Top 20 Movies That Every Parent Should Watch

I won’t lie. There are some movies that apply neither logic nor script and are made just for mindless entertainment. Big profits are their only motive, like the entire ‘ Housefull Click to look into! >> Read More... ’ series. At the same time, there are some genuinely sentimental and relatable movies that should be watched by every parent. Specifically, those who try to push their children into the rat race that our world has become, snatching away their uniqueness and burying their unconventional aspirations. The following are some such movies that touched our hearts and made us realize that our dreams matter, that our parents can be and need to be our best friends. In the process of collecting this list I realized how important it is for us as children to realize that our parents only want the best for us, no matter how things turn out to be.

1. Taare Zameen Par Click to look into! >> Read More...

If ever a list like this is made, it must include this movie’s name. With tears in our eyes we saw Ishaan finally gain acceptance in the society despite all the challenges he faced. He was unique, like most of us are, and that is something parents should accept early on in their child’s life.

2. Ferrari Ki Sawaari Click to look into! >> Read More...

It is ironic that Rustom will go to any lengths to fulfil his son’s dreams, but he has brought his son up so well, that as soon as Kayo realizes his father did something wrong, the child refuses to accept anything from his father. We see here a single father fighting not just against the odds, but also his own father, Behram. This inspires parents to accept their child’s dreams, and believe in them no matter how much it scares them.

3. Patiala House Click to look into! >> Read More...

In Gurtej Singh we see a man who is so lost in his past that he overlooks his son’s dreams. The movie is a fine example of what happens when parents start to feel that since they are the ones who brought up their children, they also own their children’s dreams, aspirations and their entire future.

4. Paa Click to look into! >> Read More...

Believe it or not, there are people who leave their children in the dustbin to be eaten by dogs, when they see a minor disability in them. Then came a movie like this, a single mother who went against society to give birth to an illegitimate child, and made the best of whatever time she had with him.

5. Oh My God

There is a specific reason why this movie is in this list. The movie is about religion, and it preaches what consequences can happen when blindly following a religion. Parents often expect their children to follow a religion just because they do so. Instead, why not explain to your children what lead you to believe in God, why you follow a religion and what is the meaning of the many rituals that you follow. This, if done right, using logic and intelligence, will make them believers.

6. Koi Mil Gaya

Although it is not a very realistic movie, what was troublesome was Rohit’s mother hiding him due to his special needs. She loved him so much, that she could not bear to have him thrust into the cruel world. Her fear was proven right later in the movie, when others of Rohit’s age mocked him but we did see her turn into a fearless mother making her son just as fearless.

7. Stanley Ka Dabba Click to look into! >> Read More...

It will be such an understatement to say that the boy had a big heart. Among other things, we saw a very disappointing aspect of schools in this movie, where a child is criticised for using his imagination in his science class. Also, it often happens in schools that a teacher develops dislike for a student and the child might as well leave that school then, so hard will his life in school becomes thereafter.

8. Udaan Udaan is a Hindi Daily series which aired on 18th >> Read More...

Most parents these days believe that gone are the days when children could be brought up with strictness and dictatorship. Children these days are smarter, and to bring them up, parents are much friendlier, much more loving, and even if they have issues among themselves, they make sure that their child does not get a hint of it, because now they understand it all. But what if a father is ruthless in bringing up his children? What if he makes sure that he is all they see and the only one they listen to? This is one such movie that went on to win many well deserved awards.

9. Wake Up Sid Click to look into! >> Read More...

Can parents ever give up on their children? What exactly does a child need to realize how much he is dependant on his parents and that he needs to change his ways? And when should parents finally let go of their children so they can return as better people? These are some questions that this unorthodox movie answers.

10. Iqbal

What would have happened if Sachin Tendulkar’s parents had thought that his dreams are way too big for him to succeed? This movie runs on a similar vein, except that Iqbal can neither speak nor hear. But through his hard work and perseverance, he proves his father wrong, rises above society’s assumptions and proves his capabilities.

11. Do Dooni Chaar Click to look into! >> Read More...

Family relationships, and their supremacy over money and material things are highlighted in this movie. This is a movie that the entire family should watch together, so that parents know what routes their children’s lives can take and how they can help, while the children learn of the amount of sacrifices that their parents have to make for them.

12. Bhoothnath Returns Click to look into! >> Read More...

The easiest, most self explanatory description will be: never underestimate your children. You may think they are young, inconsequential as of now, but when a child decides to take decisions, he can shake the world. Akhrot, a boy so little, has the courage to face cunning politicians. And there is one point in the movie when he is scared, but he does not give up.

13. Chillar Party Click to look into! >> Read More...

The message that this movie conveys is similar to the previous one, but I still decided to mention it because I think there is another important issue addressed in this movie. When the children of the society befriend an orphan and his dog, their parents are troubled, and when the children raise their voices, the parents try to subdue them. Parents should cherish the kindness and courage in their children, rather than trying to bury it.

14. 3 Idiots Click to look into! >> Read More...

Of course this movie was going to be on this list. How much a child can develop just by getting rid of the obligations that his parents bind him to, is an important part of the plot. Let the children do whatever it is that they love, fearlessly. So that if nothing else, they will at least be happy.

15. Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham

Marriage and love are two big issues in our country. The elder generation believes that the younger ones are old enough to marry, but are not capable of choosing their life partner, which is very ironic. And when the younger generation present their views, and decide the direction in which they want to take their life, it becomes a matter of family pride, or more specifically, a matter of inflated ego of the patriarch. The movie gives an important lesson on acceptance, and how the lack of it left each member of a joint family burning in solitude.

16. Anjali Indian top model and Telugu and Tamil star Anjali >> Read More...

A not so popular film by Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker deeply rooted t >> Read More... , this film teaches kindness in the most beautiful way possible. The innocence of sibling love, and the need to be honest with family are highlighted in a very compassionate manner. No family is perfect, but each member of the family is vital, as they play an important role in each other’s life without knowing it.

17. King Uncle

This one is an evergreen movie, where a little girl changes a man’ heart, helps him find the love of his life and reunites him with his brother through her innocence, affection and childish honesty. She also awakens his paternal instincts in the process.

18. Hum Saath Saath Hain

This movie has a special place in all of our hearts. The joy of living with a family, the love, understanding, and freedom from typical dramas and stereotypes, we see an ideal family go about with their life. Three brothers who have been taught nothing more than the importance of family and worship their elder brother. The parents have not taught them to love the relative who is more closely related more, or vice versa. Everyone is equally accepted and respected, even if they just work for the family.

19. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Click to look into! >> Read More...

This movie is definitely the next classic, specially with the way the age group between 15-25 love it even so many years after its release. Parents should watch it so they know why their children love it so much. It is not about leaving everything behind and running away. It is about the need to give the children the space to find themselves. How else are they supposed to choose what they want from their lives, if they cannot see what options they have? And their options should not be limited by time, distance, or anything else. Dreams are of utmost importance.

20. Mohabbatein Click to look into! >> Read More...

Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan or also known as SRK is a prominent >> Read More... decided to teach the Principal of a Gurukul that a dictator stands alone. And it is through love, and through changing his principles with time that he will be able to get through his loneliness. I believe the rest is self explanatory.