Bye-bye 2020: Best children’s films this year

| Read time: 6 minute(s)
Bye-bye 2020: Best children’s films this year The Willoughbys When the Willoughby children feel neglected by their parents, they hatch a plan to get rid of them. (And you thought your kids' opinion of you was low.) But independence doesn't turn out the way they imagined. This animated movie is based on a book by author Lowis Lowry. A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting For older tweens and teens, there's this supernatural adventure, based on the book series by Joe Ballarini. It follows a teen who is recruited into a secret society of babysitters that is tasked with fighting the Boogeyman on Halloween. Feel the Beat April believes she's bound for Broadway, but when she blows a big audition, she's back to preparing a hometown kids' dance squad for competition. This one's for anyone who loves underdogs or dance movies. Jingle Jangle Decades after his apprentice betrays him, a once joyful toy maker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter appears on his doorstep. A heartwarming Christmas take with a clever twist. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Based on the book by Stephan Pastis, Timmy Failure follows an kid who fancies himself a deadpan, hard-boiled detective — but his most recent investigation spirals out of control. It's directed by Tom McCarthy, who made the Best Picture-winning movie Spotlight. Enola Holmes There’s another Holmes in town and she’s not Sherlock. While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord. Onward This Pixar feature is set in a fairy tale land that’s losing its magic—the elves who live there would rather use their phones and other devices than spells. But then young Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) brings his dead father back to life. Or, rather, just his legs. He sets off with his brother Barley (Chris Pratt) to complete the spell so he can see his father one last time—and maybe bring magic back to the elves. Artemis Fowl Based on the books by Eoin Colfer, this Disney film tells the story of Artemis Fowl II (Ferdia Shaw), a 12-year-old supergenius and the latest in a long line of criminal masterminds. His quest? To find his missing father. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, it also stars Judi Dench. Mulan The '90s classic gets the live-action reboot. Watch as Mulan goes undercover to take her ill father's place in the military, though women are forbidden to do so. The Willoughbys Abandoned by their heartless parents, Jane Willoughby (voiced by Alessia Cara) and her twin brothers (Séan Cullen and Séan Cullen) try to please their sour nanny (Maya Rudolph) and become perfect children. Based on the bestselling book by Lois Lowry, this animated film also features the voices of Ricky Gervais and Terry Crews.

When the Willoughby children feel neglected by their parents, they hatch a plan to get rid of them. (And you thought your kids’ opinion of you was low.) But independence doesn’t turn out the way they imagined. This animated movie is based on a book by author Lowis Lowry.

A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting 

For older tweens and teens, there’s this supernatural adventure, based on the book series by Joe Ballarini. It follows a teen who is recruited into a secret society of babysitters that is tasked with fighting the Boogeyman on Halloween.

Feel the Beat 

April believes she’s bound for Broadway, but when she blows a big audition, she’s back to preparing a hometown kids’ dance squad for competition. This one’s for anyone who loves underdogs or dance movies.

Jingle Jangle

Decades after his apprentice betrays him, a once joyful toy maker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter appears on his doorstep. A heartwarming Christmas take with a clever twist.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Based on the book by Stephan Pastis, Timmy Failure follows an kid who fancies himself a deadpan, hard-boiled detective — but his most recent investigation spirals out of control. It’s directed by Tom McCarthy, who made the Best Picture-winning movie Spotlight.

Enola Holmes

There’s another Holmes in town and she’s not Sherlock. While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord.

Onward

This Pixar feature is set in a fairy tale land that’s losing its magic—the elves who live there would rather use their phones and other devices than spells. But then young Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) brings his dead father back to life. Or, rather, just his legs. He sets off with his brother Barley (Chris Pratt) to complete the spell so he can see his father one last time—and maybe bring magic back to the elves. 

Artemis Fowl

Based on the books by Eoin Colfer, this Disney film tells the story of Artemis Fowl II (Ferdia Shaw), a 12-year-old supergenius and the latest in a long line of criminal masterminds. His quest? To find his missing father. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, it also stars Judi Dench.

Mulan

The ’90s classic gets the live-action reboot. Watch as Mulan goes undercover to take her ill father’s place in the military, though women are forbidden to do so.

The Willoughbys

Abandoned by their heartless parents, Jane Willoughby (voiced by Alessia Cara) and her twin brothers (Séan Cullen and Séan Cullen) try to please their sour nanny (Maya Rudolph) and become perfect children. Based on the bestselling book by Lois Lowry, this animated film also features the voices of Ricky Gervais and Terry Crews.

Location

Rate Now

Read to me