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Many science fiction movies create a dark atmosphere of doom and danger, especially if they belong to the dystopia genre or work with alien attacks. However, just like most other movie genres, even science fiction movies can be oriented toward a younger audience and be suitable for children.
The best way to attract young viewers is to contain a lot of humor, keep a fast pace and focus on heroes of a similar age. The movies that used this recipe have the potential to entertain not only children but adults as well and are, therefore, suitable for whole families that like the science fiction genre.
Updated October 15, 2022 by Kath Leroy: With so many movies available, it’s easy to lose track of everything that’s come out in recent years or even a long time ago. That means that anybody who’s looking for a good science fiction movie that’s also child-friendly can struggle to discover the right movies.
However, the good news is that such movies do exist, and in great numbers, so it’s only a matter of finding them. It helps to look at the sci-fi movies from directors who often make family movies as well, but there are multiple options to watch for those who like science fiction and want to share it with their kids.
10/10 E.T. (1982)
Steven Spielberg has directed many well-accepted movies but E.T. remains one of his most popular movies. It centers on young heroes, especially the boy Elliott, who’s helping E.T. get home and is protecting him from those who might hurt the friendly alien. The movie creates a legendary friendship between Elliott and E.T. and shows children that it’s important not to judge others based on how they look.
It’s funny at times but also touching, especially when it becomes obvious that sooner or later Elliott and E.T. will be forced to part ways, most likely for good. The movie became a box office hit, was nominated for nine Oscars, and won four of them, proving once and for all that a sci-fi movie doesn’t have to be dark and serious to be successful.
9/10 Short Circuit (1986)
Just like The Iron Giant, some viewers compared this movie to E.T. since there are similar storytelling points. Most notably the fact that the robot in this movie is running from people who are after him and crosses a path with a young girl called Stephanie.
The movie offers a lot of adventurous moments and a hero that’s easy to cheer on. Short Circuit is a good example that robot movies can attract the entire family and that not every robot in a science fiction film has to have the destruction of humanity in mind, like in the Terminator series.
8/10 The Iron Giant (1999)
The animated movie has a similar feeling to it as Spielberg’s E.T. In this case, the 9-year-old boy Hogarth saves a giant robot who arrived from space. Hogarth befriends the robot and is doing his best to protect him from the government and the agent Ken Mansley who’s after him. The movie emphasizes the power of friendship between two beings that are very different but can find their way to each other anyway.
Since the story’s set in 1957, the movie has a unique period atmosphere, making it different from a majority of sci-fi animated movies, let alone those oriented toward the younger audience. The Iron Giant is one of the underappreciated jewels that deserves even more attention from viewers.
7/10 Spy Kids (2001)
The best science fiction movies for children are those that have children in the leading parts. Spy Kids fit the description. Twelve-year-old Carmen and her nine-year-old brother Juni have to help their parents and defeat the dangerous villain Floop. The movie is full of action and tension, as it’s not clear whether the heroes will succeed, considering how many obstacles they face during their mission.
However, everything turns out well in the end which will be encouraging for the viewers to see. Spy Kids also show that when siblings work together, despite their differences, they can achieve many great things. The movie got several sequels, but many people consider the first movie to be the best.
6/10 The Incredibles (2004)
On the surface, it might look like The Incredibles is an everyday, run-of-the-mill superhero movie. At the center of it, it’s primarily a story about a family, the bonds between them, and the obstacles they have to overcome if they want to grow even closer. Three of the main heroes are children, which makes it easy for the kids who watch the movie to relate to them.
On top of that, the movie is an epic adventure with many action scenes and jokes that work just as well today as they did 18 years ago. The Incredibles is one of the most popular movies, and it earned a well-rated sequel in 2018.
5/10 Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
Jumanji is a popular series, but it fits more into the fantasy genre, unlike its space sequel Zathura: A Space Adventure. Two brothers end up in space thanks to the game Zathura and have to overcome many challenges (such as unfriendly aliens) in order to win and get back home. The movie offers more than one surprising moment and keeps a fast pace. It’s not clear what will happen next, or what the heroes face which keeps the audience hooked.
Zathura: A Space Adventure shows that even at the young age of ten and six, children can deal with many problems if only they put their minds to it which sends out a positive message. The cast of the movie includes some familiar names, such as Josh Hutcherson as one of the brothers or Kristen Stewart as their teenage sister.
4/10 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
While there are plenty of animated movies that children shouldn’t miss out on watching, not so many work with the topic of time travel and manages to educate the young audience in a fun and accessible way. Mr. Peabody is a clever inventor and also a dog who has a young human son Sherman. When Sherman causes trouble, it’s up to the duo to travel in time and fix what happened. The movie is fast-paced, intelligent, and fun, and the characters are sympathetic.
Since it visits multiple historical periods and known figures, the audience will learn more about history. Unlike other high-quality animated movies, Mr. Peabody & Sherman didn’t get a movie sequel yet but at least those who enjoyed the story can try the series TheMr. Peabody & Sherman Show, which, however, doesn’t have such high ratings.
3/10 Ant-Man (2015)
Of all the MCU movies, Ant-Man is easily one of the most child-friendly ones. Possibly because the main hero, Scott Lang, has a little daughter himself, unlike most MCU superheroes. While Scott is initially a criminal, he eventually learns his lesson and becomes a hero instead. The movie’s easy sense of humor and sympathetic hero make it an enjoyable watch for all viewers, regardless of their age.
Other MCU movies are much darker and have characters dying, but Ant-Man ultimately comes across as a feel-good piece and the action scenes in which Scott shrinks down and fights his enemy by using toys will no doubt please many young viewers. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017) also keeps a mostly optimistic atmosphere but still is more adult than Ant-Man and might not be so accessible for children, despite Baby Groot’s prominent presence in the movie.
2/10 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
The live-action MCU Spider-Man movies are also somewhat friendly to children (except for Spider-Man: No Way Home), but the Oscar-winning 2018 animated movie takes it one step further. The only thing children could struggle with is the fact that there are multiple versions of the same character from different universes, which could be confusing for them.
However, the movie does an excellent job of explaining what’s going on, all the while keeping up a fast pace that will hook the audience, regardless of their age. Plus, many of its characters aren’t adults, which adds even more charm to the movie for the younger audience.
1/10 Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)
The general rule that many animated movies follow is that children’s movies should include at least one cute animal. And Sonic the Hedgehog fits the description. He’s also funny and relatable since he just wants to have some fun but eventually realizes that there’s more to life than just running around, enjoying himself, and causing chaos.
The easy banter between Sonic and his new human friend Tom (James Marsden) will entertain both young and adult audiences. Plus, even though Jim Carrey is convincing as the villainous Doctor Robotnik, he’s never scary enough to frighten the children who would watch the movie. The good news is that those who enjoy it can already check out this year’s sequel as well since it premiered in April.
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