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Most parents have an uneasy relationship with the small screen. Despite the best efforts of the BBC, so much of children's television is trashy, over-commercialised or just straightforward rubbish: banal storylines, patronising characters and cheap, badly drawn animations.

In our house we have an alternative: films. My children, aged 3 and 5, are rarely allowed to watch Nickelodeon but they can (if they are good) watch a movie. If they are really good, they even get to choose which one.

Like all small children they like repetition. Our copy of Cars has worn out through overuse. We own two Jungle Books, just in case one gets lost and there is a pressing need to do the Jungle VIP.

On long car journeys they sit in the back practising their best jazz voices. “Take me home, Daddy,” says my three-year old, squeakily. “I've reached the top and had to stop and that's what's bothering me,” warbles my daughter. My husband, who has a deep baritone, makes encouraging Shere Khan noises.

Now that the Government is rolling out FilmClub, a pioneering scheme to introduce youngsters of all ages to the general marvellousness of the movies, mini movie buffs will be everywhere.

Playgrounds will be awash with critiques of the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory versus the version starring Johnny Depp with the Anna Wintour haircut.

To celebrate, here, in no particular order, is the Times critics' list of Top 20 favourite films for children.

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

(Steven Spielberg, 1982)

Suitable for all ages

Who doesn't want to speed through the streets, pursued by the bad guys, on the coolest bikes around, with an alien in your pannier? The bike scene, ending with the take-off into thin air (another childhood dream) and speeding across the Moon, is exhilarating enough - but then there's the relationship between little Elliott and ET and the fact that the film is shot from the children's perspective. So adult themes of divorce and responsibility swirl around, but in the end it's about how the most unexpected friendships are the best and about how adults are the real aliens. And remember, when all hope is lost, keep your eye on the flower in the plant pot. TIM TEEMAN

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