Science fiction flaunts a broad spectrum of genre tropes and plots that can range from aliens to robotic technologies. Today, some of the very things that only seemed feasible in films are coming to life right before our eyes. Like child-friendly horror films, certain sci-fi movies tend to play nicer and cater to children’s ever-growing minds. These films usually focus more on the positives and possibilities, rather than the bleak potential outcomes. Here are the best sci-fi movies for kids, ranked.
10 Wreck-It Ralph
When jousting against films like Coco and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, it is hard for a film like Wreck-It Ralph to get thrown in the mix of the best animated movies from the 2010s. Yet, the Disney animated feature holds just as much heart and creative function as their other originals from the decade.
The assumed "villain" of a video game, Ralph (played by John C. Scott), desires to be the hero he knows that he can be and sets out on a game hopping spree to find a new game. The design of the game world alone has a classic element, and would be appreciated by any who love playing video arcade games.
9 Flubber
Unbeknownst to many, 1997's Flubber was adapted from the early Disney property The Absent-Mined Professor. Both plots feature a professor and his mischievous ball of goop deemd "flubber". Yet, what sets the films apart from one another is the acting talents of the late Robin Williams in the lead.
Like so many Robin Williams films, Flubber is brought to life with his playful attitude and overall sense of charisma. Sure, '97s special effects are much different by the standards of today, but the film holds up thanks to Williams' flawlessly fun part.
8 Spy Kids
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Spy Kids is soaked in early-2000s nostalgia. As goofy as the props and overall production of the film may seem, Spy Kids boasts an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The plot is simple: two siblings must become spies in order to save the parents who were kidnapped by an evil mastermind. Their parents, who are ex-spies, come clean to their children, and together the family saves the world from a much larger plot.
According to The Numbers,Spy Kids is the second highest-grossing Miramax/Dimension of the 2000s. The film's success spawned two back-to-back sequels all released within a year of each other, and a reboot in 2011.
7 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids can be perceived as a bit dated by today's standards, but the late-80s classic is sure to be just as entertaining as it was almost 30 years ago. Inventor and dad, Wayne (played by Rick Moranis), has a lab in the upstairs of his house containing a shrink ray.
When his kids venture up to the lab, even though they shouldn't, they get accidentally zapped and shrunk down to a quarter of their size. The group must now embark on an adventure to get themselves back to size. The movie is certainly one of the '80s most zany scripts ever written, but is sure to carry just enough charm to a new generation.
6 Meet the Robinsons
Meet the Robinsons was released in 2007, and was one of the most heartfelt movies of the decade. Young orphan Luis is visited by a boy who claims to be from the future, who takes him away in his time machine. When Luis gets to the future, he finds himself with a quirky family who he grows to love. Meet the Robinsons plays a few of the same notes as Back to the Future just on a much smaller scale, and reverses the time-lapse. The animated film comments heavily on the importance of perseverance and family.
5 Jumanji
1995's Jumanji follows the events of Alan Parrish's (played by Robin Williams) life after he gets sucked into a board game. Once Alan is spat back out after two unassuming youths take a roll on the dice, the team embarks on a journey to end the game. Despite the downsides of the game, it is hard not to wish that this type of board existed.
Jumanji saw a resurrection in 2017, when a reboot was launched. Due to its success, another installment was released in 2019. Although they will never equate to the original, both sequels serve as fun sci-fi adventure films to show to kids as part of the Jumanji package.
4 Gremlins
Gremlins is the perfect example of a kid-friendly horror film, that also doubles as one of the most rewatchable films of the 1980s. Director Joe Dante is credited with being the key in the Spielberg production that dabbles in both a little bit if sci-fi and a little bit of horror.
In all, the gremlins themselves are creatures straight out of a sci-fi. The once-fluffy beings cocoon themselves to transform into something not nearly as beautiful as a butterfly, but they're totally kid friendly! Yes, the gremlins are menacing but overall their practical jokes are enough to get any kid laughing.
3 Jurassic Park
At some point in every child's life, they go through a phase where they absolutely love dinosaurs. Jurassic Park hit theaters in 1993 and was a huge summer blockbuster. Spielberg's masterpiece would go on to become one of cinema's largest franchises, although some believe it should have never branched into more than one film. Jurassic Park used CGI to create an entire world of its own, and to this day is still as captivating as it was in 1993.
2 Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a film that should be in everyone's wheelhouse of must-see movies, and certainly fits the bill for a perfect family movie night watch. The movie serves up both laughs and adventure, all while allowing Michael J. Fox to deliver one of cinema's most iconic performances. The film has gone on to inspire countless films and even some in the music industry. According to Entertainment Tonight, Fox's guitar solo scene at the "under the sea" dance inspired musician John Mayer to start playing guitar.
1 WALL-E
WALL-E was released in 2008, and took place in a future in which robots have completely taken over after Earth is destroyed by the humans. While the human race spends all their time consuming products, whether it be food or media, the robots run the show. When WALL-E, a robot designed to clean up the planet's garbage finds a green plant budding from the Earth's surface, he seeks to create change. WALL-E is the perfect sci-fi movie for children because it has a subtle message about both climate change and the power of hope.
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