I struggle endlessly to discover new and awesome movies for my kids to watch.

Disney flicks are way too pricey to buy.

My daughter wants the Barbies and Ponies and my son likes the trains and cars, so they rarely agree.

The greatest challenge is finding something I will watch without constantly checking Facebook updates or playing solitaire on my phone.

Here are my top 5 current and contemporary kid flicks.

1. Frozen.

Say what you will about it, but there is something incredibly freeing about belting out ballads, especially with midget backup singers.

I love Anna’s quirkiness. She drools, looks like crap in the morning, has a severe chocolate addiction and falls for a stinky dork with a family of trolls.

2. Meet the Robinsons.

Plots centered on adoption tug at my heart strings. It gives us a glimpse of a super villain as an innocent child. The mom is a bad-ass who thwarts a brutal attack where meatballs are used as weapons.

It has a song by Rufus Wainwright that I ADORE.

3. Rango.

This can’t be a kid flick. It just can’t. Chock full of grownup metaphors.

4. Hotel Transylvania.

I hate Adam Sandler, except for in this movie.

I dig monster humor.

“Those humans are nassssty.”

And there’s this line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXveWvxYz3A

5. Free Birds.

Owen Wilson. Amy Poehler. Woody Harrelson. George Takei. (I had you at Takei, didn’t I?)

My husband would add Fantastic Mr. Fox to this list, but a friendly reminder to fellow parents: Your kids repeat what they hear, so only watch it if you’re a-o-k with the kidlets saying, “What the cuss?” or “This is a total clustercuss!”

Parents of little ones, please add your suggestions and justifications. I am always searching for better alternatives to playing with the dollhouse.

Posted by ScreamerDreamer in Children's television, Family, Family humor, Family life, Funny family, Kids TV, Motherhood, Parenting, Toddlers, Working mom Tags: kid movies