35 Best Animated Popular Family Kids Movies To Watch 2024!

Are you looking for a few movie ideas for your little ones? Maybe, you are a Busy Mom and need something to keep the kids entertained, so you can get some things done around the house.

Perhaps you are a Grandparent that has the Grandbabies for the weekend.

Maybe, you’re even a Nanny who just wants to entertain the children, while keeping an eye on them.

Regardless of your particular situation, these popular animated kids movies will have the younger ones glued to the tv!

via GIPHY

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Although most of the movies on this list have been released within the last 10-15 years, a few are just older classics that most of us already know about. You may have even seen a good bit of the movies yourself!

How many has the typical 4-6 year old in your life, seen?

Why not reintroduce some of your own favorites to the kids? And if there are in fact a few of these movies you have never seen, you should definitely check them out for the next movie night!

So, make a bit of hot chocolate. Settle in for a warm, cozy movie break, and watch the imagination come alive!

I included movie trailers for each. Click on the titles for buy or rent options)

1. Beauty & The Beast

Synopsis – Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

2. Tangled

Synopsis – When the kingdom’s most wanted bandit is taken hostage by Rapunzel — a teen with 70 feet of golden hair who’s looking to escape the tower where she’s been locked away for years — the unlikely duo sets off on a hair-raising escapade.

3. Aladdin

A Disney story of love, hope, magic, and adventure…all rolled into an actual genie that resides in a bottle. For as long as I can remember, genies in bottles, were a magical fairytale of sorts. Good old fashioned family oriented, this classic fits the bill for imagination on any occasion.

4. Lion King

I saw this movie when I was young, as did my husband. We have since, passed that onto our own child. It is a beautiful life story, filled with wisdom. This is one of those Disney classics that should be seen by everyone, in my opinion.

5. Frozen

We love the soundtrack to this kids movie, the same as just about everyone else who has ever heard it! We did finally get tired of seeing the thing, once we purchased the DVD. I think my husband and I, both started hearing the songs in nightmares! (Sure we’re not alone on that.) Nonetheless, it is beautiful. Perfect for winter. And, who doesn’t love Olaf anyway? He’s an adorable talking snowman, afterall!

6. 101 Dalmations

Synopsis – Cruella De Vil, Disney’s most outrageous villain, sets the fur-raising adventure in motion when she dognaps all of the Dalmatian puppies in London, including 15 from Pongo and Perdita’s family. Through the power of the “Twilight Bark,” Pongo leads a heroic cast of animal characters on a dramatic quest to rescue them all.

7. Lady & The Tramp

Synopsis – Experience the thrilling adventures of Lady, a lovingly pampered cocker spaniel, and Tramp, a freewheeling mutt with a heart of gold. When Lady’s master and mistress, Jim Dear and Darling, leave town for a few days, Aunt Sarah arrives with her two cats to babysit.

8. Encanto

When Mirabel starts to feel she’s the only one without a magical gift within her community, she discovers things aren’t always as they seem. Her gift turns out to be the one thing that can save everyone from loosing their own magical gifts. With a sassy attitude, Mirabel embarks on her plight to be the ultimate heroine. This movie caught the world by storm last year. When I saw my son’s choir perform “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” at last year’s holiday concert, I had goose bumps without having even seen the movie yet. The little boy (3-4 yrs) next to me dancing and singing along to the choir, may have had something to do with that 😉

9. The Chronicles Of Narnia

When launched into a Good vs. Evil world, what do you do? This movie is like National Geographic, but with talking animals. It is action packed with a bit of wisdom intertwined. The graphics are realistic and the adventure aspect will be loved by all, of any age group.

10. Finding Nemo

Synopsis – When young clownfish Nemo is unexpectedly captured from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and taken to a dentist’s office aquarium, it’s up to Marlin, his worrisome father, and Dory, a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish, to make the epic journey to bring him home.

11. Ratatouille

If you were a mouse who has experienced Good Food, what would you do? Well, he’s not human…so, he can’t cook. Remy doesn’t settle for the standard garbage can food. He wants something better in his stomach. He knows what Good Food should taste like. Follow this little guy on his adventure to discovering a way to fill his needs while staying out of harm’s way!

12. Coco

Synopsis – An aspiring young musician named Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) embarks on an extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors. There, the charming trickster Héctor (Gael García Bernal) becomes an unexpected friend who helps Miguel uncover the mysteries behind his family’s stories and traditions.

13. Monsters, Inc.

Synopsis – Lovable Sulley (John Goodman) and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at MONSTERS, INC., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it’s the monsters who are scared silly, and it’s up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home.

14. The Incredibles

Synopsis – As Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob and his wife Helen were among the world’s greatest crime fighters. But fifteen years after their glory days, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and live “normal” lives with their three kids. Itching to get back into action, they get their chance when a mysterious communication summons Bob to a remote island.

15. Brave

Synopsis – Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land. When her actions inadvertently unleash chaos in the kingdom, Merida must harness all of her skills to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late…and discover the meaning of true bravery.

16. Inside Out

This movie came at just the right time when stress was running a bit high…we were moving. Every emotion humans (young and old, alike) experience on a daily basis, is outlined beautifully in this movie. You can’t help, but to understand the perspective of everyone involved. Then, you’ve got the characters that portray those emotional experiences. Such a beautiful movie. It will bring a tear to your eye from time to time, but the end result is well worth it.

17. A Bug’s Life

Synopsis – Embark on an incredible expedition with one little ant as he searches for a band of warriors to help him battle the grasshoppers who threaten his home. When he stumbles upon a bumbling troupe of circus bugs instead, their only hope for victory is the bond of friendship and the power of imagination.

18. Up

Ok…picture this. A grumbly old widower with a taste for adventure. An awkward boy scout with good intentions. A talking dog, and a very large, exotic silly bird. What do you get? The adventure of a lifetime! Stupid funny (even for adults), heart warming, and imaginative. You can’t go wrong with this film.

19. How To Train Your Dragon

If you have read any of my other posts, you would already know I am a Huge GOT fan. Dragons fascinate me, (to the point where I agreed to allow a Bearded Dragon into my home!). When this kids movie came out, my son watched it a half a dozen times in the first couple of weeks, no joke! I was right along side him!

20. Boss Baby

Dear lord did my child giggled his little tail off every time he watched this one…still does! If you have more than one child, you will enjoy this one even more. Yet again, another humorous kids movie that also resonates with the adults. The shenanigans alone, almost makes me wish I had, had a second baby…..Naaaah! I’m perfectly good on that!

21. Shrek

Who doesn’t love Shrek? Especially with Donkey by his side… Enter in sassy Princess Fiona, whose only worry is that her beauty will vanish at a certain time of the day. Love can’t exist without physical beauty, right? Awe, Sweet Summer Child…

The silly antics, snarky comments, and life lessons involved within this movie will be entertaining any day of the week!

22. Megamind

When the city needs a hero, who should you call? Megamind, of course! A super smart, innovative alien like creature for a hero, nothing could go wrong, right? Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Brad Pitt are the voices of these lovable characters. The action is there. The intelligence and imagination are there. The humor is there. Laughs and excitement for the whole family!

23. Madagascar

A pack of zoo animals from the inner city, get stranded on a remote jungle island. Not only are they well trained, groomed and socialized, but they can also speak the human language! What happens when they enter into a territory their fine life has not prepared them for? Shenanigans…that’s what happens..and lots of laughs! Perfect for the whole family.

24. Puss In Boots

Synopsis – Lover, fighter and outlaw Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) is on the adventure of his nine lives as he teams up with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) for the ultimate showdown with the notorious Jack and Jill.

25. Kung Fu Panda

Synopsis – This movie involves a bumbling panda, named Po, who aspires to become a kung fu master. When an evil kung fu warrior is foretold to escape from prison, Po is unwittingly named the chosen one destined to bring peace to the land, much to the chagrin of the resident kung fu warriors. 

26. Bee Movie

If you like Jerry Seinfeld at all, you’ll enjoy watching this movie. The kids may not get the jokes through the movie necessarily, but the adults certainly will. The kids will, however, enjoy the sweet, good nature of the overall sentiment. Great movie for any audience!

27. Sing

We have seen this movie a handful of times, at the least. I prefer Sing 1 over 2, personally. It’s the soundtrack…that’s really it. The animation is beautiful, the music resonates with adults everywhere, and the characters are brilliant. So much laughter, good music, and hope involved in the storyline…It is truly a favorite in my home. Love, Love it!

28. Despicable Me

I couldn’t possibly tell you how many times this movie has been played in our home since it first came out. Gru is just a cranky guy who hates everyone. The minions are silly, but resourceful. They are certainly adorable, to say the least. Gru’s love for his girls, is just so heart warming you can’t get enough. For as many times as my family has seen this hit, we still laugh at all the same humor points, even knowing when they are coming! Love this movie!

29. Gnomeo & Juliet

Every night, they wait for humans to go away. When the humans lie asleep, the garden gnomes comes out to play! The red gnomes and the blue gnomes have been in a fued for years. When Gnomeo from the blue side falls in love with Juliet from the red side, everything possible that can go wrong, does. The same old story of forbidden love, told in a sweet, humor filled, adventurous way. This is an awesome take on a timeless story!

30. Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Synopsis – When Toontown’s owner is found murdered, all fingers point to cartoon superstar Roger Rabbit. With nowhere else to turn—and the sinister, power-hungry Judge Doom hot on his tail—Roger begs the Toon-hating detective Eddie Valiant to find the real evildoer. But the plot thickens as Eddie uncovers scandal after scandal and realizes the very existence of Toontown is at stake!

31. Hotel Transylvania

We discovered this one right around Halloween. A friend recommended it..and, we are pretty into the Halloween spirit each year. The humor is there for all audiences. The parent and safety aspect is there. The wild imagination for children is there. The ending is beautiful and heart warming. We all love this movie.

32. Happy Feet

Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, and Nicole Kidman are the main voices in this cartoon. Dancing penquins combined with a great soundtrack, ties it all up with a pretty little bow. I can remember my son’s reaction any time this movie came on. He would drop his toys, stand in the middle of the floor and wait to dance along. Great movie for the kids!

33. An American Tail

Yet, another beauty. A bit older perhaps, but timeless. I loved this movie as a kid and the younger generations do, as well. My experience, at least. Good fun for the entire family.

34. Ice Age

Synopsis – 20,000 years ago, a grumpy mammoth named Manfred and a enthusiastic ground sloth named Sid are left behind during the migration for the ice age. Abandoned by his family, Sid attempts to migrate alone but runs afoul of his two rhinos best friends named Carl and Frank, who try to attack Sid but fail due to Manfred stepping in, only to leave Sid behind afterward. Sid stays with Manfred, referring to the mammoth as “Manny”, for protection, much to Manny’s dismay.

35. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Synopsis – Devil-may-care Mr. Fox quits chicken thieving to start a family with Mrs. Fox, but twelve years later, he leaves his columnist job to rob poultry from three mean farmers who devise a plan to trap Fox and others in the burrowing animal community. With his friends and neighbors, Fox saves his animal community and beats the farmers at their own game.

Final Thoughts

Ah yes…to be a kid again…

Going through these classics, certainly was a lovely trip down memory lane for me! What about you?

Any favorites you think should be seen by every child alive? One of those classics that helped shaped you as a person? Any that taught you a valuable life lesson you think should be passed down for generations to come?

Leave a Comment! The rest of us would love to hear about it!

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