A24’s “Hey Kids, Watch This!”: A Guide to Quality Family Films

Kids watch some terrible movies. I should know; I have two of them (two kids, not two terrible movies — we’ve certainly consumed far more than that in the Maglio household). Thankfully, A24, the independent film and TV studio that has become synonymous with quality, is out to change that.

A New Approach to Family Viewing

On September 4, A24 published the 288-page “Hey Kids, Watch This!,” a collection of more than 100 movie recommendations for families. Interestingly, none of the films featured in this guide are A24 productions. The curation was performed by a group of discerning critics, animators, and directors, ensuring a diverse and thoughtful selection. IndieWire’s own chief film critic and reviews editor, David Ehrlich, contributed a primer on how to talk about movies with your kids, making this guide not just a list but a tool for engagement.

A Diverse Selection of Films

“Hey Kids, Watch This!” covers both hits and deep cuts. How deep? Has your preschooler seen Yuri Norstein’s 10-minute short film from 1975, “Hedgehog in the Fog”? Right, mine neither. If the ’70s aren’t ancient enough for your young cinephiles, how about the 100-year-old film “The Adventures of Prince Achmed” from German director Lotte Reiniger? This guide encourages families to explore a wide range of cinematic experiences, moving beyond the mainstream offerings that often dominate children’s viewing habits.

Taking a Break from the Usual Suspects

With “Hey Kids, Watch This!” you can finally take a break from “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie.” While Chase and Skye may not have made the cut, the guide includes a chapter on forgotten Disney classics, like “Donald in Mathmagic Land” and “The Great Mouse Detective.” Each film description is accompanied by kid-friendly illustrations and icons that flag age-inappropriate elements like “spookiness” or “bad language,” ensuring that parents can make informed choices for their children.

Tailored Recommendations for Every Age Group

The guide is thoughtfully structured to cater to different age groups. Beyond the littlest ones (preschoolers aged 2-4), “Hey Kids, Watch This!” offers recommendations tailored to “Little Kids” (5-7), “Big Kids” (8-9), and “Tweens” (10-12). While we have a feeling the tweens won’t listen to anything an authority suggests, the guide provides a solid foundation for family movie nights.

Best yet, an estimated 80 percent of the recommended films are available to stream in the U.S. and the UK. The oldest film on the watchlist is Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” from 1925, while the biggest hit is 2016’s “Zootopia,” which made over $1 billion at the global box office. With a sequel finally on the horizon, families can look forward to revisiting these beloved films.

Engaging Activities and Family Interaction

“Hey Kids, Watch This!” intersperses its recommendations with games, activities, trivia, and helpful primers like Ehrlich’s guide on how to host your own movie night. The book even features an epilogue that invites readers to write their own film critiques, complete with a star rating system. This interactive element encourages kids to think critically about what they watch and express their opinions creatively.

A Personal Journey Through Film

Despite my employment at IndieWire, my kids are not exactly discerning cinephiles. To be fair, neither is their dad, really. But we took that first step together by substituting a few bedtime stories with an advanced copy of “Hey Kids, Watch This!” After all, who wants to read “Pinkalicious” for the 1,000th straight night? (Answer: my kids.)

My seven-year-old daughter, who reads well, gravitated toward “Cats Don’t Dance,” Mark Dindal’s animated musical-comedy film from 1997. After all, what little girl doesn’t love cats, dancing, and Scott Bakula? We found the Warner Bros. film streaming for free on Tubi. Her runner-up was 2000’s “Chicken Run” (currently on Netflix), directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park. I might have to show her a certain DUI checkpoint video to push her closer to my next choice: 1992’s “The Mighty Ducks” (on Disney+).

Meanwhile, my four-year-old daughter needed a bit more hands-on help wading through the suggestions for preschoolers. Thank goodness for Grandma. The first choice from my little one was 1936’s “Rainbow Dance” by Len Lye, which she picked solely because of its rainbow. At just four minutes long, it was perfect for her attention span and can be found on YouTube.

Conclusion: A New Era of Family Movie Nights

“Hey Kids, Watch This!” is more than just a guide; it’s an invitation for families to explore the rich world of cinema together. By moving beyond the usual suspects and engaging with a diverse array of films, parents can foster a love of storytelling and critical thinking in their children. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for yet another mediocre kids’ movie, consider diving into this treasure trove of cinematic gems instead. After all, quality family time deserves quality films.