Transition

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration103 mins

Kiki's Delivery Service(1989)

Anime about a 13-year-old witch-in-training who, as part of her calling, has to spend a year living away from her mother in a new town.

An ideal introduction to Studio Ghibli for young audiences, this animation about a young witch in training deals with a time in all of our lives when we have to set out on our own and make a go of living independently. For Kiki, this means adjusting to life in a new town where she has no connections. However her adventures are only just beginning…

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration103 mins

Goosebumps(2015)

Thrilling and funny adaptation of the well-known Goosebumps books that sees havoc unleashed on an unsuspecting American suburb.

This adaptation of the mega-selling ghostly series places author R.L. Stine at the heart of the story. With new-in-town Zach struggling to adjust to life away from the big city, new neighbor Hannah promises to show him that life in Delaware isn’t so bad. However Hannah’s grumpy father forbids them from hanging out, and soon after things start to go bump in the night.

Cert

Age group5–16

Duration98 mins

Toy Story 3(2010)

The third outing for Buzz and Woody in a tale every bit as funny, touching and exciting as it's predecessors.

One of the hardest things about transitioning to a new phase of life is saying goodbye to what was once a valuable part of who we are. This issue is examined in acutely poignant fashion in this wonderful animation, where Woody and Buzz find themselves forgotten as Andy gets set for college. But emotions can be more complicated than that, as the much-loved duo come to discover.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration79 mins

Tomboy(2011)

A beautifully understated, naturalistic drama about childhood gender identity confusion that’s both touching and gently humorous.

Laure is a 10 year-old who has recently moved to the outskirts of Paris with her family. When she is mistaken for a boy by her new peers, she decides not to correct them and begins identifying as Michael. This is a warm, gentle film about universal issues of fitting in and being yourself.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration101 mins

Whale Rider(2002)

Tradition causes trouble in a family when a young Maori girl wants to take up what she believes is her rightful place at the head of her tribe.

Sometimes old-fashioned thinking and get in the way of people’s potential, even inadvertently. This glorious New Zealand drama about a young Maori girl believing in her destiny as head of her tribe is a wonderful example of building up confidence within yourself, particularly in the face of events you could never foresee and which have life-changing consequences.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration108 mins

Akeelah and The Bee(2006)

Inspiring and uplifting movie about an impoverished child who discovers an exceptional spelling talent.

Sometimes we can discover hidden talents we never knew we had. Struggling to believe in herself, 11 year-old Los Angeles based Akeelah finds her life transformed when she enters a national spelling bee competition. With the help of a mentor, Akeelah learns to overcome any embarrassment and increase her confidence, beginning to fit whilst remaining true to herself.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration93 mins

Sounds Like Teen Spirit(2009)

One of the most entertaining documentaries in years, this follows the 10-15 year-old contestants in the Junior version of the Eurovision Song Contest.

This documentary focuses on the amazing spectacle of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Filled with the mixture of ego, insecurity and desire to beat the odds that drives most performers (and young people) on, the participants are inspiring, and might just encourage others to put pen to paper and write their own songs, as well as learning the value of healthy competition

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie

Cert

Age group5–11

Duration74 mins

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie(2015)

Much-loved Charlie Brown attempts to navigate school life and falls in love with the new girl as Snoopy embarks upon an adventure of his own.

Charlie Brown is struggling to fit in at school, making one mistake after another. However life gets more complicated when a new girl arrives, whom Charlie is instantly smitten with. Based on the much-loved comics, this has universal messages around school, friendships and fitting in, making it ideal for any young viewer terrified at the prospect of starting something new.

Cert

Age group5–16

Duration102 mins

Inside Out(2015)

Animated adventure about the five dominant emotions inside an 11 year-old girl’s head, as she struggles to come to terms with moving home.

Pixar’s masterpiece will strike a vivid emotional chord with anybody who has faced up to life in a new town, or a new school, or just dealing with the end of early childhood. Just about everybody then, as this animated exploration of emotional complexities and turmoil makes clear in brilliantly inventive, hilarious and poignant fashion.

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration105 mins

School of Rock(2003)

Vibrant, uplifting comedy in which an unemployed rock guitarist is faced with needing to get a job, and masquerades as a supply teacher.

Learning to adjust to new surroundings can be greatly helped by creativity, team work and increasing confidence, whatever our age. Through the creation of a ramshackle new band, a reluctant new supply teacher gets more than he bargained for when he tries to educate his new pupils about the joys of rock music.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration103 mins

When Marnie Was There(2014)

A shy girl sent to the country to recover from asthma discovers an abandoned mansion and begins to explore its mysteries with her new friend Marnie.

Anna is a shy, awkward 12 year-old struggling with anxiety and coming to terms with events from her past. When her concerned mother sends her to stay with relatives in the country, a friendship with a spirited girl her own age called Marnie might just be able to help her, in this beautiful, heartfelt and emotional swansong from Studio Ghibli.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration103 mins

Pete's Dragon(2016)

A live-action remake of the 1977 children’s classic which sees a boy living in a North American forest with his only friend: a big green dragon.

After a tragic car crash leaves him orphaned as a young boy, Pete lives in the forest for the next six years of his life with only a great big dragon for company. Despite their companionship and adventures, it’s time for Pete to make a big change in his life and let his friend go in this warm live-action remake of the classic family film.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration113 mins

Wonder(2017)

A young boy born with facial differences begins attending school for the first time.

August ‘Auggie’ Pullman has to contend with multiple changes in his life at the same time in this emotional, affecting drama, based on the New York Times bestseller. Born with facial differences which have so far prevented him from attending mainstream education, he begins to do so - despite his anxieties - with the support of his family and the friends he makes along the way.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration114 mins

Bumblebee(2018)

In 1987, Bumblebee heads to planet Earth and strikes up a touching friendship with a teenage girl in this ‘Transformers’ prequel.

Still grieving after the recent death of her father, teenager Charlie is resentful of her mother’s new boyfriend. But on her 18th birthday Charlie is gifted a battered yellow car that will change her life. Revealed to be the alternate form of the Autobot Transformer Bumblebee, the two look out for each other and develop a friendship that helps Charlie to move past her pain.

Cert

Age group7+

Duration117 mins

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse(2018)

Dizzying animation in which numerous Spider-Man incarnations from different dimensions team up to defeat villain Kingpin.

Not only is this animation a particularly inventive Spider-Man story, but it deals with different issues for the character. The protagonist here is Miles Morales, not Peter Parker, a mixed-race teenager who is struggling to adjust to his new elite college. At first he deliberately fails tests in an attempt to try and get himself thrown out, but soon learns to face his problems.

Cert

Age group7–14

Duration81 mins

Pick of the Litter(2018)

Canine documentary following five Labrador puppies as they train for two years to become guide dogs for the blind and partially sighted.

This adorable documentary follows five guide dogs in training – black and golden Labrador puppies named Potomac, Primrose, Poppet, Patriot and Phil – who gain temporary owners in order to undergo their training. However, having formed such a close blond, it’s not always easy for their carers to let them go when the time comes to move the dogs on to their next stage of training.