Best movies for 7–9 year olds

Kids movies — 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'; Gene Wilder in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'; 'Spirited Away'. Photo: Everett Collection (3)

Finding quality films for kids on the cusp of hitting double-digits is not always easy. While plenty of entertainment is made for this age range, sometimes you just want to watch something that the whole family can enjoy, with nary a Minion in sight.

Here's our list of the best movies for 7–9-year-olds, from stone-cold classics to newer favorites that feature lovable characters and poignant life lessons.

01 of 16

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Henry Thomas, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | There are so many reasons to love this touching tale of an alien who is abandoned on Earth, tries to fit in, and longs for — Henry Thomas and E.T. in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'. Bruce McBroom/Universal

There are so many reasons to love this touching tale of an alien who is abandoned on Earth, tries to fit in, and longs for home: (1) Seeing the bewitchingly cute Drew Barrymore as a child actress; (2) Reese's Pieces; (3) the adorable alien; (4) the rockin' spaceship; and (5) the catchphrase ''E.T., phone home.'' Enduring.

02 of 16

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory | At face value, this confection — where five kids with golden tickets get to tour Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory — seems like it'd have — Gene Wilder in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'. Everett Collection

At face value, this confection — where five kids with golden tickets get to tour Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory — seems like it'd have all the longevity of, say, a piece of cotton candy. But it holds up surprisingly well, due in great part to the fact that Gene Wilder's Wonka isn't simply weird — he's scary. And what's a good story without a little fear in it? We could also wax on about the 2005 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic story, but the Tim Burton–Johnny Depp collaboration doesn't hold an Everlasting Gobstopper to this timeless movie.

03 of 16

Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away | Call this a fairy tale, a moral quandary, or just plain fun. Chances are you might have missed this stunning little Japanese film from anime — NIBARIKI/TGNDDTM/Disney

Call this a fairy tale, a moral quandary, or just plain fun. Chances are you might have missed this stunning Japanese film from anime godfather Hayao Miyazaki, about a strong girl and a greedy monster who eats everything in his path. Spirited Away won the second-ever Oscar given for Best Animated Feature, because going up against Miyazaki is like going up against Steven Spielberg: inadvisable.

04 of 16

Old Yeller (1957)

Old Yeller | Boy meets dog. Dog steals hens from boy's farm. Boy befriends and trains dog. If I don't have much to say about one of the — Disney

It's about a boy and his dog. And then...at the end... Oh, we can't even talk anymore. Time to grab the tissues.

05 of 16

Annie (1982)

It's hard to resist the exuberance of little orphan Annie. Daddy Warbucks couldn't. Even Jay-Z couldn't. It's a hardknock life, for sure. — Albert Finney and Aileen Quinn in 'Annie'. Everett Collection

It's hard to resist the exuberance of little orphan Annie (Aileen Quinn). Daddy Warbucks (Albert Finney) couldn't. Even Jay-Z couldn't. It's a hard knock life, for sure.

06 of 16

The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986)

The Adventures of Milo and Otis | This buddy-animal film may be a touch too saccharine for grownups but kids about this age will fall for Milo and protector Otis. — Everett Collection

This buddy-animal film may be a touch too saccharine for grown-ups, but kids about this age will fall for Milo and protector Otis.

07 of 16

The Fox and the Hound (1981)

The Fox and the Hound | This playful pair of should-be adversaries learn their role in the food chain when the real world intrudes on their fun. — Disney

This playful pair of should-be adversaries learn their roles in the food chain when the real world intrudes on their fun.

08 of 16

The Parent Trap (1961)

The Parent Trap | Sure, La Lohan starred in a more-than-decent remake, but the original brought heart, sass, the adorable Hayley Mills (two of her!), and all those wonderfully — Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills in 'The Parent Trap'. Disney

Sure, Lindsay Lohan starred in a more-than-decent remake, but the original brought heart, sass, the adorable Hayley Mills (two of her!), and all those wonderfully catchy musical numbers. Sing it with us now: ''Let's get together, yeah yeah yeah...''

09 of 16

Up (2009)

Up | An old man, a young boy and a house floating with balloons. That simple list can't explain the uplifting and emotional ride this buddy adventure — Disney/Pixar

An older man (voiced by Ed Asner), a young boy (Jordan Nagai), and a house floating with balloons. That simple list can't even begin to explain the uplifting and emotional ride this buddy adventure can take you on, with such rich colors, and even richer music.

10 of 16

The Iron Giant (1999)

The Iron Giant and Hogarth Hughes in 'The Iron Giant'. Everett Collection

This beloved animated parable tells the story of a boy who stumbles upon a 50-foot-tall alien robot. While initially intimidated, the boy finds that the Giant has a hidden depth, leading to him trying to protect his friend from a federal agent who wishes to destroy him out of fear. —Kevin Jacobsen

11 of 16

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Moses in 'The Prince of Egypt'. Everett Collection

This adaptation of the Book of Exodus can be enjoyed for its stunning animation and valuable life lessons regardless of your religious background. The film centers on Moses as he grows up to free the Hebrew people in ancient Egypt, against the wishes of Pharaoh Rameses — his adoptive brother. —K.J.

12 of 16

Babe (1995)

James Cromwell in 'Babe'. Universal/Getty Images

Who would've thought a movie about a talking pig could provide such a genuinely moving experience about the value of following your truth, even in the face of ridicule? —K.J.

13 of 16

Paddington 2 (2018)

Hugh Grant and Paddington in 'Paddington 2'. Warner Bros. Pictures

It doesn't matter if you haven't seen the original Paddington — this impossibly charming sequel is a delight for all ages, following the titular warm-hearted bear as he is framed for a crime, leading his adoptive family to investigate the perpetrator. —K.J.

14 of 16

The Sandlot (1993)

Patrick Renna in 'The Sandlot' — Patrick Renna as Hamilton "Ham" Porter in 'The Sandlot'. Everett Collection

This classic coming-of-age comedy about a tween baseball team has some crude moments — so this would be better for those on the latter end of the 7–9 age range — but its scrappy spirit will delight kids while providing nostalgia for parents. —K.J.

15 of 16

Matlida (1996)

Mara Wilson as Matilda in 'Matilda'. TriStar Pictures/Everett

Bullying remains a widespread issue that plagues children growing up, and this fantastical adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel tackles this problem head-on, with 6-year-old Matilda (Mara Wilson) standing up to bullies using her telekinetic powers. —K.J.

16 of 16

Home Alone (1990)

Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci in 'Home Alone'. Everett Collection

Another nostalgic film for parents that also satisfies their kids' love of mischief, Home Alone is a classic holiday favorite that stresses the importance of family above all — and how you probably shouldn't forget them. —K.J.