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Best kids movies based on books

A film is a good way to open a book, or to celebrate one after reading it. These are well-reviewed adaptations. Ratings are US MPA ratings; check for scary or sad scenes before a first viewing.

Chosen from Common Sense Media, school librarian lists and critical reviews; ratings and release years checked on Wikipedia, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.

  1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

    Based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz · Ages 5-12

    A Technicolor classic with songs; rated G.

    Watch for: The Wicked Witch and flying monkeys scare some young children.

    Buy: Amazon

  2. Mary Poppins (1964)

    Based on P. L. Travers's books · Ages 4-12

    Julie Andrews as the nanny, with the songs; rated G.

    Buy: Amazon

  3. Charlotte's Web (1973 animated; 2006 live action)

    Based on E. B. White's novel · Ages 4-10

    The 1973 cartoon is truer to the book's tone; both are rated G.

    Watch for: Charlotte dies near the end.

    Buy: Amazon

  4. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

    Based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory · Ages 6-12

    Gene Wilder in a darker, strange version; rated G.

    Watch for: The tunnel boat scene is frightening to many children.

    Buy: Amazon

  5. Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017)

    Based on Michael Bond's books · Ages 4-10

    Kind and funny with a firm heart; rated PG.

    Buy: Amazon

  6. Matilda (1996)

    Based on Roald Dahl's Matilda · Ages 6-11

    A clever girl wins against her family and a tyrant principal; rated PG.

    Watch for: The Trunchbull is cruel.

    Buy: Amazon

  7. Babe (1995)

    Based on Dick King-Smith's The Sheep-Pig · Ages 4-10

    A pig who learns to herd sheep; rated G.

    Buy: Amazon

  8. Stuart Little (1999)

    Based on E. B. White's Stuart Little · Ages 4-9

    A mouse adopted by a human family; rated PG.

    Buy: Amazon

  9. Holes (2003)

    Based on Louis Sachar's Holes · Ages 9-13

    A boy in a desert detention camp digs holes; rated PG and faithful to the book.

    Watch for: Bullying and a violent past.

    Buy: Amazon

  10. The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

    Based on Kate DiCamillo's novel · Ages 5-10

    A brave mouse and a princess; rated G.

    Buy: Amazon

  11. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

    Based on Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox · Ages 6-12

    Stop-motion animation by Wes Anderson; rated PG.

    Buy: Amazon

  12. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

    Based on Maurice Sendak's picture book · Ages 6-12

    A moody, long film from a short book; rated PG.

    Watch for: Much slower and sadder than the picture book.

    Buy: Amazon

  13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

    Based on J. K. Rowling's first book · Ages 7-13

    Faithful and gentle; rated PG.

    Watch for: Later films get darker.

    Buy: Amazon

  14. Hugo (2011)

    Based on Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret · Ages 8-13

    Martin Scorsese's tribute to early film; rated PG.

    Buy: Amazon

  15. Little Women (2019)

    Based on Louisa May Alcott's novel · Ages 10-14

    Greta Gerwig's version, rated PG.

    Watch for: An illness and death of a sibling.

    Buy: Amazon

  16. The Wild Robot (2024)

    Based on Peter Brown's The Wild Robot · Ages 6-12

    An animated story of a robot on an island; rated PG.

    Buy: Amazon

  17. Wonder (2017)

    Based on R. J. Palacio's Wonder · Ages 8-13

    A boy with a facial difference starts school; rated PG.

    Watch for: Bullying.

    Buy: Amazon

  18. Matilda the Musical (2022)

    Based on Roald Dahl's Matilda · Ages 6-12

    A stage-to-screen version with new songs by Tim Minchin; rated PG.

    Buy: Amazon

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