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Whether you’re facing a lengthy car journey, a snow day with lots of downtime or you’re in the mood for a family movie night, it’s always a good idea to have a handful of top-tier movies for toddlers at the ready.
If your little one is seeking to explore beyond their current favorites, we’ve got ten movies that are colorful, musical and not too scary. From Cars to Shaun the Sheep, these films are sure to be a hit with the entire family.
Cars (2006)
Walt Disney Pictures
Pixar films are some of the best movies for toddlers, offering captivating graphics, humor for adults and inspiring messages. Cars is a prime example of this, as it invites young viewers to embark on a journey with race car Lightning McQueen to Radiator Springs, forming friendships with new characters along the way.
With a 117-minute runtime and a star-studded voice cast that includes Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and Larry the Cable Guy, Cars is filled with positive messages that teach kids about accepting differences and experiencing growth throughout their life journey. This movie is also lacking in scary moments, so it’s fun for the whole family!
Cars is available to stream on Disney+ and is available for rent on Google Play, Amazon, iTunes and Vudu. Not an Amazon Prime member yet? Here’s our link to free Amazon Prime movies and TV for 30 days. Be sure to check out all this other free stuff from Amazon, too.
P.S.– this movie comes with two extra films, keeping the enjoyment going!
PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021)
Paramount Pictures
If your youngster loves PAW Patrol, they can discover all their favorite animated characters (Ryder, Chase, Marshall, Sky, Rocky, Rubble and Zuma) in this feature-length film. Clocking in at 86 minutes, it’s packed with familiar faces and new ones, like celeb cameos from Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel and Kim Kardashian.
While it’s an action-packed adventure for tiny tots, beware of some distressing scenes where the residents in Adventure City are in distress and peril.
PAW Patrol: The Movie is available to stream on Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and the Roku Premium Channel.
FYI: this movie has a sequel, so if you’re interested in making it a double feature, don’t forget to add PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie to your watchlist.
The Muppet Movie (1979)
ITC Entertainment
Never underestimate the charm of a timeless movie like this, where all your beloved Muppet characters embark on a thrilling Hollywood adventure. Packed with humor, uplifting messages and a soundtrack that includes the iconic Rainbow Connection, this 95-minute movie will captivate your child from beginning to end.
The Muppets are the true stars, but there are also numerous celebrity appearances, including Steve Martin, Mel Brooks and Orson Welles in his final role. Although your child might not fully grasp the plot, the G-rating means that children of all ages can enjoy this cinematic masterpiece.
The Muppet Movie is available to stream on Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, and Google Play Movies.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Walt Disney Pictures
It’s no shocker that Finding Nemo, a Pixar gem, made our best movies for toddlers list – it’s a timeless classic that brings a smile to everyone’s face. The film follows a father’s epic adventure across the Great Barrier Reef to find his lost son, as he makes new friends along the way.
The hit flick is 100 minutes long and features a star-studded voice cast from Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres to Willem Dafoe and Allison Janney. Although rated G, some scary moments might need parental guidance. Despite this, the breathtaking visuals, witty humor and positive messages of perseverance and friendship make it an instant family favorite.
Finding Nemo is available to stream on Disney+, Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu.
Blue’s Big City Adventure (2022)
Paramount+
FYI: the original Blue’s Clues series has gotten a modern twist, and now you can enjoy full episodes in the Blue’s Clues and You series. With multiple seasons to choose from, each episode is packed with entertaining and educational episodes.
If you’re looking for a full-length Blue adventure, get ready for this fun-filled movie on Paramount+, starring Blue, Josh and their entire crew. Set in the bustling city of New York, this 88-minute movie is rated G and offers a lively mix of music and dancing to keep kids engaged.
But don’t worry about any scary scenes – this film is designed to be enjoyable without causing nightmares. It also promotes a positive message about exploring new destinations, even if you’ve never been there before.
Blue’s Big City Adventure is available to stream on Paramount+, Amazon, YouTube and Vudu.
Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience (2017)
Paramount Pictures
Get ready to say goodbye to Peppa Pig episodes just shy of 30 minutes – with a runtime of 72 minutes, this movie is primed to deliver an epic dose of oink-filled delight for your toddler.
The G-rated, family-friendly film is strung together with previously unreleased episodes, musical interludes from their favorite series and new episodes that involve a tour of London in a double-decker bus with the Queen of England, a trip to Australia, a visit to the zoo and sailing on a canal boat.
Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience is available to stream on Amazon, Prime Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube.
The Tigger Movie (2000)
Walt Disney Pictures
If your little munchkin can’t get enough of the adventures of Winnie the Pooh, then you’ll want to add The Tigger Movie to your watchlist, as it’s a heart-warming tale of friendship and family, and is age-appropriate for toddlers.
Even though Tigger is the star of this flick, your little one will see all their favorite characters like Winnie the Pooh, Rabbit, Eeyore and Piglet. The Tigger Movie is 77 minutes long and is rated G, so it’s perfect for young audiences!
The Tigger Movie is available to stream on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu or Apple TV.
The Peanuts Movie (2015)
20th Century Studios
Get ready to elevate your family movie night with the full-length delight starring the one and only Charlie Brown and his awesome cast of characters- Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and the gang. Clocking in at 83 minutes, The Peanuts Movie is a rated G and is a treasure trove of feel-good vibes, serving up lessons on the power of friendship and self-love.
And hey—no need to brace for any spooks with this feature-length film–it’s all about the giggles and laughs with Snoopy.
The Peanuts Movie is available to stream on Disney+, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Vudu and YouTube.
Toy Story (1995)
Walt Disney Pictures
Last Pixar pick, we swear! But we just can’t leave out Toy Story, a colorful and heartfelt animated film that gives toys a vivid existence, complete with a sprinkle of clever charm. This Walt Disney production entertains toddlers with its colorful animation and lovable characters while imparting valuable lessons about friendship and teamwork.
The film boasts an all-star cast parents will recognize, including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. While Toy Story is an entertaining, G-rated adventure, keep in mind that it contains some scary moments, especially involving the antagonist Sid.
Toy Story is available to stream on Disney+, Roku, Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
Here’s some more exciting news: if your little one loves Toy Story, there are three additional films in the franchise for them to discover!
Shaun The Sheep Movie (2015)
Universal Pictures
If you fondly recall the antics of Wallace & Gromit, get set to explore the charming realm of Shaun The Sheep, where the titular character and his woolly pals venture into the city to rescue their forgetful farmer in the Shaun The Sheep Movie. While the film is dialogue-free, it’s perfect for toddlers to follow and brimming with humor that parents will appreciate.
This family-friendly flick runs for an hour and 25 minutes, making it one of the best movies for toddlers with a short attention span. However, be warned: this movie is rated PG and contains some scenes and characters (particularly the film’s antagonist) that might upset young children.
Shaun The Sheep Movie is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock TV, Apple TV, Vudu, Disney+ and Netflix.
If your little one falls in love with this film, here’s a secret: A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is an incredible sequel that’s out of this world!
