Films by season & age - Underwater (Ages 5-8)

Seasons are a great way to explore different ideas through watching a group of films. Why not try watching all the films in a season and make some time for discussion. Topics and discussion points are included.

All of us, however young or old, are fascinated by what goes on underwater - what strange creatures we might come across, and how they might interact with one another! As such, the wonders of the deep make perfect subject matter for movies, giving us a glimpse of a world most of us could never hope to experience in real life.

In some cases, the films in this season take that literally - in the much-loved The Water Babies, a young boy falls into a river but then magically becomes part of the underwater world himself. In others, however, the world under the waves is left entirely to its own devices - and in the case of The Spongebob Squarepants Movie, it's the strangest and most hilarious place you'll ever see!

Suggested pair:

After watching the relatively old-fashioned (but still charming) animation of The Water Babies, why not contrast it with a screening of the state-of-the-art Finding Nemo?

Talking points:

Do the films here make you want to explore underwater yourself, or do they put you off?

Did you enjoy seeing humans interacting with the underwater world in The Water Babies and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea - or did you prefer it when there wasn't a human in sight?

Guidance:

For very young and sensitive viewers, the final scene of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (in which Captain Nemo and his men battle a giant squid) may prove upsetting.
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie does feature some slightly crude humour - although the overall tone of the film is incredibly likeable and innocent.