The Best August Movies to Watch in Your Homeschool
Can you feel it? It’s a heady mix of “last week of summer” and “wait, is school starting already?” August is a wonderful in-between month that often comes with a very busy calendar. Our favorite way to celebrate a few more holidays, dodge a summer thunderstorm, and sneak in some learning is by pressing play.
Movies are the best way to ease back into the homeschool year and make learning fun for everyone. The best August movies help you get started while celebrating everything this quirky month has to offer. There are lots of great opportunities, including International Cat Day, World Elephant Day, and National Watermelon Day.
Movies Are More Educational Than You Think
Don’t worry, movies are more educational than you might have thought. Documentaries are a clear winner for educational films, but they’re not always the easiest to sell when kids are counting down the last days of summer.
When the pencils are sharpened and everyone needs just one more relaxing evening together before the homeschool routine kicks in, it’s time to turn on the movies. Pop one in on a quiet afternoon or press play on a back-to-school movie night to kick off your first week.
Movies meet kids where they are. There’s something for every kind of learner. Visual learners soak up everything on screen. They’ll be the first to notice special effects and magnificent sets. Auditory learners will quote their favorite lines and download the soundtrack.
Kinesthetic learners will stretch, bounce, and fidget through the film. Don’t worry, movement and learning don’t cancel eachother out. A truly great movie can impart knowledge in ways you might never have thought about!
August is Full of Reasons to Press Play
There are many reasons to gather together and watch a movie this month. Back-to-school season is the perfect month for films about new beginnings and finding the courage to try something new.
August is also filled with random holidays worth celebrating: National Watermelon Day on August 3, International Cat Day on August 8, World Elephant Day on August 12, National Roller Coaster Day on August 16, and World Humanitarian Day on August 19. They’re all fun excuses to press play and learn!
You don’t have to choose between kicking off the school year and celebrating a calendar filled with fun. The best August movies do both! Check out some of our favorites below.
Matilda
There’s no better back-to-school movie than Matilda. This hysterical film is based on Roald Dahl’s story about a little girl who finds her voice, her courage, and a teacher who sees the truth. It’s a love letter to books, curiosity, and courage.
Matilda is a gentle reminder that being different is exactly what makes you remarkable. It’s the perfect movie for kids of all ages. There are two versions: the 1996 classic with Danny DeVito and the 2022 musical starring Alisha Weir. Watch them both, then compare and contrast.
Want more excellent book and movie combos you can pair up this year? Don’t miss our list of 50 Awesome Book & Movie Combos for your homeschool.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Middle school nerves are real. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, based on the book series by Jeff Kinney, tackles middle school with humor. The main character, Greg, is awkward and funny in his attempts to survive middle school. He will have your middle schoolers laughing out loud.
It’s a lighthearted way to connect with your tweens and open conversations about friendship, honesty, and why it’s important to always be yourself. After the movie, check out any of the 21 books in the series at your local library to get started with in your homeschool this August.
Did you know Diary of a Wimpy Kid made our list of the best book series for kids? Check out the other series on our list of 75+ Best Book Series for Kids of All Ages to discover more good books to read together.
School of Rock
Few films capture the joy experienced with an unconventional teacher better than School of Rock. In the movie, a failed musician poses as a substitute teacher and turns his class into a rock band. Along the way, he discovers that every child has a talent worth nurturing.
Auditory learners will fall in love with the catchy soundtrack in this movie! Plus, it’s a great conversation starter about creativity, confidence, and the kind of teacher that brings learning to life. The best part is that this movie teaches us all that education doesn’t have to look one certain way.
The Karate Kid
Older kids will love watching The Karate Kid this August. The movie follows a teen who finds an unlikely mentor after moving to a new town and being bullied at school.
The story teaches kids about patience, discipline, and wisdom. If your kids are nervous about trying something new this year, this film will reassure them and help them find their footing.
Freedom Writers
Ready to get started with literature and writing? Then, check out Freedom Writers. This movie is based on a true story about a teacher who uses writing to reach students the world had already given up on.
There are some intense scenes in this movie, so it’s better for teens. Watch it together this August to encourage empathy, storytelling, and conversations about the power of being heard.
Spellbound
Yes, this one is a documentary, but it’s perfect for back-to-school season. Spellbound follows 8 kids on their journey to the National Spelling Bee. It’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the dedication it takes to chase a dream.
This movie is a good choice for anyone who loves an underdog story. It’s an excellent movie to watch as you start your own vocabulary and spelling lessons this school year.
Cats Don’t Dance
In honor of International Cat Day on August 8, Cats Don’t Dance is a charming animated musical about a cat who moves to Hollywood in the 1930s to become a star. It’s filled with funny, catchy, and surprisingly thoughtful moments.
Cats Don’t Dance explores themes of fairness, perseverance, and following your dreams even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s a great film for kids of all ages to enjoy this August.
Want to learn more about cats in your homeschool this year? Don’t miss our All Things Cats Discovery Deck for curious kids.
Puss in Boots
Another great movie for International Cat Day is Puss in Boots. Read the book together and then have a family movie marathon! Your whole family will love this swashbuckling cat and his dramatic adventures filled with humor, heists, and surprises.
It’s a great August movie for kids in elementary or middle grades. If you love it, check out the sequel, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, too.
Dumbo
For World Elephant Day on August 12, watch Dumbo. If you’re anything like me, you’ll need the tissues. Dumbo tells the story of a baby elephant who is teased about his big ears. Eventually, he discovers his ears are his greatest gift.
This emotional animated classic teaches kids about self-acceptance and supporting the people who love you unconditionally. It’s gentle enough for younger children and still holds the rapt attention of older kids too.
The Biggest Little Farm
August 3 is National Watermelon Day, and it’s the perfect day to watch The Biggest Little Farm in your homeschool. This beautiful documentary is all about a couple who leave the city to build a small farm.
This heartwarming tale is packed with lessons on ecosystems, seasons, and the patience it takes to grow food. It also touches on the unpredictable weather farmers face, making it an important part of a conversation about weather’s impact on our world.
The Wizard of Oz
August isn’t just a month filled with fun holidays and back-to-school prep. It’s also a time of year that’s marked by changing weather. Many regions experience thunderstorms in August. With that stormy weather in mind, we just had to add The Wizard of Oz to our August movie list.
This classic tale starts with a tornado sweeping a girl and her dog away to a magical land. Beyond the story, it’s a natural way to start lessons about severe weather and weather safety. Kids of all ages will fall in love with Dorothy, Glinda, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion on their quest to see the wizard.
Wicked
We couldn’t talk about The Wizard of Oz without mentioning Wicked. This musical tells the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda, who met as students at Shiz University long before one becomes the Good Witch and the other becomes the Wicked Witch.
Wicked is the perfect pick for tweens and teens, filled with opportunities to talk about first impressions, prejudice, and how a story can be different depending on who is telling it. Plus, you won’t be able to stop singing Defying Gravity.
Paper Clips
The final movie on this month’s list is a profound documentary for World Humanitarian Day on August 19. Paper Clips is about a group of middle school students who set out to collect six million paper clips to help understand the scale of the Holocaust.
What begins as a class project turns into a global lesson on remembrance and compassion. This powerful movie helps kids learn about a heavy topic through the eyes of students their own age who are making a real difference. It’s one you won’t want to miss.
Ease Into A New Homeschool Year, One Movie at a Time
The beginning of a new homeschool year doesn’t have to start with textbooks and full lesson plans. Sometimes the best way to ease back into learning is by curling up together with a great movie. Stories naturally spark curiosity, meaningful conversations, and questions that lead to learning without anyone feeling like they’re “doing school.”
Whether you’re celebrating a quirky August holiday, kicking off your first week of homeschool, or simply enjoying a cozy family movie night, don’t underestimate how much learning can happen on the couch. Add a few thoughtful discussion questions or a simple activity if you’d like, or just enjoy the story together. The memories you make and the conversations you share are every bit as valuable as checking another lesson off the list.
After all, some of the best homeschool days don’t look like school at all. They look like families laughing together, talking about great stories, and discovering that learning can be as simple as pressing play.
More August Learning Resources You’ll Love
Ready to add more interest-led learning to your homeschool this August? Here are a few more of our favorite resources to help you ease back into a new school year.
- August Homeschool Printables That Are Absolutely Free
- 5 Fun Ideas to Celebrate the First Day of Homeschool
- Back-to-School Morning Basket
- 30+ Best Books to Read This August
- The Best Games for Learning in August
If your family loves learning through movies, don’t forget to check out our Movie Guides. Each guide is filled with thoughtful discussion questions, fun activities, and printable worksheets that help kids think more deeply about the stories they’re watching without taking away the fun. They’re an easy way to turn family movie night into meaningful learning.
What movies are you watching together this August? Share your favorite back-to-school movies in the comments. We can’t wait to check them out on our next family movie night!