Best Movies for 8-Year-Olds
We read the screenplay for every film on this list, so these aren't guesses based on a rating board's summary. Each pick below is recommended for ages 8 and up, with a note on exactly why it suits this age. Tap any title for the full scene-by-scene breakdown.
20 script-verified picks
- 1Star Wars: A New Hope1977 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 2Its a Wonderful Life1946 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 3Spirited Away2001 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 4Return of the Jedi1983 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 5Castle in the Sky1986 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 6Wonder2017 · PG8+
Only mild scares, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 7Puss in Boots The Last Wish2022 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 8Ghostbusters1984 · PG8+
A few genuinely tense scenes, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 9Hidden Figures2016 · PG8+
A few genuinely tense scenes, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 10The Sandlot1993 · PG8+
A few genuinely tense scenes, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 11Kubo and the Two Strings2016 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 12Back to the Future Part III1990 · PG8+
A few genuinely tense scenes, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 13Field of Dreams1989 · PG8+
Only mild scares, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 14Miracle2004 · PG8+
Only mild scares, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 15Wicked2024 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 16Hoosiers1986 · PG8+
Only mild scares, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 17Akeelah and the Bee2006 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 18Zootopia 22025 · PG8+
A few genuinely tense scenes, strong action violence — our age 8+ pick
- 19Spy x Family Code: White2023 · PG-138+
Only mild scares, mild peril only — our age 8+ pick
- 20The Jungle Book2016 · PG8+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 8+ pick
