Whenever I watch a movie that’s been out for a long time sometimes all I can think is why haven’t I watched this sooner? It’s true some of the movies I watch now I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed or I wouldn’t have appreciated it enough if I had seen them as a kid. But, there are a few I know for a fact I would have loved growing up watching. That got me to thinking about what movies I would like to pass down to our youth. Some movies simply for pure entertainment, other movies for the diversity on screen, and other movies for everything in between. Part 1 of this duology will focus on films for the younger demographic while part 2 will focus on the teenage/young adult demographic. Both parts will feature movies I grew up watching and movies I have now seen as I have gotten older that I wish I had watched sooner in life.

The Wizard of Oz

I grew up with The Wizard of Oz that I forget that young children weren’t born having already seen The Wizard of Oz. Well if it was up to me The Wizard of Oz would be on constant replay for their sake and maybe a little for mines.

It’s A Wonderful Life

I just watched this for the first time this past Christmas and I wished that I could have seen it before now. But I know that this will be a staple for me every Christmas going forward. A delightful film perfect for family viewings.

Back To The Future

I can’t tell you when was the first time I watched Back To The Future, I don’t remember. I do remember the joy I experience watching it though and the joy I continue to have whenever I watched it. Every person should experience that joy at least once.

Clue

I watched Clue fairly recently, but it’s one that I immediately fall in love with and I believe that many children will too when they come across it.

The Sandlot

I revisited The Sandlot recently and it held up surprisingly well. Movies like The Sandlot and I’m assuming The Goonies, Stand By Me, as well (I haven’t seen them myself) is all about children making memories they’ll remember forever and the children watching the films will form a memory they’ll cherish by watching these films.

The Santa Clause

I un-ironically like The Santa Clause. Maybe it’s the childhood nostalgia (no it definitely is), but I still watch it every Christmas and gives me a warm feeling that I know younger kids would get a kick out of today.

Toy Story

An all time classic. Who wouldn’t want to show this to their kid? It such a staple of so many people’s childhoods, every child should experience this during their childhood.

Jumanji

Everyone grew up on a certain Robin Williams movie. For some it was Mrs. Doubtfire, for others it was Hook, and some on. I grew up on Jumanji. I vividly remember watching it at school of all places for the first time and loving seeing the adventure unfold. It’s one I still revisit. Williams’s charms were undeniable and you better expose children to him sooner than later.

Cinderella (1997)

This is without a doubt the best version of Cinderella. In fact, it’s the only one that matters. The best cast, the best soundtrack, just the best. If you ever expose a kid to the story of Cinderella, you best make sure it’s this one.

Mulan

Mulan was one of the earliest movies I saw with a strong female lead without it being overstated or heavy-handed. It’s a beautiful thing. And in general, it’s a fantastic movie, but I’ll forever love it for its depiction of a strong female character.

The Parent Trap

I have seen The Parent Trap close to probably a hundred times at this point. I make it a point to rewatch it every time it’s playing on television for no real reason. It’s just a wholesome nostalgic filled movie for me that I would pass down to kids who haven’t ever seen it before.

Monsters Inc

Perfect for the kids to get over their fear of monsters and to give them their first cry over a movie if they’re anything like me.

Big Fat Liar

This movie is so iconic to me. Some of the jokes may be seen as silly, but I have them memorized and I still find them hilarious to this day. Big Fat Liar is like an early 00s time capsule that I’ll happily like to revisit and share with the youth of today.

School of Rock

A beyond wholesome film that everyone should watch so get the kids started young by having them watch it.

The Incredibles

For the longest time, this was one of the only two superhero movies I watched and needed. With the way, the superhero genre is going everyone will be into one franchise or another. The kids’ first superhero movie should be The Incredibles without a doubt.

Sky High

And this was the second superhero movie I watched and cared about in my youth. It still a worthy watch too with a great message for the kids that you don’t have to be the best to be a superhero.

Enchanted

I don’t watch live-action Disney movies much anymore, I mean nothing could possibly compare to Enchanted. It such a charming Disney movie that it puts all the rest to shame.

Tangled

I adore Tangled. It’s such an underrated gem that doesn’t get the credit it deserves. The plot, the soundtrack, the characters, etc is so incredibly well done. I want more people to love it like I do and showing it the kids is how I would do it.

Moana

A Disney film that doesn’t give its main character a romantic lead? Give this to children now!

Zootopia

Zootopia brilliantly gets a universal message across to kids in a digestible way that also does what every movie should do: it entertains their audience. I wish I had this movie when I was younger, but I’m glad this generation at least does.

What are the movies you have or will pass down to the kids in your life? Comment them down below.