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Credit: THe Iron Giant / Warner Bros. Discovery
There’s no reason adults can’t watch (and love) movies intended to entertain children, but it’s almost inevitable that they will lose a little bit of their magic when not viewed through young eyes—sometimes a sense of childlike wonder is that special sauce that takes a film from good to great. Here are 25 movies every kid should see before they turn 13 (and threaten to mature into tiny adults).
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Why put this Pixar sequel on the list and leave out the original? Somehow, when its creators flipped the script to allow space-age action figure Buzz Lightyear to come to the rescue of cowboy Woody, the story seemed fresher. The animation is also better, and the script is funnier. By the time the movie arrives at the montage showing one toy’s heartbreaking backstory, even adults will feel like they gave a computer-generated character a soul—but the kids will be running off to their rooms to hug their under-used toys.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Chicken Run (2000)
Aardman Animation was best known for crafting short, clever films featuring its beloved characters Wallace and Gromit until it teamed up with Dreamworks Animation for this tale about a team of hens who hatch a plan to escape from their farm. If your television screen is sharp enough, you can literally see the animators’ fingerprints all over this modern classic’s plasticine characters, a sign of the deep love of their craft. Your kids will be too busy rooting for the hens to escape to notice.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Circus (1928)
Getting young kids to appreciate anything without color or dialogue can be a struggle. However, this silent masterpiece from Charlie Chaplin is packed with so many pratfalls and other imaginative comedic scenes they won’t even mind that no one is talking out loud. It’s a great way to engender their curiosity about older films at an early age.
Where to stream: Max, The Criterion Channel, Digital rental
The Lion King (1994)
This animated musical tale of Shakespearean proportions has been adapted for nearly every medium, yet its message has always been the same whether seeing it on stage or screen: “Remember who you are.” It’s a great idea for kids to absorb.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Shrek (2001)
Dreamworks flipped Disney’s fairy tale script by making a grotesque and flatulent ogre the story’s hero. The jokes made at the expense of the Mouse House will probably go over a younger viewers head, but the story’s message about self-esteem will stick with them.
Where to stream: Netflix, Digital rental
The Bear (1989)
This nature film about an orphan grizzly cub and the Kodiak bear that “adopted” boasts fantastic wildlife footage that will delight younger viewers, and a story about conservation, mercy, and family will resonate with all ages.
Where to stream: Prime Video, YouTube, Freevee, Tubi, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Peacock, Digital rental
Mary Poppins (1964)
This live-action/animated hybrid about a nanny who changes the lives of a British family still delights kids of all ages 50 years later with its (still) eye-popping visual effects and catchy songs.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Dreamworks again flips the script of the typical fantasy story about flying fire-breathers with a visually stunning adventure about a young Viking that befriends a dragon as his village wages a war against the species. Knowing no one will believe him, including his disapproving father, he and his friends must show the villagers humans can co-exist with the species. Any child who has ever asked their parents “why” can relate to its message of questioning the norm.
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
What child hasn’t wanted to escape their black-and-white existence and experience somewhere over the rainbow? For decades, young viewers have been fascinated by her journey through the merry old land of Oz, and everything from the story, songs, and special effects still amazingly holds up.
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
Inside Out (2014)
Mothers and fathers often raise their kids under the misguided belief that their spawn should always be joyful. As this movie so eloquently (and humorously) points out, it’s perfectly normal for children to feel sadness, disgust, anger, and fear. That’s why Inside Out works so well with younger audiences and makes their parents sob uncontrollably.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Land Before Time (1988)
Animator Don Bluth left Disney because he was frustrated that the company was cutting corners. He then created some of cinema’s most beautifully animated films, including The Secret of NIMH and An American Tail. However, his second collaboration with Steven Spielberg, The Land Before Time, was where he mastered the art of telling an emotionally complex story that wasn’t watered down for kids, an aspect they’ll certainly appreciate. Ironically, this film spawned a litter of direct-to-video sequels that cut corners, all without Bluth’s involvement.
Where to stream: Netflix, Digital rental
The Muppet Movie (1979)
The Muppet Show was one of the highest-rated programs in the world when Jim Henson decided to bring his characters to the big screen. It was a brilliant idea on his part to pack this film with plenty of wit and whimsy for kids and make it something adults could enjoy. The result is an outrageous but heartfelt romp about friendship, virtue, and inclusiveness.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Disney created quite the role model for younger viewers in the strong, intelligent, and independent Belle, a character who speaks her mind and ignores the persistent advancements of the hunkiest man in her French provincial village. Instead, she falls for the sensitive but cursed prince, who shows her there’s more to him than his temper and shocking appearance.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Chances are you haven’t seen Spielberg’s classic family film in some time, so you may not realize it was purposely photographed from a child’s perspective. It’s a brilliant trick to draw younger viewers into this story of a boy who becomes friends with an alien. It allows them to become part of Elliott’s hilarious and harrowing experiences.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The Sandlot (1993)
Contrary to what Field of Dreams and other heady baseball flicks would have you believe, baseball is about having fun. That’s what makes this ’90s classic about a group of friends trying to get back a signed Babe Ruth baseball from their neighbor’s backyard so great: It perfectly captures how kids feel when they’ve found their tribe.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Lego Movie (2014)
It could be because Lego sets from popular film franchises are unbelievably expensive, but it’s easy to love a film that features a hero who builds a double-decker couch to save his friends rather than escaping in a superhero’s vehicle. While that moment may resonate more with parents, kids will love this silly but innovative ode to creativity, especially its meta ending.
Where to stream: Netflix, Digital rental
Wall-E (2008)
There is little optimism in post-apocalyptic movies, but the robot protagonist in this Pixar movie has plenty of hope to go around. His attitude has much to do with Eve, another machine that holds the key to starting life again on an Earth that has become a literal landfill. There isn’t a lot of dialogue in this film, which makes it perfect for younger kids, and it doesn’t beat viewers over the head with its environmental message. That may be why this film is part of the Criterion Collection.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Home Alone (1990)
The film’s finale is a masterclass in physical comedy (every kid loves a good kick to the crotch), and it’s great to see a movie in which a protagonist under 10 behaves so responsibly without his parents.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
March of the Penguins (2005)
Kids will love this fascinating documentary about the taxing journey emperor penguins make to give their adorable-looking children the food they need to survive.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Coco (2017)
Ironically, this movie about a child who learns about his family’s history during a Day of the Dead celebration might feel more intense for parents who’ve experienced loss than it does for younger viewers. It’s also a great film that shows kids the importance of family and tradition.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Iron Giant (1999)
In what is easily the best role of Vin Diesel’s career, the actor voices an alien robot who befriends a young kid named Hogarth during the height of the Cold War. Kids will get caught up in the playful relationship between Hogarth and the titular character, but it’s powerful story about violence, warfare, friendship, and what it truly means to be a good person will stick with them.
Where to stream: Paramount+ With Showtime, Digital rental
Spirited Away (2001)
Much of Pixar’s output is strongly influenced by Hayao Miyazaki, and this beautifully detailed anime about a young girl who works to free her parents from a witch’s spell is an excellent example. Wall-E shares its themes of consumerism and man’s conflict with nature, and its take on generational culture clashes was utilized in Turning Red. And like the latter film, it’s one of the few films made for a tween audience.
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Even with all the dangers that lurk inside, what child wouldn’t want to tour Wonka’s chocolate factory? While the Oompa-Loompas can get a little preachy at times, rarely has a film captured the pure amazement of a child and the consequences that happen when adults corrupt their sense of wonder.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Someone finally made a comic-book movie for kids, and this one is even more imaginative, poignant, and relevant than its live-action counterparts. Take that, Deadpool.
Where to stream: Fubo, Digital rental
The Princess Bride (1987)
Most kids don’t like listening to their grandparents’ stories. That’s how this humorous film begins. But children quickly realize the fairy tales their elders tell are the best, which is why this endlessly quotable film has been shared with children for generations and has influenced everything from Shrek to Tangled.
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
