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Movie Recommendations from MSS Parents

April 8, 2020 | Abby Liu

Are you looking for a recommendation for a family movie night? We asked members of Mustard Seed School’s S.T.A.R.S parent support network to share their favorite movies. And they’re not all what you might think! Remember “Willow” from the 90’s? I had completely forgotten about that movie!

We’ve listed movies here by the age recommendations found on Common Sense Media. I find that some of the ages tend to be a bit hit or miss. For example, my kids loved Shaun the Sheep when they were in preschool and Common Sense has it listed as a 5+ movie. Go by your comfort level! Common Sense Media has more information about their age recommendations, including educational value, positive messages, role models, violence/scariness, consumerism,  language, and more.

With thanks to Cathy Williams, Laurie Heins, Chris Gasca, Jason Stahl, BJ Carter, and Liliana Lopez!

Enjoy!

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 5+

Movie Rating Category
Cats Don’t Dance G Animation
Flushed Away PG Action/Adventure
Minions PG Comedy / Family
My Neighbor Totoro G Family
Ponyo G Animated Adventure
Tangled PG Adventure/Comedy
The Lorax PG Family
The Muppets (2011) PG Family/Comedy
Shaun the Sheep G Comedy

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 6+

Movie Rating Category
Boss Baby PG Adventure / Comedy / Animation
Captain Underpants PG Action / Comedy / Animation
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs PG Family
Despicable Me 1-3 PG Comedy / Family
Enchanted PG Family
FernGully: the Last Rainforest G Drama
Kim Possible (Live Action) NR Action/Adventure
Kung Fu Panda PG Action/Adventure
Lego Movie 1-2 PG Action / Adventure
Lego Ninjago PG Action / Adventure
Mr Peabody & Sherman PG Time Travel/Adventure
My Fair Lady G Musical
Ramona & Beezus G Family
Ratatouille G Action/Adventure
Rio/Rio 2 PG Family
Sound of Music NR Family
Storks PG Family
The Iron Giant PG Action/Adventure
The Parent Trap (1961) G Family/Comedy
Trolls PG Family

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 7+

Movie Rating Category
Bedknobs and Broomsticks G Family/Musical
Big Hero 6 PG Action/Adventure
Chicken Run G Action/Adventure
Coco PG Action/Adventure
E.T. PG Family / Sci-Fi
Heidi – (Marco Cio) NR Drama
Lego Batman PG Action / Adventure
Night at the Museum PG Adventure / Comedy / Family
Onward PG Family
Sing PG Comedy / Family / Animation
Space Jam PG Adventure / Comedy
Wonders of the Sea G Documentary
Wreck-It Ralph PG Comedy

 

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 8+

Movie Rating Category
Disney Aladdin PG Family, Fantasy, Action-A, Musical
Disney The Lion King PG Drama, Action-Adventure, Musical
Dora snd the Lost City of Gold PG Action/Adventure
Fly Away Home PG Adventure/Heartwarming story
Howl’s Moving Castle PG Fairy Tale
Missing Link – La Vimos PG Action/Adventure
Pokemon Detective Pikachu PG Adventure / Comedy / Family
Princess Diaries G Family
Rookie of the Year PG Comedy / Family
Sonic the Hedgehog PG Action / Adventure / Comedy
The Neverending Story PG Adventure/Drama
The Sandlot PG Comedy / Drama / Family
Willow PG Action / Adventure
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory G Musical

 

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 9+

Movie Rating Category
Dr. Doolittle PG13 Family,Comedy, Fantasy
It’s a Wonderful Life NR Drama
Newsies PG Drama,Historical,Family,Musical
Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse PG Action / Adventure / Animation
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe PG Action/Adventure

 

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 10+

Movie Rating Category
A Dog’s Purpose PG Drama
Captain Marvel PG-13 Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Goonies PG Action / Comedy / Family
Jumanji PG Adventure / Comedy / Family
Little Giants PG Comedy / Family / Sports
Overcomer PG Christian Drama
Remember the Titans PG Drama
Wonder PG Drama

 

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 11+

Movie Rating Category
Ghostbusters PG Action / Comedy / Fantasy
Whale Rider PG-13 Drama

 

Common Sense Media Age Recommendation 12+

Movie Rating Category
Hunt for the Wilderpeople PG-13 Comedy/Drama
Rabbit Proof Fence PG Drama

Abby Liu

Former Director of Marketing and Communications

Abby Liu was the Director of Marketing and Communications from Sept. 2018-August 2021 and was an employee of Mustard Seed School for over 14 years. She’s the parent of two Mustard Seed School alumni. She's seen the impact of a Mustard Seed education from the early preschool days all the way up to eighth grade and beyond, and thoroughly enjoys sharing the Mustard Seed School story to this day.

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