Great Youth Group Movies (cont.)
6. Hugo (2011)
Set in early-1930s Paris, this movie is about Hugo’s quest to find himself and to reconnect with memories of his father. This movie explores the advent of film, automatons, and life in Paris. Like the book it was based on, the movie deals with death and loss but also love and friendship. Parents Guide Content Advisory
7. The Sandlot (2003)
A young baseball prodigy and his neighborhood team take a new kid under their wing. Together they get into adventures involving rivals, lifeguards, and a vicious dog. We love the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the joys of growing up. Parents Guide Content Advisory
8. Matilda (1996)
This is the story of a wonderful little girl who happens to be a genius. She has a fantastic teacher but the worst parents and school principal imaginable. This movie can be legitimately scary, especially for young children who may not discern the absurdity of the adults’ behavior. (Remember, Roald Dahl wrote the book.) But we love Matilda’s boldness and imagination, and how her compassion wins out. Spoiler alert: In the end, she finds a loving home with her beloved teacher. Parents Guide Content Advisory
9. Cool Runnings (1993)
When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympics, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start his country’s first bobsled team. We love the themes of teamwork and being true to yourself. The final scenes, based on actual events from the 1988 Winter Olympics (with some dramatic license), provide chills in the best way possible. Parents Guide Content Advisory
10. Shrek (2001)
After magical creatures fill his swamp, an ogre agrees to rescue a princess for a villainous lord to get his land back. First, we love this film because it’s lots of fun. Younger children especially will giggle nonstop at the antics of Shrek and Donkey. Second, the movie contains themes of love, sacrifice, and becoming the person God created you to be. Parents Guide Content Advisory
Charlotte Hand Greeson, mother of two teenagers, has been known to watch three movies in a row with her family. Matthew Kozlowski, father of two young children, is a fan of montages and slow-claps.
This article about youth group movies originally appeared here.
