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Top 10 Musicals to Watch With Younger Kids
I didn't grow up watching or listening to musicals. In fact, it wasn't until I was in high school that I found out about the wonderful world of musical theater. The rest is history, you might say.
I haven't performed in as many as I would have liked, but now my kids are involved in a musical theater company, and we love it! I teach classes and direct.
Here is a list of the Best Musical Movies for Kids: 10 Family-Friendly Musicals to Watch. Pick one to watch this weekend!
Disclaimer: I have tried to pick musicals that are safe for most ages. You still might want to watch it on your own first, as there may be elements you feel uncomfortable with.
The Wizard of Oz
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her dog Toto get caught in a tornado and taken to Oz where they encounter a Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, the Munchkins, Glinda the Good Witch, and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Annie
Annie is an orphan living in an orphanage. She desperately wants her parents to be alive, but finds a new father in the unlikely Daddy Warbucks.
The Music Man
In The Music Man, a dishonest traveling salesman finds honesty and love as he changes people for the better in the town of River City, Iowa.
The Sound of Music
The Von Trapp family gets caught in the politics of Austria during World War II and must find a way to escape, through singing together as a family in The Sound of Music.
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a fanciful governess who comes to help the Banks family.
Annie finds love and a job in a Wild West show; it's based on the true story of Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun.
Newsies
Newsies tells the true story of a group of newspaper boys in New York who go on strike so they can keep making a little money at their jobs.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
A father of two children fixes up a magical car he calls Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and takes the family on adventures. (Preview it first: there is one scene that might be scary and/or strange for kids.)
Beauty and the Beast
Watch Beauty and the Beast, the live-action musical film of the classic animated Disney version. (Preview first if you're concerned.)
Did I miss any of your family favorites to watch together? What's on your list for best movie musicals for younger kids? Leave a comment below!
Intro to Musicals for Elementary online course
Head over to check out the self-paced online course for elementary students called Intro to Musicals to dig in deeper to these and other musicals! Included are a synopsis, video clips, online quizzes, and printables!
Intro to Musicals for Elementary Students
Get a taste of 11 different musicals that you and your students will love!
Just a heads up – in My Fair Lady the professor uses the “d” word quite a bit. It was a little much for my young ones. (Did not remember that when I bought it 🙂
Thank you so much for giving us that heads up. I didn’t remember that myself. I want everyone to be fully informed before they watch a movie with their kids. So, as I mentioned above please watch it yourself first and make sure it’s appropriate for your family. 🙂
–Gena
the Annie with carol burnette is my personal favorite. However, in regard to language (at the end) and content (miss hanigan drinking, etc..) I have chosen the 1999 version with Kathy bates to show my students. Even though I teach public school, I’m so thankful I came upon this blog.
Great list! My all time favourite is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Hilarious and fantastic music, I’ve loved it since I was a little girl. I even took it in to the labour ward with me with both my kids 🙂
I really enjoyed the original Doctor Dolittle starring Rex Harrison when I was growing up.
They aren’t classic but my kids enjoyed the High School Musical set…
Just a heads up – in My Fair Lady the professor uses the “d” word quite a bit. It was a little much for my young ones. (Did not remember that when I bought it 🙂
Thank you so much for giving us that heads up. I didn’t remember that myself. I want everyone to be fully informed before they watch a movie with their kids. So, as I mentioned above please watch it yourself first and make sure it’s appropriate for your family. 🙂
–Gena
the Annie with carol burnette is my personal favorite. However, in regard to language (at the end) and content (miss hanigan drinking, etc..) I have chosen the 1999 version with Kathy bates to show my students. Even though I teach public school, I’m so thankful I came upon this blog.
Thanks for that recommendation, and I’m happy you’re here, too! We actually have a lot of public school teachers here. 🙂
Right at the end of the Annie movie one of the character takes the Lords Name in Vain.. twice.
Thanks for mentioning that so that parents can make good decisions for their family. Can you tell us which movie version that was in?
–Gena
Singing in the Rain. My kid ASK to watch it. The comedy scenes crack them up every time.
Easter Parade and The King and I are two of my 8yo daughter’s favourites 🙂
Thanks for those suggestions!
—Gena
Great list! My all time favourite is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Hilarious and fantastic music, I’ve loved it since I was a little girl. I even took it in to the labour ward with me with both my kids 🙂
Fun! One of my favorites as well. 🙂
–Gena