, as a kid you tend to just watch it for the action or the bits that interest you, the talking and plot development in between is just the boring bits you don't pay much attention to.
Indiana Jones is definately films to be enjoyed by younger kids, instill a sense of adventure in them!
I think perhaps you are being a bit over protective, Star Wars is very tame, the kids aren't going to learn swear words or violence from those TBH.
I, like many others I suspect, used to sneakily watch films that I shouldn't have when I was a kid, I'd taped Alien & Aliens when I was at Primary school and loved watching them early in the morning when the parents were still asleep.
The media puts too much credence into the notion that watching bad films turns our kids into violent killers, I knew that what I was watching wasn't real, the most it did to me was make me want to go out and 'play' Aliens with my mates.
I can't really suggest films to watch, just heed the age ratings and make a decision yourself on whether you want your kids to watch it or not. If you don't show them Star Wars, they WILL watch them elsewhere if they really want to!
ETA: It doesn't really matter whether the film seems complicated, as a kid you tend to just watch it for the action or the bits that interest you, the talking and plot development in between is just the boring bits you don't pay much attention to.
Indiana Jones is definately films to be enjoyed by younger kids, instill a sense of adventure in them!
Edited by Brigand on Saturday 3rd September 05:36
I'm not worried about the violence at all, I just don't want them to have nightmares, I don't get enough sleep as it is.
Both ET and Star Wars are U rated, in Star Wars the only thing I didn't want to have to explain was the severed arm in the bar at the beginning (and possibly Luke's smouldering relatives), and in ET there are a few bits especially near the beginning that can make you jump. It's more about finding films that won't scare my kids than anything else.
(Daughter is 4, son is 5)
Both ET and Star Wars are U rated, in Star Wars the only thing I didn't want to have to explain was the severed arm in the bar at the beginning (and possibly Luke's smouldering relatives), and in ET there are a few bits especially near the beginning that can make you jump. It's more about finding films that won't scare my kids than anything else.
(Daughter is 4, son is 5)
Ahh, I suppose from the scary point of view it can be a bit harder to choose, I see your point now.
Even 'U' rated films can have a witch or monster in it that spooks the kids, I suppose it's one of those things that you can't really predict.
I remember many many years ago an episode of Round the Twist had a skeleton in which gave my little brother nightmares at the time, despite it being a kids show we'd watched for ages.
Even 'U' rated films can have a witch or monster in it that spooks the kids, I suppose it's one of those things that you can't really predict.
I remember many many years ago an episode of Round the Twist had a skeleton in which gave my little brother nightmares at the time, despite it being a kids show we'd watched for ages.
How can you be tired of Toy Story(s)/Shrek(s)/The Incredibles? Serious question. I'd watch them at a drop of a hat, and I've seen them tens if not a hundred times.
Other animation: The Iron Giant, Bolt, How To Train Your Dragon, Up, Kung Fu Panda, Princess Mononoke. There are tons more.
Live action: try Mary Poppins (it was the first live action our eldest got into; she watched it a *lot*). Mousehunt (slapstick), Stuart Little (saccharine), Star Wars (all; except when Obi Wan defeats Anakin at the end of the third of the new ones), SpyderwIck Chronicles (possibly a bit scary), The Last Mimzy, Superman (the recent first reboot), Stardust (possibly a bit above their age level), Babe, The Wizard oz Oz (pretty good for 70 years old; the flying monkeys might be a bit scary), Nanny McPhee.
I'll have a look in the cupboard later.
Other animation: The Iron Giant, Bolt, How To Train Your Dragon, Up, Kung Fu Panda, Princess Mononoke. There are tons more.
Live action: try Mary Poppins (it was the first live action our eldest got into; she watched it a *lot*). Mousehunt (slapstick), Stuart Little (saccharine), Star Wars (all; except when Obi Wan defeats Anakin at the end of the third of the new ones), SpyderwIck Chronicles (possibly a bit scary), The Last Mimzy, Superman (the recent first reboot), Stardust (possibly a bit above their age level), Babe, The Wizard oz Oz (pretty good for 70 years old; the flying monkeys might be a bit scary), Nanny McPhee.
I'll have a look in the cupboard later.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 3rd September 07:54
When they were 4=5 my kids loved the first superman film, chitty chitty bang bang, the most recent herbie movie, the narnia films oh and some of those schmaltzy american movies - cheaper by the dozen, daddy day camp, RV etc
tbh they are no better than the pixar stuff, but at least its a change.
tbh they are no better than the pixar stuff, but at least its a change.
My 5 year old son watched Bridge over Terabithia last night with a friend, and he really liked that. Kids fantasy movie, quite sweet, a little girl dies in it which I did wonder if it would bother him but when his friend (girl 7) asked if she'd died, he just said "yep she's dead" and carried on watching.
I tend to find the stuff that is obviously not based on reality has less effect on him than others. For instance, he watched a few episodes of Power Rangers and we noticed a sudden liking for play fighting and clenched fists, so he doesn't watch that anymore and the behaviour stopped. However stuff like Ben 10 doesn't cause any negative behaviour and just gives him games and stories to play with his mates.
Super hero stuff tends to go down well with him, but obviously nothing with swearing or too much violence.
I do wonder how much of this tv effecting kids behaviour stuff is over exagerrated, as I have mates with 8 year olds who let them play Call of Duty which doesn't seem right to me. Their kids seem fine, they may turn into serial killers of course but who knows
I tend to find the stuff that is obviously not based on reality has less effect on him than others. For instance, he watched a few episodes of Power Rangers and we noticed a sudden liking for play fighting and clenched fists, so he doesn't watch that anymore and the behaviour stopped. However stuff like Ben 10 doesn't cause any negative behaviour and just gives him games and stories to play with his mates.
Super hero stuff tends to go down well with him, but obviously nothing with swearing or too much violence.
I do wonder how much of this tv effecting kids behaviour stuff is over exagerrated, as I have mates with 8 year olds who let them play Call of Duty which doesn't seem right to me. Their kids seem fine, they may turn into serial killers of course but who knows
Jasandjules said:
Bob_Defly said:
Hi,
Am I being too protective?
Yes.Am I being too protective?
Getting scared by stuff is natural as a kid.
I used to hide from Dr Who and that child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
I think it's normal so you grow to know your limitations and understand what things you should be scared off.
Spy Kids, Johnny English etc are all good.
antspants said:
My 5 year old son watched Bridge over Terabithia last night with a friend, and he really liked that. Kids fantasy movie, quite sweet, a little girl dies in it which I did wonder if it would bother him but when his friend (girl 7) asked if she'd died, he just said "yep she's dead" and carried on watching.
excellent, sounds like he could grow up to be a good serial killer. 
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