Kids Movies About Friendship

From Rob Reiner, starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell
Rated R

Stand By Me is a 1986 coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Rob Reiner. The film follows four boys living in a small Oregon town in 1959 who embark on a two-day journey to find the body of a missing boy. Along the way, the boys learn about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of standing up for one another. Through their journey, the boys must confront dangers both physical and emotional, including a gang of teenage hoodlums and the realization of their own mortality. The film features a cast of award-winning actors, including River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell. Stand By Me is an inspiring and touching film about growing up and the bonds of friendship.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Rated PG

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a young boy named Elliott, who meets an extraterrestrial being stranded on Earth. Elliott and E.T. quickly form an emotional bond and work together to find a way for E.T. to return home. Along the way, they must evade government agents who are determined to capture E.T. Ultimately, they succeed, with Elliott and E.T. sharing an emotional goodbye. The film is a classic of 80s science fiction and has been widely praised for its emotional depth, visual effects, and impact on popular culture.

From Bob Clark, starring Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz
Rated PG

A Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark and based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, with some elements derived from his 1971 book Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters. The film stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, and Scott Schwartz. The film follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker (Billingsley) in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as he attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift. It features several subplots, including Ralphie's friend Flick getting his tongue stuck to a flagpole, Ralphie's brother Randy immersing himself in a snowsuit, and Ralphie's father winning a lamp in the shape of a woman's leg. The film is narrated by Jean Shepherd. In the film, Ralphie daydreams of owning a BB gun, but is continually told by his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that he'll shoot his eye out. Despite the warnings, Ralphie embarks on a mission to convince the adults in his life that his

From David Mickey Evans, starring Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Art LaFleur, Patrick Renna
Rated PG

The Sandlot is a 1993 family comedy directed by David Mickey Evans that follows a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. The film centers on Scotty Smalls, a young boy who moves to a new town and makes friends with a group of kids who play baseball every day in the local sandlot. With the help of the kids and their leader, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, Scotty begins to learn how to play the game and eventually wins the respect of his peers. Through the course of the summer, the boys bond over their love of baseball and face off against their rival team, the rival sandlot gang. Along the way, they must also confront the mysterious Beast, a legendary baseball-eating dog. In the end, the boys defeat the Beast and emerge as heroes in their own right.

From Richard Donner, starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
Rated PG

The Goonies is a 1985 American adventure comedy film directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film follows a group of misfits, "The Goonies", as they search for the lost treasure of a 17th-century pirate. Along the way, they must outwit a group of criminals who also want the treasure and evade the booby traps left behind by the pirate. The Goonies must rely on their wits, resourcefulness, and courage to stay one step ahead of the criminals and find the treasure. The Goonies feature a great ensemble cast, including Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Joe Pantoliano, Martha Plimpton, Robert Davi, and Anne Ramsey.

From Mark Herman, starring Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend, Zac Mattoon O'Brien
Rated PG-13

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a 2008 British-American historical drama film set in World War II, based on John Boyne's 2006 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of Bruno, an eight-year-old boy whose father is a Nazi commandant. Bruno is unaware of the nature of his father's work and befriends a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp's fence. Through the friendship, Bruno starts to understand the reality of the war that his family is a part of, and he becomes determined to reunite the two boys. Despite the growing danger and his father's warnings, Bruno continues to pursue his friendship with the boy in the striped pajamas.

From Chris Columbus, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard
Rated PG

Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. It stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family leaves for a holiday vacation. While the family is away, Kevin defends his home from two bumbling burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. The film also stars Catherine O’Hara, John Heard, and Roberts Blossom. The film follows young Kevin as he learns to fend for himself and uses a variety of booby traps to ward off the burglars. Along the way, Kevin befriends a local old man played by Blossom, learns the value of family, and outwits the burglars in a series of comedic adventures. Home Alone was a major box office success and one of the highest-grossing films of all time. It was also a critical success and nominated for two Academy Awards.

From Tim McCanlies, starring Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick
Rated PG

Secondhand Lions is a 2003 family comedy-drama film directed by Tim McCanlies. It follows the story of a young boy named Walter (Haley Joel Osment) who is sent to live with his two eccentric great-uncles, Hub and Garth (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall). They live on a farm in Texas and have a mysterious past involving treasure, swords, and adventure. During his stay, Walter discovers secrets about his great-uncles and learns valuable lessons about life and family. The film is a heartwarming story about the importance of family, loyalty, and courage.

From Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric
Rated R

Sleepers is a 1996 drama directed by Barry Levinson that tells the story of four boys growing up in Hell's Kitchen, New York in the 1960s. After a prank gone wrong, the boys are sent away to a reform school, where they are subjected to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Years later, now grown up, the boys seek revenge on their abusers in court. As the trial unfolds, it reveals secrets about the past and the dark truth of the boys’ ordeal. With a star-studded cast, including Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Dustin Hoffman, and Kevin Bacon, Sleepers is a powerful story of injustice and resilience.

From Mark Levin, starring Josh Hutcherson, Charlotte Ray Rosenberg, Bradley Whitford, Cynthia Nixon
Rated PG

From Kirsten Sheridan, starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard
Rated PG

From Directors: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb
Rated PG-13

From Noah Baumbach, starring Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Rated R

From John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove
Rated PG

From Gabor Csupo, starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick
Rated PG

From Jordan Vogt-Roberts, starring Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman
Rated R

From Cameron Crowe, starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning
Rated PG

From J.J. Abrams, starring Elle Fanning, AJ Michalka, Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney
Rated PG-13

From Garth Jennings, starring Bill Milner, Will Poulter, Jessica Hynes, Anna Wing
Rated PG-13

From Joe Johnston, starring Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde
Rated PG

From Jay Russell, starring Frankie Muniz, Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane, Luke Wilson
Rated PG

From Kenny Ortega, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz
Rated PG

From Danny DeVito, starring Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz
Rated PG

From Roman Polanski, starring Barney Clark, Ben Kingsley, Jeremy Swift, Ian McNeice
Rated PG-13

From P.J. Hogan, starring Jeremy Sumpter, Jason Isaacs, Olivia Williams, Lynn Redgrave
Rated PG