Pick A Kids Movie And We'll Tell You If You're A Good Parent
- by Austin Baker
- – on
- in Lifestyle
We all know that it's not a good thing to let TV (or streaming services nowadays) raise our children. This is like, Parenting 101. However, sometimes mommy and daddy just want to throw something on the 'ol tube that can keep their kids entertained while they read a book or cook dinner. Then there are those movies that our kids watch repeatedly, over and over and over again until the mere sound of the main character's voice is enough to make our ears bleed (Minions, anyone?).
Over the last 30 or so years, movie producers have gotten good about creating films that specifically fit into the genre of "children's movies;" these are often times movies that are made specifically to sell toys and merchandise, which then in turn help fund other projects for the media company. Every now and again a kid's movie will come along that is very well made and that captivates the minds and hearts of both children and their parents. However, these types of movies are few and far between! Then there are those movies that look like a children's flick on the surface, but offer anything but family-friendly entertainment (South Park, Eight Crazy Nights, and Watership Down are all top offenders). How good of a parent are you when it comes to what your kids watch? Let's find out! Pick a kid's movie and we'll tell you if you're a good parent!
What is Your Child's Favorite Pixar Movie?
Though it has been getting steady competition from its competitors lately, Pixar completely dominated the animated film market for years. The company (now merged with Disney) is famous for making classic stories that touch the hearts of both children and their parents. Which one is your kid's favorite?
Pick a Slapstick Comedy for Your Kid to Watch
Slapstick is a genre of comedy that was pioneered in the Golden Age of Hollywood by the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, The Three Stooges, and Abbot and Costello. Though there are lots of spoken jokes, the majority of the comedy comes from characters getting hit with objects.
What's the Best Kid's Movie Based Off a Book?
Through the years there have been some truly timeless children's stories, many of which we have read time and time again to our kids before bedtime. No matter the story, it's only a matter of time before Hollywood executives decide to make a film adaptation. In your opinion, which one is the best?
What is Your Child's Favorite Dreamworks Movie?
Though Illumination has been rising up the ranks in recent years, Dreamworks has always been Disney/Pixar's #1 competitor. To this day it is still the only studio to have beaten out Disney for the "best animated feature" award at the Oscars! What is your child's favorite Dreamworks movie?
Pick an Adventure Movie
The adventure genre has to be one of the most family-friendly things out there; it teaches us great themes such as getting out of our comfort zone, facing the unknown, and taking a risk that may or not pay off. This makes the genre great for children's films. Which one of the following is your favorite?
What Do You Let Them Watch That's Innapropriate, but Goes Completely Over Their Heads?
Sometimes, we can get by with letting our children watch something that is completely inappropriate for them simply because the jokes and adult content are so subtle that it goes completely over their head. They don't realize that the guy made a dirty joke, but they laugh because he said it with a funny voice!
What Was the Best Disney Renaissance Movie?
In the early '90s, Walt Disney went through what is known to fans as the "Renaissance Period" of history. This was a time in which, after producing some good yet forgettable films, the company was finally back on the map with mega-hits that still rank among their best. Which movie did you think was the best?
Pick a Kid-Friendly "Scary" Movie
Everyone loves a good horror movie now and again. However, once you have a kid you have to be very careful with the genre; after all, you can't be showing your kid Saw! Or can you...Thankfully, there are an abundance of "Scary" movies made specifically for kids. Pick one:
What's a Movie You Can't Stand, But Let Them Watch Anyways?
Oh yes, we're talking about THAT movie. The one that makes you want to rip the TV straight out of the wall and throw it out the window (with yourself not far behind!). But, your kid seems to like it, and you want to make them happy. So yet you endure...
What Comic Book Movie is Their Favorite?
There is no question as to what is the biggest genre in the film industry today. Comic book films dominate the box office, with every company under the sun trying to find their next big franchise that they can milk for billions of dollars. Most of these movies are kid friendly; what is your child's favorite comic book film?
What is the Best Cartoon to Live Action Film Adaptation?
Like the children's story, a cartoon can only exist for so long before it's turned into a live action film. Sometimes the creators do a straight-up adaptation, while other times the story and characters are so butchered that they are unrecognizable. Which adaptation do you think did it the best?
What Movie From Your Own Childhood Do You Make Them Watch?
As much as they probably hate it, many of our children have had to sit and suffer through those periods of time where we try to relive our own childhood. Many times this takes the form of us trying to get them interested in the movies we watched as kids. What film from your childhood do you make your kids watch?
What is Their Favorite Classic (Pre-1980) Movie?
Hopefully, you have been exposing your children to a little bit of film history every now and again by showing them the classics. Most of the movies from back in the day were pretty tame and family-friendly compared to today's standards. Most of them even still hold up against the test of time! Which one does your child like the best?
Pick a Dr. Seuss Movie
Dr. Seuss is one of the greatest children's authors to ever exist. He wrote dozens of classic books like Oh, the Places You'll Go and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish on top of so many other classic stories. Many of Seuss' stories have been adapted for the silver screen: What is your favorite?
What is Your Kid's Favorite "Dark" Movie?
Every now and again, we as parents understand that it's good for our kids to go out of their comfort zone and watch something that is not as lighthearted as their normal fare. Often times these "darker" movies help our children to understand themes that aren't taught in standard kid's films; what is their favorite of these "dark" movies?
What's a Movie They Watch That is so Bad, It's Good?
Look, we all watched terrible movies when we were kids. We can see that now. But back in the day, they were the greatest movies in the world! Every now and again, however, there is a movie that you pick up again as an adult and realize that, despite how terrible it is, it's enjoyable from start to finish! What is a movie your kid watches that's like this?
What's the Best Historical Children's Movie?
Sometimes a children's movie can be just as subtly educational as it can be entertaining. Through the years there have been many movies aimed at the younger crowd that teach them about a specific period or figure in History and their significance. What is best "historical" kid's movie?
Pick a Christmas Movie
Though Christmas may be over, it's never a bad time to pick up one of your holiday favorites and indulge yourself! Every year movie studios try to go out and make the next "big" holiday classic. Try as they might, only a select few have stood the test of time and are played every Christmas season.
What is Your Child's Favorite "Epic" Movie?
We want to make sure that, in addition to being entertained and to being educated, our kids are learning about the big Pop Culture icons that the world has created. These great epic movies are timeless, and encompass an audience of young and old alike. Which one do they like the best?
Choose a Musical:
When it comes to family-friendly, you can't really go wrong with musicals (well, unless it's something like the Book of Mormon!); the genre is made to have mass appeal and to resonate with audiences young and old. Chances are you've sat down with your child or children to show them your favorite musical. What was it?
What is Their Favorite Sci-Fi Movie?
As a genre, Sci-Fi is one of the most popular and cerebral. Throughout the history of the genre directors have made movies that range from extremely family friendly (E.T.) to hardcore R (The Matrix). However, producers eventually started making Sci-Fi movies that were specifically for the kiddies. What is their favorite?
Choose a Netflix Original for Them to Watch:
Netflix has completely revolutionized how TV and Movies are made and distributed. Starting out as a simple DVD rental service, the company now dominates the streaming industry and has begun producing its own originally-branded movies and shows. What is one that your kid should watch?
What is Their Favorite Toy-Based Movie?
Let's face it- Most children's movies and shows are created with a single goal in mind: To sell merchandise. They want your kid to buy that Power Rangers action figure and the Baby Boss backpack and the Spider-Man notebook. So it should come as no surprise that there have been movies made based purely on toy lines! Which one does your child enjoy the most?
What is The Best Non-Disney Animated Movie?
Disney has dominated the children's movie market for so long that we often forget that some of the greatest kids movies ever made were created by somebody else. Many of the classics from our childhood and movies that our kids are obsessed with have nothing to do with the house of mouse. What is the best one?
Pick a Movie Based Off of a Game
Since the dawn of time, people have played. This started with sticks and stones in the backyard of their lean-to and has evolved into highly immersive video games over time. Of course, producers have to milk everything they can; several game-based movies have come out in the last 30 years. Which one is the best?
Which Fairy Tale Adaptation Does Your Kid Like Best?
Fairy tales are a type of story that have been around for hundreds of years; some of them have variations dating back to the earliest days of recorded history! Disney has made its bread and butter out of adapting fairy tales, but there have been several other companies that have taken a crack at it- Which fairy tale movie is your kid's favorite?
Pick a Movie to Watch on Family Night:
Every now and then, your kids let YOU pick out the movie you can all watch as a family. These are usually films that are light in tone or have some sort of happy message behind them. Most importantly, they are appropriate and enjoyable for both kids AND parents! It's family movie night: What are you watching?
What is Your Child's Favorite "Girly" Movie?
If you have a little girl, you're going to be watching girly movies. That's just a fact of life. Try as you might to make them watch more broadly-appropriate films, they're always going to gravitate towards a Barbie movie or two now and again. What "girly" movie does you child like the best?
Pick an Educational Movie for Them to Watch:
As we stated earlier, a good parent needs to keep a healthy balance of educational and entertaining movies on hold for their child to watch. This question deals specifically with kids movies made to teach them grade-school topics like History, Science, and English. Which of these would you want your kid to watch?
What is the Best Muppet Movie?
Jim Henson's Muppets have been entertaining children since the 1980s, and show no signs of slowing down any time soon! The small felt creatures debuted on Sesame Street before getting a spin-off variety show and multiple big-screen movies. What is the best Muppet Movie so far?
What is the Best "Literature" Based Kid's Movie?
A trope that gets completely over-used in children's movies is that of encouraging them to read. Several films have attempted to drive the message home, but very few have become instant classics. However, there are a handful of literature-themed kid's movies that have struck a chord with parents- Which one is the best?
What Nature Documentary Would You Let Them Watch?
Nature documentaries are a fickle things; some people love learning about the natural world, while other people think they are completely boring and a waste of time. For this question, we are going to assume you are in the former! Which of the following nature documentaries would you want your child to watch?
What is Their Favorite Stop-Motion Film?
Sadly, stop motion animation is one of those things that is difficult to pull off. It takes hours, if not DAYS, just to film a few minutes of footage. Often, studios feel that this is a waste of money and stick to traditional and CGI animation instead. Of the few stop-motion films out there, which one does your child enjoy the most?
What is a Movie Made for Adults That is Still Appropriate for Them?
Sometimes, a director will set out to make a film for adults that ends up being so tame and wholesome that it's appropriate for the whole family! Many times this stems from the fact that they are just trying to make the best movie possible and not just shoehorn in gratuitous adult themes; which of these movies do you let your kid watch?
Pick an Animal Movie for Them to Watch:
If you want a sure thing in a kids film, throw in a couple animals! Children love nature's critters; maybe it's the simplistic way they live their lives or the funny way they look. Either way, kids love watching films about barnyard animals or jungle creatures. Which one would you pick for them to watch?
