Rentals
Family Films
Films for kids have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, as seen in this family-friendly collection.
The early silhouette animations by Lotte Reiniger make the tales of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Thumbelina come alive, offering a traditional and delightful take on the fairy stories. Nostalgic adults and children alike will take to the films from the Childrenβs Film Foundation, from the hair-raising adventures of Sky Bike to the spookier gothic tales of Out of the Darkness (not suitable for very young children) and Haunters of the Deep.
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Early ManEarly Man
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 89 minsDirector: Nick Park
In Aardmanβs latest animated adventure, Caveman Dug and his pet hog, Hognog, must unite their tribe if they're are to survive the threat of pompous tyrant Lord Nooth.
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Chicken RunChicken Run
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2000 84 minsDirector: Peter Lord and Nick Park
Mel Gibsonβs Rocky the rooster helps the chickens escape from fascistic farmers in Aardman Animations first foray into feature films.
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Shaun the Sheep MovieShaun the Sheep Movie
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2014 85 minsDirector: Richard Starzak and Mark Burton
Aardman returns with another delightful animation for young and old, telling the story of Shaunβs adventures in the big city after Farmer is led astray.
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WonderstruckWonderstruck
Drama 2017 116 minsDirector: Todd Haynes
Julianne Moore stars in Todd Haynes' playful adaptation of Brian Selznickβs acclaimed young adult novel, which follows two children from different eras as they set out to find people from their pasts.
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PaddingtonPaddington
Children's 2014 95 minsDirector: Paul King
Unexpectedly beautiful and bewitching return for the marmalade-loving bear with a sense of adventure.
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Paddington 2Paddington 2
Children's 2017 103 minsDirector: Paul King
Britainβs favourite bear returns for another adventure. Porridge rather than marmalade looks set to be Paddington's new staple after he's framed for a robbery, unless the Brown family can help solve the mystery.
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A Monster CallsA Monster Calls
2016 108 minsDirector: J.A. Bayona
JA Bayona's visually inventive and deeply moving story about a boy who draws on his expansive imagination to come to terms with impending loss, adapted from Patrick Nessβ hugely popular book.
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The Eagle HuntressThe Eagle Huntress
Documentary 2016 88 mins
Daisy Ridley narrates this inspiring documentary about a girl who causes a stir in her tribe in Mongolia by embracing the traditionally male role of Eagle Hunter.
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The BFGThe BFG
Children's 2016 117 minsDirector: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielbergβs luminous Roald Dahl adaptation boasts an enchanting performance from Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant who befriends a little girl (Ruby Barnhill).
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Moomins on the RivieraMoomins on the Riviera
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2014 77 minsDirector: Xavier Picard
The Moomins sample the delights of high society with a Riviera holiday, bringing mayhem with them.
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ZarafaZarafa
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2011 79 minsDirector: Rémi Bezançon and Jean-Christophe Lie
A gorgeously composed French animation following a boy and a giraffe's epic journey from Africa to 19th-century Paris.
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Song of the SeaSong of the Sea
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2014 93 minsDirector: Tomm Moore
Tomm Mooreβs Oscar-nominated animation follows the magical journey of Ben and his sister Saoirse, the last Seal-child.
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Back to the FutureBack to the Future
Comedy 1985 116 minsDirector: Robert Zemeckis
The beloved 1980s classic transports Marty McFly back to the 1950s, where he has to ensure his parents fall in love and get himself back to the future.
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Back to the Future Part IIBack to the Future Part II
Comedy 1989 108 minsDirector: Robert Zemeckis
Marty McFly and Doc return for the fast-paced sequel that flits between 2015, 1955 and an alternate 1985 where the dastardly Biff has become rich and powerful.
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Back to the Future Part IIIBack to the Future Part III
Comedy 1990 118 minsDirector: Robert Zemeckis
In the seriesβ final entry, Marty travels back to 1885 to rescue Doc but becomes similarly stuck in the Western era when the DeLorean runs out of gas.
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*Batteries Not Included*Batteries Not Included
Fantasy 1987 106 minsDirector: Matthew Robbins
Doomed tenement residents are saved by the βFix-Itsβ, small alien spacecraft that repair their battered apartments, in this much-loved family sci-fi.
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Short CircuitShort Circuit
Comedy 1986 99 minsDirector: John Badham
Johnny Five is alive! The sci-fi comedy about a military robot that gets struck by lightning and gains a personality.
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Flight of the NavigatorFlight of the Navigator
Science Fiction 1986 90 minsDirector: Randal Kleiser
1980s family sci-fi at its best, following a boyβs relationship with a talking spaceship that has filled his brain with intergalactic star charts.
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Nanny McPheeNanny McPhee
Comedy 2005 98 minsDirector: Kirk Jones
Emma Thompson leads an all-star cast as the governess who uses magic to tame a widowerβs seven unruly children.
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Captain StirrickCaptain Stirrick
Children's 1982 95 minsDirector: Colin Finbow
Pickpockets, mad puppets, and murder β all from the 1840 press accounts of a real case that lead to the gallows β conceived as a musical by the Childrenβs Film Unit.
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DoombeachDoombeach
Thriller 1989 76 minsDirector: Colin Finbow
A truant schoolboy sabotages the secretive power station he believes killed his friend. With Glenda Jackson.
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Flash GordonFlash Gordon
Fantasy 1980 112 minsDirector: Mike Hodges
Sam J. Jones stars as the quintessential comic strip hero, out to save the Earth from Ming the Merciless, in Mike Hodgesβ visually ravishing sci-fi.
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Runaway RailwayRunaway Railway
Children's 1970 55 minsDirector: Jan Darnley-Smith
A pre-Porridge Ronnie Barker plays a dim-witted train robber up to no good in this steam-era comedy adventure for kids
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The Belstone FoxThe Belstone Fox
Drama 1973 103 minsDirector: James Hill
Based on David Rookβs 1970 novel, The Belstone Fox tells the heartwarming and funny story of Tag, a fox saved from the woods and raised by huntsman Asher.
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Tarka the OtterTarka the Otter
Drama 1978 92 minsDirector: David Cobham
The classic family film, based on Henry Williamsonβs beloved book, follows the titular animalβs wild adventures as narrated by Peter Ustinov.
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Friend or FoeFriend or Foe
Children's 1981 70 minsDirector: John Krish
Two evacuee boys from London sent to live on a farm face a tough decision when a German plane is shot down.
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Animal FarmAnimal Farm
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1954 72 minsDirector: Joy Batchelor and John Halas
Sixty years young, this British cartoon of George Orwellβs political βfairy storyβ is still the most abiding adaptation of this powerful, cautionary tale for all ages.
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The Amazing Mr. BlundenThe Amazing Mr. Blunden
Fantasy 1972 84 minsDirector: Lionel Jeffries
Entertaining family ghost movie directed by Lionel Jeffries, based on the novel The Ghosts by Antonia Barber.
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Skid KidsSkid Kids
Action and Adventure 1953 49 minsDirector: Don Chaffey
Young 'Swanky' Clarke, leader of the Burton Bullets Cycle Speedway Club, foils bicycle thieves on the streets of 1950s Bermondsey.
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Supersonic SaucerSupersonic Saucer
Children's 1956 51 minsDirector: Guy Fergusson
A baby from Venus saves the day with his superpowers in this charming sci-fi tale produced by the Children's Film Foundation.
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Child's PlayChild's Play
Comedy 1954 68 minsDirector: Margaret Thomson
Splitting the atom is as easy as ABC in this family-friendly adventure.
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Tom's RideTom's Ride
Children's 1944 11 minsDirector: Darrel Catling
Temptation on two wheels: should young Tom use the money he's found to buy himself a bike? Or should he do the right thing?
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Mr. Drake's DuckMr. Drake's Duck
Comedy 1951 81 minsDirector: Val Guest
The Drakes' dream of making an old Sussex farm successful comes to a halt after one of their ducks lays a radioactive egg
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ScroogeScrooge
Fantasy 1951 87 minsDirector: Brian Desmond Hurst
Alastair Simβs best known performance, as Dickensβ notorious curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge.
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Peril for the GuyPeril for the Guy
Children's 1956 56 minsDirector: James Hill
In the run up to November the 5th, kids collecting coins for their living Guy foil a dastardly plot to steal an amazing new oil detection machine.
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Cup FeverCup Fever
Children's 1965 61 minsDirector: David Bracknell
Youth football team Barton Utd triumph against the odds in a Children's Film Foundation classic
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Anoop and the ElephantAnoop and the Elephant
Children's 1972 52 minsDirector: David Eady
Fun-packed comedy for kids, in which a boy befriends a baby elephant β then teams up with his friends to stop it being sold
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Pop PiratesPop Pirates
Action and Adventure 1984 58 minsDirector: Jack Grossman
Home taping almost kills music as a schoolboy band's dreams of talent show glory may be scuppered by video piracy.
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More Family Films in our Free collection.
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More Family films in our Subscription collection.