Getting kids excited about the start of a new school year can be a tricky task. But a family movie night, featuring a back-to-school movie, can be an excellent way to get kids energized and enthused for September.
“Movies and other media can offer great learning opportunities for both kids and parents,” says Betsy Bozdech, executive editor at Common Sense Media. “It’s sometimes easier for kids to talk about what’s going on in their lives — especially when it comes to the tough stuff — when they’re discussing a third party.”
Most back-to-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, “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?”
So, grab the popcorn and cozy up. These back-to-school movies for kids are a great way to gear up for a new school year. And keep in mind, subscriptions and rental fees vary.
Fun back to school movies for 1st and 2nd graders+
All kids have different maturity levels, but per Common Sense Media, these movies are best for kids 6, 7, 8 and older. To find out the exact ages Common Sense recommends, search the movie title in their database.
1. “Matilda the Musical”
A fantastical, musical rendition of Roald Dahl’s masterpiece (and the TV-version of the broadway play!). Matilda, a girl genius growing up in harsh circumstances, finds her “person” in one of her teachers.
Talk to the kids about: Daring to be different. Matilda always stands up for what she believes in. How can your kids do the same?
Director: Matthew Warchus
Release date: December 2, 2022
Runtime: 1 hour, 57 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Matilda the Musical” on Netflix
2. “Akeelah and the Bee”
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?
Director: Doug Atchison
Release date: April 28, 2006
Runtime: 1 hour, 52 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Akeelah and the Bee” on Amazon Prime Video
3. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
The Harry Potter series is credited with introducing 21st-century children to the joys of reading. The Sorcerer’s Stone is the first movie in the series and a delightful film for kids. Says Friedman, “Harry Potter is a great story about how joining a school changed someone’s life and became the most important thing in it.” 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 don’t know.
Director: Chris Columbus
Release date: November 16, 2001
Runtime: 2 hours, 32 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on HBO Max
4. “Freaky Friday”
What better way to understand your mom than to walk in her shoes? As Friedman states, “This movie is great for kids and parents to watch together to help them get where the other is coming from.”
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.
Director: Steve Carr
Release date: August 10, 2018
Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Freaky Friday” on Disney Plus
5. “Mad Hot Ballroom”
This documentary follows a group of kids in New York who discover a love for ballroom dancing. Friedman recommends the movie because, “It’s a great documentary about NYC public school kids and how ballroom dancing changed their lives.” 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.
Director: Marilyn Agrelo
Release date: May 13, 2005
Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Mad Hot Ballroom” on Amazon Prime Video
6. “A Little Princess”
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 moment’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.
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Release date: May 10, 1995
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “A Little Princess” on Amazon Prime Video
Back to school movies for 3rd and 4th graders+
These movies are best for kids 9-10 and up, according to Common Sense Media.
7. “Bridge to Terabithia”
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 son’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.
Director: Gábor Csupó
Release date: February 16, 2008
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Bridge to Terabithia” on Amazon Prime Video
8. “School of Rock”
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 “what not to do.”
Talk to the kids about: “Point out words and behavior that are both positive and negative examples of what you want your kids to do,” says Bozdech.
Director: Richard Linklater
Release date: October 3, 2003
Runtime: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Watch: “School of Rock” on Amazon Prime Video
Back-to-school movies for middle schoolers+
Here’s what Common Sense recommends for 11- to 13-year-olds+.
9. “Napoleon Dynamite”
Without a doubt, a super quirky movie, but it still touches upon middle/high school themes and drama — including crushes, cliques and bullying.
Talk to the kids about: Together, discuss the ways they can include others and be “upstanders” for friends and peers.
Director: Jared Hess
Release date: June 11, 2004
Runtime: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Napoleon Dynamite” on Disney+
10. “Mean Girls”
One of the trickiest things about being a girl is navigating the social hierarchy of school. Although “Mean Girls” is set in high school, it’s also appropriate for older middle school girls, as this is the age in which many girls start to exhibit clique-ish behavior. It’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.
Director: Mark Waters
Release date: April 30, 2004
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Watch: “Mean Girls” on Paramount+
11. “The Clique”
This movie features the same themes as “Mean Girls” but is geared toward a younger audience. The story revolves around Claire, an ordinary teen who moves into a posh New York town (think “Gossip Girl” in middle school). The clique in this movie is as mean as they come, and although Claire isn’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.
Director: Michael Lembeck
Release date: November 11, 2008
Runtime: 87 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “The Clique” on Amazon Prime Video
Back-to-school movies for high schoolers
These movies are best for kids around age 15 and up.
12. “The Breakfast Club”
Though made in the 80’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. “With older kids, consider letting them watch something you don’t agree with, but then have a conversation about why you don’t like it. It’s important that we help our kids think critically about the media they’re consuming.”
Director: John Hughes
Release date: February 15, 1985
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Rating: R
Watch: “The Breakfast Club” on Amazon Prime Video
13. “Night School”
Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish star in this raunchy comedy about a man who needs to complete four years of high school in a semester. Ridiculous? Yes. But funny? Also, yes.
Talk to the kids about: Neurodiversity and learning differences, which Hart’s character has in the movie.
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Release date: September 28, 2018
Runtime: 1 hour, 52 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Watch: “Night School” on Apple TV
