Let’s make the upcoming family weekend meaningful! We always say that watching movies and cartoons in Russian helps bilingual children immerse themselves in a Russian-speaking environment. We’ve selected a few unique films for family viewing. We hope to surprise you!
Soviet Films for a Cozy Family Evening
Soviet cinema is full of iconic children's films. We invite you to explore the world of USSR filmmaking. Some titles on this list might be new to you. Enjoy watching!
“Doll-Ruslan and His Friend Sanka” (Лялька-Руслан и его друг Санька), 1980, USSR. Directed by Yevgeny Tatarsky
A shy boy named Ruslan gets an unpleasant nickname — “Doll.” He goes to the countryside for the summer holidays. But he can’t seem to get along with the local kids — they just laugh at him. Then he meets a bold and confident boy named Sanka at a nearby summer camp. A great friendship forms, and thanks to Sanka, Ruslan becomes more self-assured and leaves behind his nickname.
While clearly aimed at kids, adults will also find warmth and nostalgia for their own childhood.
“Boba and the Elephant” (Боба и слон), 1972, USSR. Directed by August Baltrushaitis
A simple story, but filled with love and sincerity. An elephant escapes from the Leningrad Zoo, and no one can tame it — until a boy named Boba manages to connect with the giant creature and calm it down.
“The PreciousGift” (Драгоценный подарок), 1956, USSR. Directed by Aleksandr Rou
A cozy family comedy about fishing and friendship by the legendary Soviet fairy tale director Aleksandr Rou. A riverbank, good company, and a touch of nostalgia. We hope this film brings you back to cherished memories of home.
“Makar the Pathfinder” (Макар-следопыт), 1984, USSR. Directed by Nikolai Kovalsky
Think Fight Club, but for Soviet boys. A wild group of village kids hijack an English tank, imagine themselves as heroic Red Guards, and embark on a series of daring adventures. A thrilling, nearly three-and-a-half-hour film that will transport adults back to their childhood, while young bilingual viewers may find a warm connection to their parents' homeland.
“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” (Рикки-Тикки-Тави), 1975, USSR. Directed by Aleksandr Zguridi
Aleksandr Zguridi takes us to India — a land of dangers. The film tells the story of two boys: Teddy, the son of a local forest ranger, and John, a local boy. They explore the jungle together. During a violent storm, they take shelter by the river and watch as the rising water sweeps animals downstream. Teddy saves a mongoose — but the act of kindness ends in tragedy when Teddy loses the use of his legs.
International Family Films
Great films are the calling card of Hollywood and beyond. Here are a few international classics perfect for family time. We highly recommend watching them in Russian with your bilingual child — or at least with Russian subtitles.
“Lassie: A New Adventure” (Lassie – Ein neues Abenteuer), 2023, Germany. Directed by Hanno Olderdissen
A captivating sequel in the saga of the Collie dog Lassie. This time, she helps solve a case of missing dogs. Flo can’t bear to be apart from his loyal friend Lassie, so they go to his aunt’s farm. There, they meet her kids and a Jack Russell terrier named Pippa. When dogs start disappearing from the village, Flo, Cleo, Henri, and brave Lassie set out to solve the mystery and save Pippa.
“Raf the Giraffe” (Dikkertje Dap), 2017, Netherlands/Belgium/Germany. Directed by Barbara Bredero
Patterson is a boy with an unusual friend — a giraffe named Raf. Much like Boba and the Elephant, this is a story about an unbreakable bond between a child and an animal. When Patterson starts school, Raf can’t come with him — but the boy does everything he can to bring his friend along, even to class.
“Christmas in the City of Makers” (Jul i Mummidalen), 2023, Norway. Directed by Mikal Hovland
Though winter is long gone, let us whisk you away to a Christmas fairytale. A girl runs away from a boarding school and seeks help from a cobbler in the mysterious City of Makers — a town that doesn’t appear on any map. But every year at Christmas, it comes alive with warmth and wonder. Will she escape those chasing her? Will she find her happiness? This magical film holds the answers.
“A League of Their Own” (A League of Their Own), 1992, USA. Directed by Penny Marshall
What do we lose when we let go of something we love? For baseball star Jimmy Dugan, it’s confidence. After leaving the sport, he becomes the coach of a women’s baseball team — and is amazed by the dedication and heart the women bring to the game. Their passion inspires him to believe in himself again.
“Pollyanna” (Pollyanna), 2003, UK. Directed by Sarah Harding
Pollyanna is an optimistic child, full of light and kindness. After losing her parents, she goes to live with her cold and bitter aunt. The cheerful girl irritates everyone with her positivity — but can her sunny outlook melt their hardened hearts? A heartwarming story about resilience and hope.
In our online Russian school for bilingual children, we often turn to both Russian and Western culture — including cinema. This helps children quickly immerse themselves in the Russian-speaking world and connect with their heritage.
Your child can start their journey with the Russian language right now! Just leave your contact information in the form below, and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.
