Movies are more than just entertainment; they’re fantastic storytellers that can ignite imagination, teach valuable life lessons, and inspire our little ones to be their best selves. If you’re on the lookout for some inspiring movies for kids, explore our movie list in this blog.
Grab the popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and get ready to explore some truly uplifting films for family movie night.
Our Top Picks for Inspiring Movies for Kids:
1. Coco (2017)
- What it’s about: Young Miguel dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s generations-old ban on music. His journey takes him to the stunningly beautiful Land of the Dead, where he uncovers a real family mystery.
- Why it’s inspiring: This vibrant film beautifully explores the importance of family, honoring your ancestors, and the courage to follow your passion. Miguel’s determination and the film’s celebration of culture and tradition are incredibly heartwarming.
- Best for: Ages 6+ (some themes of death are handled gently and colorfully).
2. Zootopia (2016)
- What it’s about: In a bustling city inhabited by animals, an optimistic bunny cop, Judy Hopps, discovers that being the first bunny on the police force isn’t easy. She has to team up with a cynical fox, Nick Wilde, to solve a mysterious case.
- Why it’s inspiring: Zootopia is a brilliant take on breaking stereotypes, perseverance, and the power of unlikely friendships. Judy’s unwavering belief in herself is a super message for kids.
- Best for: Ages 7+ (some mildly perilous scenes).
3. Wonder (2017)
- What it’s about: Based on the beloved novel, this movie tells the incredibly moving story of August “Auggie” Pullman, a boy with facial differences, as he attends a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
- Why it’s inspiring: This film is a powerhouse of empathy, kindness, and courage. It teaches children the importance of looking beyond appearances and choosing kindness.
- Best for: Ages 9+ (deals with themes of bullying and acceptance).
4. Moana (2016)
- What it’s about: An adventurous teenager, Moana, sails out on a daring mission to save her people, meeting the demigod Maui along the way.
- Why it’s inspiring: Moana embodies bravery, leadership, and listening to your inner voice. The film celebrates self-discovery and charting your own course.
- Best for: Ages 6+ (some intense animated action scenes).
5. Paddington 2 (2017)
- What it’s about: The kind-hearted bear Paddington works odd jobs to buy a special gift, only for it to be stolen, leading to a hilarious and heartwarming adventure.
- Why it’s inspiring: Deeply rooted in themes of kindness, optimism, and seeing the good in others. Paddington’s politeness and positive impact are truly uplifting.
- Best for: All ages!
6. Inside Out (2015)
- What it’s about: We journey inside the mind of a young girl named Riley, where her five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—guide her through a life-changing move.
- Why it’s inspiring: This incredibly clever film helps children (and adults!) understand that all emotions are valid and important. It beautifully illustrates emotional intelligence and the complexity of feelings in a relatable way.
- Best for: Ages 7+ (deals with complex emotional themes that might spark good discussions).
7. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- What it’s about: A young Viking, Hiccup, who doesn’t quite fit in with his tribe’s dragon-slaying traditions, befriends a mysterious dragon and changes his world forever.
- Why it’s inspiring: This thrilling adventure is all about challenging norms, the power of empathy, and finding courage in unexpected places. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless is a beautiful example of understanding and acceptance.
- Best for: Ages 7+ (some action sequences and mild peril).
8. Soul (2020)
- What it’s about: A middle-school band teacher, Joe Gardner, dreams of playing jazz professionally. After an accident, his soul is separated from his body, and he finds himself in “The Great Before,” where he tries to help another soul find its “spark.”
- Why it’s inspiring: Soul delves into profound questions about purpose, passion, and appreciating the small joys in life. It encourages viewers to find the beauty in everyday moments and understand that a “spark” isn’t just about one big thing.
- Best for: Ages 8+ (deals with existential themes that might be better for slightly older kids or with parental discussion).
9. Klaus (2019)
- What it’s about: A selfish postman is stationed in a remote, frozen town where he befriends a reclusive toymaker, Klaus. Their unlikely friendship brings joy and generosity to a feuding community.
- Why it’s inspiring: This beautifully animated film is a heartwarming origin story of Santa Claus, but more importantly, it highlights how one act of kindness can spark another, transforming an entire community. It’s about selflessness and the joy of giving.
- Best for: Ages 6+ (some thematic elements about feuding and sadness, but ultimately very uplifting).
10. Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
- What it’s about: An 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles discovers she has a talent for spelling and aims to compete in the National Spelling Bee, with the help of a mysterious coach and her community.
- Why it’s inspiring: Akeelah’s journey is a powerful story of perseverance, believing in yourself even when others don’t, and the importance of community support. It shows that talent can come from anywhere and hard work pays off.
- Best for: Ages 8+ (deals with themes of poverty and some emotional intensity).
11. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
- What it’s about: Quirky aspiring filmmaker Katie Mitchell and her family find themselves having to save the world from a robot apocalypse during a family road trip.
- Why it’s inspiring: It champions embracing your weirdness, the importance of family (even when they drive you crazy), and creativity. Katie’s unique vision and her family’s eventual teamwork are super fun and inspiring.
- Best for: Ages 8+ (fast-paced action, some robot-related peril).
12. Hidden Figures (2016)
- What it’s about: The incredible untold story of three brilliant African-American women at NASA who were the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
- Why it’s inspiring: While more suited for older kids, this film is profoundly inspiring, showcasing intelligence, resilience in the face of discrimination, and the groundbreaking achievements of women in STEM. It’s a powerful history lesson and a testament to breaking barriers.
- Best for: Ages 10+ (deals with racism and historical context that may require discussion).
13. Up (2009)
- What it’s about: Elderly widower Carl Fredricksen ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing the wilds of South America, only to discover an optimistic young Wilderness Explorer named Russell has stowed away.
- Why it’s inspiring: Beyond the tear-jerking opening, Up is about adventure at any age, finding new purpose, and the beauty of intergenerational friendships. It teaches that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams or make new connections.
- Best for: Ages 7+ (the opening sequence is emotional; some perilous adventure scenes).
14. The Iron Giant (1999)
- What it’s about: In 1957, a young boy named Hogarth Hughes befriends a giant alien robot that crash-lands near his town. He must then protect the misunderstood giant from a paranoid government agent.
- Why it’s inspiring: This animated classic explores themes of identity (“You are who you choose to be”), friendship, peace, and sacrifice. It’s a powerful anti-war message wrapped in a touching story of friendship.
- Best for: Ages 8+ (some intense action and themes of paranoia and destruction).
15. School of Rock (2003)
- What it’s about: After being kicked out of his rock band, Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious elementary school and inspires his students to form a rock band.
- Why it’s inspiring: This hilarious and energetic movie celebrates finding your passion, the power of music, teamwork, and challenging conformity. It encourages kids to embrace their talents and work together to achieve a common goal, all while rocking out!
- Best for: Ages 9+ (some mild language and rebellious themes, but mostly good-natured fun).
Making Movie Night Meaningful
Watching these inspiring movies for kids can be more than just a passive activity. Here are a few ideas to make it even more special:
- Talk about it: After the movie, chat with our kids about the favorite parts. Ask them what they learned or what made a character brave or kind. These conversations can be so insightful! Perhaps kids can even use a fun app like Trẻ em JusTalk to call grandparents and share their movie reviews and favorite moments together!
- Connect it to real life: See if our kids can find examples of the movie’s themes (like perseverance or kindness) in everyday lives or in stories we read.
- Get creative: Maybe our kids can draw their favorite character, write a new ending, or act out a scene! Creative expression helps kids process ideas and have fun.
Movies have a magical way of teaching kids things without even realizing they’re learning. By choosing films with positive messages, we can help our children build character, understand the world a little better, and feel inspired to chase their own adventures and dreams.