It’s another dull and dismal Saturday afternoon and you and your kids are stuck at home with nothing to do. Since you can’t go out, the little tots slowly become restless all cooped up inside the house. They’re tired of playing board games, they don’t want to take a nap and they’re even tired of snacking.

Since they keep complaining, you’re starting to become worried. You can see that this can turn into a major tantrum fest. Suddenly, you come up with a brilliant idea. Why not entertain them with a movie? A child-oriented movie can keep your kids occupied for an hour or two.

Most parents pick out silly slapstick animated films for their kids. These films are okay, but if you want to get entertain and educate at the same time, why not try a movie adaptation of a children’s book? At least you can be assured that they’re not only enjoying the film, but also learning moral lessons along the way.

Here are the top ten most popular and enjoyable children’s book movie adaptations that you can let your kids watch. See which one they fancy the most.

10. Mischief By the Mississippi: Tom And Huck

If your kids love southern classics, then let them watch this funny, adventure-filled movie. Based on Mark Twain’s famous novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, this movie tells the story of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, two mischievous Southern boys whose lives change when they witness a gruesome murder one night. Torn between loyalty to an oath and friendship, Tom and Huck must face the greatest decision of their young mischief-filled lives while trying to get away from a murderer!.

9 Oh, Puppy Love!: 101 Dalmatians

For all those dog-lovers out there, this Disney movie is a must-see. The movie is based on the novel by Dodie Smith called “The Great Dog Robbery” or “The Hundred and One Dalmatians”.

The adventure begins when Cruella de Vil kidnaps Dalmatian puppies to turn their fur into a glamorous coat. Desperate to save their children, the adult Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdy, embark on a thrilling quest to save their puppies’ lives. Starring 101 adorable Dalmatian dogs, two loving owners and a mad villainess with a maniacal laugh, this movie will certainly have audiences cooing and laughing all the way.

8. Dreaming Big: James and the Giant Peach

When a mysterious old man gives poor, abused James Trotter a “bagful of strange glowing pills” he is thrown into a magical fantasy world. Based on the novel of the same title by Roald Dahl, this live-action/animation film will touch your heart and show your kids that reaching their dreams, no matter how big they are, is never impossible.

Remember the old fairytale, Jack and the Giant Beanstalk? Well, this fantasy movie is similar, except that instead of a beanstalk, there’s a large juicy fruit, and instead of the boy climbing it, he flies it by attaching the peach to a hundred seagulls. There are also several large, friendly bugs in the cast as well. It sounds strange, but it’s an enjoyable film that your kids will love.

7. Sarah Crewe’s Touching Story: A Little Princess

Who doesn’t know Sarah Crewe? Her story is known by countless children. It’s no wonder this children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett has been transformed into several film adaptations, including three films and a number of animated and live action TV series.

When Sara Crewe’s father leaves to fight in the war, she has no choice but to stay in Miss Minchin’s School for Young Girls. She fits in just despite being abused by the bully Lavinia, until word reaches her that her dad died in the war. That’s when her troubles begin and when Miss Minchin’s cruelty manifests itself.

6. Discovering Hidden Treasures: The Secret Garden

Another adaptation from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s novel, this film has also been made into numerous movie and TV versions. When young Mary Lennox’s parents die because of a terrible disease, she is sent to the large spacious home of her mother’s brother-in-law, a wealthy man named Archibald Craven. In the desolated and lonely mansion, Mary finds friendship in Colin, Archibald’s lonely, bedridden son, and also finds solace in a secret garden that no one has entered for years.

There’s not much fantasy, or magic in this film and you won’t see any enthralling mystic creatures anywhere. There’s only the touching moral about family and unconditional love that makes this a favorite and well-known classic many parents love watching with their kids.

5. Amazing Brainpower: Matilda

Since she was a small child, Matilda knew that she was different from other kids, even if her idiotic family failed to notice. Aside from her love for reading and learning, she’s also got a brain that’s superior from everyone else’s. She discovers that she’s got an amazing power: she can move objects just by using her mind. With the help of this extraordinary ability, she drives away the abusive principal Miss Trunchbull and helps her kind teacher Ms. Honey regain what’s rightfully hers.

Matilda is another movie adapted from a Roald Dahl novel. Its amusing story and heartwarming lesson will keep your children inspired and entertained.

4. The Extraordinary Pig: Babe

Many of us only think of pigs when we see a slab of roasted pork on our plates. Babe is one pig that’ll change your perception of these four-legged farm animals. After Farmer Hoggett wins him as a prize in a weight-guessing competition, Babe goes home to Hoggett farm where he encounters a wide variety of interesting animals, including the kind-hearted sheepdog Fly, the eccentric duck Ferdinand, and the moody sheep Maa. While learning to live and cope in his new environment, Babe learns something unique about himself: he can herd sheep.

Based on Dick-King Smith’s book “Babe: The Gallant Pig”, this is a heartwarming film. If they love animals, they’ll surely like this film.

3. A Well-spun Children’s Tale : Charlotte’s Web

“Charlotte’s Web” is another must-see animal film for the kids. Based on E.B. White’s popular children’s book, the film follows the story of Wilbur, a pig owned by a young girl named Fern Arable.

Fern’s father lets her keep Wilbur while he is young, but when is taken to another farm when he is old enough to be slaughtered. There, Wilbur meets an extraordinary spider named Charlotte. Along with the other barn animals, Charlotte uses her unique skills to help prevent Wilbur from being eaten.

The wonderful thing about this film is that it’s easy to understand. Your children will fall in love with Wilbur and Charlotte.

2. A Sweet Movie Treat: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

This is probably the sweetest kid’s movie treat ever created. It tells the story of a poor boy named Charlie Bucket, who, along with four other (bratty) children, enters the mysterious chocolate factory of the renowned chocolate maker Willy Wonka. What they discover inside is beyond any child’s imagination: a world full of music, lots of gooey, chocolatey stuff and Oompa-loopas.

Adapted from Roald Dahl’s novel of the same title, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” brings you into a world full of wonder and imagination. Not only will this movie entertain your kids with sweet and fascinating images, but you’ll also find its story simply delectable and the characters truly lovable.

1. Enter the Wizarding World: The Harry Potter Series

He’s definitely the most famous wizard boy of our time. If you haven’t heard of Harry Potter, then you probably live in another planet. Children and adults all over the world not only await his books, but also anticipate the release of “The Boy Who Lived” films.

Harry Potter thought he was just an ordinary boy, but on his 11th birthday, he learns that he’s actually a wizard with a dark and mysterious past. He also finds out that he needs to attend the wizarding school, Hogwarts, to learn magic. In between making friends, attending classes and fitting into his real world, Harry must also learn to defeat his mortal enemy, Voldemort, the most feared wizard of all time.

Created by J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved children’s books today, so it’s not surprising for the movie to receive the same response. Filled with magical characters, amazing adventures and surprising twists, this is definitely the most popular children’s film of this generation. Harry Potter continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

If you find your children whining and complaining about being bored, sit them down and have them watch these fun movies. Chances are, they’ll quickly hush up and have their eyes glued on the television. If you can, try to watch it with them so that you can explain to them stuff they don’t understand. You can also warn them about violent scenes or strange vocabulary. Make sure your kids have a good time so that they’ll fully appreciate the film. Happy viewing! If you enjoy reading this article, you’ll surely be interested in learning how to determine a bad movie from a good one, beforehand.

 

These book-to-movie adaptations are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face like someof the great Fantasy Novels they are based upon. But if you want to see the absololute worst, you can grind your teeth to our infamous list of the Top Ten WorstMovie Adaptations of all time.