Ages 3 to 10 and Up: 10 Movies to Watch with Kids During April Break

Want some family theater for spring break? Here are 10 movies you should see on the big screen with your kids.

It is worth noting that there are also programs of short films for children: La Naissance des oases, which will open before the wonders of the world, Spring tales to awaken nature and hearts, Portrait de famille to celebrate the family in music. Or again, for the first time in a French version, the release of Yuri Norstein’s The Little Hedgehog in the Mist and Other Wonders, one of Hayao Miyazaki’s favorite films.

The Lion and the Three Bandits – from 3 years old

Released on March 15 – After the Great Cheese Race and a trip to the moon, director Rasmus A. Sivertsen returned with the animated film The Lion and the Three Bandits. This tale is adapted from Norwegian author Torbjorn Egner’s work Cardamom Dwellers and Thieves.

This uniquely styled musical is a beautiful moral tale about living in a community and connecting with one another. The inhabitants of Cardamom live harmoniously in this city where life is good. Three bandits live on the edge and survive by stealing. During their adventures, Jasper, Casper and Jonathan learn to integrate and discover themselves.

The film, with its very mild graphics, makes people think about life in society and encourages the audience to question the perception of others. Should the sheriff be so kind? Is Aunt Sophie really so rigid and suspicious? Can we force others to change? So many questions that allow young viewers to understand that we shouldn’t force others to be what they’re not or do what they don’t want to do.

Valentina – from 6 years old

Released on March 22 – Valentina follows a charming little girl with trisomy 21. She struggles with her disability, convinced that it is preventing her from realizing her dream: to become a trapeze artist. From the depths of the room to the rhythm of the music, Valentina embarks on an imaginative and surprising journey where she discovers that she can do anything, just like other children.

Directed by Spanish filmmaker Cello Loureiro, this kind and inclusive animated film takes a gentle look at this little girl and her difference. Valentina conveys a positive message about difference and allows young viewers to learn about disability. This fantastic fable won the Goya for Best Animated Film in 2022.

Kingdom of Naya – from 6 years

Released on March 29 – Discover the fantastic kingdom of Naya! A true ode to nature, this Ukrainian animated film takes place beyond the Black Mountains, where a kingdom inhabited by fantastical creatures is hidden.

For centuries they have protected the source of eternal life from the human world with infinite powers. Until the day Naya, the new chosen one of this enchanted forest, meets Lucas, a young man lost in the mountains. Against the rules established over millennia, they will meet again, regardless of the consequences for the kingdom.

Directed by Ole Malamuzh and Alexandra Ruban, Naia’s Kingdom is inspired by the play Song of the Forest by Ukrainian writer Lesia Ukrainka. For the creatures of the enchanted forest, the animators were inspired by heroes from Slavic legends.

In addition to its ecological message of preserving the forest and its inhabitants, Le Royaume de Naya is a film about the need for people to get to know each other and move beyond prejudices, as well as living together. A powerful message that resonates with current events.

Princes and princesses: showing in the cinema – from 3 years

released on April 5 – Discover The Princes and Princesses Show movie on the big screen. A real invitation to travel, Princes and Princesses, consists of four stories in Chinese Shadows, inspired by the tales of Michel Ocelot.

After gathering more than 800,000 curious people in 8 years, this poetic and surprising journey will now amaze young and old in its filmed version.

Thus we find the stories of the Shepherd Who Dances, the Prince of Jewels and the Fig Boy coming to life through the journey of the old lady and the thief, the common theme of the story.

A show in Chinese shade with sets that unfold according to fairy tales and make us travel.

Super Mario Bros, the movie – from 6 years

released on April 5 – “Let’s go”! Mario is finally coming to the cinema with an animated version worthy of Nintendo games. Super Mario Bros. The movie is an April Break event! Produced by Illumination studio, responsible for Me, Moche et Méchant, Les Minions and Tous en scène sagas, the feature film is an excellent adaptation of Nintendo games. The movie does cover a lot of lines on the various games, though neophytes won’t be left out as Super Mario Bros is for everyone from 6 years old.

When they attempt to repair an underground pipe, plumber brothers Mario and Luigi find themselves plunged into a magical new world through a mysterious pipe. But when the two brothers are separated, Mario embarks on a wild adventure to find Luigi.

A comedy of adventure and action, where the feeling of friendship and family is paramount. It’s easy for children to identify with the characters: whether it’s Mario, considered too small, Luigi, considered a coward, or even Peach, the athletic and smart princess. But the secondary characters are not left out, especially the evil Bowser, who offers scenes to die for. Tip: Stay until the credits roll!

Me and my cat, Rroû’s big adventure – from 6 years old

released on April 5 – How can you not crack up in front of this cute kitty? Mon Chat et moi, Rroû’s Big Adventure tells the story of Rroû, a lively and curious kitten who discovers life on the rooftops of Paris. His fate changes when Clemens, 10 years old, adopts him and takes him to his country house in the heart of the mountains.

A great adventure filmed with quasi-documentary precision by Guillaume Maidachevsky, to whom we owe Aiello: An Odyssey in Lapland). Mon Chat et moi, Rroû’s big adventure is a call to curiosity and discovery and highlights the relationship between children and animals.

Adapted from the novel by Maurice Genevois, the film directed by Capuchin Senson-Fabrés and Corinne Massiero will have ailurophiles and 6-year-olds squealing.

As a crow flies – from 6 years old

released on April 5 – vol d’oiseaus is a program of three delicate and sensitive short animated films about birds.

The 35-minute feature film Charlie Bellini’s Birds of Prey, with its pastel drawings and brooding rhythm, is a real treat of sweetness that takes us on a delightful journey with Ellie, a reserved teenager.

L’Air de Rien (13 minutes) by Gabriel Henault Lefebvre, painted in watercolor, depicts the friendship between an old man and a seagull. Abandoned, an old man rediscovers the taste of life thanks to his new friend. Finally, Emily Worms’ Le Tout Petit Voyage (7 minutes) takes a lonely child into the extraordinary world of Jean and her parakeet Tite.

A child, a teenager, an old man: regardless of the age of the characters, it is through the birds that they escape from everyday life and can feel free.

A poetic and gentle set from the age of 6.

Ricky’s Adventure – from 6 years old

Released on April 12 – Another bird story! This time, Ricky, a fearless young sparrow adopted by a family of pigs, embarks on an epic adventure into the heart of Africa. Accompanied by her faithful friends Little Owl, Olga and Kiki the Disco Parakeet, she sets off in search of the legendary jewel.

The feature film by Mette Rank-Tang and Benjamin Quabeck is a sequel to Ricky’s Journey released in 2017. From the beginning, the producer wanted to tell 3 cinematic adventures, the plots of which are connected with each other, acting independently of each other.

Following the search for identity, the theme of the first film, this one is about coming of age, belonging to a group and accepting yourself. Ricky’s Adventure takes you on a great adventure.

Egg race – from 6 years old

Released on April 12 – The Easter holidays oblige: go on an egg hunt!

Coco and Dina, a rooster and hen who live in Mexico, recently got two little golden eggs. But they are quickly captured by a great chef who offers a menu based on rare breeds of eggs in the heart of Africa. The two parents then travel to the other side of the world to save their children, with the help of the farm and Savannah friends.

A film that, according to directors Gabriel Riva Palacio Alatriste and Rodolfo Riva Palacio Alatriste, reinforces family values ​​and conveys a message of solidarity and trust in oneself and others. Egg race must be seen from 6 years.

Suzume – from 10 years old

Released on April 12 – After Your Name and Les Enfants du temps, Japanese director Makoto Shinkai returns with Suzume.

In this fantasy film presented at the recent Berlinale competition, Suzume, a 17-year-old girl meets Sota, a man who says he is traveling in search of a door. Deciding to follow him, he discovers a ruined door nestled in the middle of the ruins. Giving in to an inexplicable impulse, Suzume turns the handle, and then other doors open to the four corners of Japan, letting in all their mischief. Sota is formal: any open door must be closed. Suzume and Sota, transformed into a chair, then begin their journey to shut them down.

A film of great visual richness, dealing with themes as diverse as the transition to adulthood, bereavement, ecology and natural disasters. However, the filmmaker manages to make a hopeful film that speaks to everyone from the age of 10.