10 back-to-school movies for kids and teens
Motivating kids to get excited about going back to school can be a tricky task. But with all of the great movies about school available, a family movie night can be an excellent way to gear up for the school year and get kids energized and enthused.
̶0;Movies and other media can offer great learning opportunities for both kids and parents,̶1; says Betsy Bozdech, executive editor at Common Sense Media. ̶0;It̵7;s sometimes easier for kids to talk about what̵7;s going on in their lives — especially when it comes to the tough stuff — when they̵7;re discussing a third party.̶1;
Most school movies aimed at kids and teens manage to sneak a lesson or two into the plot, which makes for a smooth transition for talking to your kids about what they might expect from the upcoming year and the highs and lows of school life.
Nancy Friedman, co-founder of KidzVuz, says, ̶0;The best way to get kids thinking and talking about the issues they raise is to ask questions. How would you feel in that situation? Why do you think the character acted the way they did? What might you have done differently?̶1;
Here are 10 movies to watch with the kids before going back to school:
1. ̶0;Akeelah and the Bee̶1; (Rated PG)
Starring Keke Palmer, this movie illustrates themes such as setting high expectations for yourself, overcoming obstacles and doing the right thing — even if it costs you. A good depiction of perseverance and integrity, this movie is the classic feel-good story.
Talk to the kids about: Akeelah has to face some challenges on her path. How would your kids face similar challenges?
Where to buy: ̶0;Akeelah and the Bee̶1; DVD ($11, Target)
2. ̶0;Bridge to Terabithia̶1; (Rated PG)
Based on the Newberry Medal-winning novel by Katherine Paterson, this story provides the chance to talk to kids about difficult subjects such as friendship and death. Paterson has said she wrote the story following the death of her son̵7;s friend in 1974. Showcasing an unlikely friendship between Jesse Aarons and his neighbor, Leslie Burke, this story is timeless. It showcases how to be yourself even when you stand out, as well as supporting friends.
Talk to the kids about: Ask questions and start conversations about some very tough topics, including bullying, death and losing a close friend.
Where to buy: ̶0;Bridge to Terabithia̶1; DVD ($5, Target)
3. ̶0;School of Rock̶1; (Rated PG-13)
Starring Jack Black as Dewey Finn, this story about a lazy, out-of-work musician who takes a prep school class and turns it into a band is fun and entertaining. The kids at the fictional school work hard and are used to excelling, so Finn imparts his passion for music onto the class. This movie illustrates that lessons can be learned in many places. There are also some tactics Finn employs to get out of doing his job, so a lesson for your kids about ̶0;what not to do.̶1;
Talk to the kids about: ̶0;Point out words and behavior that are both positive and negative examples of what you want your kids to do,̶1; says Bozdech.
Where to buy: ̶0;School of Rock̶1; DVD ($15, Amazon)
4. ̶0;Harry Potter and the Sorcerer̵7;s Stone̶1; (Rated PG)
The Harry Potter series is credited with introducing 21st-century children to the joys of reading. The Sorcerer̵7;s Stone is the first movie in the series and a delightful film for kids. Says Friedman, ̶0;Harry Potter is a great story about how joining a school changed someone̵7;s life and became the most important thing in it.̶1; Watching Harry as he makes friends and navigates Hogwarts can help make them excited about school.
Talk to the kids about: Start discussions about trying new things and interacting with kids they don̵7;t know.
Where to buy: ̶0;Harry Potter and the Sorcerer̵7;s Stone̶1; DVD ($19, Amazon)
5. ̶0;Freaky Friday̶1; (1976 is Rated G; 2003 is Rated PG)
What better way to understand your mom than to walk in her shoes? Whether you choose to watch the 1976 version or the 2003 reboot, the theme remains the same. As Friedman states, ̶0;This movie is great for kids and parents to watch together to help them get where the other is coming from.̶1;
Talk to the kids about: Discuss the things you do that they may not agree with and see if they can point out ways you always have their best interest at heart.
Where to buy: ̶0;Freaky Friday (1976)̶1; DVD ($5, Amazon) or ̶0;Freaky Friday (2003)̶1; DVD ($4, Amazon)
6. ̶0;Mean Girls̶1; (Rated PG-13)
One of the trickiest things about being a girl is navigating the social hierarchy of school. Although ̶0;Mean Girls̶1; is set in high school, it̵7;s also appropriate for older middle school girls, as this is the age in which many girls start to exhibit clique-ish behavior. It̵7;s also a good movie for girls entering high school, as the behavior, though slightly exaggerated, is actually quite common.
Talk to the kids about: Together, discuss the ways they could handle the social behaviors and bullying exhibited by the teen stars.
Where to buy: ̶0;Mean Girls̶1; DVD ($10, Amazon)
7. ̶0;The Clique̶1; (Rated PG)
This movie features the same themes as ̶0;Mean Girls̶1; but is geared toward a younger audience. The story revolves around Claire, an ordinary teen who moves into a posh New York town (think ̶0;Gossip Girl̶1; in middle school). The clique in this movie is as mean as they come, and although Claire isn̵7;t fond of their behavior, she still wants to be friends with them.
Talk to the kids about: Help them consider what to do when they are confronted with changing their personality to fit in.
Where to buy: ̶0;The Clique̶1; DVD ($9, Amazon)
8. ̶0;Mad Hot Ballroom̶1; (Rated PG)
This documentary follows a group of kids in New York who discover a love for ballroom dancing. Friedman recommends the movie because, ̶0;It̵7;s a great documentary about NYC public school kids and how ballroom dancing changed their lives.̶1; It showcases how kids in tough situations can find solace in extracurricular activities. The kids in this movie are passionate and dedicated, which motivates them to excel in other areas of life as well.
Talk to the kids about: Examine the lessons this special group of kids learned and how they can apply them to their own life.
Where to buy: ̶0;Mad Hot Ballroom̶1; DVD ($7, Walmart)
9. ̶0;The Breakfast Club̶1; (Rated R)
Though made in the 80̵7;s, this John Hughes staple for older kids rings as true now as it did then. While technological advances have made modern schools a very different environment, the feelings of isolation, conformity and not fitting in are still prevalent — if not exaggerated by cyberbullying.
Talk to the kids about: There are some potentially inappropriate scenes in the un-edited version, but Bozdech thinks these can provide good teaching opportunities. ̶0;With older kids, consider letting them watch something you don̵7;t agree with, but then have a conversation about why you don̵7;t like it. It̵7;s important that we help our kids think critically about the media they̵7;re consuming.̶1;
Where to buy: ̶0;The Breakfast Club̶1; DVD ($5, Amazon)
10. ̶0;The Little Princess̶1; (Rated G)
The classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett has been made into movies several times, including a version in 1995. It tells the story of Sara Crewe, who went from being a popular student at a boarding school to a servant. It shows how life can change at a moment̵7;s notice and how important it is to stay positive.
Talk to the kids about: Discuss the importance of imagination in everyday life and how your life situation can change quickly with no warning.
Where to buy: ̶0;The Little Princess̶1; DVD ($8, Target)
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