Free
Films For Fives and Under
Watch with grown-ups: a fun selection of films for supervised viewing by 3-5 year olds and the young at heart.
Young kids tend to be very open-minded about film and are usually happy to watch unfamiliar material if there's something to hook them in. These short films have been selected to entertain, amuse, intrigue or spark the imagination, while broadening understanding of what film can be and do.
The selections stretch back as far as film's earliest days, pulling in such delights as Victorian 'trick' films, animation, wildlife films, quirky newsreel, experimental films, silent comedies, public information films and more. You won't find these films anywhere else, so watching along with your child - necessary since some films need a little explaining or have intertitles to read - will be a joy and an adventure for grown-ups too.
Warning: These films have been tested on real children - but not your children! We believe all the films are strictly U certificate, but what delights one child might confuse or upset another, so we recommend that an adult looks at the films first just in case.
Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland
Fantasy190310 minsSilent
The first-ever film version of Lewis Carroll's tale, made just 37 years after the novel’s publication and eight years after the birth of cinema.
X RaysX Rays
Comedy18971 minsSilent
I've got you under my skin... early 'trick' film having fun with the new science of x-ray photography
A Year and a DayA Year and a Day
Amateur film195414 minsSilent Location: Headingley
The metamorphosis of the eating machine which is the caterpillar, into an Emperor Moth, revealed in all its detail and presented in 15 minutes.
A Colour BoxA Colour Box
Advert19354 mins
Part experimental cinema, part advert for the parcel post service, always joyful.
That NoiseThat Noise
Animation & Artists Moving Image19612 mins
Fall truly, madly, deeply in love with this animated proto-music video from Godfrey, Lacey and Newly
The Clown and His DonkeyThe Clown and His Donkey
Animation & Artists Moving Image19103 minsSilent
A pioneering effort in bringing shadow puppetry to the cinema
Bunty the Bouncing BassoonBunty the Bouncing Bassoon
Animation & Artists Moving Image19636 mins
Warning! If you step into the Merry Music Shop then this singalong cartoon is an animated earworm in waiting!
Drat That Boy!Drat That Boy!
Comedy19042 minsSilent
A boy being supervised by his grandmother sees a chance for mischief
Miracle of X-rays!Miracle of X-rays!
Non-Fiction19281 minsSilent
Advances in x-ray tubes offer the (skeleton) key to scientific breakthroughs – as well as being great fun to watch
A Bedtime StoryA Bedtime Story
Amateur film19598 minsSilent Location: Skidby
In this captivating film shot in Skidby, a little girl reads her favourite dolls a bedtime story that miraculously comes to life.
Deonzo BrothersDeonzo Brothers
Performance19011 minsSilent
The fabulous Deonzo Brothers in a spectacular barrel-jumping stage act
Children Blowing BubblesChildren Blowing Bubbles
Home movie19021 minsSilent
Soapy fun for the Passmore children in this fascinating, very early home movie
Herbert Campbell As Little BobbyHerbert Campbell As Little Bobby
Comedy18991 minsSilent
A not-so-little variety star shows off his appetite
Echo: Some ReflectionsEcho: Some Reflections
Animation & Artists Moving Image19725 mins
It’s all done with mirrors! Glynn Williams explores the properties of reflection in this amusing animation featuring a toy train set.
Beetle RacingBeetle Racing
News19593 mins
Six legged competitors take to the starting blocks as a Midlands pub brings the sport of beetle racing to the world.
Nursery IslandNursery Island
Documentary193618 mins Location: Farne Islands
The birdlife of Northumberland's Farne Islands comes under the spotlight in this pioneering documentary from the Secrets of Life nature series.
The Crab That Played with the SeaThe Crab That Played with the Sea
Children's198311 mins Location: South Shields
Poetic justice for a disobedient Crab in Sheila Graber’s delightful animation of Kipling’s fanciful origin story for children.
Seaside EscapeSeaside Escape
Current affairs19831 minsSilent Location: Wembury
Children from inner city Brixton in London having fun at Wembury Beach.
Vaulting Horse DisplayVaulting Horse Display
Sport19001 minsSilent
An astonishing display of synchronised gymnastics
Donkey racing on Ramsgate's Viking BayDonkey racing on Ramsgate's Viking Bay
Amateur film19371 minsSilent Location: Ramsgate
This charming holiday film set on Ramsgate's Viking Bay shows a pair of children cantering on a pair of donkeys along the sandy beach
Juno Helps OutJuno Helps Out
Children's195319 mins Location: London
Helpful and humongous Great Dane Juno helps out with housework, does some shopping and chomps cream cake in this cheerful kids' film
Life in MiniatureLife in Miniature
Amateur film19697 mins Location: New Romney
Budding film director Anthony Armstrong, aged 10, presents a delightful film about things on a smaller scale like locomotives, trams and the tiny town of Bekonscot.
How the Camel Got His HumpHow the Camel Got His Hump
Animation & Artists Moving Image198110 mins Location: South Shields
An engaging, hand painted animation of Rudyard Kipling’s origin tale about a work shy camel who gets the hump.
Tilly and the Fire EnginesTilly and the Fire Engines
Comedy19112 minsSilent
Mischievous sisters Tilly and Sally borrow a fire engine and take it for a joy ride in this spirited film comedy.
Farming ScenesFarming Scenes
Amateur film196216 minsSilent Location: Meopham
Enjoy a delightful year on a Kentish farm complete with Tractor Girls, Hereford cattle, ferrets, rabbit shooting and the Eastbourne Show
Falling in the WaterFalling in the Water
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Kids don't always listen to their parents. But in the 70s they certainly listened to a giant ginger tabby cat...
Dancers at Trivandrum GopinathDancers at Trivandrum Gopinath
Amateur film19467 minsSilent
Kathakali performance featuring the great Indian dancer Guru Gopinath, filmed in remarkable colour by ‘envoy of the Raj’ Clarmont Skrine
Miss Margaret Morris' Merry MermaidsMiss Margaret Morris' Merry Mermaids
Non-Fiction19223 minsSilent Location: Harlech
Budding dancers take to the beach at Harlech, north Wales, to show off their aquatic-themed moves
Elsie and the Brown BunnyElsie and the Brown Bunny
Advert19218 mins Location: Bournville
This early Cadbury advert plays like a surreal outtake from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.
How the Whale Got his ThroatHow the Whale Got his Throat
Animation & Artists Moving Image198110 mins Location: South Shields
Travel into the belly of whale lore with Rudyard Kipling’s whimsical tale for little children.
How It Feels to Be Run OverHow It Feels to Be Run Over
Trick film19001 minsSilent
A terrifying first-person brush with death at the hands of a dangerous driver
The Kiddies' CakewalkThe Kiddies' Cakewalk
19031 minsSilent
Four-year-old girl and boy dance a mean cakewalk
Upside Down; Or, The Human FliesUpside Down; Or, The Human Flies
Comedy18991 minsSilent
A memorable early film 'trick'
Little Tom ThumbLittle Tom Thumb
Animation & Artists Moving Image19677 mins
Worst. Parents. Ever. But a lovely animated tale using cut-out animation designed by Sunniva Kellquist
Tufty - Safe Places to CrossTufty - Safe Places to Cross
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 minsSilent
Road safety guidance for kids from Tufty the squirrel and friends
Molar MischiefMolar Mischief
Advert19462 mins
Look out, germs at work! These loveable molar mischief making puppets really dig tooth decay.
Children in the NurseryChildren in the Nursery
Comedy18981 minsSilent
Seen but not heard? Three children get up to mischief after mother puts them to bed in this Victorian entertainment.
Mister MoonMister Moon
Trick film19011 minsSilent
Musical comedian Percy Honri is a ukulele-playing man-in-the-moon in this early skit
The Magic Sword A Mediaeval MysteryThe Magic Sword A Mediaeval Mystery
Fairy tale19013 minsSilent
This innovative 'trick' film is a fantastical children's pantomime in miniature
Vote for FrogletVote for Froglet
Animation & Artists Moving Image19747 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.
Pear-shaped HillPear-shaped Hill
Animation & Artists Moving Image19707 mins
Are you sitting comfortably? Then let this classic bedtime story begin, with added animation to bring the illustrations to life
Maypole DanceMaypole Dance
Non-Fiction18981 mins
Early film technology has had a strange effect on the recording of this traditional May Day ritual
The Big SwallowThe Big Swallow
Comedy19011 minsSilent
A classic early film gag - and a big leap forward for a fast-evolving new art
Osibisa Musical GroupOsibisa Musical Group
Current affairs19803 mins Location: Plymouth
Ghanaian led Afro-Caribbean band spread infectious rhythms of world music at Plymouth’s Frankfort Gate.
Countryman and the CinematographCountryman and the Cinematograph
Comedy19010 minsSilent
A country yokel gets a shock in an early example of a 'film within a film'.
'Joys in Toys for Girls and Boys''Joys in Toys for Girls and Boys'
Non-Fiction19271 minsSilent
Treat your kiddies to the latest mechanical wonders, promoted in this festive newsreel item
School Outing to Belfast ZooSchool Outing to Belfast Zoo
Home movie19813 minsSilent Location: Belfast
This delightful home movie from Sam Bell might inspire you to visit the zoo or set up your own garden obstacle course.
A Trip to the MoonA Trip to the Moon
Science Fiction190211 minsSilent
A classic of early sci-fi providing an awe-inspiring and delightful account of man’s first mission to the Moon.
Peter and the Moon ManPeter and the Moon Man
Children's192914 minsSilent
The man in the moon learns about hygiene in this 1929 public information short promoting the benefits of all-electric mod cons.
Tufty - ShoppingTufty - Shopping
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 minsSilent
The lure of a toy shop proves almost too much for Tufty the squirrel
Audley Range School, Blackburn (c.1905)Audley Range School, Blackburn (c.1905)
Non-Fiction19051 minsSilent Location: Blackburn
Lancashire children perform physical education exercises in (almost) perfect unison.
Automatic MotoristAutomatic Motorist
Comedy19116 minsSilent
A leisurely drive turns into an out-of-this-world adventure for a newlywed couple and their robot chauffeur.
The Magic ExtinguisherThe Magic Extinguisher
Trick film19012 minsSilent
You'll never guess quite what this chap can hide under his cone...
Mummy Should KnowMummy Should Know
Animation & Artists Moving Image19731 mins
Killjoy, or conscience of a generation? Charley cat scuppers a playdate, but earns a fishy picnic through doing the right thing
Honey Harvest in IndiaHoney Harvest in India
Non-Fiction19369 minsSilent
Death-defying antics on behalf of the sweet-toothed, in a home movie shot by hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett
Ten Little Dirty BoysTen Little Dirty Boys
Animation & Artists Moving Image192912 minsSilent
Ten boys discover that a good wash is step one on the road to health in this silent cartoon
Visit To The Zoo 1968Visit To The Zoo 1968
Amateur film196814 minsSilent Location: Westminster
Explore London Zoo in the 60s and see the now closed Mappin Terraces, once home to Polar bears, and a Chimpanzees' tea party.
Children's GamesChildren's Games
Amateur film196012 mins Location: Larne
Delight in the mischievous imagination of Archie Reid with this trilogy of battles performed by and for his pupils in Larne.
We Grew A FrogWe Grew A Frog
School programme and Educational film197012 mins Location: Whatfield
A charming tale of two schoolchildren who collect frog spawn, and returning to school, watch the spawn develop into a frog. Educational film.
Undressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired TravellerUndressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired Traveller
Trick film19012 minsSilent
Entertaining example of early 'special effects'
As Christmas Draws Near As Christmas Draws Near
Non-Fiction19281 minsSilent
An eccentric parade of mechanical toys to tantalise 1920s kids - and to remind us that Christmas consumerism is nothing new.