There have been more than 500,000 movies made since the first one back in 1888. 250,000 of them are available for streaming across multiple platforms.

Some people might feel many are better left on the shelf but there are some must-see gems that everyone should watch at least once.

It’s been almost a Mission Impossible to come up with a winning list. But after a few in-house squabbles we’ve made our selection. So, grab the popcorn and sit back as we take you through our top 10 educational movies for kids.

1. The Sound of Music (1965)

Ok, so it’s a bit schmalzy in parts and Christopher Plummer who played Captain von Trapp was apparently not a fan of it. Nevertheless, nanny payroll is what we do. Although we can’t personally claim to have ensured that nun-turned-nanny Maria paid her taxes on time, this musical gets a massive thumbs up from us.

It’s full of romance and blossoms with positive messages about integrity and the importance of being kind. And, just as with another Julie Andrews nanny-favourite, Mary Poppins, the songs in the movie are evergreen and made for singing along to.

The action takes place during the Nazi invasion of Austria. It’s a scar on world history that we should never forget and may provoke questions from inquisitive kids that it is right for us to address.

2. Finding Nemo (2003)

The tale of a father looking for his lost son captured our hearts and quickly became one of the top family movies of all time.

The story of Finding Nemo revolves around the concept of parenting so another natural choice for Pay the Nanny. The opening scenes establish the importance of listening to our parents and being mindful of the dangers that can creep into our lives.

The movie also teaches kids that having courage pays off in the face of adversity. And, there’s a lesson about valuing friends who help us when we are in trouble.

The film’s sequel, Finding Dory (2016), can help kids understand the challenges people with disabilities face. 

3. Coco (2017)

The kids will get a taste of culture from this loving tribute to Mexican traditions. The Disney movie is primarily a coming-of-age film about a young boy called Miguel. He becomes torn between following his passion for music and the pull of family strictures.

The film is a celebration of cultural heritage. It comes with positive messages about the importance of family, unconditional love and ambition.

Did you know that watching Disney movies together can apparently enhance parent-child communication and assist children’s cognitive and behavioural development?

4. Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Based on Roald Dahl’s popular book, the movie looks at the significance and spirit of honesty. When Charlie wins the ticket to go into the chocolate factory, he has a great opportunity to divulge its secrets and get himself out of poverty.

However, he stays true to himself and ends up winning the grand prize because of doing that. As children grow older, explaining the reasons why truth and honesty are important can be tricky. This film teaches them all they need to know.

5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

This is possibly one of the best educational movies for preschoolers. The well-known story will help children grasp the differences between good and evil along with the importance of having a family that cares for you.

The songs are also great for kids to remember and sing along to. The film also offers the opportunity to discuss the difficulties those with physical challenges may face. 

6. Mulan (1998)

Mulan will teach your kids all about female empowerment. The film traces the story of Hua Mulan, a girl who takes her ill father’s place when he gets drafted for the war.

Pretending to be a boy, Mulan perseveres and ultimately gets to be the hero of all of China. Apart from promoting girl power, the movie also touches on themes such as bravery and teamwork and other basic life skills of benefit to children.

Some would argue that it also encompasses the topic of gender fluidity with the message that we should embrace our own sense of identity. 

7. Toy Story 2 (1999)

Toy Story 2 was a formidable follow-up to the original movie. It came with improved animation and a script that took the toys beyond their homes and on a ride into the big wide world.

This movie cleverly explains the concepts of loyalty and friendship. It also expands the traditional meaning of family.

Children get to find out why Woody identifies with the old toys as being his family. That’s despite belonging to a different set and having the chance of a better life with his own kind. The bond between Buzz and Woody teaches the importance of friendship.

8. Babe (1995)

Babe is a great movie for kids of all ages. They’ll take away useful lessons about friendship, perseverance and the advantages of being a kind person. Many different animals appear in the movie that paints a picture of life on a small farm from the animal's perspective.

9. Wall-E (2008)

The story focuses on Wall-E, a disarmingly charming robot who lives on Earth. It’s set hundreds of years in the future when humans have messed up the planet and subsequently left to spend unhealthy lives on a spaceship instead.

Wall-E meets up with another robot, Eve, and falls in love. She gets scooped up by the human spaceship and a romantic rescue mission follows that has a surprisingly positive impact on mankind.

10. Inside Out (2015)

This rather quirky animated movie revolves around a tween girl, Riley. She’s in the throes of grappling with her daily struggles and all the emotions that adolescence throws up. It’s these very feelings, personified, that tell the story and tug at the strings from inside her brain.

There’s a positive message that all feelings are part of being human, even sadness and anger, but that what matters most is how we deal with and express them.

Perfect for a Rainy Day

So that’s our pick of 10 great movies for the kids to watch when the weather’s not great and it’s hard to get outdoors for some exercise.

One thing that is definitely never hard for us is sorting out your nanny payroll. We are the payroll experts so get in touch with one of the team today. Let us take care of all your nanny payroll needs so you have more time to curl up in front of the TV with the kids