Guest Post!! ~ Animal-Themed Movie Nights for Families

16 Dec

Catherine Ross is a full-time stay-at-home-mum who believes learning should be enjoyable for young minds. An erstwhile elementary school teacher, Catherine loves coming up with creative ways through which kids can grasp the seemingly difficult concepts of learning easily. She believes that a ‘fun factor’ can go a long way in enhancing kids’ understanding and blogs at http://kidslearninggames.weebly.com/

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Bring out a bucket of buttered popcorn and the PJs! There is nothing quite like a family night during the holidays. Why not make it an animal-themed movie night every night for a week during the holidays?

Here are seven movies around animals that never fail to leave us in good spirits. Some are laugh riots while others make you reach out for the tissue. If you are looking for a jolly good adventure, leave it to the animals to show you how!

“movie night” by Ginny is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Madagascar

Join the wacky gang of Madagascar who love a good adventure. Kids will enjoy the Madagascar franchise – from the first movie to its spinoff, the Penguins of Madagascar movie! Madagascar revolves around four friends – Alex, Gloria, Marty and Melman, and their madcap adventures after they escape Central Park Zoo.

“Madagascar Escape 2 Africa” by ChooYutShing is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

Be warned, Hachi can be a tear-jerker. It is a wonderful story about loyalty as a dog waits for his master at the station every day for over nine years, waiting for him to return even after his death. It is based on a true story and a Japanese movie called Hachiko Monogatari.

“A Week in Tokyo 43” by Danny Choo is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Free Willy

Free Willy is a feel-good movie that is remembered as much for the orca whale jumping into the air as the song “Will You Be There” by Michael Jackson. A young boy strikes up a friendship with a captured orca and trains him to perform at the amusement park. On learning that the orca will be killed, he sets the orca free so that he can join his family.

“Free Willy” by Kentis licensed under CC BY 2.0

101 Dalmatians

Adapted from a novel, 101 Dalmatians is the story of two Dalmatians who have lots of puppies! But it is not all easy-peasy as the wicked Cruella de Vil is after their spotted coats. The Dalmatians have to save their skin and outwit Cruella to foil her ghastly plan.

“101-dalmatians” by brentsteffey is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is about a mouse with a dream. Remy lives in Paris and wants to follow in the footsteps of his late idol, Chef Auguste Gusteau. He tries to fulfill his ambition of becoming a chef with Alfredo Linguini, but not before he squashes a few hurdles.

“Ratatouille: Remy being cool” by Fernando Galeano is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Babe

Yet another movie adapted from a book, the movie is about the adorable Babe who finds himself in a new home. He tries to fit in with the other animals while being aware that he could be served on a plate any day. With help from the sheep dog, he soon becomes a sheep herder, even winning a competition.

“Babe and farmer hogget” by Lord Mariser is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Ice Age

An unlikely team of a sabertooth, a sloth, and a mammoth set off to higher ground as the ice begins to melt. In the process (and over the sequels) they get into a few scrapes, save a baby, fall in love, and get on each other’s nerves. With crazy antics and snappy dialogues, this is a laugh-a-minute comedy.