Children & Family
The Hero of Color City
rating:3.2.png

The Hero of Color City

2010
When they aren't working for the kids at preschool, a lively group of crayons enjoys relaxing in their magical home of Color City. But when a wicked villain threatens to destroy their special world, the crayons must band together and take a stand. Directed by Becky Bristow, this colorful computer-animated adventure features the vocal talents of Craig Ferguson, Christina Ricci, Rosie Perez and Arsenio Hall.

Directed by:

  • Becky Bristow
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Dr. Dolittle
    rating:3.2.png

    Dr. Dolittle

    1998
    Funnyman Eddie Murphy portrays the titular San Francisco doc who regains his childhood gift for conversing with critters when he hits his head on the windshield of his car. Soon, his new ability leads to a business opportunity. When word spreads throughout the animal kingdom, his clinic turns into a virtual zoo overrun with sheep, horses, birds, rats, dogs and a suicidal tiger -- all suffering from an array of mostly comic maladies.

    Directed by:

  • Betty Thomas
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Favorite Parties
    rating:3.2.png

    You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Favorite Parties

    1998
    Tween twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen picked their three favorite party videos -- "Fashion Party," "Costume Party" and "Campout Party" -- for this collection, which includes plenty of singing, dancing and fun for the whole family. The girls dress up for a real-life runway show, travel back in time to groove to the music of different eras, and go on an outdoor adventure full of hiking, fishing and more.

    Directed by:

  • Barbara Daoust
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Super Mario Bros.
    rating:3.2.png

    Super Mario Bros.

    1993
    Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi (John Leguizamo) are about to be shut down by a shady construction company, and when the firm's henchmen see that Luigi has fallen for a young student named Daisy (Samantha Mathis), they kidnap her -- and take her to another dimension. Vowing to track her down, the boys soon find themselves trapped in a bizarre parallel world ruled by a dinosaur-like despot named King Koopa (Dennis Hopper).

    Directed by:

  • Annabel Jankel
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Unstrung Heroes
    rating:3.2.png

    Unstrung Heroes

    1995
    Steven Lidz (Nathan Watt) is 12 years old, confused and angry. Overwhelmed by life with an ailing mother (Andie MacDowell) and an emotionally distant father (John Turturro), Steven runs off to live with his two eccentric uncles (Michael Richards and Maury Chaykin). There, he finds a measure of solace in his uncles' strange and endearing idiosyncrasies -- and makes the transition from boyhood innocence to a young man's understanding of life.

    Directed by:

  • Diane Keaton
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    The Secret
    rating:3.2.png

    The Secret

    1992
    On the surface, it seems as if Mike Dunsmore (Kirk Douglas) has it all. He has a loving family, has built a successful business and is running for political office. But nobody knows his secret: He's dyslexic and illiterate. He would've gone to the grave with this information had he not suspected that his grandson (Brock Peters) shares his problem. But in order to help the child, Mike must reveal his disability to his son (Bruce Boxleitner).

    Directed by:

  • Karen Arthur
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat: Live Show
    rating:3.2.png

    Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat: Live Show

    2011
    The National Theatre's production of "The Cat in the Hat" is a lively, engaging performance for children of all ages. Based on the much-loved storybook by Dr. Seuss, this tale is colorfully adapted for the stage by director Katie Mitchell.

    Directed by:

  • Katie Mitchell
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    A Plumm Summer
    rating:3.2.png

    A Plumm Summer

    2007
    Based on a true story, this family film set in late-1960s Montana tells the tale of the Plumm boys (Owen Pearce and Chris Massoglia), two young brothers from a hardscrabble background who set out to solve the kidnapping of their favorite TV puppet, Froggy Doo. Though the intriguing FBI-caliber search for a missing marionette is great fodder for adventure, equally compelling is the theme of repairing familial rifts as a part of coming of age.

    Directed by:

  • Caroline Zelder
  • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Christmas Do-Over
    rating:3.1.png

    Christmas Do-Over

    2006
    When jingle writer Kevin (Jay Mohr) travels to a remote town to spend Christmas with his son Ben, ex-wife Jill (Daphne Zuniga) and her parents, he finds himself living the very same Christmas Day over and over again -- giving him a chance to win back his family. But blocking his path to redemption are a pair of ornery ex-in-laws and Jill's seemingly perfect new boyfriend -- not to mention Kevin's own abundant shortcomings.

    Directed by:

  • Catherine Cyran
  • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Blue's Clues: Blue Talks
    rating:3.1.png

    Blue's Clues: Blue Talks

    2004
    The popular "Blue's Clues" series introduces the whimsical joys of puppetry to its young audience and reveals a secret: Blue speaks. But how did that all begin? According to Luna, the Moon Fairy, there's a legend that can explain it all. The night before the first blue moon shone over the land, a blue puppy was born with a gold key that unlocked its gift of language. Includes two episodes: "The Legend of the Blue Puppy" and "Love Day."

    Directed by:

  • Koyalee Chanda
  • Elizabeth Holder
  • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Frankie and Hazel
    rating:3.1.png

    Frankie and Hazel

    2001
    Girl power turns their families and the city upside down in this warm, fun and witty comedy as 12-year-old best friends Frankie (Mischa Barton) and Hazel (Ingrid Uribe) conspire to make their mark on the local community. One excels at ballet and baseball and battles a sexist coach for a spot on a Little League team, while the other devours politics and decides to run for mayor.

    Directed by:

  • JoBeth Williams
  • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid
    rating:3.1.png

    Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid

    2008
    Aspiring 9-year-old reporter Roxy Hunter (Aria Wallace) stumbles upon a whale of a story when she encounters a mute young girl (Ashleigh Rains) who seems to come from nowhere. The mystery deepens when Roxy discovers that the girl is actually a mermaid. But before she can write the story of her young career, Roxy must help her new friend get back home. Demetrius Joyette co-stars as Max, Roxy's faithful best friend.

    Directed by:

  • Eleanor Lindo
  • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Sesame Street: Elmo Visits the Doctor
    rating:3.1.png

    Sesame Street: Elmo Visits the Doctor

    2005
    When upbeat Muppet Elmo comes down with a nasty cold, it's time for his very first trip to the doctor's office -- but the fuzzy red monster needs some reassurance from his friends to get over his fears. This musical journey helps prepare preschoolers for a visit to the pediatrician through catchy songs and animated and live-action segments that cover the basics, including check-ups, medical implements and even proper hygiene.

    Directed by:

  • Eva Saks
  • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    New York Minute
    rating:3.1.png

    New York Minute

    2004
    Twins Jane and Roxy Ryan (Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen) couldn't be more different: Jane is a straight-A student, while Roxy's a punk-rock rebel. But when they accidentally land in the middle of a criminal operation, they'll have to work together to get themselves out of trouble. Throw in a couple of cute guys, a bungling truant officer (Eugene Levy) and a hit man posing as a limo driver, and you've got one madcap New York adventure.

    Directed by:

  • Dennie Gordon
  • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Roxy Hunter and the Secret of the Shaman
    rating:3.0.png

    Roxy Hunter and the Secret of the Shaman

    2008
    Tween sleuth Roxy Hunter (Aria Wallace) befriends an odd man known as "the Shaman" (Richard McMillan) who lives in the woods in this family mystery tale. So when he's accused of stealing a valuable crystal, Roxy and her pal Max (Demetrius Joyette) investigate, determined to find the real thief. Meanwhile, as the bond between Roxy and the Shaman grows, the two learn some important life lessons from each other.

    Directed by:

  • Eleanor Lindo
  • rating:3.0.png 3.0 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Sweet 15
    rating:3.0.png

    Sweet 15

    1990
    Nothing is more important to Mexican-American Marta Delacruz than her &NFi;quinceanera&NFi_; -- the traditional 15th birthday celebration that symbolically ushers a young girl into adulthood. Marta is understandably angry and resentful when her father cancels the gala event, but her outlook changes completely when she accidentally uncovers her father's secret: He never became a U.S. citizen.

    Directed by:

  • Victoria Hochberg
  • rating:3.0.png 3.0 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Now and Then
    rating:3.8.png

    Now and Then

    1995
    Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty in this tender coming-of-age tale, four childhood girlfriends -- Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta -- recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more. Lesli Linka Glatter directs; Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Cloris Leachman, Thora Birch and Christina Ricci co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Lesli Linka Glatter
  • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Now and Then (1995)
    A heartwarming movie about four childhood girlfriends who, in adulthood reunion, relive their experience of the life-changing summer of 1970, including a mystery death, divorce, standing up to the boys, first kiss, and the meaning of true friendship. Each explores her unique identity amidst family and friends. Beautifully directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
    - Frances   
    We periodically update our movie database by adding new female directors and their movies. If you would like to receive notice of these new additions when they happen, please email us at:
    frances 'at' femaledirectors.com