The Best February Movies to Watch in Your Homeschool
Are you looking for more movies to watch in your homeschool this February? You’re in the right place! We’ve compiled a list of educational and family-friendly films that pair perfectly with this month’s holidays and our book and game lists.
Start February with movies for Groundhog Day and heartfelt favorites for Valentine’s Day. Then, dive into history with films for Presidents’ Day and Black History Month. Plus, have some fun with movies inspired by New Orleans and Mardi Gras that spark curiosity and conversation.
Whether you’re exploring some of our nation’s influential leaders, having fun learning about cultural traditions, or just looking for a fun family movie night theme, there’s something for everyone on this list. Discover our favorite February movie picks and turn movie days into unforgettable learning experiences.
History, Heritage, and Heart: February Movies That Spark Curiosity
February is filled with themes that make it ideal for learning through films and deep discussions. Often, a great movie can get to the heart of the matter in a whole new way.
Films are the perfect way to dive into meaningful topics like Black History Month and Presidents’ Day. Movies help kids connect emotionally with historical figures and events in ways textbooks often can’t, encouraging empathy, deeper understanding, and thoughtful conversations.
Cultural celebrations this February offer fun new opportunities to explore geography, traditions, folklore, and storytelling. Groundhog Day and Mardi Gras are filled with exciting stories for kids of all ages!
For a month that’s shorter than the rest, February’s days can feel long and cold! Put movies to work to help you slow down and keep the learning going, even when everyone has cabin fever. A carefully chosen film can spark curiosity, inspire discussion, and lead to deeper learning, making movie days a homeschooling win.
Why Learning Through Movies Is a Smart Choice for February
February is full of significant moments, but it can also feel crowded and tiring. With colder days, shorter weeks, and several holidays, movies offer a simple way to keep learning going without adding stress to your routine.
Films make it easy for kids to connect with history, culture, and ideas through stories they will remember. A great movie can open the door to conversations with less resistance than a typical homeschool lesson.
Ultimately, you don’t need elaborate activities or lots of worksheets to make movie time count as learning time. A few intentional choices can turn a relaxing evening on the couch into education.
Pause for Conversation
Don’t be afraid to hit the pause button. Pausing occasionally during a movie helps kids stay focused and think about what they’re watching. Try asking questions like What do you think will happen next? or What’s been your favorite part so far?
Simple conversation prompts build comprehension and encourage kids to reflect without turning the movie into a quiz. Plus, it’s a much easier way to check for retention than giving a test or assigning an essay.
Connect the Story
February films often tie directly to real people and places. A film about Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks pairs naturally with biographies or picture books. A Groundhog Day movie is a fun excuse to learn about prediction and Punxsutawney Phil.
Mardi Gras stories can lead to exploring New Orleans, its history, and its traditions. These connections help us to see that stories don’t exist in isolation; they’re part of a bigger world.
Respond Creatively
Creative activities can help learning stick. After the movie, everyone can create art inspired by a scene, engage in a simple science project, or build something with blocks that’s connected to the movie.
Hands-on extensions like these are the perfect way to learn through play while reinforcing key ideas from the film. Learning doesn’t have to be heavy or boring to be significant. Movies and games can get the job done too.
Want to read more about learning through play in your homeschool? Check out our Guide to Homeschool Without a Curriculum.
Pick Movies That Match Your Child’s Interests
Joining a movie to a topic you’re already learning about fortifies the lesson in a way that’s exciting for kids. Other times, the best films are the ones that introduce a completely new topic your kids haven’t even uncovered yet.
It’s awesome when movies line up with your lesson plans, but don’t feel like every film you watch has to fit perfectly into your curriculum. Sometimes it’s a fantastic idea to choose a film your kids are curious about, even if it’s “not a good fit” for your current unit study.
If you want to choose unit studies and lesson plans that line up with your child’s interests, grab our guide to homeschool unit studies for tips and guidance on implementing interest-led unit studies in your homeschool.
Best Movies to Watch in February for Homeschool Families
This list of the best movies for February includes inspirational films, holiday humor, and family-friendly movies that encourage exploration, kindness, and remembrance. They’re perfect for February homeschool lessons.
Akeelah and the Bee
February is Black History Month, a time when we acknowledge and commemorate the contributions and achievements of influential African Americans. There are lots of great movies you can add to your homeschool lessons this month to learn more about Black History.
One of our favorites is Akeelah and the Bee. Kids as young as age 8 will enjoy this movie about a little girl named Akeelah and her dream of winning the spelling bee.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures combines history, science, and biography to bring us the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. These women worked as computers at NASA during the space race. They endured racial and gender discrimination, but we couldn’t have won the space race without them.
This movie contains some mild language, making it best suited for upper elementary students. You can pair it up with Hidden Figures: The Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly for younger children, or read Hidden Figures Young Readers Edition.
Remember the Titans
Kids ages 10 and up will also enjoy Remember the Titans this February. It’s a good way to spark discussions about integration and racism in the American South in the 1970s. The movie follows a newly integrated small-town high school football team as they achieve the state championship.
Ruby Bridges
Another important movie about integrating schools is Ruby Bridges. It’s best for older children since it can be emotionally heavy. This movie works best when parents pause to talk, answer questions, and give kids time to process what they’re seeing. Older elementary kids are typically more equipped to engage in these types of conversations.
Groundhog Day
Need a funny, light-hearted movie to watch with your middle schooler? Check out Groundhog Day. It’s an easy way to start discussions about cause and effect and consequences. If your kids are interested in philosophy and ethics, this film can inspire further study of those topics.
Grab our Groundhog Unit Study for more ways to practice prediction and reflection with your middle schoolers this February. It’s a flexible interest-led study that will keep them engaged and excited about groundhogs and the holiday!
Gnomeo & Juliet
If you’re looking for an animated film that’s perfect for watching with young children this Valentine’s Day, check out Gnomeo & Juliet. This feel good movie is filled with hilarious characters. Plus, it’s an easy way to introduce Shakespeare to kids as early as kindergarten.
Up
Another beautiful animated movie for your Valentine’s Day movie night is Up. This film follows Carl, an old man looking back on his life, as he realizes maybe his adventures aren’t over after all. This film is full of love and sure to have the whole family laughing and crying.
Up is perfect for kids as young as first grade and still a great choice for older kids too. Older kids and parents will appreciate the message at the core of this film.
The Princess Bride
Do you love a good parody? Get your upper elementary and middle school kids in on the fun with The Princess Bride this February. This movie playfully exaggerates all our favorite fairytale tropes like magicians, sword fights, and daring rescues.
The Princess Bride genuinely honors themes of love, loyalty, and courage. The parody enhances the story rather than replacing it. Famous lines like “As you wish” undercut dramatic moments to highlight how predictable fairy tales can be, while still delivering lots of heart.
National Treasure
For a more adventurous Presidents Day movie, National Treasure turns American history into a fast-paced mystery. While fictional, the film weaves in real historical documents, symbols, and figures, making it an entertaining way to learn about the nation’s founding.
This movie works especially well as a conversation starter about the Declaration of Independence, early American leadership, and why historical artifacts matter. It’s a great choice for upper elementary and middle school students who love puzzles and treasure hunts.
To learn more, pair the movie with our Who Was George Washington? study. Together, they help kids separate fact from fiction.
Johnny Tremain
Johnny Tremain is a classic choice for Presidents Day homeschool learning. It offers a look at the events leading up to the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of a young boy, the film helps kids understand how ideas of liberty began to take shape.
This movie works especially well when paired with the book Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes. Together, the movie and the book encourage rich discussions about historical fiction, point of view, and how real figures fit into the broader story of America’s founding. It’s a good way to bring history to life for Presidents Day.
Lincoln
For older kids, Lincoln is a powerful Presidents Day movie choice that focuses on leadership during one of the most critical moments in American history. Rather than covering Lincoln’s entire life, the film zooms in on the political struggle to pass the 13th Amendment, giving students a clear picture of how laws are made.
Lincoln works best for middle schoolers and high schoolers who are ready to talk about complex ideas like compromise, moral leadership, and the responsibilities of government. It’s especially effective when used as a discussion starter.
To provide helpful background and balance the film’s intensity, pair it with our Who Was Abraham Lincoln? Mini Unit Study to help students see both the man and the moment.
The Princess and the Frog
The last February movie on our list is a fun one for all ages! Add The Princess and the Frog to your lesson plans for Mardi Gras. It’s an exciting way to introduce New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mardi Gras culture to kids this month.
More Resources for February Learning
February is full of great moments! There are plenty of interest-led learning opportunities without adding extra pressure to your lesson plans. Between cultural celebrations, history-focused moments, and chilly winter days spent indoors, this month is perfect for leaning into gentle, connection-rich learning through film.
Start by exploring our list of 30+ Best Kids Books to Read in February and make time for read-alouds or parallel reading side by side. Then, enjoy quality time with The Best Games for Learning in February, perfect for building connection and learning together.
Be sure to grab our Absolutely Free February Homeschool Printables as well. They’re designed to add hands-on learning and thoughtful reflection to your days without requiring a lot of prep work to get started. You’ll love these easy hands-on activities.
Makes Learning Through Movies Easy With The Waldock Way
Want to get more out of your February movies? Our Lights, Camera, Learn! Unit Study makes it simple to turn any movie into a learning experience. With ready-to-use discussion questions and hands-on activities, your kids can dig deeper into what they’re watching.
The best part? We have taken are of all the planning! Guided questions are included to encourage critical thinking and conversation, making this resource a great fit no matter what you’re watching. It’s an easy way to keep learning happening even on relaxed movie days.
So pick a movie, grab a blanket and some popcorn, and press play. We’d love to hear what your family is watching this February, so be sure to share your favorites in the comments!