Another week, another kids' movie

The aim of the film was to "reinforce our core business," says Jim Samples, general manager of Cartoon Network. He was pleased with the film even if it didn't set any box-office records, noting that ratings shot up for the TV show as a result of the movie.

Parents, of course, are more concerned with the content of films than with Hollywood strategies, and there the growth of kids' movies is more of a problem.

"What [studios are] trying to do with these films now is throw them at a broader range of targets," Greene says. In the process of offering something for everyone, they can become "edgy, strange amalgams."

To reach more adults, filmmakers include jokes or pop-culture references that (parents hope) fly over kids' heads, he says. These can range from the Elvis music in "Lilo and Stitch" to the torturing of the Gingerbread Man in "Shrek," to cite two recent examples.

Children's films also are packed with product placements, Greene says. For him, the consumerism inherent in the films undercuts whatever positive message a movie may have. "You encourage kids to be greedy," he says.

Finally, some children's films can be overwhelming or too scary for young ones.

"Parents need to be thorough about researching what kids watch [and] know what their kids can handle," Green says, citing "The Lion King" and "Bambi," in which a parent dies, as examples.

But for their part, most kids are thrilled to see more than one option on the movie marquee.

Standing at the General Cinemas in Revere, Mass., wavy-haired 8-year-old Josue Cubias grins ear to ear as he lists the films he'd like to see this summer: "Spy Kids 2," "Stuart Little 2," maybe "The Country Bears."

"They're gonna be cool!" he says, standing next to his mom and dad.

KID POWER! A dozen of the 20 top box-office moneymakers ever are movies intended for children (G and PG). And when you factor in the cheaper price for kidsi tickets, itis doubly impressive.

Rank, Title, Box office (in millions*)

1. Titanic (1997) 601

2. Star Wars (1977) 461

3. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) 435

4. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) 431

5. Spider-man (2002) 402

6. Jurassic Park (1993) 357

7. Forrest Gump (1994) 329

8. Harry Potter and the Sorcereris Stone (2001) 318

9. The Lion King (1994) 313

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) 313

11. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) 309

12. Independence Day (1996) 306

13. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) 294

14. The Sixth Sense (1999) 294

15. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 290

16. Home Alone (1990) 286

17. Shrek (2001) 268

18. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) 260

19. Jaws (1975) 260

20. Monsters, Inc. (2001) 255

Yellow highlights movies intended for children and families

*Figures rounded to nearest million

Source: Internet Movie Database

If parents let them, kids would watch their favorite movies on video or DVD from morning until bedtime. Seven of the top 10 bestselling videos in the US are childrenis movies.

Rank, Title, US Sales 1992-2000 (in millions*)

1. Titanic $ 30

2. The Lion King 28

3. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 27

4. Aladdin 25

5. Independence Day 22

6. Jurassic Park 22

7. Toy Story 21

8. Beauty and the Beast 20

9. Pocahontas 18

10. Men in Black 18

Yellow highlights movies intended for children and families

* $ figures rounded to nearest million

Source: The Top 10 of Everything 2002/Video Store

• The only animated film ever nominated for a best picture Oscar is 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991).

• The first feature-length animated film ever was Disney's 'Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs' in 1937.

• 'Shrek' (2001) is the first movie to win the Oscar for best animated feature.

Page: 1 | 2