As the school year comes to a close, many students feel the extra stress of more projects, tests, and homework sheets. One of the best ways to unwind during these times is to return to our roots, and enjoy a good kids’ movie! Kids’ movies often have the most relatable themes but are also light-hearted enough to be a good break from life. Whether it’s with your younger siblings, or just for yourself, kids’ movies are a genre that has a lot of classics. Here are my top ten kids’ movies, thoughts, and where to watch them!
- Fox and the Hound (1981)
Directors: Ted Berman, Art Stevens, Richard Rich
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: A young fox, Tod, is orphaned and then taken in and raised by an elderly lady, when he meets the neighbor’s hunting dog, Copper. Tod and Copper quickly become best friends, before the neighbor threatens to kill Copper if he is near Tod again. As the two animals grow up, their friendship is tested as they learn how to grow outside of the roles defined for them.
Periscope Praises: The Fox and the Hound is a Disney classic for a good reason- with its nostalgic colors and animation style, as well as its comments on friendship, this movie is perfect for any situation.
- Puss in Boots: Last Wish (2022)
Director: Joel Crawford
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: Puss in Boots as a character has been around for ages, referenced in all sorts of stories across mediums, but this sequel to the original Dreamworks Puss in Boots takes it to a new level. Puss is a beloved adventurer across nations, but unfortunately, after his most recent life, he only has one of his nine lives left. Puss is desperate for more lives and to outrun death, a concept that the directors have turned into a physical character shown as a wolf, so he sets out to find the last wish. Puss comes into contact with friends and foes, old and new, as he learns more about himself and what he values.
Periscope Praises: This movie is revolutionary for its portrayal of panic attacks, anxiety, and death in a way that makes it easy for kids to understand and connect with. While remaining true to Puss’ comedic nature, this movie still manages to leave older audiences crying as they deeply resonate with Puss’ struggles.
- Encanto (2021)
Directors: Byron Howard, Jared Bush
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: It’s a well-accepted fact that the newer Disney films are not enjoyed as much as the older ones, yet Encanto is the exception to that rule. The Madrigal family has been gifted a magical candle after a devastating event and with it, each of the children born of the family has been given a magical power. Everyone except for Mirabel. When suddenly, the candle begins to flicker and the walls of their magical house begin to crack, Mirabel sets on a mission to prove herself and figure out what is happening to the magic.
Periscope Praises: Encanto really delves into the complexities of family life, and the feeling of not being good enough. Underneath a catchy soundtrack, this movie really is about how it feels to be the odd one out in your family.
- The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: Tiana has always dreamed of having her own restaurant, and has sworn she would never kiss a frog. She never thought those two goals would collide until she’s catering at a party and finds out she has lost all hope to buy her dream restaurant, and is asked for a kiss by a frog. This frog isn’t an ordinary frog but is actually a prince. She kisses him on the promise that he can help her buy her restaurant but that all goes out the window when she turns into a frog too. The unlikely pair are now traveling across the bayou to try and find a real princess to make them human again.
Periscope Praises: The Princess and the Frog is a classic tale, but this movie will always be a hit with its catchy music and classic theme of chasing your dreams, but not at the cost of losing the people you love.
- The Wild Robot (2024)
Director: Chris Sanders
Where to watch: Peacock, Apple TV, Prime Video
Summary: On a dystopian earth where human-like robots are the norm, a ship carrying those machines crashes on an empty island. All of the robots are seemingly broken except ROZZUM Unit 7134, also known as Roz. Roz is trying to find her way back home and learn to survive in the wild when she meets an orphan gosling named Brightbill. Roz’s mission changes as she works to care for Brightbill with a scheming but good-hearted fox, Fink.
Periscope Praises: In a brilliantly animated movie, The Wild Robot explores themes of friendship and what it means to have a home, in this new book-to-screen adaptation.
- The Greatest Showman (2017)
Director: Michael Gracey
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, TBS, TNT, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: Barnum and Bailey’s circus has been shut down for years, and although the real show took controversial actions, The Greatest Showman takes inspiration from the circus and turns it into a film about chasing your dreams no matter who you are. P.T Barnum grew up poor in New York City, but when he wants to be able to provide for his new family he goes on an exciting new business adventure. He starts a circus, focusing on bringing people who are shunned by society into the spotlight and celebrating them.
Periscope Praises: Its soundtrack is impossible not to sing along, and The Greatest Showman can also encourage viewers to be themselves in an exciting and entertaining film.
- Tangled (2010)
Directors: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: Rapunzel is the daughter of the reigning King of Corona, but when her mother falls ill while pregnant with Rapunzel, the queen must take a magic flower to keep both of them alive. When Rapunzel is born with the same power as the flower, the ability to heal and keep one young, a witch named Mother Gothel kidnaps her, locking her in a tower for 18 years. Rapunzel wants to explore the outside world and when thief, Flynn Rider, climbs into her tower, she might just get that wish.
Periscope Praises: Tangled has a love story and soundtrack worthy of classic Disney, as the movie follows the pair into the outside world.
- Nimona (2023)
Directors: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
Where to watch: Netflix
Summary: Ballister Boldheart is the first commoner to try out in the trial to become a knight in a futuristic, magical world. When the queen dies on the same night as the trial, Ballister is framed for her death and must go on the run. There he meets Nimona, a young girl who can shapeshift into anything, who automatically dubs herself Ballister’s sidekick. The two travel the kingdom, find hidden secrets about the government and work together to right them.
Periscope Praises: Nimona tackles so many issues that kids deal with in a format that is engaging and beautiful. It will leave audiences feeling gut-wrenched and has the power to change how kids see the world.
- Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Director: Gábor Csupó
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: Twelve-year-old Jesse has nothing easy in his life. His family struggles financially, his father doesn’t like him, and he gets constantly tormented at school. His only escape from this is running, but when the new girl, Leslie, beats him in a race at school, that all changes. Leslie and Jesse ultimately become friends and create an imaginative kingdom called Terabithia in the woods behind their houses. Terabithia becomes a safe space for the pair and their dog, providing a literal escape from reality.
Periscope Praises: Bridge to Terabithia creates a physical depiction of escapism and although it eventually ends in tragedy, it has the power to help people of any age understand grief and guilt.
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Director: Dean DeBlois
Where to watch: Netflix, Max, Hulu, Sling, Roku Channel, Prime Video, Apple TV
Summary: The Viking village of Berk is constantly attacked by dragons, and Vikings have all vowed to kill them. All of them except Hiccup. Hiccup is the son of the Viking chief and when he accidentally shoots down the rarest dragon, a night fury, he quickly befriends it. Realizing that dragons are not what he’s been taught, Hiccup recruits other teenagers to help create peace between dragons and Vikings.
Periscope Praises: How to Train Your Dragon has everything you could want in a movie: action, comedy, resistance, underdogs, a moving score, and touching dialogue. This movie was an instant classic and will remain so for many generations to come.
