Friendship

Cert

Age groupAll ages

Duration98 mins

The Wizard of Oz(1939)

One of early cinema's most beloved films sees a young girl called Dorothy, and her dog Toto, whisked away from Kansas to a fantastical land called Oz.

Every bit as enchanting now as it was in 1939, this timeless film needs no introduction. A joyful, often frightening adventure for Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and The Lion, all very different individuals, who develop a close friendship as they set out on the yellow brick road to help one another.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration83 mins

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs(1937)

Disney's funny, beautifully drawn animated version of the classic fairytale about a lovely princess on the run from her wicked stepmother.

Disney's version of the fairytale is one of the finest animated movies ever made. Fleeing the wicked queen, a lonely princess finds refuge in a cottage deep in the woods, only to find it populated by a group of 7 dwarfs with very different personalities who love nothing more than to dance and sing!

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration115 mins

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial(1982)

This heart-warming family favourite about an alien stranded all alone on earth contains some of the most magical scenes in movie history.

One of the most beloved films of all time, Spielberg’s timeless tale of a stranded alien on earth who forms a deep bond with a lonely boy remains as enchanting now as it was in 1982 and continues to be seen as one of cinema’s defining depictions of friendship.

Cert

Age group5–14

Duration86 mins

The Iron Giant(1999)

Superbly animated adaptation following young Hogarth's discovery of a colossal, friendly robot, and his plight to protect him from government agents.

Based on Ted Hughes’ classic story The Iron Man, this animation has long been one of the most popular titles at Into Film and is now regarded as a genuine classic of children’s cinema. With its roots in the space race of the 1960s, the film is full of heart and is guaranteed to ignite the imagination of young people.

Cert

Age group5–14

Duration104 mins

The LEGO® Batman Movie(2017)

Spin-off from ‘The LEGO® Movie’ in which Batman must once again do battle with his arch nemesis the Joker, but this time within the LEGO® universe.

Batman may be an unstoppable crime-fighting hero, but he’s also a bit lonely. Here, he discovers the importance of teamwork, friendship and unconventional family units when he teams up with Robin, Batgirl and of course his loyal butler Alfred to stop The Joker.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration24 mins

Lost and Found(2008)

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 short film that should leave you plenty of time to hold your own talks about what makes a good friend after the screening.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration77 mins

Ernest and Celestine(2012)

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!

Sometimes our best friends can be people who initially seem totally different to ourselves! Ernest is a big grumpy bear, and Celestine a shy, cheeky mouse who develop an unlikely friendship in this delightful French animation about the importance of judging people on their own merits and not by initial appearances.

Zipi y Zape y el club de la canica (Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang)

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration92 mins

Zipi y Zape y el club de la canica (Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang)(2013)

Spanish adventure in which unruly twins Zip and Zap are sent to a strict summer school, where they form a gang of rebels to defy the cruel director.

This adventure is perhaps best described as a Spanish version of Harry Potter, and is about the adventures of a group of children sent to a strict boarding school over the summer as punishment for their unruly behaviour. Once there, the children band together to take on the school regime and soon find themselves on an unlikely treasure hunt!

Cert

Age group11–16

Duration96 mins

Belle et Sébastien (Belle & Sebastian)(2013)

An epic tale of the friendship between a boy and a dog.

Adventure story about a boy who befriends ‘the beast’, a dog that his townsfolk are afraid of– who then gang together to protect one another as the German army invades in this French World War Two-set drama.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration91 mins

Kaaka Muttai (The Crow's Egg)(2014)

Tamil children’s film about two boys desperate to earn enough money to get a slice of pizza from the new pizza shop.

Told in Tamil, this film depicts the encroaching influence of the Western World on the slums of India, as two boys strive for what seems like a simple thing to many of us - to taste a slice of pizza. This is an engaging children’s film that doesn’t shy away from highlighting the poverty experienced by children in Indian slums.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration108 mins

Akeelah and The Bee(2006)

Inspiring and uplifting movie about an impoverished child who discovers an exceptional spelling talent.

Struggling to believe in herself, 11 year-old Los Angeles based Akeelah finds her life transformed when she enters a national spelling bee competition. With the help of a mentor, Akeelah learns to overcome any embarrassment and increase her confidence, beginning to fit in whilst remaining true to herself.

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration82 mins

Lilo & Stitch(2002)

Animation about a weird little being who escapes from the prison of his evil creator and goes to planet Earth, where he pretends to be a dog.

This charming Disney animation is about a lonely Hawaiian girl adopting an unusual pet who turns out to be a notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive! Over time the pair get to know one another, as naughty alien Stitch comes to learn the importance of family and friendships, with some great Elvis tunes thrown in along the way!

Cert

Age group7–11

Duration79 mins

Toy Story(1995)

Old-fashioned cowboy toy Woody is threatened by the arrival of flashy, hi-tech Buzz Lightyear in this character-driven animation from Pixar.

No list of film friendships is complete without Woody and Buzz! They have had their ups and downs over the years but the rooting-tooting cowboy and super-vain spaceman are best friends who would do anything for one another, as well as providing support and kindness for the other members of their gang. Their bond established themes seen in just about every Pixar film sinc

Cert

Age group5–14

Duration96 mins

Finding Nemo(2003)

The colourful world of the tropical sea is captured in all its glory in this moving and funny story of a lost fish.

Where else can you find a more diverse group of creatures working together than the ocean? You could wish for few better friends than Dory. She's a tad forgetful, but she is unwaveringly loyal and always ready to brighten your day, putting a smile on your face. She’s great to have around in a crisis and reminds us that life is always brighter when we’re with our friends.

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration74 mins

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie(2015)

Much-loved Charlie Brown attempts to navigate school life and falls in love with the new girl as Snoopy embarks upon an adventure of his own.

With this classic and charmingly animated film focusing on our shy hero, the experience of school life and its ups and downs, being a new starter, as well as the importance of good friends are great for inclusive discussion.