UAE long weekend: Rediscover these classic films with the kids

MOVIE NIGHT: Popcorn at the ready now. It’s time to make introductions – children meet the classics, cool clips that elicited guffaws, incited tears and gave your mums and dads much food for thought. Here’re are some of our picks to get you started on that ‘must-watch’ list.

‘HOME ALONE’: What happens when you leave the cunning brat home alone and crooks try to break in? There’s chaos, madness and a whole lot of comical moments.

‘MARY POPPINS’: Practically perfect in every way Mary Poppins pops into the lives of the Banks and brings music and magic into their home. And if you let her, into yours – be prepared for the singing that’ll come with this show.

‘SOUND OF MUSIC’: When Maria, a governess, heads to the home of a widowed strict naval caption with seven kids, she must navigate the tricky terrain of dealing with teens and the cold behaviour of their father. Soon though music and cheer will run through the house.

‘LION KING’: Here’s an animated movie that no list would be complete without. The story follows young cub Simba’s coming-of-age journey, from a baby who feels responsible for his father’s death to taking his place as the king of his pride and his jungle.

‘SHOLAY’: This Hindi classic sees short change criminals Jai and Veeru come together to defeat the thug Gabbar Singh. Along the way they find love – and utter some timeless dialogues.

‘GREASE’: Before there was ‘High School Musical’ there was ‘Grease’, the ultimate school drama that follows the romances, friendships, highs and lows of a group of high schoolers in the 1950s. Oh, and the music is legendary!

‘HARRY POTTER’: The boy wizard’s story is over 20 years old now but it’s never too late to be told. At age 11, Harry finds out he’s a wizard and he’s going to the magical school of Hogwarts. At 11, he already has a nemeses, too; Voldemort. Let the magical battles begin.

‘LORD OF THE RINGS’: Follow Hobbits Sam and Frodo as they take the evil ring of Sauron to Mordor to destroy it in this epic trilogy.