Explore Eleven Engaging Sci-Fi Films Suitable for Sharing with Children, Excluding 'Star Wars' and 'E.T.'
As they say, our kids are the future. Why not inspire them with a better world by exposing them to fantastic sci-fi tales? These stories can spark imagination, introduce new concepts, raise deep ethical questions, and foster an open-minded perspective. Here are 11 outstanding sci-fi movies (except for Star Wars, Marvel, and E.T.), that can stimulate your children's minds, no matter the size of their ideas.
Fantastic Voyage (1966)
Though retired special effects might not be as mesmerizing as today's, this film about a team of scientists shrinking down and journeying inside a man's body to remove a dangerous clot remains intriguing. It offers educational insights into the human body (for its time) and an engaging survival adventure. Rent it on Prime Video.
at Prime Video
Fantastic Voyage (1966) at Prime Video on Prime Video
Tron (1982)
at Disney+
Whether your family enjoys the Lightcycle Run or is anticipating the sequel, revisiting the original Tron has its merits. This sci-fi classic tells the tale of a computer engineer who enters the digital realm, leading a revolution against opponents. Despite the primitive CGI of its time, the action and life-or-death competitions within video games will appeal to your kids. Watch this film on Disney+ or rent on Prime Video.
Tron (1982) at Disney+ on Disney+
at Netflix
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
If your children love the aesthetics of movies like The Iron Giant, they'll appreciate the steampunk style of this imaginative adventure, where a heroic pilot fights against an army of robots using groundbreaking green-screen techniques. Plus, there's no heart-ripping, no face-melting (unlike other Spielberg movies). Watch it on Netflix or rent from Prime Video.
at Max
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) at Netflix on Netflix
WarGames (1983)
at Disney+
This thrilling film about a hacker infiltrating a military computer system may not seem as futuristic, considering AI operating systems are now common in our devices. But with artificial intelligence becoming a greater concern, the possibility of an AI causing a nuclear war remains relevant. Watch it on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
WarGames (1983) at Max on Max
at Max
Flight of the Navigator (1986)
This unusual Disney tale about a boy who disappears, returns eight years later, and the alien spaceship connection draws children's attention. While the time travel concept might be complex, the hilarious alien voice by Paul Rubens, along with cool-looking aliens and intriguing special effects, keep kids engaged. Watch it on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
at Paramount+ With Showtime
Flight of the Navigator (1986) at Disney+ on Disney+
All Monsters Attack (1969)
Though this Toho Godzilla film is often regarded as the worst in the franchise, it's a wonderful option for introducing kids to the famous monster. The adventure tells the story of a young boy who dreams of befriending Godzilla and his son, Minilla. Rival monsters add excitement while teaching life lessons. Watch it on Max, The Criterion Channel or rent from Prime Video.
All Monsters Attack (1969) at Max on Max
at Max
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
An entertaining venture featuring Kirk and Spock traveling through time to save Earth by persuading humpback whales to return is one of the most beloved Star Trek films. Adults and children alike enjoy its humor and heartwarming ending. Watch it on any streaming service, or rent it from Prime Video.
at Prime Video
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) on any streaming service or Prime Video
Bonus:
at Pluto TV
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
When an alien warns humanity about destructive behavior before leaving an advanced robot to prevent destruction, this classic sci-fi film dives into themes of nuclear disarmament and responsibility. Important for kids to consider in today's world. Watch it on Tubi, Pluto TV, or on DVD / Blu-ray.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) at Tubi on Tubi
These films will offer children a wide variety of themes, visions of the future, and creative perspectives they can carry into their own imaginations.
I was chatting with another parent about introducing kids to Star Trek, and the topic brought about a wince from both of us. "It's tricky because it's not as straightforward as a hero's journey like Star Wars," he mentioned. "It delves into the complex questions that emerge when building a utopian society." He wasn't incorrect. Other than Tribbles, there's nothing adorable or cuddly about the U.S.S. Enterprise's mission to discover unknown worlds.
However, I was then reminded of The Voyage Home, the first Star Trek film I watched. This adventure features the original crew, who bring a couple of humpback whales from 1980's San Francisco to the future to save the planet from an interstellar probe's destruction. The film introduces the philosophical themes that have captivated audiences for generations, all while having a good time with the fish-out-of-water characters who struggle to understand 20th century Earth culture. Maybe your children will soon find themselves arguing about the advantages and disadvantages of the Kobayashi Maru training scenario after watching this masterpiece. Watch it on Paramount+ With Showtime or stream/rent it from Prime Video.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) on Paramount+ With Showtime on Paramount+ With Showtime
As a kid, I fell in love with this humorous fantasy film, Time Bandits, produced by Monty Python's Terry Gilliam. The story follows Kevin, a young boy who escapes his overly-technological parents and embarks on a journey through history with a group of time-traveling dwarves, who steal historical artifacts along the way. Kids will admire Kevin's resourcefulness as he uses his historical knowledge to help himself and his new friends escape danger, and the humorous ending will be an enjoyable wish fulfillment for any child who has ever felt unappreciated by their parents. Watch it on Max, stream it on The Criterion Channel, or rent it from Prime Video.
Time Bandits (1981) on Max on The Criterion Channel on Prime Video
There's no better film about time travel than this comedy, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, which follows two unmotivated teenagers who kidnap historical figures to help them ace their history assignment. Pre-teens will find it amusing, and it turns history lessons into a fun experience by unleashing figures like Joan of Arc and Beethoven in a shopping mall. When it is revealed that the metalheads, played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, will become the world's saviors, they learn the important lesson that everyone's potential should be recognized. If your family likes this movie, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey and Bill and Ted Face the Music are just as entertaining as the original. Watch it on Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) on Max on Max
I was captivated by Close Encounters of the Third Kind as a child: a man named Roy Neery (Richard Dreyfuss) becomes a renowned space explorer due to his intense curiosity, which borders on obsession, upon following a mysterious alien signal. Kids will enjoy playing with their food, much like in the mashed potato scene. Parents can also appreciate the message about the significance of communicating with different individuals, which we should all do occasionally. Rent it digitally on Prime Video.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) on Prime Video on Prime Video
Although Joe Dante never got to finish Explorers as he had originally planned, this film about childhood imagination and '50s sci-fi still has a charming quality. It follows a group of suburban kids who construct a spaceship using junk to travel to space with the help of alien telepathy, all without any parental supervision. Despite its deviations in the latter half (likely due to production difficulties), it's uplifting to see a movie in which the aliens are not evil. As the characters discover, they share more similarities with us than we might think. Stream it for free with ads on Pluto TV or rent it from Prime Video.
Explorers (1985) on Pluto TV on Pluto TV
These best family sci-fi movies from the article can be enjoyed further on various streaming platforms. For instance, "Fantastic Voyage (1966)" can be streamed on Prime Video, while "Tron (1982)" is available on Disney+. Furthermore, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)" can be found on Netflix. Additionally, families can rent or stream classic sci-fi films such as "WarGames (1983)" on Prime Video and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)" on Paramount+ With Showtime.
