Beasts are bad guys, right? Not always. Movie monsters get a bad rap, but they often have positive qualities that help kids learn good things. With monsters, kids can focus on the character's inner beauty and learn how emotional qualities can trump physical appearance -- making them into lovable giants. Also, movie monsters are imperfect, which makes them relatable to kids.
Make use of movie monsters to help guide kids towards positive behavior -- like being a good friend, making good choices, reporting bullies, and working together.
But even nice monsters can sometimes be scary to little kids, so use our movie reviews when deciding what to watch.
Monsters, Inc., Age
5
Sully
By exposing Monsters, Inc.'s cynical tactics, Sully upends the
Monstropolis power grid from an unsustainable model of fear
mongering to an infinitely renewable resource: laughs.
Beauty and the Beast,
Age 5
Beast
Destined to a life of hideous loneliness, Beast is rescued by love,
proving that anyone can learn the basics of humanity: kindness,
compassion, and a killer waltz.
My Neighbor Totoro,
Age 5
Totoro
The enormous magical sprite serves as a comfort to two sisters
whose mother is sick. Through Totoro, their worries are replaced
with strength and hope.
The Iron Giant, Age
6
Robot
Against the backdrop of the Cold War, this towering, monosyllabic
bone-crusher serves as a symbol of individual choice --
specifically, the ability to know right from wrong ... and choose
what's right.
Pete's Dragon, Age
7
Elliot the Dragon
With the ability to make himself invisible, Elliot is the friend
who's always there when you need him. And even though he
blunders, his good deeds and selflessness outshine his
clumsiness.
Harry and the
Hendersons, Age 7
Harry, aka Bigfoot
His violent rampages mask a heart of gold, and in the end this
hairy beast and his loving captors learn the message of self-help
posters everywhere: If you love something, set it free.
Monsters vs. Aliens,
Age 7
B.O.B
This gooey one-eyed monster may not be the brightest bulb, but his
so-dumb-it-might-actually-work ideas help his merry band of
monsters defeat the bad guys, proving in the end that there's
-- ahem -- no "I" in team.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Age
7
E.T.
E.T. gives Elliot's life purpose, and he leaves the lonely
little boy with a very special lesson: the gift of knowing when to
sacrifice your own needs for someone else's benefit.
Where the Wild Things
Are, Age 9
Carol
His unattainable desire for perfection drives him to tantrums --
just like a kid. But through his childish behavior, he shows that
patience, acceptance, and realistic expectations, both for yourself
and others, can lead to happiness.
Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom
Menace, Age10
Yoda
The unlikely looking Jedi Master with a penchant for re-ordering
subjects and verbs teaches that believing in yourself and trusting
your abilities can give you the confidence to take on the
world.
