Rentals
Family Films
Films for kids have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, as seen in this family-friendly collection.
The early silhouette animations by Lotte Reiniger make the tales of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Thumbelina come alive, offering a traditional and delightful take on the fairy stories. Nostalgic adults and children alike will take to the films from the Children’s Film Foundation, from the hair-raising adventures of Sky Bike to the spookier gothic tales of Out of the Darkness (not suitable for very young children) and Haunters of the Deep.
Kensuke's KingdomKensuke's Kingdom
Animation & Artists Moving Image202384 minsDirector: Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry
Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel is brought to life in this delightful, animated tale of a young castaway who discovers he’s not alone.
PinocchioPinocchio
Fantasy2019125 minsDirector: Matteo Garrone
In this unnerving live action adaptation of the classic tale, wood carver Gepetto (Roberto Benigni) crafts a wooden boy named Pinocchio who magically comes to life.
Robot DreamsRobot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image2023103 minsDirector: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
The Eagle HuntressThe Eagle Huntress
Documentary201688 mins
Daisy Ridley narrates this inspiring documentary about a girl who causes a stir in her tribe in Mongolia by embracing the traditionally male role of Eagle Hunter.
Early ManEarly Man
Animation & Artists Moving Image201889 minsDirector: Nick Park
In Aardman’s latest animated adventure, Caveman Dug and his pet hog, Hognog, must unite their tribe if they're are to survive the threat of pompous tyrant Lord Nooth.
Shaun the Sheep MovieShaun the Sheep Movie
Animation & Artists Moving Image201485 minsDirector: Richard Starzak and Mark Burton
Aardman returns with another delightful animation for young and old, telling the story of Shaun’s adventures in the big city after Farmer is led astray.
Paddington 2Paddington 2
Children's2017103 minsDirector: Paul King
Britain’s favourite bear returns for another adventure. Porridge rather than marmalade looks set to be Paddington's new staple after he's framed for a robbery, unless the Brown family can help solve the mystery.
PaddingtonPaddington
Children's201495 minsDirector: Paul King
Unexpectedly beautiful and bewitching return for the marmalade-loving bear with a sense of adventure.
WonderstruckWonderstruck
Drama2017116 minsDirector: Todd Haynes
Julianne Moore stars in Todd Haynes' playful adaptation of Brian Selznick’s acclaimed young adult novel, which follows two children from different eras as they set out to find people from their pasts.
ZarafaZarafa
Animation & Artists Moving Image201179 minsDirector: Rémi Bezançon and Jean-Christophe Lie
A gorgeously composed French animation following a boy and a giraffe's epic journey from Africa to 19th-century Paris.
Song of the SeaSong of the Sea
Animation & Artists Moving Image201493 minsDirector: Tomm Moore
Tomm Moore’s Oscar-nominated animation follows the magical journey of Ben and his sister Saoirse, the last Seal-child.
Hide and SeekHide and Seek
Children's197261 minsDirector: David Eady
Gary Kemp (The Krays) becomes entangled with a borstal escapee known as the Deptford Dodger in this cracking drama from the Children’s Film Foundation.
Captain StirrickCaptain Stirrick
Children's198295 minsDirector: Colin Finbow
Pickpockets, mad puppets, and murder – all from the 1840 press accounts of a real case that lead to the gallows – conceived as a musical by the Children’s Film Unit.
DoombeachDoombeach
Thriller198976 minsDirector: Colin Finbow
A truant schoolboy sabotages the secretive power station he believes killed his friend. With Glenda Jackson.
Sammy's Super T-shirtSammy's Super T-shirt
Children's197858 minsDirector: Jeremy Summers
Puny young Sammy gets a super-strength makeover when his lucky t-shirt is imbued with special powers, in this classic from Children’s Film Foundation.
The GlitterballThe Glitterball
Children's197756 minsDirector: Harley Cokliss
Somewhere in 1970s England, a UFO crashes in a potting shed. Inside is a strange round visitor from space: the Glitterball. How will it get home?
Flash GordonFlash Gordon
Fantasy1980112 minsDirector: Mike Hodges
Sam J. Jones stars as the quintessential comic strip hero, out to save the Earth from Ming the Merciless, in Mike Hodges’ visually ravishing sci-fi.
Tarka the OtterTarka the Otter
Drama197892 minsDirector: David Cobham
The classic family film, based on Henry Williamson’s beloved book, follows the titular animal’s wild adventures as narrated by Peter Ustinov.
The Belstone FoxThe Belstone Fox
Drama1973103 minsDirector: James Hill
Based on David Rook’s 1970 novel, The Belstone Fox tells the heartwarming and funny story of Tag, a fox saved from the woods and raised by huntsman Asher.
Animal FarmAnimal Farm
Animation & Artists Moving Image195472 minsDirector: Joy Batchelor and John Halas
Sixty years young, this British cartoon of George Orwell’s political ‘fairy story’ is still the most abiding adaptation of this powerful, cautionary tale for all ages.
The Amazing Mr. BlundenThe Amazing Mr. Blunden
Fantasy197284 minsDirector: Lionel Jeffries
Entertaining family ghost movie directed by Lionel Jeffries, based on the novel The Ghosts by Antonia Barber.
Friend or FoeFriend or Foe
Children's198170 minsDirector: John Krish
Two evacuee boys from London sent to live on a farm face a tough decision when a German plane is shot down.
Anoop and the ElephantAnoop and the Elephant
Children's197252 minsDirector: David Eady
Fun-packed comedy for kids, in which a boy befriends a baby elephant – then teams up with his friends to stop it being sold
The Boy Who Turned YellowThe Boy Who Turned Yellow
Children's197254 minsDirector: Michael Powell
A London schoolboy’s surprise transformation marks the final collaboration of great British director Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Pop PiratesPop Pirates
Action and Adventure198458 minsDirector: Jack Grossman
Home taping almost kills music as a schoolboy band's dreams of talent show glory may be scuppered by video piracy.
Terry on the FenceTerry on the Fence
Children's198570 minsDirector: Frank Godwin
11-year-old Terry runs away from home and is drawn into a gang of bullies, in a gritty Children's Film Foundation drama.
Night FerryNight Ferry
Children's197660 minsDirector: David Eady
A schoolboy aims to avert a dastardly plan to smuggle antiques out of the country in this rousing kids’ crime yarn.
The Man from NowhereThe Man from Nowhere
Children's197659 minsDirector: James Hill
Victorian orphan Alice Harvey - arriving to live at her great uncle's spooky house - is frightened by a mysterious, dark-clad intruder.
A Hitch in TimeA Hitch in Time
Children's197857 minsDirector: Jan Darnley-Smith
Two curious kids are sent back in time by an eccentric professor, played by former Doctor Who Patrick Troughton.
KadoyngKadoyng
Children's197260 minsDirector: Ian Shand
It looks like the quaint village of Byway will be bulldozed to make way for a motorway – until alien outcast Kadoyng arrives from Outer Space to help.
Out of the DarknessOut of the Darkness
Children's198568 minsDirector: John Krish
A ghostly drama of the Derbyshire plague village of Eyam, as unquiet spirits of the long dead make contact with the living.
Cup FeverCup Fever
Children's196561 minsDirector: David Bracknell
Youth football team Barton Utd triumph against the odds in a Children's Film Foundation classic
Mr. Drake's DuckMr. Drake's Duck
Comedy195181 minsDirector: Val Guest
The Drakes' dream of making an old Sussex farm successful comes to a halt after one of their ducks lays a radioactive egg
Peril for the GuyPeril for the Guy
Children's195656 minsDirector: James Hill
In the run up to November the 5th, kids collecting coins for their living Guy foil a dastardly plot to steal an amazing new oil detection machine.
The Sky-BikeThe Sky-Bike
Children's196759 minsDirector: Charles Frend
Schoolboy Tom Smith flies a man-powered flying machine to win a handsome prize.
Johnny on the RunJohnny on the Run
Children's195368 minsDirector: Lewis Gilbert
A Polish refugee runs into trouble with two scheming thieves in this superb early work from illustrious British director Lewis Gilbert (Alfie, You Only Live Twice).
The Monster of Highgate PondsThe Monster of Highgate Ponds
Children's196159 minsDirector: Alberto Cavalcanti
A boy receives a mysterious egg, but when it hatches a baby monster, mayhem ensues.
Operation Third FormOperation Third Form
Children's196658 minsDirector: David Eady
John Moulder Brown (Deep End) fronts a crack children’s spy unit in this ripping boy's own adventure.
Runaway RailwayRunaway Railway
Children's197055 minsDirector: Jan Darnley-Smith
A pre-Porridge Ronnie Barker plays a dim-witted train robber up to no good in this steam-era comedy adventure for kids
Soapbox DerbySoapbox Derby
Children's195764 minsDirector: D'Arcy Conyers
Children’s Film Foundation adventure that sees a young Michael Crawford scrapping with a rival South London gang in Battersea.
Skid KidsSkid Kids
Action and Adventure195349 minsDirector: Don Chaffey
Young 'Swanky' Clarke, leader of the Burton Bullets Cycle Speedway Club, foils bicycle thieves on the streets of 1950s Bermondsey.
Supersonic SaucerSupersonic Saucer
Children's195651 minsDirector: Guy Fergusson
A baby from Venus saves the day with his superpowers in this charming sci-fi tale produced by the Children's Film Foundation.
Child's PlayChild's Play
Comedy195468 minsDirector: Margaret Thomson
Splitting the atom is as easy as ABC in this family-friendly adventure.
Tom's RideTom's Ride
Children's194411 minsDirector: Darrel Catling
Temptation on two wheels: should young Tom use the money he's found to buy himself a bike? Or should he do the right thing?
The Salvage GangThe Salvage Gang
Children's195852 minsDirector: John Krish
John Krish directs this beautifully photographed Children’s Film Foundation caper about four children scavenging bomb-damaged London for scrap metal.
More Family Films in our Free collection.