Looking for an idea for family movie night? Ready to dive into a chapter book together? Reading aloud together and then watching is one of my favorite family traditions. In this post, you’ll find a list of my favorite books and their movie adaptations.
I purposely seek out books that have been made into movies
…and there’s a good reason why.
My family loves reading aloud together and watching movies together. In our family culture, both activities build connections, grow shared memories, and cultivate fun.
But when we bring these two activities together, it creates even more family magic.
There’s also a whole lot of learning for my kids (and me!) when we read a book first then watch the movie. We can compare and contrast, debate, review, and more. It’s powerful learning wrapped up in a very fun package.
Knowing we have a movie night to look forward to also encourages us to keep reading – even on days we may not feel like it. If you don’t normally read aloud – or have older kids who are hesitant to start the habit – the promise of a movie night is a great motivator.
Not sure if your kids are too old for read alouds? Wondering if listening to stories still has benefits? It does – for all kids at all ages. Read more about the power of read alouds with big kids here.
Looking for more magic and memories with big kids?
Check out the Branches curriculum by Susie Allison: A meaningful way to enjoy the learning journey together.
How to start a book and movie tradition in your family
My first piece of advice: keep it simple. Don’t overthink this and make it more complicated on yourself than it need be.
Step 1: Pick the book
I have a full list of my recommendations below. Your choice will depend on the ages of your kids and your family values. Watch a preview of the movie or read a few pages of the book yourself and see how you feel.
Step 2: Read it aloud together
One of my favorite family routines is to read our chapter book together before bed. In fact, I treasure it so much that I have a whole post about the value of reading aloud. My neighbor reads to her kids at breakfast. A friend of mine adores listening to a family audiobook in the car (yes, audiobooks count!).
Make reading together do-able and fun.
Side note on reading aloud: kids love to fidget while they listen. In fact, research shows that busy hands often leads to better comprehension. As you read aloud, let them color, build with magnet tiles, or play with a fidget toy. I promise – it will help.
Step 3: Keep book conversations casual
This isn’t a time to quiz for reading comprehension or pontificate on literary devices (but both of those skills will develop as you read together…wink). Let them experience the story on their own, without any poking or prodding.
Step 4: Movie night!
Once you finish the book, it’s time to get cozy and watch. I like to make it a special night in my house – something we can look forward to all day. We might make some popcorn or pick out a few treats at the store. Pajamas, blankets, and stuffies recommended!
Step 5: Repeat
I like to always have a chapter book on deck – something I know we will enjoy reading together next. The more we read & watch together, the more we settle into the routine.
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Our favorite books + movies combos
Charlotte’s Web
Grab a box of tissues and settle in for one of the most treasured tales of all time. Fern, Charlotte, Wilbur, Templeton and all their pals are such a delight to read about together. We ended up watching two adaptions: the original cartoon version from the 1970s (my favorite) and the 2006 star-studded live action movie adaptation (which two of my kids preferred). My kids were 3, 5, and 7 when we read this.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Fun, silly, and oh-so-charming – we loved reading this classic (published in 1938!) and then watching the 2011 live action movie starring Jim Carey. Bonus: Reading about them also led us down rabbit holes of learning about penguins and their habitats. My kids were 4, 6, and 8 when we read this.
The One and Only Ivan
One of the most beautiful children’s books ever written. Chapters are short and poignant, sometimes written more like poems. Translating this to a movie was a tall order because the writing is so different, but the movie holds up. This is a tearjerker all the way around. My kids were 5, 7, and 9 when we read this.
Paddington
One of those situations where I’m not sure what I love more: the book or the movie series (Paddington, 2014; Paddington 2, 2017; Paddington in Peru, 2024). The book is a wonderful combination of sweet writing and rascal behavior – all wrapped up in the most adorable furry brown package. Paddington 2 might be one of the best kids’ movies of all time (and that’s not just my opinion – go check out the rating on Rotten Tomatoes…). My kids were 6, 8, and 10 when we read this.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A wonderful entry into more challenging books, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe pairs sophisticated writing with mystery, rich characters, sibling relationships, and suspense. We loved reading about Lucy & her siblings’ adventures and then cozying up with the 2005 “Chronicles of Narnia” movie. My kids were 8, 10, and 11 when we read this.
James and the Giant Peach
So many Roald Dahl books have been made into excellent movies (Matilda & Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are also family favorites), but James and the Giant Peach is my personal top pick. The book is short and moves along quickly – perfect for reading aloud to younger kids – and the 1996 movie is a gem. A combination of live action and stop motion, it is a work of art all on its own. My kids were 7, 9, and 11 when we read this.
Bridge to Terabithia
One of my favorite books growing up that I was delighted to read together as a family. Moving, magical, and perfect for mid- to older-elementary ages. We were thrilled that we loved the 2007 movie adaptation almost as much as the book. My kids were 8, 10, and 12 when we read this.
How to Train Your Dragon
We listened to this one as an audiobook and it was fantastic. Something about this story as an audiobook is just perfect, and David Tennant’s narration full of accents and flair is too good to be missed. There’s an animated movie from 2010 and a live action movie from 2025 to compare. My kids were 7, 9, and 11 when we read this.
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