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When it comes to the world of animated movies, the sky is the limit. Anything goes, and filmmakers can break whatever rules they want to create incredible things. They often find themselves taking viewers on a journey to new worlds, ones that only can be seen in their imaginations. And if that's not enough, there's a level of artistic creativity that comes along with the best animated movies, which makes them memorable for viewers of all ages.
So, when you're thinking of what movies you can watch with your kids, it makes sense your first thought would be to turn to a film that's animated. We've rounded up the best animated films perfect for every family member, even if it's not a genre they would normally gravitate toward. Some are toddler-friendly choices, perfect for your little ones to watch without any fear. Other options have jokes that may be aimed at your tween, teen or even adults. The types of animation on our list are also different, ranging from CGI to stop-motion animation movies. No matter which one you choose, each tells a story you won't soon forget. And who knows? Maybe one of these choices will make it onto your personal list of the best kids' movies of all time.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some popcorn, gather the kids and get ready to enjoy these essential films. And once you're done, you can look ahead to the best kids' movies coming out in 2024.
1
Inside Out 2 (2024)
When Disney and Pixar released the sequel to the hit 2015 film, viewers were excited to see our favorite emotions back in action. But as they help Riley navigate becoming a teenager, they encounter some new emotions ... ones they certainly didn't intend on interacting with.
RELATED: The Best Disney Movies of All Time
2
Migration (2023)
A family of mallard ducks want to go on vacation and travel from New England to Jamaica. There's only one tiny problem, though: their overprotective father isn't too keen on the idea. It's a movie full of heart, laughs and the idea that you can do anything you put your mind to.
3
Elemental (2023)
Did you ever think you'd see a movie where the four elements of the world would come to life? Well, Disney and Pixar managed to do so, telling a heartwarming story of what happens when fire and water come together when it seems like opposites would forever attract.
RELATED: Every Pixar Movie, Ranked
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4
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The well-loved popular video game characters get their own animated movie, following Mario and Luigi in an origin story of how they found themselves in a fantasy world. With Princess Peach and Toad by their side, the duo must find a way to fight for the Mushroom Kingdom, with the evil Bowser as their enemy.
RELATED: Best Kids' Movies Ever Made
5
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Based on the novel of the same name, this movie follows a boy who discovers a fantastical world with a talking gray heron near his home. The movie was a success among Japanese viewers upon release, and it eventually won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
6
The Bad Guys (2022)
Some folks just have bad reputations, like wolves, spiders, sharks, carnivorous fish and snakes. But when a group of these "Bad Guys" have to try and walk the straight and narrow, they find it feels pretty good — except when others can't get over their preconceived notions. Sam Rockwell gives a winning vocal performance as Wolf, the leader of the pack.
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7
The Sea Beast (2022)
A world-famous monster hunter and an orphan of no renown are an unlikely pair in this sea-faring adventure. Maisie Brumble, the orphan, stows away on the ship of the famous Jacob Holland, hoping to help him destroy monsters. Instead, they learn that the world isn't what they expected. The movie is from the director of Moana, so he's had plenty of practice directing a story that traverses oceans.
8
Turning Red (2022)
Throw this movie on when you're just not seeing eye-to-eye with your kids, and you'll all relate to the story of kids who find their own ways around parental expectations. Only the main character, Mei Ling, does this in an unusual way, since her and her mother have to find a solution to her unusual affliction: She turns into a giant red panda whenever she feels extreme emotions.
9
Wendell & Wild (2022)
For something a little darker, there's this story, about two demons who try to trick a loner girl named Kat into helping them return to the land of the living. The movie is a team-up of stop-motion animation master Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and horror icon Jordan Peele (Nope), and both of their sensibilities come through in surprising ways.
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10
Encanto (2021)
Most Disney movies feature a princess, or a hero on an epic quest to faraway lands. Encanto turns all those conventions on their head — Mirabel is not only not a princess, she's just a normal, not-gifted girl, and all the action takes place within walking distance of her house. And yet, she still gets involved in unraveling a mystery and learning truths about her family in unexpectedly exciting and emotionally involving ways. (Plus, this one has "We Don't Talk About Bruno," an all-time Disney banger.)
11
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
When you're feeling your family is a little too reliant on today's technology, show them this one, about the perils of being unable to unplug. In the movie, an A.I. uprising puts machine against man, and it's up to the Mitchells — a totally normal family on a road trip to drop their daughter off at college — to save humanity. It was produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and retains some of their zany, Lego Movie energy.
12
Wolfwalkers (2020)
This movie comes from Ireland's esteemed "Cartoon Saloon," known for making beautifully animated films with some kind of mystical, folklore-inspired bent. In this one, a girl travels with her father, a hunter whose goal is to eliminate wolf packs. She wants to help her father, but then she makes a friend with a bit of wildness to her, and hears a rumor that her new friend belongs to a tribe that transforms into wolves by night, making her question her father's quest.
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13
Klaus (2019)
Animated Christmas movies are a dime a dozen, but this one distinguished itself by being nominated for a Best Animated Feature Academy Award when it was first released. In it, a selfish postal worker is re-assigned to the frozen North, where he meets a reclusive toymaker — can you see where this is headed?
14
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Just when superhero movies were starting to feel formulaic, this Spider-Man story comes along and shakes everything up again. Instead of one Spider-Man, this movie features several — thanks to a multi-verse that's starting to fray — and they all team up in a way that shows that heroism can come from anywhere, even an animated pig. The visuals are also eye-popping and cool, ultimately earning a Best Animated Feature Academy Award.
15
Coco (2017)
You'd have to be "un poco loco" not to fall for this Pixar story about a boy who accidentally finds himself in the Land of the Dead and has to find his way out again. The Land of the Dead is so strikingly designed, though, that you might not want him to return.
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16
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
This is another fable from Laika, the studio behind stop-motion movies like Coraline. Kubo is known for spinning tales with origami, but, when he accidentally summons an evil spirit, he finds himself in a real adventure of his own.
17
Moana (2016)
Moana goes on a seafaring hero's journey complete with monsters and demigods, and it's all soundtracked to some catchy tunes co-written by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda. What can you say to your kids afterward except, "You're Welcome"?
18
Sing (2016)
Playful animation meets pop songs of every taste in this movie, about a series of plucky animals who want to put on an American Idol-style showcase to save an ailing theater. It was directed by Garth Jennings. who's half of the acclaimed music video-directing duo Hammer & Tongs, so he knows how to do a musical sequence.
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19
Your Name (2016)
For older ones, this movie describes the strange connection between a girl named Mitsuha, who lives in a rural town, and a boy named Taki, who lives in the city. When the two start dreaming about each other, they have to figure out if what they're seeing is happening in real life. This acclaimed film is originally from Japan, and the movie is available dubbed or with subtitles.
20
Zootopia (2016)
In the animal-filled world of Zootopia, a bunny wants to be a cop, but everyone assumes she's too meek. They also think a fox is sly and up to something. But when predator and prey team up to investigate strange goings-on in the city, everyone learns a valuable lesson about prejudice — something we can all be reminded of.
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Adrianna Freedman
Editorial Assistant
As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
