Eurocentric Children's Movies
Hopefully this list will help families who are trying to pass our cultural identity and heritage on to their children. I'm only including English-language, predominantly live-action movies on this list - for others please see my other list, European Language Movies for Children and Adolescents.
My standards for a movie to be Eurocentric (by European I mean anyone of entirely European descent, including diaspora living in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.):
The director is European
The writers are European
The main actors and actresses are European
The main characters are European
No miscegenation
If the movie is based on a book or a play, the author of the book or the play is European
If I've made an exception, then I've made a note of it in the comments under the movie.
My standards for a movie to be Eurocentric (by European I mean anyone of entirely European descent, including diaspora living in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.):
The director is European
The writers are European
The main actors and actresses are European
The main characters are European
No miscegenation
If the movie is based on a book or a play, the author of the book or the play is European
If I've made an exception, then I've made a note of it in the comments under the movie.
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- DirectorAndy TennantStarsDrew BarrymoreAnjelica HustonDougray ScottThe Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor.
- CreatorGlen A. LarsonStarsShaun CassidyParker StevensonEd GilbertThe cases of a pair of teen detective brothers and a teen girl amateur sleuth.
- StarsMartha StewartConan O'BrienMartha Stewart, the Bob Vila of Home Economics, gives tips on everything from cooking and flower arranging to gardening and making homemade Christmas decorations.Rated TV-G.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsAileen QuinnAlbert FinneyCarol BurnettA spunky young orphan is taken in by a rich eccentric, much to the chagrin of the cantankerous woman who runs the orphanage.Rated PG.
- DirectorPaul KingStarsHugh BonnevilleSally HawkinsJulie WaltersA young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.Rated PG.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternAn eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve.Series.
- DirectorDavid SwiftStarsHayley MillsMaureen O'HaraBrian KeithTeenage twin sisters swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.Rated Approved.
- DirectorNancy MeyersStarsLindsay LohanDennis QuaidNatasha RichardsonIdentical twins Annie and Hallie, separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make a plan to bring their wayward parents back together.
- StarsFred RogersBetty AberlinDavid NewellFred Rogers explores various topics for young viewers through presentations and music, both in his world and in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.Rated TV-Y.
- DirectorMichael BusterStarsJacob BusterAnson BagleyJosh ReidA writer looks back on his memorable 1986 Christmas, dealing with brothers, bullies, first love, pregnancy and family "elving."
- DirectorHerschel DaughertyStarsFess ParkerWendell CoreyJoanne DruA young white man who spent his whole life raised by Native Americans is sent to live with his birth family and must learn to fit in with people he was taught to hate.
- CreatorSheldon LeonardAaron RubenDanny ThomasStarsAndy GriffithRon HowardDon KnottsWidower Sheriff Andy Taylor, and his son Opie, live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry, North Carolina. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney Fife.Rated TV-G.
- DirectorJon ReinerBrad RothschildFrancois the Tree Man is far from his wife and three small children in Quebec, selling Christmas trees and living in a van on the streets of New York City. He does it for them. But this is home, too. Like the hundreds of Christmas tree sellers who descend upon the city from Canada, New England and even Europe, Francois delivers the magic of the season over a grueling month in his adopted neighborhood. He's a star, a storyteller, a Santa Claus in a sap-stained coat, a confidant, a friend, and a father figure to the local characters who are his New York family. They also need him. TREE MAN is the story of Francois's journey, how he arrived here, what holds him, and the conflict that will cause him to leave. As one of Francois' long-time customers says: "This has nothing to do with the trees anymore."
- CreatorJoe ConnellyBob MosherDick ConwayStarsJerry MathersHugh BeaumontBarbara BillingsleyThe misadventures of a suburban boy, family and friends.Rated TV-G.
- DirectorMichael SpenceStarsJames T. CallahanSky RumphEmily NewmanThis film brings to life a famous Norman Rockwell painting. Samuel Cavanaugh, a Scrooge like character, revisits the frozen pond each year to relive the happier moments in his life. Michael Grant is an unhappy young boy attempting to skate with his dad's oversized skates, who was missing in action in Korea. Their paths cross several times as our story unfolds. Its a heartwarming Christmas tale
- DirectorValerie WeissStarsAlyvia Alyn LindMary McCormackMadison LawlorMaryellen discovers that the best gift is thinking of others first and is determined to make the holiday special for those who need it most.Rated TV-Y.
- CreatorGeorge PageThomas LovejoyStarsF. Murray AbrahamGeorge PageChris MorganDocumentary series exploring various global wildlife issues and subjects.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsLily JamesCate BlanchettRichard MaddenWhen her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming stepsisters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.Rated PG.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsRichard FarnsworthSissy SpacekJane Galloway HeitzAn old man makes a long journey by lawnmower to mend his relationship with an ill brother.Rated G.
- CreatorRhett McLaughlinLink NealStarsRhett McLaughlinLink NealStevie Wynne LevineThis famous YouTube morning talk show created by Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln (Link) Neal contains loads of laughter and insanity, known for this quote: "We do this, so you don't have to."Rated TV-G.
- CreatorDaniel HartAlan KwanTacita MorwayStarsJay O. SandersCraig SechlerStacy KeachScience documentaries about various topics.
- DirectorMark WatersStarsFreddie HighmoreSarah BolgerDavid StrathairnUpon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.Rated PG.
- DirectorIrving CummingsStarsShirley TempleAlice FayeGloria StuartThe daughter of a wealthy businessman becomes lost in the city while traveling to a new school, and is taken in by a pair of down-on-their-luck performers.Rated Approved.
- DirectorAllan DwanStarsShirley TempleJean HersholtArthur TreacherA plucky little orphan girl gets dumped abruptly into her gruff, hermit grandfather's care, then later gets retaken and delivered as a companion for an injured girl.Rated Approved.
- StarsRoscoe Lee BrowneWayne AllwineTony AnselmoGet ready to celebrate this warm and wonderful time of year and sing along with the Christmas carols you love best. Plus, join in a jolly chorus of new holiday sing alongs -- featuring your favorite Disney characters. Learning the lyrics is easy and fun because the words appear right on the screen. Whether you're having a party, starting a brand-new family tradition, or simply getting into the Yuletide spirit, Disney's VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG SONGS brings the gift of music and laughter home for the holidays.Rated G.