If you’re looking for a movie to watch with your kids, it can be overwhelming. You don’t want something too scary or violent, but you also don’t want to bore them. We’ve made the process easier by identifying five animated movies that are sure to please both parents and children alike:
1. Disney’s “Frozen”
Disney’s “Frozen” is a movie about two sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna is a very sweet girl, but Elsa is less outgoing. The story follows these two as they try to find their way back to each other after being separated for years. The movie has many funny moments and an upbeat ending where everything turns out alright in the end!
For parents who want to watch a movie with their children that doesn’t contain lots of violence or scary scenes (like some animated movies), this one is perfect because it’s light-hearted and humorous while still having some important messages at its core.
2. Dreamworks’ “How to Train Your Dragon”
How to Train Your Dragon is a movie about dragons. It’s also a story about friendship, self-discovery, and family. The movie was directed by Dean DeBlois, who also wrote and co-produced it with Chris Sanders; both are Dreamworks alumni who worked together on Lilo & Stitch (2002).
The plot centers around teenage Hiccup as he tries to get along with his father Stoick-the leader of their village-and fit into their society. This means proving himself as an able warrior through hunting down dangerous creatures such as dragons; however, when Hiccup stumbles upon one injured instead of killing it like everyone else expects him to, he befriends it instead!
3. Warner Brothers’ “Happy Feet 2”
The film is a sequel to Happy Feet, released in 2005. In this film, Mumble (the penguin protagonist) is living in an emperor colony with his father Memphis, and the rest of his adopted family. He loves to dance but can’t sing very well-and he’s black and white instead of the usual Adelie penguin coloration-so he does not fit in with other penguins at all. This causes him great anxiety until one day he meets a female penguin named Gloria who is just as different as Mumble. They fall in love and make wonderful music together as they dance their way across Antarctica!
4. Warner Brothers’ “Looney Tunes Back in Action”
This film is a 2003 American animated action-adventure comedy film, presented by Warner Bros., and released to cinemas on July 27, 2003. The film stars Brendan Fraser and Jenna Elfman as Daffy Duck and Tina Russo Duck respectively. This film also features the voices of Steve Martin as Barnaby Bunny and Michael Clarke Duncan as Marvin the Martian.
Looney Tunes back in Action was directed by Joe Dante from a script by Charles S. Haas, Larry Doyle, and Drue McCallum (the latter two also co-wrote Batman: The Animated Series). It was produced by Don Murphy (Transformers) with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer on the project along with David Kirschner who produced An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) which I found to be an excellent movie. If you haven’t seen it already then check it out!
5. Pixar’s “Wreck-It Ralph”
In this animated film, a villain from a 1980s arcade game decides to venture into other games to prove he can be a hero too. The story is set in the fictional game Fix-It Felix Jr., where Ralph (the film’s main character) lives and works as the bad guy. After being continually rejected by the people of his world, Ralph realizes that he needs to change his ways before it’s too late.
The film was released in 2012 and received positive reviews from critics, who praised its characters’ development over time as well as its comedic elements. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the 85th Academy Awards ceremony held on February 24, 2013.
When choosing movies to watch with your kids, you should not underestimate the power of animation! It can be a great tool for your child, and adults will enjoy them too. If you are planning a movie night and want something with a positive message that won’t bore your kids, these five animated films may be just what you need.
