I’ve put together this list of great movies for kids because if we’re going to stay home we need all the resources we can get to keep the kids entertained.
In an attempt to retain my sanity I’ve prefer to let the kids watch a movie and not a tv show – I want to get the full 70+ minutes off entertainment not just a measly 10 or 15 minutes. So while the Julia Donaldson shorts are also really good they’re not included here.
Now if you’ve watched a few kids movies like me, you will know that not all all kids movies are created equal. Some are truly awful. I’ve watched some where I can’t follow the plot or understand what the characters are saying or doing. We watched one recently that just repeatedly kept missing the mark.
This list is focused on great movies for kids up to the age of 7 or 8. From there you’re on their own because I don’t know that audience at all.
I’ve also tried to select movies that come with a real positive, either in terms of production or underlying story. There are some that are brand new and others that are older, movies that we have loved in the past. From an inspection of some of my older blog posts it turns out I’ve been recording our favourite movies from when my youngest was 2 and she’s now 5.
I hope you find something that you and your kids will love.
Great Movies for Kids
These movies are based on a general consensus between me and my two kids which is not something that is often attained. My eldest wants to watch something that is boyish and generally too old for him and my youngest just wants to watch princesses and girl focused movies. You won’t believe how many of those Barbie movies she’s seen. I am not proud of that.
Then I also get stuck into the movie selection because:
- I don’t want them watching movies that involve spirits, zombies, ghosts and other surreal characters.
- My kids can pick up bad ideas anywhere! I learnt the hard way that they pick up awful ideas from some of the movies they watch. After they watched Denis the Menace my son was convinced he could take on any baddie and set up traps everywhere. disaster!
This list is in no particular order, just the order in which we have reviewed it.
Where there is a link to a full review you will find the details of the movie (hopefully not with spoilers) and an idea of the good, the bad and age suitability.
If you have any suggestions on great movies for young kids, please do get in touch!! You can drop a comment below because I always read every one. Or you can drop me a note on the AllThingsMomSydney Facebook Page or the AllThingsMomSydney Instagram Page.
1. Mary Poppins (the original)
Mary Poppins is iconic and there is good reason why. It’s beautiful and enchanting. The morals are fantastic and it’s all about family. If there is anything wrong with it, its the length of the movie, it’s just a tad too long for the littler kids but we used to watch
You can read the full review of the Original Mary Poppins here. Or, if you want to know why not the second one, you can watch the Mary Poppins Returns review here that is the most recent one with Emily Blunt.
Link to our Review: The Original Mary Poppins
2. Toy Story 4
I know some people were put off try the dolls in the antique shop but I think that it was a small part of an otherwise fantastic movie. If you ask me, this Toy Story stays true to its origins, it adapts to the times and has an awesome ending.
Although I still do like Toy Story 1 and my husband and the kids love Toy Story 2. I don’t know where the review of the second movie went, sorry about that.
Honestly, this has to be my favourite of all the Toy Story Movies.
Link to Review: Toy Story 4 Full Review
3. Charlie Brown and Snoopy: The Peanuts Movie
This is such a great movie. It may be a little boring for the kids 6+ but it is just full of such great morals.
The Peanuts Movie is probably the sweetest movie on this list! This is the most recent Charlie Brown and Snoopy movie. I can’t recommend this movie enough. It is packed with themes of kindness and generosity but poor old Charlie Brown, he is such a klutz!
Link to our Review: You can read the Peanuts Movie Review here.
4. The Incredibles
I loved Incredibles 2 but now that I’ve watched it 4 millions times my interest is waning. Initially I said that this movie wasn’t advisable for for kids younger than 5 years old but my daughter is 5 now and she loves it. Really loves it. I think it can just be a little scary at times.
What is great about this movie is that my son who is 7 will happily watch it because its superheroes and action packed.
Link to our Review: Incredibles 2
5. Frozen I
Frozen I is brilliant. It broke the mould in children’s movies. The plot was strong, the songs could stand on their own and often have and the heroes were the women. They weren’t saved by men. It was great!
Despite my daughter’s unwavering love of Frozen II, I actually haven’t included it in this list. I have mixed feelings towards Frozen II, there are some scenes that just don’t sit well with me even though my kids haven’t seem to noticed. You can check out my full review of Frozen II here.
I will tell you one thing though, the more I watch Frozen II, the shorter it seems to get. This movie may become as iconic as its predecessor.
6. Sing!
If your child has never watched Sing! they are missing out.
Sing! is brilliant and is a great movie for kids and to watch as a family. It’s got a great main storyline and then a few subplots all of which are easy to follow. It’s got characters that are really likeable and the score is fantastic!!
This is one of my daughter’s favourite movies. She has (incorrectly) memorised all the words to the songs. We even have the soundtrack in the car!
Link to our Review: You can read the full Sing! review here.
7. The Bee Movie
This movie stars the voice of Jerry Seinfeld. And to be honest it is far far better than I thought a Jerry-Seinfeld contribution to children’s movies would be. This is a movie which if you told me the plot line I would tell you would never work for kids but somehow it does. Somehow this movie captures kids’ attention. And it has a great story of accountability and responsibility.
The Bee Movie has no scary scenes which makes it one of the few movies I’ve seen that is completely free of this.
Link to our review: You can read the whole Bee Movie review here.
8. Dr Dolittle (2020)
As you can probably tell, I love the old original movies. And yes, I loved the old Dr Dolittle, the original from way back. But in this instance the version making it onto the list of “great movies for kids” is the latest, the Robert Downy Jnr movie.
I know that there was a lot of criticism levelled at the movie but I disagree with those critics. Apart from the introduction of a weird animal (I’m trying not to spoil it) and Downey Jnr’s weird accent the movie is fantastic.
Link to Full Review: Dr Dolittle 2020
9. Angry Birds 2
This is for families with slightly older kids, my 5 year old doesn’t love it. There are parts she enjoys and she’ll watch it under protest but I’m think it’s just to annoy her brother.
The 7 year old and I love this movie. It’s hilarious and has lots of great musical elements to it.
Link to our Review: Angry Birds 2
10. Paddington 2 (not the first)
I just love Paddington 2! We’ve even already watched it these school holidays. It’s got a good plot, beautiful imagery and great characters.
Paddington 1 is good and lovely too except for Nicole Kidman who is terrifying as the baddie. If you want to decide for yourself, you can read the full Paddington 1 Review Here.
Paddington 2 has all the charm and sweetness of the first. It is as visually bright and engaging with the same lovey characters. Thankfully, Hugh Grant isn’t as scary, he’s just really good in it.
Link: You can read our review of Paddington 2 Here.
11. Alice in Wonderland (the original)
This is another of the original movies making it onto the list. The original, the 1951 classic. I ca’t believe its only got 7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. It’s a great movie! There are a few areas where the younger kids may have to hold you hand but that sits firmly with Lewis Carroll completely.
Since discovering this movie 2 years ago my kids have watched it over and over again. It really just draws them in.
This movie is 75 minutes which doesn’t seem that long in comparison to how long movies can be nowadays but it is one of those movies that you can split in two.
Link to our review: You can read the full review of Alice in Wonderland Here.
12. Despicable Me 3
How great are the Despicable Me movies!? So good! The minions one wasn’t great though if I’m honest.
And while the original Despicable Me was awesome because it introduced Gru and the concept of a loveable misguided baddie, 3 has to be the best. Especially if you are a child of the 80s/90s – the music is solid gold.
Link to Our Review: I don’t believe it, I don’t have a review for Despicable Me 3. I best get on to that immediately.
13. UP!
Oh my goodness do I cry everytime I watch this movie. My kids think it’s hilarious. Little socio-paths.
This is the only movie to feature on this list and the our list of Movies to Make you Cry . Thankfully most kids can’t understand why it’s sad or appreciate that form of emotion so early on in the movie so you don’t have to worry about them crying – it will only be you.
This movie combines a great adventure with the special development of a human relationship. It’s good great characters and some animals to boot.
Link to our Review: You can read the full review of UP! here.
14. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
This is a strange addition to the list. It’s a good movie and an absolute classic but the appeal to my kids, I don’t get it. It is a really old fashioned movie but they watch it every school holidays.
I actually don’t even have a review for this movie because I’m not sure what I would say about it. Sorry about that. I will give it some thought and hopefully get a review out soon.
15. Boss Baby
This is another fantastic movie. It’s one of my daughter’s absolute favourites.
Again, if your kids haven’t watched it, you need to get onto it. It’s great! There is humour and family values and even some Elvis. I know a few little kids that started out as boss babies when they were toddlers and I think of them every time I see this movie.
Link to our Review: Boss Baby Here.
16. Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang
Don’t watch the wrong one! Make sure you’re watching Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.
Nanny McPhee – the first one is not as good as the second. It’s got great characters and introduced Nanny McPhee but it also has a main character who works as a mortician… That should be enough to put you off. Imagine explaining a mortician to kids, I had to and it was not ideal.
The second one is just far better. All of it from the cinematography to the characters. You don’t need to watch the first to understand the second so I would start with this one!
Link to our Review: Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Review here.
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