The Best French Films for Kids to Watch this Christmas
Cinema français is not exclusive to slow burning drama and mysterious film noir. We can even prove it to you with a list below of the the best French films to watch with your kids - animated and live action feature - just in time for Christmas.
By: Nicole Mathieu
Ernest & Celestine (2014)
Based on the books bearing the same name, Ernest & Celestine is an adorable tale of an orphan mouse named Celestine and Ernest the Bear who attempts to eat her upon their initial meeting. The whimsical hand drawn and water color animation is a welcome break from the now popular digital glare of what usually graces our kids' screens (We're looking at you LEGO Movie...). Don't expect a dry and drab story line however. This kids' flick has its own offbeat humor, complete with a very serious dentistry career track for Celestine the mouse.
Rent on Youtube Movies from $3.99
Le Nouveau/The New Kid (2015)
Movies for kids don’t always get good press. This wasn’t the case with Le Nouveau - one of the best comedies released in France in 2015. The story follows Benoît, who transfers to a new school and struggles to get accepted by the cool kids, but nonetheless creates genuine friendships with the “losers” of the school. Sure the story may sound familiar, but its optimism, tenderness and its heartwarming take on young adolescents is refreshing. Again, the young actresses and actors is in this film are hysterical, and the dialogues sharp and sweet. Adults will love it just as much as the kids. Recommended for 5 years old and over.
Available on iTunes and Youtube Movies
Sur le chemin de l’école/On the Way to School (2014)
The César Award Winner for best documentary in 2014 captures the stories of four children who live in Kenya, Patagonia, Morocco and India and their herculean efforts to get to school. A great watch with your kids, who won’t be able to complain anymore that they don’t want to go to school in the morning because it’s windy, but also a life-lesson for everyone about dedication and helping others. Recommended for 8 years old and over.
Available on Amazon rental or channel subscription
My Life as a Zucchini/Ma vie de courgette (2017)
French animated films have been booming recently and Hollywood has been taken advantage of having French studios create American animated features like Despicable Me and Minions. Turn to Netflix to watch My Life as a Zucchini, a film as silly as its title suggests. The Oscar-nominated stop-action film isn’t for very young children as it addresses some less than cheerful issues, but it’s funny and sweet enough to be liked by the whole family. Recommended for 11 years old and over.
Available on Netflix
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales
Another Renner Benjamin Renner classic, this one is adapted from his own comic book series, The Big Bad Fox and Un bébé à livrer. The magic here is as warm and pre-schooler friendly as it is, it's equal parts snappy and sassily hilarious. The feature is a three part "play" structure; the first follows a slightly neurotic fox attempting to help deliver a human baby for an injured stork, in the second he finds himself the unwilling "mommy" for a few lost chicks and the final story brings all of the characters together for a lovely Christmas romp. A sweet experience that even the parents can get hooked on!
available on Amazon rental and Youtube Movies
Asterix the Gaul (1967)
This 1967 classic is a staple on every French household TV around Christmas time. Based on the comic books of the same name, the story follows Asterix, a Gaulic warrior who fights the Roman empire during the era of Julius Caesar and is the first of what would become a franchise with 13 films under its belt. It would be a crime to miss.
available on Amazon Prime
Leap!/Ballerina (2016)
A true favorite and for the dancer in all of us, Leap, as it's called in the U.S. is about a spirited yound orphan Félicie living in rural Brittany who dreams of becoming a beautiful dancer one day. Along with her inventor pal Viktor (who's head over heels, they both plan an escape to Paris to rebuild their future. Not only does this film have the magical backdrop of the late 19th century Paris Opera House behind it, but it also a surprisingly star-studded cast including Mel Brooks, Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler, Kate McKinnon and Elle Fanning as Félicie.
available on Netflix
Other reads you may enjoy:
Our December Selection of French Films on TV5MONDE on Demand
These Two French Films are Nominated at This Year's Golden Globes!
