Top DVDs to Buy for Your Kids on Black Friday

November 1, 2018February 17, 2021 Margalit Sturm Francus

I don’t know about you, but our son with autism looks forward every year to the DVD sales on Black Friday.
In fact, he is so obsessed with owning all the summer blockbusters he liked that he plans ahead and makes lists of what movies to buy and at what store. This year, he insisted I post his bucket list of the summer flicks he enjoyed so you too can snag the top DVDs on the upcoming 2018 Black Friday.

For younger kids

#Incredibles 2

Following the first film, Incredibles 2 is sure to be a family favorite. In this film, Helen assumes her old identity as Elastigirl for her new mission. During this time, Bob struggles with life as a single parent, and all that goes with it. One child is displaying new powers; the second needs help with ‘modern’ math, while the third struggles with the effects of memory loss. All while, Helen continues to fight ‘Screenslaver’ who uses mind control.

Incredibles 2 has a rating of PG. I believe most kids ages 8 and up would be able to enjoy and follow the storyline. There are no scary scenes, although there is some mild cussing throughout the movie. You should know that different stores offer different bonuses as a package for the movie. Our son liked the one sold at Target that included a story book and art work from the film.This movie will be a worthy addition to your DVD collection and a great way to entertain antsy kids on holiday gatherings.

Autism Tip

Make sure to watch the first installment since this movie picks up where the last one ended. The movie contains several strobe lights scenes, so parents to kids with epilepsy need to be aware of that.

#Christopher Robin

Disney has done it again with the release of Christopher Robin. This movie is all about reconnecting with your inner child and family. The movie starts with Christopher Robin as a family man who has forgotten about Winnie the Pooh and his friends. He neglects his wife and kids because of his job. As the plot evolves, he reconnects with his childhood friends Pooh and his friends.

Christopher Robin rated PG, and suitable for any age kid. While there is a little bit of action, there is no cussing, or references to sex, or anything inappropriate. Here again, we ordered the one sold by Target that includes the storybook for kids to read after they watch the movie.

Autism Tip

I believe that Christopher Robin is the perfect length of time for children. At 104 minutes, kids will be able to stay focused, and follow the movie without getting bored and antsy in the theater.

#Teen Titans Go! To the Movies

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies is a new cartoon movie that follows the Teen Titans Go TV series to a point. After the Teen Titans learn that every DC Universe character has their own film, they want one of their own. So the plot follows their trials and tribulations they go through to make it happen including contacting their enemy Slade.

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies has a PG rating. Therefore, suitable for everyone in your family. While the dialogue contains some rudeness, the overall storyline is excellent and the dialogue quite funny.

Autism Tip

The villain Slade does try and take over the minds of the Justice League, which may be something to explain to your kids ahead of time. At 88 minutes long it is on the shorter side which works great for kids with autism. To get the kids interested get them to watch a couple of the TV episodes broadcast on Cartoon Network or read the comic bookassociated with the series.

#Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

The third installment of Hotel Transylvania is not going to disappoint you and your kids.
The entire crew decides to take a monster luxury cruise for vacation! So, you will get to see the monsters playing sports and even having fun on the boat excursions.
Our favorite part is watching Drac fall in love.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation has a PG rating. I would say appropriate for kids ages 6 and over. There is some kissing, action scenes, and a little rude humor. However, some kids may not understand everything that mentioned. The movie is well suited to keep the younger crowd busy on the family gatherings when they get bored.

Autism Tip

Due to some of the humor, parents may have to explain some situations to their kids. Some of these statements may be over their head! If there is something that you are afraid of them repeating, I would explain it to them after the movie, so they do not repeat it.If possible watch the first two movies to see if your kids are interested in the characters.

For the older crowd:

#Ant-Man and the Wasp

One of the great summer movies hitting the DVD aisle is Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Following up the original, in true Marvel Comics fashion, Ant-Man and the Wasp pick up right where the original left off. In this flick, the superheroes are on a mission to find and save Janet, Hope’s mom, who got stuck in a subatomic quantum realm while disabling a Soviet missile years earlier. Ant-Man and the Wasp do figure out how to get into the subatomic quantum realm that Janet is trapped in, but they have a limited time frame and must fight their way to safety.

Ant-Man and the Wasp has a rating of PG13. While there are no sexual scenes, there is cussing and some inappropriate jokes about size. Also, the movie does contain several violent fighting scenes.

Autism Tip

I would highly recommend seeing the original Ant-Man and Captain America Civil War before watching Ant-Man and the Wasp. Also, this film is on the longer side, coming in at 118 minutes.

#Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

In true Jurassic Park fashion, Jurassic World: the Fallen Kingdom is sure to catch and keep the attention of your kids. I mean, who does not love dinosaurs?

Jurassic World: the Fallen Kingdom is the fifth installment produced in the franchise and does not disappoint. After the falling of Jurassic World three years ago, Claire Dearing petitions Congress to allow her to return to the island and save the remaining dinosaurs from a volcano that is set to go off any moment. Once Claire arrives there, discovers new breeds of dinosaurs. The plots and twists and turns in this film, are sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. Will the dinosaurs be safely moved?

While this film has a PG13 rating, it may be too graphic for some. There are violent, scary scenes, dinosaurs, and is very loud. Also, there are death scenes that may be traumatic for some kids. A good option for parents and kids to bond over during the holidays.

Autism Tip

If you have a child with noise sensitivities, I would recommend bringing the noise canceling headphones, or earplugs for your kids. I would also recommend watching the previous four movies so that your kids will know the storyline and the progression of the plot.

#Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, is sure to tug at your heartstrings, and entertain kids and parents alike. In this film, Sophie learns she is pregnant while running her mother’s villa in Kalokairi, an island in Greece. Talk about a deja vu!
As she questions being a mother, she reconnects with her three dads and learns more about her mother and how she got to owning the villa.

Rated PG13, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, has some cursing, and raises the topic of out of wedlock pregnancies. Hence, this storyline is meant for older kids. With that said, it is up to the individual parents to decide. This movie is bound to become a karaoke hit with your holiday guests too.

Autism Tip

I would also recommend introducing your kids to music like ABBA, so they enjoy the movie better. Also, the first one is a must watch for ABBA fans.

#Uncle Drew

Uncle Drew is a funny film created around Pepsi commercials. Yes, you read right! The plot involves Dax, who is on a mission to recover his life savings after entering a basketball tournament. When Dax realizes that his team has left him for his biggest rival, he enlists the help of Uncle Drew to help him out. With the help of Uncle Drew and his other basketball friends the question remains, will Dax recoup his life savings? If your kids like basketball, then Uncle Drew is an inspirational movie for them.

Uncle Drew has a PG13 rating. Brief nudity, cussing, and other suggestive materials are the reasons for this rating.

Autism Tip

Uncle Drew is a shorter movie coming in at 103 minutes. This movie can be helpful as a conversation starter about teaching your kid about saving money and trusting friends.

In Summation

2018 has brought us some great summer movies. There are films to entertain everyone in your family, and they will all be on sale come Black Friday. So, if you are interested in purchasing any of these titles, check your local stores to compare prices and and fill your holidays with movie magic.