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9 Children’s Films That Broke The Mould

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we shall begin. Making films for children requires a very specific skill-set. To be effective and successful, the story must be told in a way that engages the young mind, without condescending. It must contain enough action to hold the attention, without being too violent or frightening. It must involve characters that are relatable, as well as those that capture the imagination. Crucially, it must also appeal to grown-ups, since they are ones paying for the theatre tickets. This is a very fine line to walk, and many fall by the wayside. On the other hand, walking this fine line can lead to stagnation. As with any movie genre, it is easy to fall into the trap of predictability and worn-out narrative tropes. Rare is the children’s film that achieves the necessary balance, while offering something fresh and original. Rarer still are the children’s movies that actually break the mould.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

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The tale of a young boy’s discovery of his status as a famous wizard, and his first year of magical education at the fictional Hogwarts, has perhaps done more for the British film industry than any other – with the possible exception of James Bond. Based on the popular novel by J.K Rowling, directed by Chris Columbus and adapted for the screen by Steve Kloves, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone is a global blockbuster made entirely in the UK, using a cast of legendary UK performers.

The three leads – Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson – were plucked from relative obscurity and became superstars overnight, holding their own opposite names such as Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Hart, Warwick Davis, Julie Walters, John Cleese, and Alan Rickman, among others.

In addition to breaking new ground in terms of literary adaptations, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone will forever stand as the milestone achievement of British filmmaking that jump-started the highest-grossing film series in history – with eight films in total having earned $7.7 billion at the box office. The movie helped make franchises attractive again, and made British filmmaking a global force to be reckoned with.

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