58 All-Time Top Movies for Kids in 2025
Thanks to the multiple selections of streaming services, there is a wide and varied selection of movies for kids to choose from. Because children have different preferences, attention spans, likes and dislikes and maturity levels, it can be difficult to choose which movies to select for your little one. We’ve divided our movies for kids guide into various age groups to help you out. So, check out some of the best kids' movies of all time to keep them occupied for hours of entertainment.
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- Best Movies for 3-6 Year Olds
- Best Movies for 7-8 Year Olds
- Good Movies for 9-12 Year Olds
- Movies for Kids on Netflix
- Family Movies on Netflix
- Movies for Kids FAQs
Best Movies for 3-6 Year Olds
1. Despicable Me
The Despicable Me franchise is funny, heartfelt and great for younger kids. The first film follows a supervillain who adopts three girls. Children will love the minions' shenanigans, and the message of familial love is heartwarming.
2. Shrek
Shrek is on the list of charming movies for kids. It also has adult humor to entertain parents. It follows an ogre who lives a secluded life and learns about friendship and love through the film. It revisits old nursery rhyme classics, but in a new and entertaining way that's fun for both kids and adults. The true takeaway — it's not about physical appearance, but what's inside that truly counts. This movie is excellent for kids' birthday parties because it’s super child-friendly and hilarious.
3. Bad Guys
Bad Guys is zany, fun and one of the most action-packed movies for kids. It’s about a group of animal villains who go through elaborate heists. The characters are fun, the plot is silly and easy for younger kids to follow, and the visuals are stunning.
4. Toy Story
Toy Story is about two toys named Woody and Buzz and their growing friendship. It's a classic film with multiple sequels. All are heartwarming and enjoyed by children and adults alike. This addition to the list of movies for kids has a great message of friendship and is a fun adventure film children will enjoy. To infinity... and beyond!
5. Monsters Inc.
Monsters Inc is about two best monster buds, Mike and Sully, who find a child named Boo through their job of scaring children, capturing their screams for energy. It’s a sweet film about love and following your passions, no matter what. The film is equally funny and emotional. It’s one of the best movies for kids and adults.
6. Frozen
Frozen follows the story of two sisters, one with ice powers and one without. It’s a sweet story about sisterly love, but the score is what makes this movie stand out and will have your little one singing "Let if go!" at the top of their lungs. Choose this one if you’re searching for movies for kids with great soundtracks.
7. Madagascar
Madagascar is about zoo animals, used to a life of luxury in New York Central Zoo, who become trapped on an island off the coast of East Africa. It’s a funny movie and is great for animal lovers — the hilarious lemurs stand out as the most entertaining part. It’s a perfect pick among movies for kids if you enjoy comedy and action.
8. Finding Nemo
Finding Nemo is a story about a young clown fish named Nemo who gets separated from his dad, Marlin, and their journey to find each other. It’s a story about trust, friendship and family and is one of the most widely loved and timeless movies for kids. Dory, a blue tang fish with a memory loss issue, tries to help Marlin find Nemo as they go on their epic adventure through Australia's vibrant undersea community.
9. Charlotte's Web
Charlotte’s Web is the story of a pig and a spider who form an unlikely friendship. It’s a charming narrative based on a book and is one of the most classic movies for kids, where kids learn about friendship and loss.
10. Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast is an unlikely romance film about building trust and not judging a book by its cover. It’s a beautiful love story between a beautiful human and a beast with anger issues, and is a widely adored classic. It’s one of the best movies for kids to learn about being different and loving creatures in all their forms.
Best Movies for 7-8 Year Olds
11. Encanto
Encanto is a beautiful film with bright colors, beautiful animation and unforgettable songs. It’s about a magic family who help their community in Columbia to become strong. The outcast, Mirabelle, is the only Madrigal family member without powers. It shares a message about family dynamics that adults will enjoy, and kids will love its catchy music. This film is excellent for kids of all ages, especially those who would like Latinx role models.
12. Princess and the Frog
Princess and the Frog is a stunning story, both visually and narratively. It follows Tiana and Naveen and their adventures, trying to break a spell that turned them into frogs. The storyline combines elements of love, hard work and determination. It’s on the list of excellent movies for kids and parents with its upbeat New Orleans jazz-style music and heartfelt narrative.
13. Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz stands the test of time decades later. It’s about a girl who is taken to a strange land and is trying to get home. It‘s a charming classic that can be watched and enjoyed repeatedly. Your kid will be skipping along the yellow brick road singing along.
14. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs follows a scientist named Flint, who makes a food machine that sends edible delights from the sky. The machine starts malfunctioning and goes out of control, creating odd food-related weather patterns. The film is silly, fun and great for kids of all ages, teaching them the importance of being true to yourself and having determination. Put this on your list of movies for kids who love comedy.
15. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Snow White follows a princess who runs to the woods and meets seven dwarves. The story is about her adventures and finding true love. As the first fully animated feature-length film, this is one of the movies for kids that has stood the test of time. It’s a classic Disney movie kids are sure to love.
16. Princess Bride
Princess Bride is one of the live-action fairy tale adventure movies for kids. It is about a girl and her one true love battling evils to be reunited. This film is well-suited for a wide age range, but seven is likely the age at which most kids will start to understand the plot and be engaged.
17. Up
Up is a movie about Carl, an old man who flies his house in the sky using balloons to go on an adventure to honor his deceased wife, Ellie. It’s a beautiful and emotional story about love, overcoming grief and finding purpose in life. It’s a more emotional choice among movies for kids, but well worth the watch and filled with fun and adventurous moments, especially with the introduction of boy scout Russell and Dug, the talking dog.
18. Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a fun musical adventure which is half animation and half live-action starring Julie Andrews as the titular character and Dick Van Dyke as the rowdy street painter and chimney sweep. It's about a magical nanny caring for two unruly young kids and teaching them life lessons. It’s a whimsical story kids will love and is full of great music. It will teach your kids a few tongue twisters too like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"!
19. Big Hero Six
Big Hero Six is a film about a kid, his robot and his friends teaming up to find the man who killed his brother. It’s a story about processing grief that hits hard for kids and adults. Despite this, it’s still a light-hearted and funny film, especially the big, cuddly robot Baymax, making it one of the best and most mature movies for kids in this age group.
20. Inside Out
Inside Out follows a girl named Riley and the emotions in her head. It’s great for kids just learning to express their emotions, showing that it's okay to be both joyful and sad. It’s one of the best movies for kids that teaches them the complexity of emotions and how it’s okay to feel and express them. It’s also an excellent movie for anxious kids on back to school night or undergoing significant changes.
21. The Lion King
The Lion King is a classic story about a lion named Simba and his journey growing up, after being outcast from his pride. It’s a story about grief, honor, love and friendship and is full of iconic songs. Lion King is an excellent film for kids and is equally loved by adults for the more mature themes expressed in a light-hearted way.
22. The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie is about a man named Emmet and his journey to become a master builder and an unlikely hero. It’s a creative film that Lego-obsessed kids with a wild imagination will love. They'll be screaming, "Everything is awesome!" for weeks.
23. Tangled
Tangled follows a princess trapped in a tower who leaves for the first time and experiences the world. It’s a film about love, joy and freedom. It’s one of the best Disney princess movies for kids because it has fantastic music, great side characters and a compelling story.
Good Movies for 9-12 Year Olds
22. My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro is about two sisters exploring their new home and the surrounding forest and finding magical creatures living within. The story is slower and not as high-energy as some kids' films, so it caters to older kids. This slice-of-life adventure with stunning visuals from master Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki is one that adults and children can enjoy, making it one of the best movies for kids to enjoy with their parents.
23. Nimona
Nimona is a heartfelt and comedy-filled action film. The story follows a shapeshifting girl and a man on the run who slowly become friends throughout the film. It tells a beautiful story about trust, friendship and going against the grain. There are fun action and comedy scenes and emotional beats that resonate with older audiences, and it has some animated violence and is more catered towards older kids and teens.
24. Book of Life
The Book of Life follows the story of two gods choosing a boy as their champion. Whoever marries the girl of their dreams first wins. It’s a story of love and family and is also a great depiction of Mexican culture and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The vibrant, colorful film is one of the most beautiful movies for kids that can be watched repeatedly.
25. Coco
Another amazing movie that explores Día de los Muertos and Mexican culture is the beautiful epic, Coco. When a gifted young musician, Miguel, finds out that his father is one of the most famous singers in all of Mexico, he goes against his family's music ban and follows his passion. His determination leads him to the land of the dead on an epic adventure — showing the true meaning of family, struggles, love and everything in between.
26. The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot is about a robot named Roz adapting to his new surroundings after being shipwrecked on an island. It’s an emotional film about finding community. The movie is a more emotionally mature kids' film with a sweet and heartwarming message.
27. The Incredibles
The Incredibles is about a superhero family in a world where superheroes are illegal. It’s a superb action film that also dives into complex family dynamics and accepting yourself for who you are when the world is against you. It’s a great kids' movie and also a mature film adults can enjoy. It flips the superhero genre on its head.
28. Ratatouille
Ratatouille is about a rat who dreams of moving on from food scraps to cooking gourmet cuisine. The film is about following your passion and working towards your dreams. It’s one of the most renowned Pixar movies for kids, especially when Remy the rat controls his human chef by pulling his hair.
29. Home Alone
Home Alone is about a young boy named Kevin who is forgotten at home while the rest of his family go on vacation. Frightened at first, Kevin embraces his solo time and we follow his adventures while he is left home alone for the holidays and robbers try to break into the house. It’s a funny, festive film and one of the best Christmas movies for kids and adults to enjoy together.
30. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Nightmare Before Christmas follows a skeleton named Jack, living in the town of Halloween, who wants to take over Christmas. It’s a fun Christmas or Halloween holiday film filled with great music kids will enjoy. The characters come from the imaginative mind of director Tim Burton and is a fun stop-motion animation style.
31. Zootopia
Zootopia is one of the most popular Pixar movies for kids who love animals. It’s about a rabbit who wants to be a cop and her fox sidekick trying to solve a case. The film discusses metaphors of racism and sexism in a way kids can easily digest. The characters go on action-filled adventures, and there are several great emotional beats, making it a terrific all-around film.
32. The Greatest Showman
The Greatest Showman follows a man's story and his “freakshow” circus. It’s a film about standing out, going against the grain and believing in who you are. The music is fun, with songs like Never Enough, This Is Me, and A Million Dreams, making it one of the best movies for kids and adults.
33. Coraline
Another stop-motion masterpiece from the mind of Henry Selick, Coraline is a story about a girl who goes through a hidden world to a magical other world that’s not what it seems. It’s somewhat scary for younger audiences, but older kids and preteens will love it. The story is eery and engaging and is an excellent watch for kids who enjoy things on the spookier side.
34. Gremlins
Gremlins is a story about a cute, lovable creature that turns into a monster under improper care. It’s a bit scary for younger audiences but has a lot of zany fun moments for older kids to enjoy, making it one of the best movies for kids who enjoy all things creepy.
35. Back to the Future
Back to the Future is about a teen who travels back in time in a flying car to his parents' first meeting. The movie is a classic sci-fi comedy and will bring nostalgia for parents who grew up with it.
26. Harry Potter
The Harry Potter franchise follows a young boy and his adventures at the wizarding world of Hogwarts as he battles against evil. The franchise started as a book series and was adapted into eight films. The movies are heartwarming and outstanding for bookworms to enjoy. These movies for kids are full of magic and whimsy and can be enjoyed well into adulthood. Your kids may become super fans of the little wizard and his friends.
Movies for Kids on Netflix
37. Chicken Run
Chicken Run is a charming stop-motion classic about chickens trying to fly to escape their farm and it's evil owners.The story is silly and fun, and the expressive visuals help to accentuate that feeling. Chicken Run makes the list of classic movies for kids and tells an entertaining story by the studio that brought us Wallace and Gromit.
38. Secret Life of Pets
Secret Life of Pets follows a dog named Max and his friends as they get lost and try to find their way home. The film is heartfelt, funny and exceptional for animal lovers. It’s a charming and fun movie for kids of all ages, but it caters more to younger children.
39. Mr. Peabody and Sherman
Mr. Peabody and Sherman is a fun kids film that follows a time-traveling boy and his dog dad. The movie is a fun history lesson and is full of comedic bits. It’s high energy but also has its emotional moments and is an excellent movie for kids.
40. Sing
Sing is a fun kids' film that follows a bunch of animals trying to put on a show to save an aging theater. It’s full of catchy reimagined pop songs and fun furry characters. It’s primarily catered towards younger kids but can also be enjoyed by older kids and parents. Sing is an uplifting and fun film that easily earns its spot as one of the best movies for kids.
41. Clifford the Big Red Dog
Clifford the Big Red Dog makes the list of cute and heartwarming movies for kids based on the original children's books and TV series. It follows a girl and her best friend, a giant, house-sized red dog named Clifford. This is a heartfelt story kids will love.
42. Paw Patrol the Movie
Paw Patrol movies for kids are based on the show of the same name. The movie is fantastic for younger audiences. It follows superhero dogs and their kid solving problems and saving the day. If your children love the show, they’ll likely enjoy this film. It’s a fun adventure film with heartwarming moments perfect for younger children.
43. The Garfield Movie
The Garfield Movie follows the origin story of everyone’s favorite lasagna-loving cat who hates Mondays. It’s a fun movie for kids with an outstanding balance of heartwarming and funny moments. This film caters more to younger children but can be enjoyed by older kids, too.
44. Migration
Migration is about a family of ducks migrating for a fun family vacation. It’s a sweet and cute film that’s all about family and is full of adventure. It’s an excellent children’s movie and is considered best suited for younger audiences.
45. Trolls Band Together
Trolls Band Together is the franchise's third installment, a fun and colorful series of kids' movies. This film follows Branch as he tries to get his family back together to save his brother, who is held captive. The film has a great family message and can be enjoyed by children of various ages.
Family Movies on Netflix
46. Across The Spider-Verse
Across The Spider-Verse is the sequel to Into the Spiderverse (only the second film is on Netflix). Both films are stunning visually and have great emotional beats and engaging action sequences. Across the Spider-Verse is about Miles finding a spider society and learning what it means to be Spiderman. These films are great movies for kids but are equally engaging for adult audiences, making them perfect for family movie night.
47. Klaus
Christmas movie trivia: What is Santa Claus’s origin story? If you said Klaus, you’d be correct! Klaus is a fun holiday film that’s charming and beautifully animated with a plot so compelling it can be enjoyed by families who don’t celebrate Christmas as well. The film is a beautiful and unique take on a classic holiday character and is one of the most engaging movies for kids and parents in the Winter season and beyond.
48. Storks
Storks is a film about a stork trying to deliver a baby to an expecting family. It’s full of silly antics and heartwarming moments and is a great family film, especially for families with younger children. The sweet and easy addition to the list of movies for kids is one you’ll enjoy.
49. Matilda
Matilda is a classic film based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name. It’s about a supergenius girl going to school for the first time. There’s great music and a sweet storyline. The story may even bring up some childhood nostalgia for parents watching. Matilda is one of the sweet and funny movies for kids to enjoy.
50. Over the Hedge
Over the Hedge is about forest animals exploring their new human neighbor’s home. It’s full of fun characters and silly shenanigans. The story holds up well for adult audiences and is still a compelling and fun watch.
51. Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda is one of the classic movies for kids with a deep message of being true to yourself. There’s a great plot, compelling characters and an empowering story. The story follows Po, a panda training to be a martial artist but not conventionally good at it. He plays to his unique strengths to grow as a fighter alongside his friends. Netflix also has all three sequels available, so there’s a plethora of content to enjoy!
52. Sea Beast
Sea Beast is about a misjudged sea monster. It’s a great film about compassion and not judging others based on appearance. The story is compelling and can be enjoyed by many audiences. This kids' film has great action sequences and sweet, down-to-earth moments. It truly has something for everybody.
53. Elf’s Story
Elf’s Story is another one of the fun holiday movies for kids. It tells the story of the elf on the shelf. It’s magical, festive and great for getting into the holiday spirit. The movie is one to watch bundled up with hot cocoa and healthy snacks on Christmas Eve.
54. How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon follows Hiccup, the son of a dragon hunter, who learns to befriend a dragon named Toothless. The heartfelt story is ideal for kids of all ages. The characters are fun, the emotional beats hit and the storyline is heartwarming, all factors that make it one of the top movies for kids.
55. Kubo and the Two Strings
Kubo and the Two Strings is a stunning stop-motion animation about a boy who summons a vengeful spirit. With the power of a magical instrument, he must save the day. The movie is beautiful both in its visuals and storytelling. It’s not just one of the best movies for kids; it’s a movie for everyone.
56. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio is a beautiful stop-motion retelling of the classic Pinocchio story. The film is unique, visually stunning and takes a creative spin on the traditional story we all know and love.
57. The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux is a book-based movie about a brave mouse who defies tradition to save his kingdom. It’s a fun, lighthearted adventure and one of the most fun movies for kids.
58. Mitchells vs. the Machines
Mitchells vs. the Machines is fun for all ages. It’s a sensational visual treat about a girl trying to get to college when, all of a sudden, the robot apocalypse breaks out, and now her weird family has to save the world. It tells a beautiful story about family dynamics. The visuals are active and funny. The story is an exciting sci-fi adventure. Add this to your list of movies for kids you’ll love.
Movies for Kids FAQs
What Are the Top 10 Best Kids Movies?
The idea of the “best” kid’s films is subjective. However, the top 10 highest-grossing animated films and movies for kids worldwide are:
- Inside Out 2 (2024) – $1.698 billion
- The Lion King (2019) – $1.657 billion
- Frozen II (2019) – $1.454 billion
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) – $1.362 billion
- Frozen (2013) – $1.306 billion
- Incredibles 2 (2018) – $1.243 billion
- Minions (2015) – $1.159 billion
- Toy Story 4 (2019) – $1.074 billion
- Toy Story 3 (2010) – $1.067 billion
- Despicable Me 3 (2017) – $1.035 billion
What Is the Most Kid Friendly Movie?
Finding Nemo is considered to be one of the most friendly movies for kids, with a simple yet captivating storyline, colorful animation and positive lessons. It is appropriate for various ages and includes several beloved characters.
What Is a Very Funny Movie for Kids?
Despicable Me is one of the most hilarious movies for kids. It’s full of silly characters like the minions, Gru and his three girls. Nearly every character has a funny line or scene at some point that kids will love.
There are many great movies for kids, each catering to different ages and interests. This list can help you determine the best kid films for your family. Do you have any favorite kids' movies that are not on this list?
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