Top kids’ movies on Sky Cinema and NOW
David Farnor | On 19, Feb 2021
Struggling to find something to see with your littl’uns? With Sky Cinema’s deal covering most major studios, its collection of family films is hard to beat – not least because (thanks to a last-minute deal with the House of Mouse) it’s the only place outside of Disney+ that you can find Disney films to stream in the UK.
We round up the best kids’ movies available right now. Don’t have Sky Cinema? You can also stream them all on NOW, as part of a £11.99 monthly subscription.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
You may have seen meteor showers, but we bet you’ve never seen a MEATIER shower. Bumbling inventor Flynn creates a machine that turns water into food in this barmy animated comedy. What starts out as a cute, romantic tale of following your dreams soon descends into a nightmarish, surreal world of sentient pizza, overweight citizens and giant, evil roast chickens. It’s a smart, food-pun-filled festival of visual gags – and the perfect introduction to the brains of The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
This 1993 remake of the original 1963 film of the same name is an enjoyable family adventure about three animals, who race to catch up with their owners when the family moves home and appears to have left them behind. Michael J. Fox and Sally Field provide charming vocals as an excitable pup and snooty, sarcastic cat.
Beethoven
The only reason most children will even know what a St. Bernard is, this 1992 family comedy about a dog who runs riot when adopted by a picture-perfect family in the suburbs is wonderfully cheesy, unabashedly sentimental stuff.
Matilda
Loved the stage show? Then now’s the perfect time to revisit Danny DeVito’s pitch-perfect screen adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu
In this almost-live action sleuthing spin-off of the globally popular video game franchise, a 21-year-old youngster is in search of his missing ace detective dad. But who can help him find out where his father gone? None other than his electric mouse partner, Detective Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds). It sounds unlikely, but this feature Pokemon outing is an absolute delight.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
If Stranger Things got you feeling nostalgic for Spielberg’s films of old, don’t miss the chance to re-watch this favourite from your childhood.
School of Rock
Jack Black is on winning form in this film about a failed musician who tricks his way into becoming a supply teacher educating children in how to play music. The result is a supremely silly comedy in which kids learn to rock, a loser learns to care, and director Richard Linklater captures the sheer joy of performing music.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
This adaptation of the hit Jeff Kinney books is packed with charm and humour.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Can your favourite stop-motion duo work as a feature-length film? By heck, they can: Aardman’s 85-minute adventure is full of visual slapstick, verbal wit and endless puns, not to mention Ralph Fiennes in his first truly comedic role – and, of course, a giant monster rabbit. It’s when you stop noticing the action set pieces are made out of clay that you realise just how superb it is.
Jumanji
Board games are enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment, but back in 1995, the idea of someone playing something other than Monopoly was breathtaking. What happens when Jumanji gets into full swing – CGI monsters, shouting children, general pandemonium – is equally so. The script may not hold up to much scrutiny, but pre-Captain America Joe Johnston’s sense of adventure and spectacle keep you transfixed.
Labyrinth
“I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave.” If you’ve never seen David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King in this iconic 1986 fantasy, this is your ch
The Muppets Take Manhattan
The Muppets graduate from college and travel to New York in the enjoyable third film in the fuzzy troupe’s feature-film run.
Muppets from Space
Kermit and co go on a mission to rescue Gonzo after he is kidnapped by a shady government organisation keen to find out what exactly he is in this surprisingly entertaining revival of the goofy furball franchise.
Jumanji: The Next Level
The superb ensemble cast level up in this fun but familiar sequel.
The Boxtrolls
Loosely based on a story from Alan Snow’s novel, Here Be Monsters!, The Boxtrolls takes place in the weird town of Cheesebridge, beneath which a race of Womble-like foragers live. Essential viewing for the little weirdoes in your life.
How to Train Your Dragon
Free Willy with dragons? Any excuse to relive this charming story of friendship and flying is one to grab with both wings.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Star Wars, but with owls. Zack Snyder’s animated epic is derivative, but undeniably thrilling.
Fantastic Mr Fox
A charming vulpes vulpes the whole family can love.
Spider-Man
Sam Raimi’s take on the web slinger may seem like a long time ago, given the number of reboots Spidey’s had since, but it’s primary-coloured action and genuinely cute couple of Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst makes this an under-rated early entry in cinema’s great comic book collection. Spider-Man 2 and 3 are also available to stream, along with The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Spider-Man: Far from Home
This witty, moving, visually stunning little blockbuster is a promising glimpse of life after Avengers: Endgame.
Paddington
A charming, funny film that embraces everyone in the audience, regardless of age or origin.
Paddington 2
This flawless family comedy will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with Hugh Grant. What more could you want?
Shaun the Sheep Movie
Aardman’s near-silent movie is as charming as ever, as we see Shaun leap from A Close Shave and his own TV series to the big screen for a witty, hilarious and utterly delightful stop-motion adventure. Baa-rilliant.
Trolls World Tour
This fun, vividly animated and enjoyably surreal sequel is full of sugary goodness to keep kids entertained.
Sonic the Hedgehog
A likeable cast and impressive visuals help this video game adaptation level up from mediocrity.
Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Star-in-the-making Isabela Moner delivers a winning performance in this charming and funny live-action take on Dora the Explorer.
Hocus Pocus
“Boooo-oooook!”
Frozen 2
This visually stunning, ear-worming sequel is a deceptively mature tale of love, acceptance and growth.
The Lion King
Hamlet but with animals, it’s arguably Disney’s finest animation – and that’s despite the fact that it reworks the tragedy’s ending to become something happy and family-friendly. What’s not to like?
The LEGO Movie
Hilarious, subversive and endlessly inventive.
The Lion King (2019)
This visually stunning remake of The Lion King still needs to work on its roar.
Disney Classics
Ratatouille, Pocahontas and The Fox and the Hound are also among the few Disney films still available on Sky Cinema.
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