The Best Movies About Childhood Ranked

Not many genres in Hollywood have earned appreciation of childhood. Since the 1960’s, stories of children have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s children battling burglars, extra-terrestrial creatures or teenagers, the genre has created strong characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about children that deserve to be appreciated.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a legendary piece of literature that always inspired by father. I fondly recall with nostalgia a great father that was a fan of a book about the segregation era. As charismatic as Atticus Finch, he would love discussing an iconic book that he considered precious. He would speak fondly about a book that shaped his identity. Through his lifelong love for great books about mockingbirds, my father inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. In 1962, my father’s favourite book was beautifully adapted to the big-screen in the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Ever since its release in the 1960’s, Robert Mulligan’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about childhood. Mulligan always had an aptitude for making great movies about racism causing danger, and “To Kill a Mockingbird” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Mulligan effectively used dramatic monologues to capture racism during the segregation era. For instance, the scene in which Atticus teaches Scout valuable lessons about discrimination during the segregation era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gregory Peck, who embodied a lawyer fighting racism in history. Ultimately, what makes “To Kill a Mockingbird” my favourite film about childhood of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1960’s which tend to be outdated, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years following the release of a commemorated film about righteous lawyers fighting racism in an intense courtroom case, it’s a fantastic reminder of a great genre that has made commemorated movies about childhood experiences with long-lasting effects which audiences embrace.

2. Slumdog Millionaire

India is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed bonds with a friend that criticized movies giving India a bad image. Born in Mumbai slums, he was critical of movies depicting his country. He believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a country holding a special place in his heart. As someone treasuring a friend that sought to become an Indian millionaire, I adored “Slumdog Millionaire”. Released in 2008, Danny Boyle’s movie captured poor children in India. Boyle effectively used real-life locations across India to capture the downtrodden lives of impoverished children in the country. For instance, the scene in which Jamal recounts harrowing memories of being abused as a child causing trauma in India is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dev Patel, who embodied an impoverished Indian child seeking to become a millionaire. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” a classic is its depiction of India. Unlike most movies about India, it tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a meaningful message about poverty in India which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jamal’s desire to be a millionaire, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made movies about which audiences care.

3. Moonlight

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Years ago, I witnessed the grim hardships faced by a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s feminine attire, he was a person that my entire family would admire. He would often be bullied in school due towards his sexual identity. As someone treasuring a gay cousin that kept his sexuality hidden in plain sight, I adored “Moonlight”. Released in 2016, Barry Jenkins’ movie depicted bullying experienced by LGBTQ communities. Jenkins uses captivating montages to capture a black teenager that is bullied for his identity. For instance, the scene in which Chiron has a breakdown throwing a chair over a bully’s head causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Ashton Sanders,  who embodies a poor queer black boy struggling to find acceptance in society. Ultimately, what makes “Moonlight” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about the LGBTQ community, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about value of finding identity which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of barriers that queer teenagers fight, it’s a riveting reminder of a bold genre that has made great movies which deserve the newsworthy worldwide spotlight.

4. Forrest Gump

Intellectual disability shaped my identity. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. I remember feeling terror when I was diagnosed with a disability that put my life in danger. Autism became a barrier that affected by abilities to succeed in the education system. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured intellectual disabilities that cause a bump in lives of children as powerfully as “Forrest Gump”. Released in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about childhood that readers adore. Zemeckis uses flashbacks to capture an entrepreneur recounting memories of childhood that shaped his identity. For instance, the scene in which Forrest recounts with nostalgia memories of growing up as a disabled child in America is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Tom Hanks, who portrayed an intellectually disabled man reflecting on his childhood. Ultimately, what makes “Forrest Gump” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about disability which would resonate with everyone. As precious as Forrest Gump’s memories of growing up in Alabama, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies attracting audiences to the modern-day Cinema.

5. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” is a classic film about aliens my mother always considered special. I remember a great mother which appreciated a film about cute aliens causing disaster. She would always praise a classic film that depicted cute aliens in a friendly manner. Nearly 50 years after its release changed Hollywood, Steven Spielberg’s movie remains one of the best films ever made about childhood. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for making great movies about children in grave danger, and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene in which E.T. bids tearful farewell to Elliot as he leaves Earth causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Henry Thomas, who portrayed a bold child forming a lasting friendship with aliens. Ultimately, what makes “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most alien movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood which would resonate with everyone. An extraordinary portrait of extra-terrestrial aliens forming friendships with children that are powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that has made great movies which audiences consider extremely special.

6. Atonement

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about children facing resentment, it’s worth discussing Atonement. Since its publication in 2001, Ian McEwan’s commemroated book has become a classic. In 2007, Joe Wright honoured the iconic book about children with atonement in his movie “Atonement”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Atonement” stand out is its depiction of deceitful children. Wright uses captivating montages capturing a young girl that deceives her sister through a frightening lie causing tension. Assisted by Saoirse Ronan who is extraordinary in the lead role, Wright honoured a classic book about childhood. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about an atonement, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has created unforgettable entertainment about children facing heartbreaking resentment.

7. Eighth Grade

Eighth grade is a pivotal time in school that shaped my identity. I remember being a socially awkward teenager that struggled to fit in with peers. It was a frightening time that came with complicated emotion. As someone treasuring fond memories of eighth grade, I adored “Eighth Grade”. Released in 2018, Bo Burnham’s movie captured teen girls in eighth grade. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Eighth Grade” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Bo Burnham uses his experience as a comedian to capture a dark time when teenagers face tension. Assisted by Elsie Fisher who is excellent, Burnham creates a powerful portrait of teenagers. An extraordinary portrait of teenage girls that are afraid in eighth grade, it’s an excellent reminder of a commemorated genre in which interest has rarely ever begun to fade.

8. Home Alone

House burglaries are terrifying events that have always scared my mother. I remember my mother being afraid of home invasions causing disaster. She would be afraid leaving me home alone. As someone treasuring a mother that never left me home alone in childhood, I adored “Home Alone”. Released in 1990, Chris Columbus’ movie depicted children facing home burglaries.  Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Home Alone” stand out is its humour. Columbus uses humour to capture children facing burglars causing danger. Assisted by Macauley Culkin who is amazing in the lead role, Columbus created a strong comedy about children facing burglaries. A hilarious depiction of hardships faced by kids left home alone, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated genre producing well-known films that are in a league of their undeniable own.

9. Room

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about children stuck in a room, it’s worth discussing Room. Since its publication in 2010, Emma Donoghue’s book has become a literary classic. In 2015, Lenny Abrahamson honoured the book about a room in his movie “Room”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Room” stand out is its depiction of childhood trauma. Abrahamson effectively uses confined locations to capture the tension faced by children that grow up in an environment of isolation. Assisted by Jacob Tremblay who is amazing in the lead role, Abrahamson honoured a beloved book about childhood today. A beautiful adaptation of a book about children that are isolated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences have commonly appreciated.

10. The Shining

Few movies ever made about hardships children are facing are as beloved as “The Shining”. Since its release in 1980, Stanley Kubrick’s movie has become a horror classic. Kubrick used captivating foreshadowing capturing the hardships that parents raising children in hotels are facing. Assisted by Jack Nicholson who is extraordinary in the lead role, Kubrick created a shining horror movie. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of parents that abuse their authority treating children with cruelty has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as the Overlook Hotel, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre with timeless stories to tell about childhood which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking in which I commonly excel.