10 More Movies For All The Family
Based on the 1983 novel The Sheep Pig by Dick King-Smith, the 1995 movie Babe tells the story of an orphaned pig who wants to become a sheepdog. With a little help from the kindly Farmer Hoggett and a bunch of eccentric farm animals, he eventually gets his wish and becomes something of a celebrity.
The movie is an enchanting watch and is ideal for family viewing. If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and picked out movies that we think are well worth your time.
So without further ado, here are 10 movies to check out if you’re looking for a similar movie to Babe.
Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Based on the classic children’s novel by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of a pig named Wilbur who befriends a spider named Charlotte who concocts a clever plan to save him from becoming part of somebody’s roast dinner.
With its farmyard setting and gallery of talking animals, this is an ideal watch for anybody who enjoyed Babe. The ending is very sad though so you might want to have a box of handkerchiefs at the ready for yourself and the younger members of your family.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
This remake of the 1963 film follows a fun-loving American Bullhound pup, a wise old golden retriever, and a hilarious Himalayan cat as they embark on a long and perilous trek through the Himalayas on a quest to return home to their beloved owners.
This classic movie is a heartwarming delight with moments that will tickle your funny bone and tug at your heart, much in the same way that Babe did when it was released a couple of years later.
Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
If you’re a fan of Babe, you might as well watch the sequel, right? In this follow-on from the 1995 film, Babe travels to the big city with Mrs. Hoggett to save the family farm. Along the way, Babe makes lots of new friends, with cats, dogs, chimpanzees and many other animals joining him on his adventure.
This movie isn’t quite as good as the one that preceded it, largely because of the occasionally bleak tone that sucks away some of the first movie’s sweetness. The animation and voice acting are still top-notch, however, and the movie does contains lots of delightful sequences.
Gordy (1994)
Gordy isn’t quite as good as Babe but it does feature a talking pig and a similar threat wherein his family are in danger of becoming sausages. As such, this might still be worth a watch for the younger members of your family if they enjoyed the aforementioned film. This actually has more in common with the sequel to Babe as it’s another road movie of sorts, with Gordy trotting off on an adventure to rescue his loved ones.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Animal films are often quite heartbreaking, as anybody will testify to if they have seen A Dog’s Purpose, Ring of Bright Water, and this movie about a University professor (Richard Gere) who discovers a lost Akita puppy and takes him home.
Like Babe, this one centres on the bond between a man and an animal. But whereas Babe had a happy ending, this one has a conclusion that may well break your heart. We won’t reveal the reasons why but if you’re not in the mood for a movie that will wrench tears from your eyes, you might want to stick with Babe or some of the more cheerful movies on this list.
If you are in the mood for a movie that will test you emotionally, however, you will be rewarded with a sad but extremely well-made movie about the love between a dog and his master.
Chicken Run (2000)
Here’s another movie about a bunch of farmyard animals but instead of pigs, sheep, and horses, we have a story about a flock of chickens who, like Babe the sheep-pig, very nearly become someone’s dinner.
Chicken Run is aimed as much at adults as it is for kids, with jokes that will fly the coop and over the heads of some children. That doesn’t mean the younger members of your family won’t enjoy it, however, as it’s a non-stop riot of crazy humour and goofy stop-motion animation that will put a smile on the face of anybody who sees it.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
There are no farmyard animals in this Spielberg classic but like the porcine character at the heart of Babe, this heartwarming movie is centred around a character who finds himself alone after losing his friends and family. It’s not long before he makes a new buddy, of course, as he is welcomed into the life of Elliot, a kid who shares his sense of loneliness.
Like Babe, this is a story of friendship and courage from a director who knows how to touch the hearts of children. It’s arguably the best family movie ever made that once seen can never be forgotten.
Benji (1974)
Forget the Netflix remake that landed on the streaming service in 2018. It wasn’t awful but it didn’t come close to this feel-good classic about a stray dog named Benji who comes to the rescue of two kidnapped children. In terms of plotline, this one might seem very different to the story in Babe. But as it features a courageous animal in need of a place to call home, this movie isn’t so different after all.
With its loveable central character and warm-hearted tone, this is just the movie to introduce your kids to if they have worn out their DVD copy of Babe.
Black Beauty (1994)
Based on the classic novel by Anna Sewell, this enchanting (and sometimes traumatic) tale tells the story of a beautiful black stallion and his sometimes difficult life journey, from his carefree early years as a young colt to the hardships he endures after reaching maturity.
Sewell’s book has been adapted many times but this is one of the better cinematic retellings of her well-respected novel. There are some sad moments, as can be expected in a tale about a horse and his sometimes mean-spirited owners, but it’s a hopeful movie too that plays on the themes of courage and friendship that were prominent in Babe.
Simon Birch (1998)
Our final movie choice doesn’t feature talking animals or farmyard slapstick but it’s a worthy choice for anybody who wants a similar movie to Babe. Like that movie, it features somebody who was born smaller than others of his kind and who is determined to follow his life’s purpose, despite the obstacles that stand in the way.
Simon Birch tells the story of a boy who is born with Morquio syndrome, a condition that stunts his growth, but he doesn’t let this setback get him down. He believes God made him that way for a reason and this gives him the confidence to pursue the purpose that he believes God has for him.
Like Babe, this is the tale of somebody who finds courage, despite the low opinion that others have of him. It’s also a story of hope and friendship that may prove inspirational to those whose hearts are open to the messages it conveys.
So, there we have it – 10 films to watch if you’re a fan of Babe. Do you agree with our picks? Let us know in the comments below.