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Most-loved movie characters for kids

When you think about a fantastic movie character, you think of humor, vulnerability, moral conscience and more. Kids might have a hard time expressing why they like a certain character, but it’s often for the same reasons adults do.

Kids watching a movie

Put simply, they’re cool! These movie characters have the chops to live up to some of the harshest critics — kids.

Babe

The adorable little pig that could! Babe is the story of a piglet that wants nothing more than to be a sheepdog and will do just about anything to become one. It’s a story of making your desires come true, even in the face of adversity. Plus, he’s cuddly to boot! Weeks after you watch the film you’ll find yourself uttering, “That’ll do, pig. That’ll do.”

Gru

He might be a villain, but every villain has some heart, Despicable Me suggests. He wants to shrink the moon to fit into his hand, causing mass chaos in the world, but he has a sweet spot for two orphan girls who eventually become his adoptive daughters. Together they soften his heart. No villain is one hundred percent evil, and Gru proves it in a hysterical and touching portrayal.

The Cat in the Hat

The old Dr. Seuss classic was adapted to film in 2003 by Mike Meyers, who gave a quirky, magical perspective to the ever-entertaining, upright-walking cat. Together with two kids, the cat entertains and teaches the kids valuable lessons with a heavy dose of humor when the kids’ parents leave. Before they return, the Cat in the Hat cleans up the entire mess he made with his best buds, nondescript creatures Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Curious George

You probably remember the song from your own childhood, “Curious George, the cute little monkey.” That cute little monkey lives up to his name in the 2006 adaptation of H.A. and Margret Rey’s classic kids’ stories, where the lovable George mistake “The Man in the Yellow Hat’s” hat for a large banana, which leads to the two embarking on countless adventures together, which spark kids’ interest in science and history.

Despereaux

You’d expect a mouse to run off into the night when he’s scared, but not Despereaux! The unlikely hero stands up for what is right, with plenty of adventure along the way. The Tale of Despereaux shows that no matter how small you are, you can have a huge heart full of bravery and good intentions.

The Lorax

The Lorax is a little grump with charm, but he has a reason to be grumpy. After all, the evil Once-ler is trying to deforest his tree home! The message of environmentalism is strong with this film, but The Lorax manages to keep “eco friendly” lighthearted.

Tell us

What do you look for in characters in children’s films? Share in the comments below!

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