10 More Great Films Kids Should Watch (But Probably Won't)

1. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

Here comes Mr Stewart again. No Christmas is complete without Frank Capra€™s It€™s A Wonderful Life. This beloved classic has become an institution over the years, and is now more than a film; it is an emotion. George Bailey is the antithesis of Charles Dickens€™ Scrooge, yet they have a remarkably similar journey of self-discovery, as each learns the impact they have on the lives on others. However, where Scrooge was a pinched up Grinch, Bailey is a down on his luck all-American with a heart of gold. I recently showed this to my 6-year old niece, and she was absolutely encapsulated by it. She felt the highs and lows of the Bailey family, and expressed total rapture at the heartwarming finale. For the entirety of Christmas all I kept hearing was, €œevery time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.€ Any film that has that impact is worth its salt, and even more so when you realise it is nearly 70-years old. Parental Benefits: Adults are always banging on about teaching their children the true spirit of Christmas, and It€™s A Wonderful Life does this for them, perfectly. But more than this, the set design and cinematography of the film is top notch, and prove for a great talking point with children. You can help them understand that everything they see on film helps them to feel things, and as such gain a better insight into the emotions of the characters. Never mind life, this is a wonderful film.