Get started on your film journey as a new club with this list of 15 fun and fascinating titles that we've pulled together to give you an enjoyable and stimulating viewing experience from the very beginning. From the fascinating and funny early days of silent comedy to the eye-popping visuals of modern animation, film clubs and classrooms can begin to dig into the exciting world of cinema through this accessible list of films.
Choose any or all of these films to add to your order list.
Cert
Age group5–11
Duration27 mins
Animated tale of a clever little mouse who uses his wits to stop being eaten by the scary Gruffalo as he takes a walk through the woods.
This familiar story is charmingly rendered in stop-motion animation and with its short running time is a nice starting point for new clubs.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration82 mins
The much loved farmyard creature from Aardman animation finally gets a big screen adventure of his own.
Appealing visuals, expressive creature characters and a buoyant musical score make this an enjoyable romp as well as a lovely introduction to the silent film genre.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration74 mins
Lovely-looking animation with a story that really encourages children to read for fun.
This adventure featuring many familiar characters from traditional tales is sure to inspire a love of reading, and emphasises the importance of being supportive towards one another, regardless of ability.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration70 mins
Animation based on a traditional African tale about a headstrong baby whose cleverness is a match for the wicked sorceress that threatens his village.
Featuring catchy songs and beautiful artwork that is sure to inspire creative responses, this adventure will transport viewers to a West African village where the people are under a curse that can only be lifted by a very smart and brave baby!
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration77 mins
A beautiful animation about an unlikely friendship between a big clown bear and a clever orphan mouse, from the makers of A Town Called Panic!
Viewers will be enchanted by this story about unusual friendships and the importance of judging people on their own merits and making your mind up for yourself. This film is subtitled, but features very little dialogue and is easy to follow.
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Cert
Age groupAll ages
Duration192 mins
Collection of Lotte Reiniger's stunning depictions of popular fairy tales using her unique silhouette animation style.
Enjoy your favourite traditional tales, beautifully visualised by master animator Lotte Reiniger. With a short running time for each story, there’ll be plenty of time if you’re inspired to attempt your own silhouettes after the screening!
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration24 mins
Charming animated tale about a young boy who finds a lost penguin on his doorstep and decides to row him home to the South Pole.
This sweet story about helping friends out is a charming starter film that should leave you plenty of time to hold your own talks about what makes a good friend after the screening.
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Cert
Age group5–14
Duration34 mins
One of the greatest children's films of all time, this much-loved (mostly dialogue-free) French movie is about a young boy and his toy balloon.
Enjoy a delightful trip to Paris, discuss what life was like for children in the past, and enjoy a very gentle introduction to French with this simple and charming short film about a young boy befriending a mischievous balloon.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration89 mins
A heartwarming and very funny family tale of a pig with a penchant for sheep-herding, much to the chagrin of the local sheepdog.
This live-action adaptation of the popular Dick King-Smith story features a delightful cast of talking farmyard animals, and is sure to inspire discussion around what pets at home might be thinking!
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration94 mins
With a firm hand and a bit of magic, the nanny of the title helps to bring up the seven noisy and messy children of a father whose wife has died.
This charming comedy sees a no-nonsense nanny face up to a group of children who delight in tormenting adults. There are lots of pranks to be enjoyed, as well an important message about respect.
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Cert
Age group7–14
Duration98 mins
Adaptation of the popular Roald Dahl book about a girl with sunny self-reliance and special powers who attends a school with a bullying headmistress.
This zany version of story about a girl whose intelligence gives her extraordinary powers will inspire young people to read and learn for pleasure.
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Cert
Age group7+
Duration180 mins
Essential introduction to silent comedy giant Buster Keaton, full of unbelievable stunts and endless slapstick, featuring eight of his short films.
What better way to introduce young audiences to the evergreen world of silent comedy than through these short films of the legendary Buster Keaton, the slapstick legend who did all his own stunts and was one of the biggest stars of the silent era.
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Cert
Age group7–14
Duration81 mins
Canine documentary following five Labrador puppies as they train for two years to become guide dogs for the blind and partially sighted.
Being man's best friend, dogs are an important part of many people's lives, including children who may have dogs in their families. But this sweet and informative documentary shows how our furry pals can also become more than just a pet, providing non-sighted people with the necessary assistance to enrich their lives.
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Cert
Age group5–14
Duration52 mins
Fantastic, humorous collection of 13 shorts from Pixar, the US animation studio which revolutionised computer animation techniques.
The first of three volumes of excellent animation, this group of early short Pixar films is a wonderful way to introduce young people to complex ideas without sacrificing any fun or excitement. As well as standalone stories such as 'Lifted' there are also bitesize tales from the recognisable worlds of Monsters Inc. and Toy Story to name a few.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration83 mins
A trio of animated short stories involving a bunch of witty farmyard animals.
Unique and charming, this animation from France/Belgium is a clever series of stories with a story containing a a multitude of adorable countryside animals, all of which have a twist about them. An accessible way to introduce younger audiences to different styles of animation.
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