These Kids’ Movies Are So Good, You Won’t Mind Watching Too

When it comes to finding the best kids’ movies, there is certainly no shortage of options to choose from. Paradoxically, the streaming era has not simplified things for parents; the endless assortment means that we often find ourselves asking, How did we end up watching this? There is simply too much, and—let’s face it—too of much of it is junk.

While we are the first to admit that screen time is a near-unavoidable part of modern childhood, we also want that screen time to be as educational as it is entertaining. After all, learning about the early years of “talkies” from Singing in the Rain or the intelligence of the octopus from My Octopus Teacher is a highly worthwhile endeavor—not just for our kids, but for us, as well. (And, if the soundtrack is something we don’t mind hearing on repeat, all the better.)

To that end, here is our list of the best kids’ movies, curated by Vogue editors and writers who are parents, as well as by staffers who remember their favorite youthful viewing with perhaps a little more clarity than the parents. These are generally conceived as guidelines for the under-10 set, but of course check Common Sense Media or another resource to figure out if a film is right for your family. Best of all, these classics—and soon-to-be classics—are so good, you won’t mind watching them, too. Quality time and quality viewing? Now that’s a win-win.

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Nothing says swashbuckling quite like Errol Flynn swinging on a vine through Sherwood Forest. Growing up we had this movie on VHS—yes, that’s how old I am—and I would watch it on Saturday mornings and then manually rewind it and watch it again. Directed by Michael Curtiz, perhaps better known for a little film called Casablanca, and one in a series of delightful adventure romps featuring Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, this technicolor treat really hits all the bases.—Chloe Malle

Singing in the Rain (1952)

There’s so much to love in this classic: the “Moses Supposes” song (teach your toddler to talk with that!), Gene Kelly and Debby Reynolds’s supreme tap dancing, and that’s before you get to Donald O’Connor’s wall-climbing adventures. And the hidden weapon: a song you can pull out to make accidentally getting stuck at the playground in a rainstorm into a happy adventure. I’ve tried to interest my kids in all kinds of musicals from the cannon—this is the one that has held their attention the best. And it’s given them a slice of Hollywood history to boot.—Chloe Schama

Snoopy, Come Home (1972)

Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection

As a nervous and melancholy little girl—plus ça change, etc.—I was very drawn to Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, especially in the film Snoopy, Come Home. As Snoopy sets off with Woodstock on a long and complicated journey to see his former owner, a girl named Lila who has written to him from the hospital, we’re treated to a Sherman Brothers score dense with jaunty songs about friendship, trips to the beach, and the no-dogs policy at various establishments—plus a few devastating meditations on longing and loss. (Exhibit A!) Let’s just say that the idea was for Snoopy, Come Home to have a normal, commercial, Disney-movie sort of feel, but—God bless Charles M. Schulz and director Bill Melendez—that did not quite work, and they made something very charming, funny, and dark enough to widen a kid’s eyes a little instead.—Marley Marius

Robin Hood (1973)

This other Robin Hood entry for the canon is another personal favorite, this time a classic Disney cartoon featuring a fearless fox, a simpering snake, a loathsome lion, and a benevolent badger. Derring-do meets a moral fable all kids could learn a thing from—without the stealing part. I recently watched it with my four-year-old for the first time and all age groups were delighted.—CM

Annie (1982)

Of all the movie-musicals that I watched and loved growing up—Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oliver!—John Huston’s Annie deserves a special mention for three reasons. First, it has a little-girl protagonist and some wonderful dog acting. Second, its musical numbers are still very exciting. (“Hard-Knock Life”! “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here”! “Let’s Go to the Movies”!!) Third, it introduced me to Ann Reinking, Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, and Tim Curry, all at the same time. (If you’re like, What? Should kids today know who those people are? My answer to you is yes. No further questions!)—MM

The Secret of NIMH (1982)

No one made a better run at dislodging Disney’s animated-film hegemony in the 1980s than Don Bluth. (You probably don’t remember that this was the era of The Fox and the Hound and The Black Cauldron.) In 1982 Bluth and his cadre of fellow Disney defectors made The Secret of NIMH, in which a society of genetically altered rats possessing human-level intelligence comes to the aid of a single-mother mouse whose family is threatened by civilization. Based on a 1971 children’s novel and rejected first by Disney (the company said they already had a mouse), it’s an entirely absorbing, emotionally authentic, and visually rich tale that doesn’t shy away from darker aspects, while very stealthily promulgating principles of mutual aid, community organizing, redistribution of wealth, and the wisdom of elders. Dom DeLuise provides the comic relief as a ditzy, lovelorn crow, paving the way for Robin Williams’s and Eddie Murphy’s star turns as loudmouth Disney-cartoon sidekicks. Four years later, Bluth teamed with Steven Spielberg to bring to life the story of another mouse with gumption—An American Tail, then the highest-grossing non-Disney animated movie ever—followed by 1988’s hit The Land Before Time. Disney felt threatened enough that it released The Little Mermaid the next year, kicking off the Disney Renaissance for the next decade.—Lisa Wong Macabasco

The Goonies (1985)

When a dusty old treasure map is discovered, a group of misfit teens band together to track down the missing pirate’s booty of Captain One-Eyed Willy. Things run amuck after a run-in with the Fratelli family, a trio of outlaws hiding out from the cops. You’ll soon fall for the rambunctious youngsters as they make their way through the subterranean caves of an old coastal restaurant, where an unexpected friend named Sloth is made along the way. Booby traps and skeletons abound as the brave company makes its way under the steadfast leadership of Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin). Included in the cast are Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Ke Huy Quan, Kerrie Green, and Martha Plimpton. One fun fact from behind the scenes: Director Richard Donner wanted to get authentic on-camera reactions, and forbade the actors from seeing the One-Eyed Willy’s ship, which took two months to build, until the cameras were rolling.—Lauren Sanchez

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Within the Hayao Miyazaki canon, this is my favorite, and I think the best place to start when you’re exposing your children to the wonders of Studio Ghibli, the Tokyo-based animation studio responsible for producing the Japanese auteur’s films. (You could do a lot worse than simply making your way through his filmography.) Auteur is not too strong a word here; Miyazaki has a singular vision unlike almost anything that has made it, in a mainstream way, into American entertainment—and it’s a poetic, beautiful, sometimes confusing vision that I think presents kids with no less than an alternate way to see the world.—CS

Beetlejuice (1988)

Pure, delightfully dark-tinged chaos, Beetlejuice is a movie with severed heads, abundant death, a nightmare desertscape crossed by monster worms, Geena Davis pulling her face off, Alec Baldwin plucking his eyeballs out of his head, a football team of corpses, and Michael Keaton looking like a wino crossed with a zombie, in full comedic fast-twitch flow, trading verbal jabs with Winona Ryder as a suicidal (!) teen who looks exquisitely dressed for a Cure concert. My kids were rapt, rolled with Keaton’s rapid-fire jokes (many of them full of innuendo), and demanded a rewatch as soon as it was over. This is not, needless to say, the kind of movie they make anymore.—Taylor Antrim

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Invention-obsessed Professor Wayne Szalinski (Rick Mornais) stumbles upon a machine that shrinks objects into mere crumbs—a breakthrough until he realizes he accidentally shrunk his and the neighbor’s kids. It’s a wacky plot with an even wackier origin story. Horror director Stuart Gordon came up with the storyline and had to convince Disney to give him a shot. In an interview with TCM, Gordon said, “Disney was worried that I was going to kill all the kids, and I kept saying, ‘No, I’m not going to kill them. But I want the audience to think they might die.’” A death-defying hike through the backyard ensues as the kids make their way back home, dodging lawnmowers, bumblebees, and an unruly scorpion. It was a hit for Disney, raking in $14 million on opening weekend and $222 million globally. Part thrills and part chills, the movie is a classic.—LS

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

In the official record, Kiki’s Delivery Service may exist a half-step below the tier of Hayao Miyazaki’s out-and-out classics (Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, for instance), but in my household this gentle, charming story of a 13-year-old witch making her way in the world is as essential as it gets. It’s a great watch for younger kids: The Americanized dubbed version features a delightful Kirsten Dunst voicing Kiki and the late Phil Hartman as the voice of her deadpan, no-nonsense cat Jiji (his immortal line, “Pardon me, miss snooty cat,” has become a refrain in my home). The plot is simple: Kiki leaves home for a bustling port city, starts a delivery service where she flies around thrillingly on her broomstick, makes friends, loses her confidence, and then regains it. Warm, beautiful, exciting in its climactic sequences, and unforgettable.—TA

Hook (1991)

This beloved cult classic follows a grown-up Peter Pan, played by Robin Williams, as he seeks to find his children, who were kidnapped by Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman). Directed by Steven Spielberg, Never Never Land comes to life—and with it, a family of misfits known as the Lost Boys. Fun Fact: Glenn Close and Jimmy Buffet make surprise cameos as pirates, along with musician Phil Collins, who plays an inspector at the start of the film. Julia Roberts added to the starry cast as Tinkerbell, along with Dante Basco, Maggie Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more.—LS

FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)

Talk about a film more relevant than ever nearly 32 years since it first debuted in theaters: FernGully beautifully illustrates the importance of taking care of the world around us. The imagery is stunning and playful, with plenty of fun tunes to tell Crysta’s (Samantha Mathis) story of accidentally shrinking an oblivious forest logger named Zak (Jonathan Ward) with her fairy magic. Plus, this was Robin Williams’s first animated role. Lucky for us, all it takes to revisit the film (and its unforgettable Walkman scene, in which Zak jams out with a merry band of fairies to the tune of Wilson Pickett’s “Land of 1000 Dances”) is a quick streaming trip to Starz.—LS

Homeward Bound (1993)

A film to hit you right in the feels, Homeward Bound follows a furry trio on a cross-country, adrenaline-fueled adventure to, you guessed it: their home. Based on the book The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford, the story centers on the close-knit bond between a golden retriever named Shadow, a Himalayan cat named Sassy, and a lovable American bulldog named Chance as they trek through the Canadian wilderness. Actors Michael J. Fox (Chance), Sally Field (Sassy), and Don Ameche (Shadow) lend their voices throughout the picture, but capturing the personalities of the four-legged companions wasn’t easy. The animal actors trained for seven weeks to hone their movie star performances prior to shooting. Note: Have a box of tissues handy, because we guarantee the final scene still has the power to turn you into a blubbering baby, even 30-plus years later.—LS

The Sandlot (1993)

Replete with scenes of neighborhood baseball games and roasting s’mores on an open flame, this coming-of-age story is chock full of summer nostalgia. (“S’more of what?!”) The film is partly autobiographical, inspired by director David Mickey Evans’s childhood attempts to win over a group of boys by jumping over a fence to retrieve a lost baseball from “the beast.” One particular famous face created excitement when it appeared on set: Tom Guiry, who played the beloved Smalls, told Time about his first meeting with the great James Earl Jones. “When he showed up, we were like, ‘[Darth] Vader is here!’” said Guiry. “FOREVER” a heartfelt classic.—LS

Jumanji (1995)

The beating of Jumanji drums will haunt your dreams after watching this fantasy adventure film. Alan Parrish, played by Robin Williams, gets catapulted to another era after spending two decades in the wilds of Africa. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 1995, Kirsten Dunst shared what it was like to work with the comedian. “Robin Williams was so wonderful to work with…He would crack us up all the time on the set. I learned a lot about improv from him,” she said. One rule of thumb? Stay away from dusty old board games—and more importantly, never cheat the rules.—LS

Toy Story (1995)

The thought of your childhood toys springing to life while you’re away at school might be terrifying for some, but for Pixar, it ignited a whole Toy Story tetralogy. It was that very same idea that first inspired Tom Hanks to join the film franchise as Woody, the rootin’ tootin’ cowboy. The first computer-animated feature film to win an Oscar, Toy Story also introduced audiences to a superhero space cadet named Buzz Lightyear, played by Tim Allen. The duo set out on a misadventure, navigating the gummy depths of Pizza Planet and Sid’s demented lair. The most profitable picture released in 1995, it’s a film to revisit time and time again…“to infinity and beyond!”—LS

A Little Princess (1995)

We love a “justice is served” kind of film, and A Little Princess is just that and more. Based on the classic children’s book of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Little Princess tells the story of little Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews), whose adventure begins when she gets sent to an all-girls boarding school ruled by the dreadful Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron). Things take a turn when news surfaces of her father’s reported death while at war. Sara soon finds herself unceremoniously trading in her plush quarters for the attic to live out the rest of her life as a servant with Becky (Vanessa Lee Chester). One powerful scene is Sara’s princess monologue, in which she finally stands up to Miss Minchin, shouting: “I am a princess! All girls are!” The pivotal moment shakes the headmistress to her core and leads to a heart-racing chain of events that has you cheering on Sara and Becky to the very end.—LS

Harriet the Spy (1996)

A curious sixth grader with a penchant for spying on her neighbors is the star player in this coming-of-age dramedy. Based on the children’s book written and illustrated by Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet (Michelle Trachtenberg) all too quickly discovers what can happen when secrets are brought to light. When her treasured Composition book is discovered, the binocular-toting heroine must make amends with friends and family under the mentorship of her wise nanny, played by Rosie O’Donnell. The storyline itself was quite controversial. Fitzhugh’s book was challenged by a school board in Ohio in 1983 for being a “bad influence on children.” I’ll admit that I was influenced: Harriet’s passion for writing fueled my early scribblings. I even convinced my mom to buy me a Composition book of my own and make me Harriet’s favorite snack (tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches) as my school lunch for an entire year.—LS

Matilda (1996 and 2022)

Photo: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Matilda is the perfect children’s book by my estimate: an underdog tale with delightfully wicked enemies, an underestimated heroine whose power resides in her intelligence. (Side note, but I think JK Rowling ripped off the Dursely nincompoops from the Wormwoods, Matilda’s biological family and primary tormentors. Justice for Wormwoods!) And I am a little snooty about adaptations, generally speaking. But these two versions nail it. The original rightly made Mara Wilson a star, and has one of the greatest food-fight scenes in the history of cinema. (Danny Devito as the aforementioned Mr. Wormwood is similarly spectacular.) And the more recent iteration is a different delight—an adaptation of the Tony-award-winning Broadway musical that has made the show accessible to those who couldn’t catch it in its 2013 run. Both of these are well worth a watch. (Just make sure you read the Roald Dahl book as well.)—CS

Cinderella (1997)

This one almost speaks for itself: There is the cast, which includes Brandy, Whitney Houton, Victor Garber, Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander, and—once again—Bernadette Peters. There is the sweeping Rodgers and Hammerstein score, which is (controversial opinion?) so much better than the one in Disney’s 1950 version, lovely as that is. Also, the costumes and set pieces are completely ridiculous. It’s just wholesome, romantic (and racially diverse!) fun at its very finest.—MM

Ever After (1998)

As Danielle De Barbarac, Drew Barrymore breathes new life into the classic tale of Cinderella in this Renaissance-era French iteration. The evil stepmother is deliciously played by Anjelica Huston and her two daughters, by Melanie Lynskey and Megan Dodds as they scheme to win Prince Henry’s heart. With a postmodern feminist approach, a new story is born, and with it fantastical costumery. Who can forget the long-awaited ball scene where Danielle reveals herself to the court in all her winged splendor? Last year marked the movie’s 25th anniversary, and to celebrate, Barrymore invited the cast to reminisce on an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show. Old relics from the film were presented to the audience, including a certain pair of bejeweled slippers created by Salvatore Ferragamo.—LS

The Parent Trap (1998)

Overheard in the Vogue offices: “I legitimately thought that Lindsay Lohan was two actors when I saw this movie.” After the early aughts antics, the recent second act as rom-com star, and everything in between, you can be forgiven for forgetting that Lindsay Lohan was a supremely talented child actor. Case in point: The Parent Trap. When I recently watched this with my kids, I was prepared to interject a million comparisons to the original Hayley Mills vehicle, but this update holds its own. (Dare I say it, it might even be better.) The story of two identical twins who are separated soon after birth when their parents divorce and are then accidentally reunited at summer camp, the premise is not exactly believable. But Lohan sells it. The film is also sort of a lush set piece; with the dad’s northern California winery aesthetic juxtaposed against the prim formalism of the mom’s London sitting rooms. Both are meticulously designed and a feast for parental eyes.—CS

Spirited Away (2001)

The superlatives are true. Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 classic for Japan’s Studio Ghibli, is an out-and-out masterpiece. Fall into the slipstream of this eerie, otherworldly story, in which a 10-year-old girl is waylaid on a road trip by her blundering, ravenous parents and tumbles into a realm of ghosts and witches and creatures, and you’ll emerge changed for the better. Spirited Away convinced me that animation could be wilder and more dangerous and infinitely more beautiful than anything I’d seen from Disney in my own childhood, and that my kids could be swept along by sophisticated, uneasy-making, dream-logic storytelling—the kind that Miyazaki specializes in. Essential in every respect.—TA

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

Growing up, my family only owned a few DVDs, and thank God Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events was one of them. Even at a young age I was a snobby nerd who firmly believed that the book was always better than the movie, but this film almost made me reconsider. When their parents perish in a fire, the precocious Baudelaire siblings are forced to move into a captivating, gothic mansion with their very distant relative, Count Olaf (and who doesn’t love a story about orphan children). This movie adapts the 13-book series into a sub-two hour movie, and Jim Carrey and his eyebrows steal the show. I would go as far as to say that this is one of the most delightful portrayals of on-screen misfortune out there.—Alex Jhamb Burns

Ratatouille (2007)

Sometimes, even now, when biting into a delicious salty-sweet pairing, I think of Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille, specifically the infamous moment when Remy, a rat from the Parisian sewer system with dreams of becoming a chef, bites into a piece of strawberry and cheese. Behind him starbursts of color appear and he closes his eyes in bliss. Remy goes on to secretly join forces with a bumbling young chef to cook at the acclaimed (but, alas, fictional) restaurant Gusteau’s. There is something for everyone in this tale of adventure, bubbling stock pots, and beautifully animated food items—chief among them, perhaps, the lesson that we are all just little rats with a dream.— Maya Layne

Man on Wire (2008)

This is one of those movies that is a surprise stunner when it comes to kid entertainment. I watched it with my then 5-, 7-, and 9-year-olds and each of them was rapt. (You’ll have to do a little reading aloud of subtitles for the pre-literate in your audience.) The film might not seem an obvious choice for a kid, but the sense of real-life adventure, daring feats, and mild delinquency all hold incredible appeal to a younger crew. At its core this is the story of a dreamer who accomplished incredible things. There is, of course, the insane risk that it highlights, but that risk is so outlandish that I think this story embeds itself almost as a fable or a fairy tale: You can do incredible things if you dream big.—CS

Bedtime Stories (2008)

What if the sky rained gumballs? In Bedtime Stories it does, and it’s just one of the many fantastical happenings that Uncle Skeeter speaks into existence in his stories while watching his sister’s kids. Played by the painfully goofy Adam Sandler, Skeeter is a hotel handyman and a funcle (fun uncle) of the highest order—he introduces his niece, nephew, and their guinea pig Bugsy to the wonder that is the hamburger. Everything Sandler says and does is over the top, but through the eyes of a child, this movie is pure comedy.—AJB

Coraline (2009)

When the world of kid-friendly scary movies beckons, Coraline is the perfect entry point. An adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novella, it’s about an 11-year-old girl transplanted by her parents to a rickety old house in Oregon with bizarre tenants, a rambunctious neighborhood boy, and a stray cat with wisdom to share. When Coraline is lured through a secret compartment she encounters a parallel universe that is as eerie and unsettling as it is gorgeously and dangerously seductive.—TA

Up (2009)

Okay, let’s get this out of the way: Up is not a great film. After the first 20 minutes, the premise of this Pixar movie is a bit weird: It’s about an elderly guy (Carl) who travels to South America (in a floating house, hence the “up”) with a Boy Scout-like figure, where they meet a bird being pursued by a wicked explorer. But within those first minutes, which condense Carl’s life, specifically his romance and marriage to his now deceased wife, into a speechless montage of poignant moments, is one of the most moving sequences in all of cinema—animated or not. The story may be a bit goofy, but the emotional resonance of those first scenes make the film one to watch and re-watch.—CS

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

This is the first in a trilogy of fantasy adventures that offer brilliantly kinetic entertainment. I confess that I liked these movies even more than my kids did—but they were agreeably swept away. The aerial sequences are breathtaking and the story is genuinely affecting, encompassing themes of friendship, overcoming disability, and old-fashioned heroism.—TA

Pacific Rim (2013)

At some point you and your kid may get unduly interested in mecha, a category of manga and anime in which large armored machines piloted by humans do battle with devastating monsters, or Godzilla-like kaiju. The genre offers true riches (do not show your child Neon Genesis Evangelion; watch it yourself), and for my son and me, the classic text is the rock ’em sock ’em silliness that is Pacific Rim, a decade-old mecha–Hollywood crossover action film that has the color palate of Blade Runner and the IQ of Sharknado. There is pedigree here. The director is none other than Guillermo del Toro, in full goofy, lowbrow, genre-filmmaking mode. My son’s number-one movie of all time.—TA

Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017)

Every once in a while a children’s movie wildly outperforms parents’ expectations—and the best example of this happy phenomenon may be the Paddington movies, from 2014 and 2017. Crisp, comedic, warm-hearted, and British to the hilt, these two wise-and-wonderful joyrides feature the lovable bear from “Darkest Peru,” and a perfectly cast West London family (imagine Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins as your parents!) that desperately needs him, and vice versa. Stealth weapons in both films are the villains: Nicole Kidman as the taxidermist Millicent Clyde and Hugh Grant (unbelievably good) as stage actor Phoenix Buchanan.—TA

Minions (2015)

I have to admit it: Whenever my kids fired up Minions, which used to be just about every other day, I was tempted to park myself beside them and watch. Minions is officially a prequel to the Despicable Me series (which is itself excellent), but for my money it’s the central text: smart and irresistible in its combination of cuteness and anarchic comedy. I could never keep Kevin, Stuart, or Bob straight in my head, but to my kids they were distinctly foolish mischief makers who speak in tongues and need a super villain to give their lives meaning. The whole thing is fun and lovable but the opening backstory depicting minions bumbling through history—from the dinosaurs to Napoleon—is nothing short of genius.—TA

Coco (2017)

Pixar’s animated fantasy tells a story about Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) and his secret love for music despite his family’s mysterious objection. It’s impossible to pull your eyes away from the stunning technicolor scenery where Mexico’s lush culture sits center stage. We follow Miguel on his spiritual Día de los Muertos journey through the Land of the Dead to find his idol, the “greatest musician of all time,” Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). The award-winning film won the Oscars for best animated feature and best song (for “Un Poco Loco”). The film took six years to complete with 7 million lights in one scene alone. Let out your best grito and get ready for an adventure that’s a feast for the eyes and music to your ears.—LS

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Another unlikely documentary that actually is a fantastic watch for the whole family. There’s something about the single-mindedness of this film, the way its subject doggedly pursues knowledge of and friendship with a creature from another species, that will speak to any child engaged—in his mind or otherwise—with creatures of the natural world. There’s a bittersweet ending, but an important lesson in the octopus’s eventual death. I found this to be a poetic and beautiful way to engage my children in the natural world.—CS

Soul (2020)

Jazz pianist Joe Gardner, played by Jamie Foxx, finds himself tumbling into a wayward chasm of the afterlife named the “Great Beyond” following a spill down an open manhole in New York City. After trying to escape to earth, Gardner gets misdirected to the “Great Before,” where he’s assigned to a cynical soul named 22 (Tina Fey) to help find her “spark.” A series of mishaps brings them back to earth in the wrong bodies, and the two are set on a roundabout journey to discover what it means to truly live. The motion picture took home an Oscar for best animated feature at the 93rd Academy Awards. As the first feature-length movie to win without a theatrical release (due to the pandemic), it’s worth a stream on Disney+ if you haven’t yet seen it. Be forewarned, it’s a tearjerker.—LS

Luca (2020)

This Pixar-animated coming-of-age fantasy about a brave little sea monster named Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and his budding friendships with land dwellers Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Giulia (Emma Berman) is pure Italian seaside eye candy. We meet an unlikely team enamored with the idea of winning the local town’s Portorosso Cup triathlon to get a shiny new Vespa. Inspired by director Enrico Casarosa’s summer adventures in Genoa, the film gives us a glimpse of what vintage 1950s Italy would look like if local folklore came to life. A true blue and scaly green reminder to “Silenzio, Bruno!” and take chances because you never know what you may find on the other side.—LS

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)

This is one of those rarities that will appeal to different ages on different levels. Yes, lots of Pixar films are full of jokes that are intended for the grown ups, but this one, from A24, works on everyone purely through its imaginative ingenuity. To some it’s a simple story of a shell with shoes; to me it’s a fable of fortitude and belonging. You get the idea: there’s a range. And then there’s just the hilarious premise of it all, a delightful excursion into Jenny Slate’s bizarrely brilliant mind. Don’t be dissuaded by the documentary-style framing; my kids honestly didn’t even register it, and loved it nonetheless.—CS

Encanto (2021)

Set in the emerald mountains of Colombia, Encanto introduces us to the enchanted Madrigal household via Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), a precocious teen who didn’t seem to inherit the same powers as the rest of her family. Their charmed lives start to wear off when their mythical casita starts to show its cracks. Sprinkled with original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film takes us on a captivating adventure through the jungle, uncovering family truths along the way. The film won an Oscar for best animated feature and best original score. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” still rings in our ears, having surpassed “Let It Go” as the highest-charting Disney song in 26 years. No doubt about it: This one deserves a spot on the best movies for kids list.—LS

Better Nate Than Ever (2022)

High School Musical writer Tim Federle’s joyful directorial debut came with a buoyant message—one sure to appeal to kids who love theater, dance, and musicals, in particular. The action kicks off when Nate (Rueby Wood), an exuberant seventh-grade boy who lives in Pittsburgh and dreams of starring on Broadway, doesn’t get a part in the school play. Spurred on by his disappointment, he escapes with his one-and-only friend on an overnight bus to Manhattan to follow his dreams. Of course, hilarity and big lessons ensue, especially when the ever-amusing Lisa Kudrow, who plays Nate’s struggling-actress aunt, enters the scene. Heartwarming and inspiring, the family comedy offers a refreshing stance on what it means to be yourself. You’ll definitely find yourself doing jazz hands as Nate sings his way through Times Square, figuring it all out.—Christina Pérez

Elemental (2023)

The elements of earth, air, fire, and water are at the center of almost every ancient philosophical system—as well as this endearing Pixar rom-com. It’s a classic tale of two kids from different cultures who meet-cute and fall in love, but under the scrupulous direction of Peter Sohn, the age-old storyline manages to feel fresh: she’s a “fire,” he’s a “water,” and in their segregated hometown of Elemental City, never the two shall mix. Of course, they do—and what follows is a poignant romp that deftly navigates universal, timely issues: family dynamics, cultural bias, racial differences, emotional intelligence, mental health, inclusion, social status, and individual empowerment. The gags are fun, plentiful, and clever; the animation is trippy, colorful, and immersive; and the final takeaway is exactly as uplifting as you hope it will be—not to mention downright charming. —CP