As 2009 comes to an end, it’s that time to look back on a great year for some of the best movies for kids ever! Disney wins in my list of the top kid’s movies with 3 great movies released in 2009. Listed in order of favorites, based primarily on my kid’s (ages 7 and 9) opinions.
1. Up (Disney Pixar)* will pull you in as quickly as the balloons that pull Carl (voice of Ed Asner) and his home up in the air. Who hasn’t thought about (at least when you were younger) flying with the assistance of helium balloons? Carl’s journey is inspired by his and his wife’s dream to explore South America. Up takes you on an amazing adventure and made my list of top kid’s movies because it’s my children’s favorite and adults can enjoy the movie too. *Includes a bonus short film Partly Cloudy that is imaginative and fun.
2. Coraline is an animated stop-motion 3-D fantasy horror based on Neil Gaiman’s fabulous best-selling novel. Coraline (voice of the lovely Dakota Fanning) is a prime example of the saying, “be careful what you wish for” because the grass is not always greener. Her family has recently moved to an isolated older home and she gets into trouble exploring her newfound world. She discovers seemingly perfect parents, at first anyway, with black buttons for eyes. This new ‘other Mother’ soon traps Coraline who fights to return to her real parents while trying to help free other imprisoned children. Her ‘real Mom’ is the voice of Terri Thatcher. My kids watched this movie again and again. I enjoyed this film almost as much as they did. The movie is somewhat similar to my favorite Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland and is my pick for the best kid’s movie of 2009.
3. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian – A fantasy, adventure comedy. Larry the night watchman visits his old friends (exhibits that come to life at night) and discovers they are being moved to storage in the Smithsonian. Adventure begins as Larry sets out to save his friends. If you and your children enjoy special effects, this movie will knock your socks off. This is the first movie ever to be filmed at the Smithsonian. The premise of this movie reminds me of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure since both movies involve historical people. However, 20 years later, filming has come a long way. Stars: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams. My seven and nine year olds enjoyed the sequel as much as the first one.
4. Ice Age 3 is a 3-D computer animated comedy. The threequel’s plot revolves around babies. Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Manney (Ray Romano) are expecting their first baby. Diego (Denis Leary) decides to leave the herd because of feelings of inadequacy. Sid the Sloth, jealous of Ellie and Manney’s baby, steals T-rex eggs and decides to parent them. The adventure begins when mama T-rex comes in search of her babies. The squirrel, Scrat, is still after his acorn and discovers a new love. Like all of the great Ice Age movies, it is entertaining to both kids and adults.
5. G-Force is a 3-D animated comedy adventure, a fabulous Disney movie of 2009, about highly trained guinea pigs used by the government for espionage. Full of fun, adventure and humor for all ages – as expected from Disney:) G-Force delivers a great message, “everyone is special.” Voices: Nicholas Cage, Penelope Cruz
6. Earth is Disney’s first nature film narrated by (the lovely voice) of James Earl Jones, which tracks the families of polar bears, African elephants and humpback whales for one year. It also shows many other different animals found around the world. Compiled from BBC and Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth, the film is educational, touching and comical. Disney takes a non-political stance in presenting the negative effects of global warming and the impact it has on these animals and the planet. Amazing footage, kids will enjoy this exploration of Earth’s beauty and adventures of nature. My children and I really enjoyed this movie!
7. Monster vs. Aliens from DreamWorks is a 3-D fantasy sci-fi animated film starring Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland. The adventure begins almost immediately, when Reese is hit by a meteor (on her wedding day) and things drastically change for her and her almost husband. A great kid’s movie from 2009 that is enjoyable for all ages.
8. Disney’s Christmas Carol The computer animated version of Charles Dickens’ classic with voice of Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge and all three Christmas spirits. This classic Christmas movie follows the usual story of Scrooge and visits from ghosts of past, present and future. Disney’s best movies are those based on old classics and this one is no exception. If you enjoy digital effects, Jim Carrey and the story of Scrooge this movie is worth watching. Check out my review of Best Christmas Movies for Kids and Adults.
9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince from J.K. Rowling’s novel, starring of course, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, is once again well done. The sixth film in the series, it delivers a scare while managing to be funny in parts and is visually satisfying. Harry is all grown up as he is finally revealed as the chosen one. Dumbledore helps prepare Harry for his confrontation with Voldemont, the dark wizard, as other dramas unfold. Praise to this series for never becoming dull, as many sequels do!
10. Inkheart based on Cornelia Funke’s book about “Mo” (Brendan Frasier) who discovers he literally makes stories come alive when he reads them aloud. Unfortunately, he learns that he has this power, known as a Silvertongue, after his wife is sucked into the pages and the villainous characters from the story come to life from the book Inkheart. The journey begins as Mo and his daughter search for the lost book to bring her back while keeping evil at bay. Inkheart is an enjoyable film for both kids and adults. I hope this film inspires kids to read!
Sources:
1. Ranee Wright, Associated Content Best Christmas Movies for Kids and Adults
2. Rotten Tomatoes
Reference:
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/2378624/best_christmas_movies_for_kids_and.html?cat
- www.rottentomatoes.com
