Top 12 Must-See Animated Films for Kids

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If parents are looking for animated movies for children with vivid graphics and meaningful content, look no further! The Early Childhood Education section of AVAKids has compiled a list of must-see movies below.

Excellent and Meaningful Animated Movies for Children

Turning Red

IMDB Score: 7.0/10 Release Date: 2022 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes Country: USA Director: Domee Shi

The story revolves around Meilin, a bright and confident 13-year-old girl, torn between being the obedient daughter her mother wants and the chaos of adolescence. For some reason, whenever she gets excited, she transforms into a giant red panda. How does Meilin cope with and overcome this strange situation? This is definitely an exciting animated movie for kids that the whole family can enjoy and explore together.

Animated movie for children Turning Red

Turning Red Animated Movie

Ice Age

IMDB Score: 7.5/10 Release Date: 2002 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes Country: USA Directors: Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha (co-directors)

This animated movie for children features Manny (the mammoth), Sid (the sloth), and Diego (the saber-toothed tiger) living on Earth. As the ice age approaches and all the animals seek warm shelter to survive, this trio must return a lost human baby to his family. However, Diego has another plan: to capture the baby and bring him to Soto. But throughout their journey, facing hardships together, the trio develops a genuine bond and unites against the villainous pack of saber-toothed tigers.

The Incredibles

IMDB Score: 8.0/10 Release Date: 2004 Genre: Action, Adventure, Family Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes Country: USA Director: Brad Bird Award: Best Animated Feature at the 2004 Oscars

The story follows Bob Parr and Helen, world-renowned crime fighters in Metroville. This couple is always ready to rescue people and fight criminals daily. But 15 years later, they are forced to retire from their superhero roles to live a normal life with their three children. However, their desire to return to crime-fighting remains. Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top-secret mission, leading to a journey to save the world. This is a children’s animated movie loved by many young viewers.

Animated movie for children The Incredibles

The Incredibles Animated Movie

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers

IMDB Score: 7.0/10 Release Date: 2022 Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes Country: USA Director: Akiva Schaffer

This animated movie for children revolves around two chipmunks, Dale and Chip. Thirty years after their famous show ended, they are living separate lives. Until a former castmate mysteriously disappears. Dale and Chip’s friendship is rekindled as they become detectives to save their friend.

Finding Nemo

IMDB Score: 8.2/10 Release Date: 2003 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes Country: USA Directors: Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

This animated movie tells the story of Marlin, a clownfish living in the Great Barrier Reef, and his son, Nemo. Marlin repeatedly warns Nemo about the ocean’s dangers, but the disobedient Nemo ignores his father and swims out to explore. Nemo is then caught in a net by a boat and taken to a fish tank in a dentist’s office in Sydney. Upon learning this, Marlin and his companion Dory embark on a journey full of challenges to rescue Nemo.

Animated movie for children Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo Animated Movie

Toy Story

IMDB Score: 8.3/10 Release Date: 1995 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes Country: USA Director: John Lasseter

This animated movie features Woody, a cowboy toy belonging to Andy. Before the family moves, Andy has a birthday party and receives a Buzz Lightyear action figure with impressive features, quickly replacing Woody as Andy’s favorite. This makes Woody jealous, and after an argument, both toys fall out of the car. Woody and Buzz must find a way to return before Andy’s family moves without them. Their biggest challenge is facing the ruthless toy-torturing Sid Phillips.

Zootopia

IMDB Score: 8.0/10 Release Date: 2016 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Mystery Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes Country: USA Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Jared Bush (co-director) Award: Best Animated Feature at the 2016 Oscars

The movie follows the unlikely friendship between police officer Judy Hopps, a rabbit, and Nick Wilde, a fox, as they uncover a conspiracy involving the mysterious disappearance of residents in the city. From that point on, they team up to investigate the disappearances. With its engaging and dramatic content, it will satisfy both children and adults. This is a fun and exciting animated movie for kids.

Animated movie for children Zootopia

Zootopia Animated Movie

Moana

IMDB Score: 7.6/10 Release Date: 2016 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes Country: USA Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, and Don Hall

Moana Waialiki is an animated movie for children about a girl passionate about seafaring, the only daughter of a Polynesian chieftain. When the island’s fishermen can no longer catch fish and the crops fail, she is chosen by the ocean to complete a mission: to restore the heart of a goddess. The only way is to persuade Maui to return Te Fiti’s heart. So, Moana Waialiki embarks on a journey across the Pacific Ocean to retrieve the stolen jade stone.

How to Train Your Dragon

IMDB Score: 8.1/10 Release Date: 2010 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes Country: USA Directors: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders

The movie tells the story of Hiccup, a young Viking who wants to join the fight against dragons. However, his father, the village chief, forbids it. Despite this, Hiccup enters the fight and downs a dragon. But instead of killing it, he befriends it and names it Toothless. This completely changes his life, as he now struggles to convince the villagers not to kill dragons. This animated movie is a popular choice for parents to watch with their children.

Animated movie for children How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon Animated Movie

Shaun the Sheep Movie

IMDB Score: 7.3/10 Release Date: 2015 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes Country: UK Directors: Mark Burton and Richard Starzak

This animated movie for children tells the story of Shaun and his flock’s adventure. On a farm, the Farmer wakes up and starts his day with the sheep, aided by his dog, Bitzer. Tired of their boring routine, Shaun plans an escape. Things get out of control when the Farmer is accidentally transported to the city while asleep. Bitzer, Shaun, and the flock follow his trail, leading to a hilarious journey of country folk in the big city.

The Lego Movie

IMDB Score: 7.7/10 Release Date: 2014 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes Country: USA Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

This 3D animated movie features Emmet, an ordinary Lego mini-figure. Unexpectedly, he becomes a special person with extraordinary powers and is tasked with saving the world. Emmet and his friends embark on a journey to stop the evil tyrant Lord Business. This will be a captivating animated movie for kids!

Animated movie for children The Lego Movie

The Lego Movie Animated Movie

Kung Fu Panda

IMDB Score: 7.6/10 Release Date: 2008 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes Country: China Directors: Mark Osborne and John Stevenson

This animated movie for children revolves around a panda who loves Kung Fu but whose father disapproves, wanting him to continue the family’s noodle-selling business. However, an opportunity arises for the panda to train with a Kung Fu master alongside other renowned students. From there, exciting adventures unfold for the gluttonous panda.

The article above from AVAKids has introduced parents to some excellent animated movies for children. We hope these suggestions will help parents find many engaging and meaningful films to enjoy with their families on weekends!