Looking for history-based movies that you’ll feel comfortable watching with your kids? Here’s a short list of family-friendly options you can plan to watch as a family for a history project or homeschool activity.
It’s important for kids to be interested in the people of our nation’s history. All too often, it seems stale, boring, and even dead to them. What better way to interest them than to bring it to life with a movie?
I’m recommending and reviewing these films with a Christian perspective in mind, and consider them all suitable for ages 10 and up. Because all parents have their own standards for what they deem suitable for their children, I suggest viewing each film before allowing your children to do so.
While the hero of this film is fictional, it is based on the classic book of the same name and set during the American War for Independence. Johnny Tremain features portrayals of many important men of the era including Dr. Joseph Warren, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Kids will enjoy the bright colors and fast-paced story which takes a good look at the opening of the war from a young man’s point of view. Highlights include Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, the Boston “Tea Party”, a courtroom scene, and a patriotic song. Don’t worry—the content regarding the war is tastefully low-key, glossing over the violence and hardships of it, focusing instead on the principles involved.
Note to parents: In this movie, the main character badly burns his hand. A few battle/skirmish scenes, not gruesome or violent. Mild kissing. No profanity. See parent’s guide on IMDb.
Most Americans get excited about football, and this film captures that love and how the game was perfected into the iconic sport it is today. The mainly recognizable name in the cast list? Ronald Reagan! He gives a short but film-history-famous appearance as the legendary George Gipp. The main thread of the story spotlights the tough Coach Knute Rockne, beginning with his childhood, and ending with his death in an accident that saddened the nation. The themes of hard work, perseverance, and honesty are stressed as key to Rockne’s success story. It’s an excellent movie balanced equally with humor and drama.
Note to parents: In this movie, there’s a scene on beach in which people in bathing suits are seen in the background. There’s a scene in which the football team watches the Rockettes dance. No profanity. See parent’s guide on IMDb.
Watch trailer on IMDB
The Stratton Story is the true life story of Monty Stratton (played by James Stewart), a major-league ballplayer who, encouraged by his supportive wife (played by June Allyson), worked to overcome a disability in order to effectively continue his career on the diamond. Very much worth the watch, with a stellar cast, this drama has a touch of tearjerker about it. Viewers will admire Stratton’s determination and fortitude, as well as be captivated by the sports action. The film also invests many scenes in his family life. It’s a wholesome choice that should interest the whole family.
Note to parents: There are several instances of kissing in this film. The main character injures himself by accidentally shooting himself in the leg during a hunting trip. No profanity. No parent’s guide available on IMDb.
This film takes a unique, exclusive look at what it was like to be a general in command of an air base during WWII. Command Decision stars big names (Clark Gable, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon) and features large chunks of fast, intelligent dialogue. It’s a serious film. Rather than showing war action, the film realistically explores how a typical Air Force general deals with the stress of publicity, politics, and the “higher-ups”, as well as directing his own men and staff as a professional. The movie sparks a greater appreciation for what the generals had to go through for the sake of their men, and because of their men.
Note to parents: One character (not a lead) in this film is shown drunk. A plane crashes and explodes on the field. There is one brief off-color remark that is easily missed. No profanity. No parent’s guide available on IMDb.
This story of 1940s pop icon and bandleader Glenn Miller spans from his insignificant job as a fill-in musician to his creating his own band and attempting to find his own distinctive Big Band “sound”. The Glenn Miller Story bursts with color and swirls with music that will keep your toes tapping the whole way through. Besides cameo appearances by jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa, you’ll be educated about music, as well as the culture of the 1940s-1950s era by watching this fabulous film.
Note to parents: There are several instances of kissing in this movie. Lead characters are shown in a speakeasy, where smoking and drinking takes place. Short scene when women in skimpy entertainment dresses perform and sing, which is depicted as annoying to the lead characters. Wife is hospitalized and we gather that she has lost her baby and is unable to have another. Short montage of WWII war footage, but nothing violent is shown. No profanity. See parent’s guide on IMDb.
