4th Grade | Charlotte Mason Books-to-Movies
Looking for a fun way to supplement your family's homeschool studies? This Books-to-Movies List for 4th Grade gathers together the film adaptations of Living Books from Charlotte Mason reading lists.
Watching the movie after reading the book can help to bring the story to life, enforce comprehension, and spark meaningful conversation – all while encouraging a gentle, literature-rich education.
All movies recommended here have been carefully vetted by me, and I am also careful to include any content concerns with each review (all content reviews are for the movie itself, and do not account for bonus features/behind the scenes/deleted scenes/etc). If you have any questions, please reach out to me here!
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases - at no extra cost to you!
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 1988 | PG
This TV production from the late 1980s is a truly faithful adaptation of the first installment of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Pevensie siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) are sent away from wartime London to a large house in the country. One day they discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the land of Narnia, where they join Aslan (a lion, the rightful king of Narnia) in a battle to free the land from the evil White Witch’s wintery rule. Your young readers will be delighted with how closely it portrays the book, though the stage-like presentation and dated special effects may be a slight drawback. Each episode is about 30 minutes long, with 6 episodes in total. No content concerns, apart from the scary/intense scenes that are depicted in the book (Aslan’s death, battle sequences, the White Witch, etc). This is simply a wholesome and endearing rendition of a beloved classic that can’t be missed!
📺 Click here to watch on YouTube
Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader 1989 | PG
Fans of The Chronicles of Narnia will definitely enjoy this joint adaptation of Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! In similar vein to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1988) mentioned above, this is another faithful rendition of C. S. Lewis’ children’s books. This six episode TV serial follows the Pevensie siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) as they revisit Narnia and aid Prince Caspian to reclaim his throne. Afterwards, Edmund, Lucy, and their cousin Eustace return to Narnia and embark on a seafaring adventure aboard the Dawn Treader. You may recognize the actor who plays King Caspian in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - a young Samuel West - who stars as Seigfried Farnon in PBS Masterpiece’s All Creatures Great and Small. No content concerns, apart from mild battle scenes and moments of peril that are depicted in the books.
📺 Click here to watch “Prince Caspian” on YouTube (please let me know if the link stops working - I’ve been having trouble with this one!)
📺 Click here to watch “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” on YouTube
The Silver Chair 1990 | PG
This adaptation of The Silver Chair follows Eustace and his classmate Jill as they are sent to Narnia to find and rescue the lost Prince Rilian, who is held captive in the Underworld. They encounter the gloomy (but always loyal) Puddleglum, who guides them on their quest. Content-wise, there are some dark and intense moments, particularly in the Underworld scenes, but overall, this is an exciting and engaging film that homeschoolers will certainly enjoy.
📺 Click here to watch on YouTube (please let me know if the link doesn’t work)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 2005 | PG
While not quite as faithful to C. S. Lewis’ book as the 1988 version reviewed above, this is still a wonderful and exciting production your homeschoolers will enjoy! The stunning cinematography, excellent performances by the entire cast, and the epic score make this a must-see for all Narnia fans. There are a few content concerns to note: the battle scenes can be rather intense, especially for young viewers; Aslan’s sacrificial death scene is definitely frightening; and there are several moments of peril and suspense. All things considered: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) a great adventure film for families - offering both thrilling action and meaningful lessons.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
Prince Caspian 2008 | PG
Reviews on Prince Caspian (2008) are mixed - many love it simply for what it is: an exciting, family-friendly, action-packed adventure with a stunning score - but devoted fans of The Chronicles of Narnia may find it rather hard to swallow. If you and your young readers are able to overlook the wanderings from the source material - this is a great adventure film for the family, albeit a bit darker than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005). Content-wise, expect several swashbuckling battle scenes; some scary and intense moments; frightening scene with a witch, hag, and evil dwarf; and a brief kiss between Susan and Prince Caspian. For a deeper look into potential concerns, I highly recommend looking at Plugged In’s and Dove’s reviews.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 2010 | PG
Sword fights! Sea monsters! Dragons! 20th Century Fox’s adaptation of C. S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader overflows with thrilling adventure, while simultaneously upholding strong moral themes of bravery, redemption, and the triumph of good over evil. Focus on the Family’s Plugged In review perfectly captures the film’s essence: “Fans of the novel will find that the filmmakers took license at times. But the result is just a mouse hair short of wonderful.” Parents will likely appreciate that this film feels noticeably lighter in tone compared to Prince Caspian (2008), reviewed above. Content concerns: there are multiple battles scenes; a sea monster attacks the ship; a boy turns into a dragon; and various other intense/scary scenes throughout. Fans of C. S. Lewis’ classic tale will find much to enjoy - if they can pardon the dissimilarities from the source material.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
The Little Princess 1939 | G
Starring Shirley Temple, the 1939 adaptation of A Little Princess offers a sweet and sentimental take on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel. Sent to a boarding school, young Sara Crewe faces cruelty from the stern headmistress after her father is presumed dead. Despite her hardships, Sara remains unwaveringly kind and hopeful. While this version takes some liberties with the story—most notably giving it a happier ending—it perfectly captures Sara’s resilience, optimism, and generosity. The Little Princess (1939) is a sweet classic film your homeschoolers will enjoy. No content concerns, apart from very light romance.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
A Little Princess 1986 | TV-G
This is a lovely rendition of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s children’s novel, first published in 1905. There are six episodes in total, each about 25 minutes long. This is, by far, the most faithful adaptation of the book, and is absolutely delightful! No content concerns, apart from what is depicted in the book (the headmistress of the boarding school mistreats Sara terribly after Sara’s father’s death, etc) this is simply a wholesome and endearing presentation of a beloved classic.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
Little Lord Fauntleroy 1995 | G
Faithfully based on Francis Hodgson Burnett’s children’s book, Little Lord Fauntleroy follows Cedric, a kind American boy who unexpectedly learns he is the heir to a British earldom. He and his mother are sent to England, and Cedric goes to live with his stern grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt. Cedric’s warmth and kindness quickly wins the hearts of everyone around him, and even his grandfather’s cold heart is softened. Content-wise, this is a very safe film for any age, but I did catch a brief “d-mn” in the beginning by a shop keeper, and also someone mentions “an American wh-re” - it’s so quick that it would likely go over most kid’s heads. Little Lord Fauntleroy is a wholesome film with a strong focus on kindness, innocence, and standing up for what is right.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
The Secret Garden 1993 | G
The Secret Garden (1993) is a beautiful and faithful adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel. Mary Lennox, a lonely and spoiled orphan is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy English manor. One day she discovers a locked and neglected garden, and with the assistance of some new friends, she restores the garden. As the garden flourishes, so does Mary - the new experience of caring for (and by!) others helps her to heal and begin to see life in a whole new light. There are only a couple content concerns: there are some emotionally intense moments, including themes of loss and grief. There is also a brief scene in the beginning when Mary is being dressed by servants and is momentarily bare-chested. Overall, this is a wonderful and heartfelt family film that is a must-see for homeschoolers everywhere.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
Redwall 1999 | TV-Y7
This 1999 TV series brings Brian Jacques’ beloved fantasy novels to life with an engaging mix of adventure and bravery. Matthias, a young mouse, embarks on a heroic quest to shield Redwall Abbey from the menace of Cluny the Scourge, a fierce rat warlord. Each season is based on one of Brian Jacques’ books: Season 1 - Redwall, Season 2 - Mattimeo, and Season 3 - Martin the Warrior. Most agree that the last 2 seasons are more faithful to the books than the first. Content-wise, I do not recommend this for very young or sensitive viewers, though 4th graders should be just fine. The entire series is based on an ongoing war, and the fierce battles (occasionally bloody) may be too much for littles if they happen to be watching with an older sibling, unless they are used to films like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There a many moments of peril and grave danger. However, the series is a well-crafted and (mostly) family-friendly series that captures the book’s themes of courage, kindness, and good vs. evil.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
The Wind in the Willows 1995 | TV-G | Available to watch on DVD and YouTube
This animated adaptation of The Wind in the Willows brings Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale to life with whimsical humor. The film follows the escapades of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad as they navigate adventures, loyal friendship, and Toad’s reckless enthusiasm of motorcars. This is a delightful and family-friendly adaptation that stays true to the heart of the original story. No content concerns, apart from slight peril.
Robin Hood 1973 | G
This lighthearted animated Disney classic reimagines Robin Hood as a clever fox, and is full of humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments. Robin Hood and his Merry Men “outfox” the evil Prince John, and do whatever they can to help the poor. There are no content concerns, apart from mild cartoon violence and peril. This is a fun, wholesome, and family-friendly film that overflows with justice, friendship, and standing up for what is right.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938 | PG
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is the ultimate swashbuckling classic, absolutely brimming with sword fights and daring escapes. Errol Flynn shines as Robin Hood, the legendary medieval outlaw. There are only a few content concerns in this family-friendly film: there’s heaps of action and some peril; mild violence (no blood, though swordfights are plentiful; characters are shot through with arrows; and a few hangings - not gory or too frightening); and light romance between Robin and Lady Marion. This timeless tale of justice, bravery, and loyalty can’t be missed, and is suitable for most ages.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
Alice in Wonderland 1951 | G
This is a whimsical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale produced by Disney in the early 1950s. The story follows Alice, a young girl who one day falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in the fantastical world of Wonderland. She meets a series of bizarre and often illogical characters, including the frantic White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cat, the eccentric Mad Hatter, and the short-tempered Queen of Hearts. Each encounter leads Alice further into a dreamlike adventure filled with puzzling riddles, nonsensical conversations, and whimsical dangers. While the film simplifies Lewis Carroll’s original story, it retains its playful spirit and creativity. Parents should note some mildly scary moments, particularly with the Queen’s threats, and the tale is often rather bewildering. Overall, Alice in Wonderland (1951) is a cute, fun, and family-friendly classic that brings Lewis Carroll’s eccentric characters and nonsensical adventures to life with vibrant animation and a playful score.
📺 Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
I hope this 4th Grade Charlotte Mason Books-to-Movies List adds a fun and memorable touch to your family's homeschool experience! If you give any of these a try, I’d love to hear what your favorites are—please feel free to reach out and share your thoughts! You can contact me here, or you can message me on any of my socials (links below).
If you loved this list, be sure to check out the other grades! There are so many wholesome books-to-movies adaptations for your family to enjoy!
