Five Movies to Watch with Your Grandchildren

These flicks have stood the test of time and still speak to young people today

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Whether you stream or — gasp! — pull out an old-fashioned DVD or Blu-ray, it’s a great time to watch a few classics with your grandchildren. Grab the popcorn and snuggle up under a blanket.

You Can’t Take It With You
(1938, Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart).

Directed by Frank Capra of “It’s a Wonderful Life” fame (and with the same leading man), Stewart stars as Tony Kirby, a well-to-do banker’s son who falls for Alice (Jean Arthur). Alice and her freewheeling, eccentric family don’t care about prestige or money but instead choose to do only things they enjoy. The family lives in the only house impeding a big real estate deal for the Kirby enterprise. Once the dots are connected, mayhem ensues. “You Can’t Take It With You” offers a lot of light-hearted hijinks grounded by an evergreen message: the only thing you can take with you from this life is the love of your friends.

The Sound of Music
(1965, Julie Andrews).

The music, cinematography and story are all worthy of sharing with the youngsters, even if they “don’t like musicals” or mushy stuff. Sister Maria (Julie Andrews) is assigned by her nunnery to care for a widowed man’s seven children on his Austrian estate during the encroachment of the Nazis. Love ensues between the two, but also the need to decide to acquiesce to the Nazis or risk everything by fleeing. Discuss with your grandchildren about both the history of the rise of the Nazis in Europe as well as the film’s themes of family, love and belonging.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
(1968, Dick VanDyke).

Full of memorable tunes, fanciful adventures and silly romps, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” also includes some important themes in life, such as the importance of family sticking together as well as opening one’s heart again after loss. VanDyke stars as a mostly unsuccessful inventor and widower who’s struggling to rear two school-aged children with his somewhat dotty father. Note to your grandchildren how the entire family accepts one another’s struggles, such as the father’s dubious inventions and the grandfather’s wanderings, both mental and physical.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
(1971, Gene Wilder)

Based on the Roald Dahl book, “Charlie Bucket” (Peter Ostrum) is a poor boy who has the chance of a lifetime to visit the mysterious Wonka candy factory and win a yet-unknown, amazing prize. Wilder delights as the offbeat and occasionally crusty Wonka who stages the entire “contest” as a means to screen his successor. The film delivers a sense of wonder, both at the joy of winning the golden ticket, but also of the fantastic Wonka world. Compare this Wonka with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005, Johnny Depp) and discuss with your grandchildren the parts of the films that are different and which are the same.

The Princess Bride
(1987, Robin Wright and Carey Elwes).

A good movie for both boys and girls, “The Princess Bride” serves up plenty of swashbuckling adventure, a revenge subplot, fantasy elements, goofy humor and romance. Buttercup (Wright) falls for her father’s farm boy, Westley (Elwes), who proves that cutthroat pirates, a snobby prince, even death cannot stop true love. The movie can spark some good conversations about the importance of loyalty.