First and foremost, it’s important to keep in mind your child’s age and maturity level. Certain movies may be too scary, and violent, or contain language that is not appropriate for younger children. Additionally, some movies may deal with complex themes or issues that may be difficult for younger children to understand.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) provides a rating system for movies that can be helpful for parents. The ratings are as follows:
- G: General Audiences. All ages are admitted.
- PG: Parental Guidance is Suggested. Some materials may not be suitable for children.
- PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
- R: Restricted. Children under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian.
- NC-17: No One 17 and Under Admitted.
Parents should use these ratings as a general guideline but should also read reviews and do their own research on the content of a movie before allowing their child to watch it. It’s also a good idea to watch the movie with your child and have a discussion afterward about any themes or issues that may have come up.
These are some of the movies that are appropriate for children:
- Corpse Bride (2005)- “Corpse Bride” is a stop-motion animated musical film directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson. The movie was released in 2005 and features the voices of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Emily Watson.
The story takes place in a 19th-century European village and follows a young man named Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp) who is about to marry Victoria Everglot (voiced by Emily Watson) in an arranged marriage. However, during a rehearsal, Victor accidentally places the wedding ring on the finger of a deceased bride, Emily (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), who rises from the dead and believes that she and Victor are now married.
(We recommend this movie is appropriate for children aged 7 and above and not to mention this is a great movie to watch with family)
- Boss Baby (2017)- “Boss Baby” is a 2017 American computer-animated comedy film directed by Tom McGrath and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The movie features the voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel, and Lisa Kudrow.
The story centers around a seven-year-old boy named Tim Templeton (voiced by Miles Bakshi) who is enjoying his life as an only child with his loving parents. However, his world is turned upside down when a suit-wearing baby (voiced by Alec Baldwin) arrives at his house and takes over his parents’ attention. The baby turns out to be a secret agent on a mission to stop an evil corporation from taking over the world.
(Due to its comedic and family-friendly nature, “Boss Baby” is suitable for younger audiences, but parents should still be aware that the film does contain some mild language and cartoonish violence.)
- The Addams Family (2019)- “The Addams Family” is a 2019 computer-animated comedy film directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan. The movie is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams and features the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, and Nick Kroll.
The story follows the Addams family, a quirky and eccentric clan of spooky characters who live in a gloomy mansion. When a reality TV host named Margaux Needler (voiced by Allison Janney) builds a perfect suburban neighborhood around the Addams’ mansion, the family must confront the challenge of fitting in with the rest of society while still embracing their unique identity.
(Due to its playful and spooky nature, “The Addams Family” is suitable for older children and teenagers. However, parents should still be aware that the film does contain some mildly scary imagery and macabre humor.)
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)- “Clifford the Big Red Dog” is a live-action/animated comedy film directed by Walt Becker and based on the children’s book series of the same name by Norman Bridwell. The movie was released in 2021 and stars Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall, and John Cleese.
The story follows a young girl named Emily Elizabeth (played by Darby Camp) who adopts a tiny red puppy that grows to become a gigantic dog named Clifford (voiced by John Cleese). When Clifford’s size causes chaos in their New York City neighborhood, Emily Elizabeth and her friends set out on a mission to find a solution before Clifford is taken away from her.
(“Clifford the Big Red Dog” received mixed reviews from critics but was generally praised for its fun and lighthearted nature, as well as its positive messages for children. The movie is suitable for young children and families and is a great introduction to the classic children’s book character.
Parents should note that the movie contains some mild language and cartoonish action, but overall is a family-friendly film that will be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.)
- The Lion King (1994)- “The Lion King” is a 1994 American animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. The movie tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince who is destined to become the king of the Pride Lands, a thriving African kingdom ruled by his father Mufasa.
However, Simba’s uncle Scar, who is jealous of Mufasa’s power, conspires to kill Mufasa and convinces Simba that he is responsible for his father’s death. Feeling guilty and ashamed, Simba runs away from the Pride Lands and meets two new friends, Timon and Pumbaa, who teach him to live a carefree lifestyle called “Hakuna Matata.”
Years later, Simba is reunited with his childhood friend Nala, who tells him that Scar has turned the once-beautiful Pride Lands into a desolate wasteland. Simba must face his past and reclaim his rightful place as king, with the help of his friends and the wise mandrill Rafiki.
(“The Lion King” is suitable for kids aged 8 and above as it contains some violent scenes that might scare them. For example, Animals try to attack each other and kill each other. These scenes include images of gnashing teeth, which are frightening and might distress young viewers.)
- Ella Enchanted (2004)- “Ella Enchanted” is a 2004 fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Tommy O’Haver and starring Anne Hathaway in the title role. The movie is loosely based on the novel of the same name by Gail Carson Levine.
The film takes place in a fictional kingdom called Frell, where Ella of Frell is born with the gift of obedience, which means she must always obey any command given to her, whether she wants to or not. After her mother dies and her father remarries, Ella’s life becomes difficult as she struggles to keep her obedience curse a secret from her new stepfamily.
Ella eventually sets out on a quest to find the fairy who gave her the curse and break it, encountering a variety of colorful characters along the way, including a talking book, a group of giants, and a handsome prince named Charmont. As Ella and Char fall in love, they must also work together to stop Char’s evil uncle, who seeks to take the throne of Frell.
(“Ella Enchanted” is suitable for all ages.)
- Wizard of Oz (1939)- “The Wizard of Oz” is a 1939 American musical fantasy film directed by Victor Fleming and based on the 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum. The movie stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a young girl who lives in Kansas and is swept away by a tornado to the magical Land of Oz.
In Oz, Dorothy meets a cast of memorable characters, including the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, who join her on her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz and ask for his help in returning home. Along the way, they face various obstacles and challenges, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks to stop them from reaching the Wizard.
(“Wizard of Oz” is suitable for children aged 5 and above as it contains several scenes that may be scary for very young children.)
- Charlotte’s Web (2006)- “Charlotte’s Web” is a 2006 live-action film based on the classic children’s novel of the same name by E.B. White. The movie was directed by Gary Winick and stars Dakota Fanning as Fern, the young girl who befriends a pig named Wilbur, and Julia Roberts as the voice of Charlotte, a wise and compassionate spider.
The story follows the relationship between Wilbur and Charlotte, as the spider helps the pig avoid being sent to the slaughterhouse by spinning words in her web that praise Wilbur’s virtues. Together, they learn about the power of friendship, compassion, and the beauty of life.
(“Charlotte’s Web” is suitable for children aged 3-to-4-year-olds. The movie remains a popular family-friendly film, loved by generations of children and adults alike.)
- Babe: Pig in the City (1998)- “Babe: Pig in the City” are a 1998 comedy-drama film and a sequel to the 1995 movie “Babe”. It was directed by George Miller and stars James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, and Mickey Rooney, among others.
The film picks up where the first movie left off, with Babe the Pig (voiced by Elizabeth Daily) living on the farm with its owner, Farmer Hoggett (Cromwell). When Farmer Hoggett is injured, Babe and his owner’s wife, Esme (Szubanski), go to the city to raise money for his treatment. However, things quickly go awry when Babe and Esme become separated, and Babe finds himself lost in a strange and dangerous city.
(“Babe: Pig in the City” is rated G, meaning it is suitable for all ages.)
- DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)- “DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp” is a 1990 animated adventure comedy film based on the popular Disney animated television series “DuckTales”. The movie was directed by Bob Hathcock and written by Alan Burnett and features the voices of Alan Young, Terence McGovern, and Russi Taylor, among others.
The plot of the movie centers around Scrooge McDuck (voiced by Alan Young) and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie (all voiced by Terence McGovern) as they discover a magical lamp that contains a powerful genie named Gene (voiced by Rip Taylor). However, when Scrooge’s rival, Merlock the sorcerer (voiced by Christopher Lloyd), learns of the lamp’s existence, he sets out to steal it and use its power for his own evil purposes.
(“DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp” is suitable for all ages.)
- Raya and The Last Dragon (2021)- “Raya and the Last Dragon” is a 2021 computer-animated action-adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film was directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada and stars the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, and Gemma Chan, among others.
The movie is set in the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons used to live together in harmony until an evil force known as the Druun threatened their land. The dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity, and their magic was sealed away in a gem. The story follows Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran), a young warrior princess who sets out on a quest to find the last dragon, Sisu (voiced by Awkwafina), and restore the gem’s magic to defeat the Druun and save her people.
(“Raya and the Last Dragon” is suitable for all ages.)
- Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)- “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a live-action adaptation of the popular animated TV series “Dora the Explorer”. The movie was released in 2019 and directed by James Bobin.
The film follows a teenage Dora, played by Isabela Moner, as she embarks on a new adventure to find the lost city of gold, Parapata, in South America with her friends. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and challenges, including navigating through the jungle, avoiding traps, and facing off against a group of treasure hunters who are also searching for the city.
(“Dora and the Lost City of Gold” are suitable for kids aged 4 to 5 years and up.)
- Finding Dory (2016)- “Finding Dory” is a 2016 computer-animated adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Andrew Stanton. It is a sequel to the highly successful 2003 movie “Finding Nemo” and centers around Dory, a blue tang fish with short-term memory loss.
The movie begins with Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, experiencing flashbacks of her childhood and her parents. With the help of Marlin and Nemo, she sets out on a journey to find her long-lost family. Along the way, she encounters new friends and old acquaintances, including Hank, a sept opus who helps her navigate an aquarium, and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark who helps her locate her parents.
(“Finding Dory” is suitable for children aged 6-8 years.)
- Stuart Little (1999)- “Stuart Little” is a 1999 American family comedy film directed by Rob Minkoff and based on the novel of the same name by E. B. White. The movie centers around a mouse named Stuart Little who is adopted by a human family in New York City.
Stuart, voiced by Michael J. Fox, is a talking white mouse who lives with his adoptive parents, Mr. and Mrs. Little, and their son, George. The movie follows Stuart’s adventures as he tries to fit in with his new family and make friends with other animals, including a friendly bird named Margalo and a cat named Snowbell who initially dislikes Stuart.
As Stuart tries to navigate life in the human world, he also faces challenges from other cats and mice who don’t understand why he is living with humans instead of with his own kind. Along the way, Stuart learns important lessons about family, friendship, and being true to oneself.
(“Stuart Little” is suitable for children aged 5 and above.)
- The Grinch (2018)- “The Grinch” is a beloved holiday movie based on the classic children’s book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss. The story follows the Grinch, a grumpy, green creature who lives on a mountain overlooking the town of Whoville. The Grinch despises Christmas and decides to steal all of the town’s Christmas decorations, presents, and food to prevent the Whos from celebrating the holiday.
The 2000 live-action film “The Grinch” stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch and was directed by Ron Howard. The movie expands on the original story, delving deeper into the Grinch’s past and his reasons for hating Christmas. The film also introduces new characters, including a love interest for the Grinch named Martha May Whovier and a young girl named Cindy Lou Who, who tries to help the Grinch see the true meaning of Christmas.
(“The Grinch” is best for children aged 6 and above.)
- The Swan Princess (1994)- “The Swan Princess” is a 1994 animated musical fantasy film directed by Richard Rich and produced by Nest Entertainment. The film tells the story of a beautiful princess named Odette who is turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer named Rothbart. The only way for Odette to break the spell is for someone to make a vow of everlasting love to her.
The movie follows Odette’s journey as she tries to find a way to break the curse and defeat Rothbart with the help of her animal friends and a brave prince named Derek, who she eventually falls in love with.
(“The Swan Princess” is suitable for children 5 and above.)
- Barbie as Rapunzel (2002)- “Barbie as Rapunzel” is a 2002 direct-to-video animated film directed by Owen Hurley and produced by Mainframe Entertainment. The movie is part of the Barbie film series and is based on the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel.
The film tells the story of Barbie as Rapunzel, a young girl who is locked in a tower by an evil witch named Gothel. Rapunzel has a gift for painting but is forbidden by Gothel to use her talent. With the help of a magical paintbrush and her animal friends, Rapunzel escapes from the tower and discovers a secret garden, where she meets a prince named Stefan.
Throughout the movie, Rapunzel uses her bravery, intelligence, and creativity to overcome obstacles and outsmart Gothel. With the help of her friends and the prince, Rapunzel discovers the power of love, friendship, and following her dreams.
(“Barbie as Rapunzel” is suitable for children aged 4 and above.)
- The Little Mermaid (1989)- “The Little Mermaid” is a classic 1989 animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. The movie is based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.
The film tells the story of a mermaid named Ariel who dreams of living on land with humans. She falls in love with a prince named Eric and makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for human legs so she can pursue her love for him. With the help of her friends, Flounder and Sebastian, Ariel embarks on a thrilling adventure on land, while also trying to outsmart Ursula and reclaim her voice.
(“The Little Mermaid” is suitable for children aged 5 and above.)
- A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)- “A Very Merry Pooh Year” is a 2002 animated direct-to-video film featuring characters from A.A. Milne’s beloved “Winnie-the-Pooh” stories. The film is comprised of two stories, “Happy Pooh Year” and “Holiday for Pooh Bear”.
In “Happy Pooh Year”, Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood are excited to celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, Rabbit is determined to create a list of resolutions that everyone must follow, causing chaos and misunderstandings among the group.
In “Holiday for Pooh Bear”, the gang decides to skip winter and head straight to spring. But when they discover that Rabbit is stuck in his house due to snow, they come up with a plan to make him believe it’s spring, despite the chilly weather.
(“A Very Merry Pooh Year” is suitable for children aged 3 and above.)
- Luca (2021)- “Luca” is a 2021 animated coming-of-age fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Enrico Casarosa. The movie is set in a small seaside town on the Italian Riviera and follows the story of two young sea monsters named Luca and Alberto, who venture onto land and pose as humans to explore the town and fulfill their dream of riding a Vespa.
As they explore their new surroundings, Luca and Alberto form a close friendship with a human girl named Giulia, and they enter a race against her to win the prize money that would enable them to buy their own Vespa. However, their adventure is threatened by the looming danger of being discovered by the local townspeople who fear sea monsters.
(“Luca” is suitable for children aged 5 and above.)
