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Check out our online programme for families, with great films, creative activities and free downloadable resources.

Family Film Picks

1970 film The Railway Children.

The Railway Children (U)

Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins star in this classic 1970 adaptation of E Nesbitt’s wonderful story, directed by Lionel Jeffries (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). 1904, England. Following their father’s mysterious arrest, the Waterbury family move to Yorkshire, where they discover the local steam railway and friendly station porter Mr Perks.

Watch via Phoenix at Home: On Demand

Kiki’s Delivery Service (U)

★★★★ – Guardian. Relive the magical tale of Studio Ghibli’s loveable young witch, Kiki, complete with flying broomstick, and talking black cat. When Kiki leaves her family to move to the big city and start a courier delivery service, she finds it rather difficult to fit in.

Available now on Netflix
Still of a claymation caveman and warthog from Early Man

Early Man (PG)

★★★★ – Observer. Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman goes prehistoric in this fun ‘claymation’ about plucky caveman Dug and his sidekick Hognob who, facing the loss of their land to scheming Lord Nooth, must unite their tribe against a mighty enemy – the Bronze Age.

FREE on BBC iPlayer until 16 Feb
Emily Blunt in Disney family adventure Mary Poppins Returns.

Mary Poppins Returns (U)

★★★★ – Empire. Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda shine in this glorious Disney sequel, with Blunt masterfully keeping the nostalgic viewer happy but also making the role her own. Magical nanny Mary Poppins returns to the Banks household to help the family evade grave dangers by taking them on more magical adventures. Also available to rent on Amazon Prime.

Available on Disney+
An image from the animated film Over the Moon

Over the Moon (U)

★★★★ – Empire. This gorgeous musical animation arrived on Netflix with little fanfare, but has quickly become one of their most popular family films. When Fei Fei loses her mother, she takes heart from a fairytale about a mystical goddess who waits for her beloved on the Moon. Years later, and with her father due to remarry, Fei Fei decides to build a rocket to meet the Moon goddess herself.

Available on Netflix

Paddington 2 (PG)

★★★★★ – Observer. Officially the greatest film ever made, Paddington 2 is a sheer delight from beginning to end. A deliciously hammy Hugh Grant stars as ageing, cravat-wearing actor Phoenix Buchanan, who steals a book Paddington had intended to give his Aunt Lucy for her birthday and frames our poor hero for the theft. PLUS Paddington is also available on our On Demand platform.

Watch via Phoenix at Home: On Demand

Bill (PG)

★★★★ – Guardian. The Horrible Histories team’s hilarious William Shakespeare ‘biopic’ is great family entertainment, and is currently available on BBC iPlayer. Young Bill Shakespeare leaves Stratford for London, to follow his dream of becoming a playwright. Unfortunately, all the theatres are closed due to plague. So what will Bill do now?

FREE now on BBC iPlayer

Luca (U)

★★★★ – Observer. Set in a picturesque seaside town on the Italian Riviera, a young boy experiences an unforgettable summer with his newfound best friend. But he harbours a deep secret that could threaten his perfect summer… he’s actually a sea monster. Gentle, emotional and fun for all ages, Luca feels like a delectable scoop of gelato on a sweltering summer’s day.

Available now on Disney+
Saoirse finds a magical cloak in Song of the Sea

Song of the Sea (PG)

★★★★ – Guardian. Tomm Moore’s (The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers) Oscar-nominated animation is an evocative tale of Celtic magic and folklore. Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Selkie – embark across a fading world of ancient legend in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. An entrancing, enchanting family delight.

Available to rent on BFI Player
Spider-Man crouches in a thinking pose, mimicked by a younger Spider-Man.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (PG)

“★★★★★ – Brimming with wit, soul and jaw-dropping visuals” – Total Film. The greatest of all the Spider-Man films and one of the best in the superhero genre, Into The Spider-Verse perfectly blends humour, heroism and storytelling as ordinary teenager Miles Morales struggles to fill the shoes- and mask- of Peter Parker as the new Spider-Man.

Available to rent on Amazon Prime
An image of two children from the film Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck (PG)

★★★★ – Telegraph. From the director of Carol comes this touching film telling the intertwined stories of two deaf children, Ben and Rose, living fifty years apart, who set out to change their lives. Todd Haynes brings a typically imaginative, playfully cinematic eye to his adaptation of Brian Selznick’s acclaimed young adult novel, starring Julianne Moore.

Available to rent on BFI Player

Zarafa (PG)

When young Maki escapes slave traders in the 19th century, he befriends Zarafa, an orphaned giraffe and the pair embark on an incredible voyage, by sea and air, all the way from Sudan to Paris. A beautifully animated story of adventure and friendship.

Available to rent on BFI Player

Cruella (12A)

★★★★ – Empire. Meet Cruella De Vil before she became a fur-loving, Dalmatian-despising villain. Emma Stone (La La Land) takes the lead, pitted against Emma Thompson’s (Nanny McPhee) Baroness in this punky and refreshing origin story.

Available on Disney+
An image from the animated film Soul

Soul (PG)

★★★★★ – Independent. Pixar’s Soul is a delight to discover on Disney+. School teacher Joe dreams of getting his big break as a jazz musician, but after an accident he finds himself in the “Great Beyond” – a place for lost souls. Tasked with training a cynical soul, Joe becomes determined to find his way back to his life.

Available on Disney+
The Lego Batman

The Lego Batman Movie (U)

★★★★ – Guardian. Another awesome Lego movie, this time featuring the Caped Crusader himself. Surprise, surprise – the Joker’s planning another hostile takeover of Gotham City. Can Batman save the day? Most likely, but only if he learns the art of teamwork… somewhat tricky for a lone vigilante! Packed with action and gags, it is a “LOL” family favourite.

Available on Amazon Prime

Free Downloadable Activities

Animated adventure Into the Spider-verse.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Activity Sheets

Use your brains to solve these puzzles and your creativity to colour in a new Spider-suit.

Download Activity Sheets
An image from the animated film Soul

Soul Activity Sheets

Young fans of Soul will enjoy these fun activities, including a template for making a door-hanger.

Download Activity Sheets

Lego Batman Colouring Sheets

Get busy with your crayons and felt tips to create a colourful Lego Batman masterpiece.

Download Colouring Sheets
Still of a claymation caveman and warthog from Early Man

Early Man Activity Sheets

Enjoy some fun puzzles and colouring activities with Dug and Hognob.

Download Activity Sheets