Must see classic films for children

In an age where sci-fi and 3D films are dominating the box office, it is hard to convince children to lend an eye to the classics, which fathered the movies today. But by introducing children to these films, they would come to a better perspective of the world of cinema and the whole world as well. Here are some notable classical films for the young ones:

1. The Red Balloon (1956)

This Alfred Lamorisse’s fantasy featurette won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1956. The story revolves around a boy and a red balloon that has a mind of its own. This unlikely friendship between them has initiated envy from other children, prompting them to destroy his balloon.

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2. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

This much-loved children’s movie tells the tale of Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto in the magical Land of Oz Here she meets friends and foes in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, who as everyone says can help her find her way back home and can give her new friends Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion the brain, heart, and courage they respectively wish for.

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3. The Kid (1921)

Written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, The Kid is a heartwarming tale of an adoptive father (Charlie Chaplin) and an abandoned child (Jackie Coogan). The story unfolds with a mother leaving her baby with a pleading note in a limousine. In an unfortunate event, the car gets stolen by thieves who then leave the baby in a garbage can. Charlie’s character finds the child and raises him as his own son. This father-son relationship is challenged by questions to his fatherhood and the claims of the mother over the child. In the end, the kid reunitew with his biological mother and with his adoptive father.

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Colors and other elements that are deemed to define children’s movies may elude these films, but they are good films that impart good lessons . More importantly, they are devoid of violence.

Louis A. Habash is a film archivist at the San Francisco Art Institute and he sidelines as a film critic when he is not busy restoring and editing clips. Find out more about him and his passion for classical films from this page.