The Best Movies to Watch in Your Homeschool This January
Are you looking for the best movies to watch in your homeschool this January? You’re in the right place! We’ve rounded up educational films that make winter learning cozy and fun.
Starting with nature documentaries about penguins and polar bears and finishing with inspiring true stories about the Space Race and the Winter Olympics, these movies spark curiosity and create meaningful conversations with your kids.
Whether you’re studying space, wildlife, history, or just looking for a memorable family movie night, this list has something for every homeschool family. Discover our favorite January movies and resources to turn cozy movie days into rich learning experiences!
Cozy Up with Movies that Spark Learning All Month Long
January is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy cozy days at home. After rushing around throughout the holiday season, there’s just something about taking a long break. Sometimes snuggling up with fuzzy blankets, hot cocoa, and your favorite movie on a cold winter day is just what you need.
Movies are a fun and meaningful way to learn together while fostering connection, creativity, and imagination. Films that spark learning inspire new interests, encourage kids to dive deeper into their passions, and facilitate discussion. They’re an easy way to make January homeschool days special!
Whether you’re exploring history through a documentary, discovering science concepts in a sci-fi adventure, or diving into rich literary adaptations, movies bring learning to life in ways that textbooks can’t. The best part is that it doesn’t even feel like “school” to your kids.
Watching movies together opens the door for kids to ask questions and see the world in a whole new way. The right film can spark a month-long unit study or launch a new passion. One of our favorite things about learning with movies is creating shared memories and developing a deeper connection.
This January, give yourself permission to make movie days a regular part of your homeschool. Pop some popcorn, grab some holiday cookies, and gather everyone on the couch. Then, let these educational movies do some of the teaching while you enjoy being together.
How Movies Enrich Your Homeschool Learning
Movies are powerful tools for enriching learning. They can bring a great book to life, help kids develop empathy, and connect us to the past. By turning family movie night into learning time, you can explore new topics, reinforce lessons, and encourage critical thinking.
The best part of watching movies together in your homeschool is that they encourage kids to explore new topics and think critically. It’s an easy way to reinforce any topic you’re learning about while relaxing together as a family.
You don’t have to turn every movie into a formal lesson to get educational value from it. In fact, some of my favorite learning moments happen when we’re just relaxing on the couch together! Here are a few simple ways to make movie time more meaningful without losing the cozy factor.
Pause and Talk About What’s Happening in Key Scenes
Don’t be afraid to hit that pause button when something important happens. Ask your kids what they think will happen next or why a character made a certain choice. This is a great way to practice reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills.
Some of our best conversations have happened during these spontaneous pauses. I love hearing what Emily noticed in a scene that Kevin or I might have missed or not thought about.
Compare the Movie to a Related Book or Historical Event
Another fun way to incorporate movies into your homeschool is to read the book version first. Then, talk about what’s different and why. If you’re watching a history movie, pull out a timeline or map afterward and make connections. It’s an easy way to make history feel more real for the whole family.
Journal, Draw, or Act Out Your Favorite Moments Together
After the movie, sometimes the best way to recap is by giving kids a chance to respond through journaling or art. Some kids enjoy drawing their favorite characters or writing alternate endings for the film. Another fun idea is to reenact your favorite scenes together. Follow your child’s lead and enjoy the magic!
Pick Movies That Match Your Child’s Interests
Connecting a movie with a topic you’re already learning about reinforces the subject in a way that’s fun for kids. But honestly, sometimes the best movies are the ones that introduce a totally new topic your kids haven’t even discovered yet.
It’s nice when movies line up with your lesson plan, but don’t feel like every movie has to fit perfectly into your curriculum. Sometimes it’s a great idea to choose a film your kids are interested in, even if it’s “not a good fit” for your current unit study.
Would you like to choose unit studies and lesson plans that line up with your child’s interests? Check out our guide to homeschool unit studies for tips and advice on getting started with interest-led unit studies for kids of all ages.
Best Movies to Watch in January for Homeschool Families
This list of the best movies to watch in January includes inspiring stories, seasonal favorites, and family-friendly films that encourage curiosity, kindness, and imagination. They’re perfect for cozy homeschool days in January.
![Antarctica: An Adventure of a Different Nature (IMAX) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dxmkWH1VL._SL500_.jpg)
March of the Penguins
If you thought nature documentaries were boring, this classic wildlife documentary about emperor penguins in Antarctica will change your mind. Kids as young as age 5 can learn about animal life cycles, how penguin parents care for their babies, and what it takes to survive in extreme weather.
March of the Penguins is emotional, so have tissues handy. However, it leads to some of the best conversations about nature and survival you’ll have this January.
Arctic Tale
This is another stunning documentary that follows polar bears and walruses through a changing Arctic landscape. Your kids will be glued to the screen as they watch real footage of these amazing animals surviving in one of the harshest places on Earth.
Arctic Tale is perfect for talking about Arctic ecosystems, animal adaptation, and how climate affects wildlife with kids as young as age six. Plus, older children will still enjoy the film too, because the baby animals are absolutely adorable!
Antarctica
This documentary for kids ages seven and up takes you right to the bottom of the world to explore Antarctica’s incredible landscape and wildlife. Antarctica is excellent for bringing geography lessons to life.
Your kids will be amazed by the animals that thrive in such harsh conditions. It’s fascinating to learn about what it’s like to live and work in one of the most extreme environments on the planet! Keep the learning going with read alouds and chapter books for Antarctica.
Ghost of the Mountains
If your kids love big cats, they’ll be mesmerized by this beautiful documentary about snow leopards in the Himalayas. The cinematography in Ghost of the Mountinas is breathtaking. It’s a great way to learn about endangered species, mountain ecosystems, and conservation.
We couldn’t stop talking about snow leopards for weeks after we watched this movie! Pair it up with our All Things Cats Discovery Deck for more interest-led learning opportunities this month.
Balto
There are plenty of educational movies to enjoy in your homeschool this January that are well outside the nature documentary category too. Bring history to life with Balto, based on the true story of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska.
This animated film is perfect for kids of all ages learning about real history. They’ll discover how sled dog teams raced through a blizzard to deliver life-saving medicine during a diphtheria outbreak. It’s a great introduction to Alaskan history, heroism, and perseverance without being too intense for kindergartners.
Cool Runnings
We love this one for January family movie night! Cool Runnings is true story of Jamaica’s first Olympic bobsled team. It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and so inspiring. Your kids will learn about the Olympics, Jamaica’s culture and geography.
This movie facilitates discussions about what it means to chase your dreams even when everyone thinks you’re crazy. Plus, it’s one of those movies the whole family genuinely enjoys watching together.
Cool Runnings features a Winter Olympics sport, but you can pair it up with many of the resources in our Summer Olympics Bundle to learn more about the history of the games with hands-on activities this January.
Miracle
If you’ve got older kids, another Olympic movie you’ll want to add to your January homeschool is Miracle. It’s the true story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and it’s fantastic.
The movie is packed with Cold War history, the famous “Miracle on Ice” moment, and lessons about teamwork. It’s especially great if you’re studying American history in the 1980s or talking about the Olympics with upper elementary or middle schoolers this year.
Want to learn more about Cold War history in your homeschool? Get the scoop on top secret spies, gadgets, and secret missions in our Spy Academy Unit Study.
Ice Age
Do you need a fun animated movie that adds learning in a sneaky way? This animated classic is perfect for introducing prehistoric times, extinction, glacial periods, and animal migration to kids as young as age four.
They’ll laugh at the characters in Ice Age while learning about paleontology and what Earth was like thousands of years ago. Plus, the friendship and family themes make this movie about so much more than science. Add our What Was the Ice Age? Mini Unit Study for more learning fun.
Happy Feet
This musical is so much fun, and Happy Feet addresses some really important topics like ocean conservation, overfishing, and how humans impact wildlife. It also celebrates being different and staying true to yourself. You’ll definitely want to learn more about penguins after watching this animated movie together.
Abominable
As the characters travel across China, your family gets to explore Chinese culture, landmarks, and music in such a beautiful way with this January movie. We loved pausing to look up the places they visited on a map!
Abominable is wonderful for discussing family bonds and appreciating different cultures. The animation is gorgeous too. If you want to learn more about cultures around the world after watching this movie, don’t miss our Traveling the World Unit Study.
Jack Frost
Sometimes you really need a feel-good family movie to watch together. The kind of movie that helps foster connection and makes memories without geography or science. If that’s the case, don’t miss the life lessons in Jack Frost.
This heartwarming film is especially meaningful during the holiday season. It explores grief, second chances, and what really matters. It’s wonderful for talking about emotions, family priorities, and how we show love. Keep the tissues close for this one too!
The Mighty Ducks
While this one’s mostly just fun, it teaches ice hockey basics, teamwork, and the classic underdog story we all love. The Mighty Ducks is great for sparking conversations about sportsmanship, working together, and believing in yourself.
If your kids are into sports, they’ll especially love this one. Then, keep the interest-led learning going with our Spectacular Sports Discovery Deck for curious kids and aspiring athletes.
Learn Through Movies This Month: January Space Study
January is a the perfect month to dive into a Space Unit Study! The long winter nights are perfect for stargazing, and space-themed movies can help bring science concepts to life for kids of all ages.
Pair these films with our Space Unit Study to create an outstanding homeschool experience this month. Check out some of our favorite space-themed movie suggestions below to get started.
WALL-E
This adorable film is surprisingly educational! WALL-E addresses environmental responsibility, consumerism, technology dependence, and what happens when we don’t take care of our planet.
In the movie, kids of all ages also learn about space travel, robots, and sustainability. It’s all wrapped up in a sweet love story. This January movie perfect for discussing how our choices today affect tomorrow.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a classic that’s perfect for sparking curiosity about life beyond Earth! The movie focuses on friendship and what makes us human.
This film opens up wonderful conversations about space exploration, what alien life might look like, and themes of compassion and acceptance. It’s one your family will remember forever.
Race to Space
This family-friendly drama about the American Space Race tells the story of a chimpanzee trained for space travel during the early days of NASA. Race to Space is a great way for younger kids to learn about the Space Race between the U.S. and Soviet Union without being too heavy.
They’ll discover how animals were used in early space testing and what it took to get humans safely into space. It’s a great age-appropriate introduction to the Cold War period for younger children too.
October Sky
Our absolute favorite Space Race movie is October Sky. This inspiring true story follows Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son who dreams of building rockets in 1950s West Virginia.
In this movie, you’ll learn about the Space Race, rocket science basics, perseverance, and following your dreams even when it seems impossible. It’s inspiring for older kids and leads to amazing conversations about determination and pursuing your passions.
Plus, it might just inspire them to try building their own rockets! Keep the learning going with some of our favorite mini unit studies about astronauts: Mae Jemison Unit Study and Neil Armstrong Unit Study.
Hidden Figures
Another excellent space-themed January movie for older kids is Hidden Figures. We absolutely love this film! It’s based on the true story of three brilliant African American women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race.
Hidden Figures is packed with history, math, and science. Your kids will learn about the early days of the space program, segregation in the 1960s, and how these incredible women helped put John Glenn into orbit. It’s inspiring and educational on so many levels!
The Waldock Way Makes Learning Through Movies Easy
Want to get even more out of your movie days this January? Our Lights, Camera, Learn! Unit Study makes it so simple! It comes with printable guides to help your kids dive deeper into what they’re watching with discussion prompts, activities.
Plus, there are discussion questions that encourage critical thinking, so you don’t have to come up with it all on your own. Whether you’re watching a nature documentary or an animated adventure, this resource will help you turn family movie night into cozy learning time.
Give yourself permission to slow down and let movies do some of the teaching. It’s the perfect time to snuggle up together with your favorite blanket and some popcorn. The best January movies spark curiosity, conversations, and create memories the whole family will treasure.
So what are you waiting for? Pick a movie from our list, grab your hot cocoa, and press play. We’d love to hear what you’re watching this month. Don’t forget to share your favorite January movies in the comments with us.