I've been a media specialist for kids for 30 years, and it strikes me that the list makers mustn't have met any real children lately.
Harry Potter, Star Wars, Mary Poppins, Lady and the Tramp, The Court Jester, Fantasia (and dozens I've never seen because I haven't had a TV since '69).

Linda Hay, Guilford VT, USA

M. Brennan - Very good point indeed, but don't hold your breath. I mailed the BBFC with exactly that point and got a fatuous and patronising reply, saying that Heathers would be given a different classification nowadays!!! They couldn't care less.

janey, Bath,

As many people have already commented, the greatest children's film of the 80s, and possibly of all time, is 'The Goonies'. Any list of great children's films that doesn't include it is wrong and not worth the paper/ bandwidth it's printed on! And yet we all feel the urge to comment... hmm...

Jennifer Smith, Edinburgh,

Heathers "suitable for age 12 and up"? You might want to clear this with the BBFC who each time it has been submitted to them have given it an 18 certificate.

M Brennan, London, UK

I agree with the comment about most of the top 20 being for teens. How about "Whale Rider", one of the loveliest stories (with a strong female character to boot) and "The Secret of Roan Inish"?These are movies that have good stories, characters and are beautifully filmed.

Monique, London, UK

The Trouble with Angels
BedKobs and Broomsticks
The Parent Trap (the one with Hayley Mills)
Mary Poppins
Gregory's Girl

Martin in Birmingham, Anne of Green Gables would be really offended to see you spelled her name without the "e".

Sarah, Ottawa, ON, Canada

I was very pleased you included Edward Scissorhands. That film is magical and teaches childern a lot about life and belonging (or not) but in a subtle, non-didactic way. It was my absolute favourite movie growing up.

A pity you omitted The Goonies, one of the best fantasy films ever.

A. Rissetto, Auckland, New Zealand

'Bringing Up Baby' might appeal to today's kids.

'Mr Smith Goes to Washington' should be required viewing for older teens to illustrate how politics REALLY works, and reintroduce the ideals and true meaning of democracy at a time of falling voting numbers.

Helen Kay, Ashbourne,

At least half of these films are recommended for teenagers, and teenagers are NOT children.

paddy fletcher, london, U.k.

Where's The Goonies?

Hannah Josiah, St Albans,

Love the last two, but where is Kellys Heroes?

Tim, Madrid, Spain

Er, where's the Lion King???

I haven't heard of half of these.

LJ, Leics,

This is the strangest list ever. Not only for the content but for the age suggestions. Wizard of Oz - ageless - while Chitty Chitty 3 up? The witch is just as scary as the child catcher.

Mary Poppins; Swallows & Amazons; Railway Children; Heidi; Secret Garden?

There are so many better films

Al, Chester, UK

No Gonnies? No Flight of the Navigator? No Transformers the Movie! Blade Runner! Come on!

sohiav, hemel, herts

Legally Blonde and Grease - good call - we can't have our daughters forgetting their obligation to look hot at all times, otherwise they might develop minds of their own or something.

Lyn, Birmingham, UK

My son's favourite movies at a tender of age of 9years: Gone in 60 seconds, Harry Potter movies, Stormbreaker, James Bond, National Treasure, and yes Goonies .........

jay, harrow, UK

This list may be more suitable for teenagers but definitely not smaller children. As previous comments have noted, where is Mary Poppins. What about Hans Christian Andersen with Danny Kaye or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers?

Clare, Surrey, UK

Cinema Paradiso "suitable for all ages"? It's not for children. This is a stupendous film but definitely one for adults.

Liz, London,

These are not childrens films! What about a good hayley mills classic like polly anna or the parent trap? Wallace and Gromit? All the disney films? Labyrinth is amazing with David Bowie! Most of the films on your list are not suitable for children.

Dee walker, manchester,

My kids' favourite film was a wonderful Richard Curtis, "made for TV" production, Bernard and the Genie, starring Lenny Henry and Rowan Atkinson, which we videoed and watched endlessly. What about Bugsy Malone? Whisky Galore? Wallace & Gromit? Perfect kids' films, and excellent fun for adults to

Gill, Southampton, England

There is no Princess Bride in this preposterous list, and no Princess Bride in your equally weird Top 100. Watch it this weekend - its incredible.

Ned, London, UK

children.. whose children? you gotta be kidding.. rocky horror? get real, you need to define children cause you got it mixed up with early adolescants. Get real, my 5 year old watching rocky and then going to school in drag.. i should flail you.

weisscrow, amarillo, texas

an uninspired, dull and inaccurate list - appropriate only for young girls of the most boring & unimaginative kind imaginable. rocky horror is NOT suitable.

flight of the navigator? flight of dragons? THE LAST UNICORN?? princess bride? and the clearly male ones - eg 1985 version of transformers

michael walsh, manchester, UK

Where is The Goonies?

John Silke, Guildford, uk

When young, my kids watched Oliver Twist (the David Lean version) expecting the musical. They thought the original was brilliant. And where's The Railway Children?

Pat Monday, Bristol, UK

What a bizarre and out of touch person would think a child would like Heathers? Its a good movie if you're older than 16 but it will fly over a childs head and leave them bored. I'm not into feeding kids junk movies but Heathers, come on, where did that come from?
Raiders? Back to the Future?

James C, London,

original charlie and the chocolate factory? there is no original, willy wonka. this list is truly disturbing

Mr Doe, Wimbledon,

This is one of the more bizarre lists that I have read. Generally you quibble about marginal insertions and omissions but this entire list seems to have been compiled to answer a totally different question. Are you sure this is the right list?

Billy Barnett, HK,

Another film that should have been considered, at least for older kids and teens: Hope and Glory.

Michael, Pueblo, Colorado, US

You missed...

The Labyrinth (Henson puppets and David Bowie)
The Dark Crystal (Henson puppets)
The Goonies
Monster Squad
Back to the Future (1,2+3)
Indiana Jones (1,2+3 not 4)
Bed knobs and Broomsticks
Robin Hood (Disney cartoon)
Transformers (original cartoon movie)

Still love all those films!

Graeme, Edinburgh,

The Goonies? No surprises that this Times list is severely lacking...

charles, Cambridge, Great Britain

Well in our house the major family favourites are Mary Poppins, Hans Christian Andersen with Danny Kaye 1952 and any version of Wind in the Willows but yes Jungle book rules supreme

Sharon , London, London

A british journalist and forgets Harry Potter? No mention of Lord of the Rings? Shrek with the hilarious donkey that even the adults love does not even get a mention in the blogs. Snowwhite and the seven dwarfs forgotten. The Polar Express, anyone agree?

Michael Mulholland, Sydney,

Hm, Cinema Paradiso suitable for all ages? It must be fascinating to watch youngsters coping with Italian dialogue and sub-titles!

Harry Whitehouse, Scarborough, North Riding

You are winding us up :)) Very good.

Larry, Stratford,

"Staypuf is a dearly beloved advertising icon in the US." What?!? Firstly, the imaginary brand was spelled "Stay Puft," and secondly, it *is* imaginary - there are no Stay Puft Marshmallows in the U.S., there never were, and consequently no Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. "MaryJ" is delusional.

Shrewsbury, New York, New York,

Perhaps "Mary J" is thinking of the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Shrewsbury, New York, New York,

This list IS rediculous. Absolutely right on Mary Poppins- should have been there, and off the top of my head what about Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, The Goonies, - they're in a whole different league to most of the films on the list. Kes? Crocodile Dundee? Back to the Future? Labyrynth?

George, Cairns, Australia

Bladerunner? Are you having a laugh?
I suggest the Dark Crystal instead.

barry breslau, Sheffield,

The worst list imaginable. It's a list for teens and young adults. Useless.

Chuck, Dreft,

These are all films that I loved throughout my childhood, I spent most my time aged 11 dancing and singing to Rocky Horror Show. I think that this list is great.

Jemma, Kidderminster, UK

Where's any of the Star Wars films?

jonathan M, Leamington,

Came here looking for good films to let my son see...you know, 20 best films for children and all that. No way is he watching the majority of these which are aimed at children old enough to make up their own minds. The idea that Rocky Horror is a film for children....insane.

Nik, Kent,

What an absurd list, these journalists obviously had very strange childhoods!

Ed, Gloucester,

Spirited away is a very good film but I would suggest putting forward Howl's Moving Castle by the same studio. It's a lovely modern fairy tale told beautifully and is suitable for all ages

Ruth, Sheffield, Uk

Think the title containing the word "children" makes this article a little misleading! great films, but not exactly "children's films".

Lisa, Seaford, Uk

How come "Babe" never made the list. Contemporary shows like Family Guy use the phrase "that'll do pig". That should be enough to convince people it will be around long after we're gone.

Greg, Lower Botswana,

What an odd list, you put Heathers which is an 18, yet leave off Goonies which is probably one of the most loved childrens film and Cinema Paradiso? I would say this is more for an adult market who can look back to their own childhood. It would be too boring for a child I think.

Jon, Edenbridge, England

This deserves some kind of aware for the most inane and absurd movie list ever! Head crushing scenes of violence in Blade Runner, the oral sex jokes and "touch me I want to be dirty" of Rocky Horror, and the adults pretending to be condom bearing teenagers of Grease all in a list of kids' films??

Steve, Brisbane, Australia

Great article. Nice to see some variety and orginality instead of all the 'usuals' for once. It's a shame most of the comments are from boring no marks who won't embrace change.

Mary Poppins? Do me a favour. Heathers is a classic film and deserves its place. It's an 18?! shock - horror mummy!!

Andy, Ilkley,

And don't forget chitty chitty bang bang - which my godson will watch over and over and over again.

Ele, Beds,

Some good stuff, but Q is what can you rewatch? We love: Iron Giant; Toy Story; Lion King; Aladdin; Wallace&Gromit; Ann of Green Gables; Hercules; Jimmy Neutron; Belleville Rendezvous (a charmer). Gotta try em if you haven't, however old you are!

Martin, Birmingham,

Unbelievable or to quote from The Princess Bride 'inconceivable" . What a ridiculous list. Most teenagers, let alone children would not cope with the themes in these. Where is The Lion King , Mulan, The Princess Bride, The Secret Garden, Storm Boy, Zathura, The Emperer's New Groove, The King and I.,

Heather, Sydney, Australia

Where is the Goonies? this is rated in at least the top five of all my peers..

Peter, Stratford-upon-avon, UK

I thoroughly agree with the comments by Janey from Bath. These are baffling attempts to stretch the definition of a kid's film. Undoubtedly, Pixar and Aardman deserve recognition, as my daughter would readily attest. For what it's worth, I reckon the musical version of Oliver merits a mention too.

GJC, Stuttgart, Germany

What nonsense. Where is The Princess Bride? The Lady and the Tramp? Star Wars? This list is trying to impress adults with its self-perceived sophistication. How many children like Python or Rocky Horror? If you want adult films, what about Shane, Robin Hood, The Magnificient Seven?

James MacAonghus, London,

Cinema Paradiso - great film, but bearing in mind the proportion of adults who prefer sadly to avoid films with subtitles I doubt many pre teenagers would last 10 minutes never mind 3 hours. If you only avoid one list this year avoid this one.

Noddy Pocket, Effiat, France

As a child my favourite films were :- Mary Poppins, Star Wars ( A New Hope), The Slipper & The Rose, Bambi. All missing from your list.

Alison, Edinburgh, UK

** Pedant Alert **
It's not 'Staypuf', you silly, it's 'Stay Puft.' Very important to get in the right brand name.

Darwin, Leicester, UK

Where is The Black Stallion in this list? I agree with many inclusions in this list but this beautiful film has it all. Music, photography, cinematography, story; all are equally excellent and Mickey Rooney is a revelation.

Clive Boock, Auckland,

It's not "Marshmallow Man", you sillies, it's "Staypuf Marshmallow Man." Very important to get in the brand name, as, for one thing, Jetpuff or other brands don't have a Marshmallow Man. Staypuf is a dearly beloved advertising icon in the US, up there with Mr. Peanut and the Jolly Green Giant.

MaryJ, San Francisco, CA, USA

OK. Bladerunner seems to be a 15. Heathers, which you're recommending for 12 year olds, is an 18 Why are these in a feature for 20 best films for children? It would have been an offence (and probably impossible) to take children to see these in the cinema. Appalling judgement. on your part.

janey, Bath,

A film my son loved when he was about 8 is so obscure that I once read it never even got made. It did because for a few years we had it on video. Actually it was a 'made for TV'. It was the Mia Farrow, Danny Kaye version of Peter Pan - absolutely the best I've ever seen - now tragically lost

Geoff, Sydney,

This list is borderline ridiculous- some good stuff on here, but WHERE is Mary Poppins? How can you call Rocky Horror "better" for kids than that wonderful masterpiece?!?

Anthony Vawser, Adelaide, Australia