10 Children’s Movies That Teach The Importance of Honesty
By Movieguide Contributor
If you’re looking to watch movies with your children that instill virtue, then you know how important it is to teach young ones the importance of honesty. These films feature characters who learn valuable life lessons about what it means to be an honest person. From classics like Pinocchio to a gang of miscreant animals, kids will benefit from watching these family flicks.
A magnificent example of Disney animation, THE LION KING is an heroic tale of good versus evil which embodies many Christian allegorical elements. The sinister usurper Scar plots to kill his brother and nephew so he can become King himself. While there are several minor areas which call for discernment in THE LION KING, the good far outweighs the bad, and the film conveys a clear message of hope, reconciliation and appreciation for the majesty of creation.
-1Caution advised for older children, including teenagers, and sensitive adults.
MARY POPPINS RETURNS, set years after the original Disney movie musical, finds Michael Banks (and his sister Jane) all grown up, and Michael has his own children who are in desperate need of a Nanny. MARY POPPINS RETURNS has a strong moral worldview, with more imagination and less magical thinking, about supporting each other as a family. Adorable and enjoyable, MARY POPPINS RETURNS will entertain the entire family.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is a wondrously quirky and heartwarming adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book about poor Charlie Bucket’s fantastic, life-changing visit to Willy Wonka’s amazing candy factory. The movie imparts many positive moral messages, not the least of which is the fact that having a loving family is the best reward of all.
+1Moderately questionable elements. (Discernment required for young children.)
PINOCCHIO stars Italian comic actor Roberto Benigni as the mischievous, inquisitive wooden puppet, who wants, more than anything, to be a real boy. Though beautifully photographed, with plenty of moral lessons taught, this version of the beloved fairy tale lacks cohesion, is annoying at times and includes a nominalistic worldview which suggests that lesser supernatural beings and people can manipulate reality.
FROZEN is a somewhat tedious thriller about three college friends who find themselves trapped on a ski chair lift with the resort shutting down, leaving them to frostbite and wolves. While the acting is strong, FROZEN contains plenty of grisly, scary violence and foul language, requiring extreme caution.
INSIDE OUT is an animated comedy about a young girl who has a wonderful life, until her family moves to San Francisco and her emotions get out of control. INSIDE OUT is a well-made, delightful movie with a great plot line, excellent animation and a strong moral worldview.
In AIR BUD, a basketball-shooting golden retriever inspires his boy owner, and his high school basketball team to win the state championship. This surprising, thoroughly winsome comedy with genuine emotion, boasts a likable cast and strong moral values with almost no objectionable elements.
+1Moderately questionable elements. (Discernment required for young children.)
THE BAD GUYS is an excellent animated adventure about classic storybook villains on a mission to turn their conniving ways into community service. THE BAD GUYS is an overwhelmingly positive morality tale, with Christian, biblical references, that exchanges evil for good and shows that even the people we believe are most beyond redemption just need some encouragement to pursue the ways of the righteous.
+3Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)
In PADDINGTON 2, Paddington the Bear is falsely accused of stealing, so the Brown family has to solve the mystery and fight to get him out of jail. PADDINGTON 2 is a funny, loveable, highly entertaining family movie with a strong moral worldview.
ALADDIN follows the rags-to-riches story of a resourceful "diamond in the rough" who uses the help of a Genie to save the mythical kingdom of Agrabah and win the heart of a princess. ALADDIN is a sweet cinematic confection bursting with kinetic energy and firmly grounded in the message of the importance of personal honesty and integrity. ALADDIN contains fairy-tale magic which is shown to be unsatisfying compared to true love and personal honesty. Some scenes may be too intense for very young children though none of them have the violence of the wolf-pack scene in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
