12 Best Animated Movies to Watch With the Family, Ranked
Choosing a film for family movie night sounds simple until everyone wants something different. The youngest viewer wants colour and adventure. Older children want a story that does not talk down to them. Adults would quite like to enjoy the evening too.
The best animated family films meet everyone somewhere in the middle. They are funny without relying on jokes only adults understand, emotionally rich without becoming a chore, and exciting without forgetting that a small child may be watching. Some are gentle comfort watches; others invite a conversation once the credits roll.
This ranking covers both kinds. You will find familiar Disney and Pixar favourites, a DreamWorks dragon adventure, and a newer film that may leave the whole sofa reaching for tissues. Each pick includes a quick note about who might enjoy it most and anything parents may want to know before pressing play.
One correction matters: Paddington in Peru appeared on our original shortlist, but it is a live-action film, so the original animated Lilo & Stitch takes its place here.
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12. The Wild Robot (2024)
A robot washes ashore on an island, learns to live among its animals and unexpectedly becomes a parent to an orphaned gosling. That premise could have produced a cute but predictable adventure. Instead, The Wild Robot becomes something more moving: a story about learning to care for someone whose needs are entirely different from your own.
Roz, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, begins as a machine built to complete tasks. Raising Brightbill cannot be reduced to a checklist. He needs food and protection, certainly, but he also needs patience, encouragement and the freedom to fly away. Those complications give the film its emotional force. Children can follow the immediate adventure; adults may recognise the more painful truth that loving a child means helping them become independent.
The island looks beautiful, but it is not harmless. Predators, storms and the realities of survival give the film genuine stakes. Its animal humour keeps the experience lively without cancelling the sadness underneath.
This is our newest pick and one of the best choices for a family with older children who want a film worth talking about afterwards. Very young or sensitive viewers may find the opening peril, separation and orphaned-baby storyline upsetting.
Best for: Families ready for a big-hearted adventure with real emotional weight.
Before you watch: Expect danger and a strong parent-child theme that may bring tears.
DreamWorks describes the film as the story of Roz adapting to an uninhabited island and becoming the adoptive parent of a gosling. Read our review of The Wild Robot for more on why it works. Film details: DreamWorks.
11. Zootopia (2016)
Judy Hopps arrives in Zootopia determined to prove she can be a police officer, even though everyone expects a rabbit to accept a smaller life. When a missing-mammal case brings her together with the hustler Nick Wilde, the film turns into a fast, funny buddy mystery.
That detective-story shape is its family-movie superpower. Younger viewers can enjoy the visual jokes, unusual animal neighbourhoods and escalating chase scenes. Older viewers can follow the clues and appreciate how Judy and Nick’s assumptions about each other change. The city itself rewards attention: every environment is designed around the animals who live there.
The film also gives families a useful way into a more difficult conversation about stereotypes and prejudice. Judy wants to be judged fairly, yet she has her own blind spots. Nick’s confidence masks years of being treated as untrustworthy. Neither character is reduced to a simple lesson, which makes their growing friendship more satisfying.
Some of the predator-related scenes become surprisingly tense, so Zootopia is not quite as gentle as its bright colours suggest. But for children who like mysteries, this is an unusually entertaining choice that gives adults plenty to enjoy.
Best for: Families who want jokes, action and a mystery to solve together.
Before you watch: A few transformations and chase sequences may frighten younger viewers.
Disney’s official synopsis introduces Judy as Zootopia’s first rabbit police officer and Nick as the fox who becomes her unlikely partner. Film details: Disney.
10. Coco (2017)
Twelve-year-old Miguel dreams of making music, even though his family has forbidden it. His search for answers leads him into the Land of the Dead, where he discovers that the story he has inherited about his relatives may not be the whole truth.
Coco is dazzling to look at, but its beauty is never merely decorative. Music, photographs, family rituals and the fantastical world Miguel explores all serve one central idea: people remain part of our lives through the stories we tell and the love we preserve. It is a film about memory that young viewers can grasp through an adventure and older viewers may feel with unexpected intensity.
The songs help, particularly because Miguel’s love of music is more than a convenient plot device. It is how he tries to understand himself. His conflict with his family also feels recognisable: they want to protect him, but their protection has hardened into a rule nobody is allowed to question.
This is a wonderful film for a multigenerational gathering, especially if grandparents are watching too. It may also lead to questions about death and remembrance. That can be a gift, but parents should know it before choosing Coco as a completely carefree movie night.
Best for: Families who enjoy music and heartfelt stories about relatives across generations.
Before you watch: Death and grief are central themes, although the film treats them with warmth.
Disney identifies Coco as Miguel’s journey through the Land of the Dead in pursuit of his musical dream. Film details: Disney.
For another family-friendly shortlist, see our family-friendly Netflix picks.
9. Ratatouille (2007)
Remy is a rat with an extraordinary sense of taste and an impossible ambition: he wants to cook in a fine Paris restaurant. Linguini is a human kitchen worker who needs all the help he can get. Their improbable partnership powers one of Pixar’s cleverest and most comforting films.
You do not need to be interested in cooking to enjoy Ratatouille. Children get a secret partnership, physical comedy and the delicious tension of whether a rat will be discovered in the kitchen. Adults get a workplace story about talent, criticism, belonging and the fear of admitting what you love.
What makes it particularly good for a family night is its generous central question: who gets to be creative? Remy does not fit his family’s expectations or the restaurant’s rules. Linguini does not seem to possess the gift everyone assumes he inherited. Both have to find a way forward without pretending to be someone else.
The Paris setting and lovingly imagined food are delightful, yet the emotional payoff comes from a small act of openness. Ratatouille argues that curiosity can change how we see other people. It is also relatively gentle compared with several action-heavy entries on this list, although there are moments of pursuit and kitchen chaos.
Best for: Families who want comedy, creativity and a film that may inspire dinner afterwards.
Before you watch: Expect mild peril and, naturally, a lot of rats around food.
Disney’s film page describes Remy’s dream of becoming a chef and his collaboration with Linguini. Film details: Disney.
8. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Lilo is a lonely girl in Hawaii. Stitch is a destructive alien who initially looks like the worst possible pet. Their friendship is funny and chaotic, but the film’s real centre is Lilo’s relationship with her older sister, Nani.
Nani is trying to keep their small family together while taking on responsibilities that would overwhelm many adults. Lilo is grieving and struggling to feel understood. Stitch arrives as another creature who seems impossible to manage, then gradually discovers that being wanted can change him.
That is why the original animated Lilo & Stitch belongs here. Beneath the sci-fi chases and oddball jokes is a remarkably tender story about family being defined by care, not perfection. Nani and Lilo argue. Stitch makes mistakes. Nobody solves everything by behaving beautifully. Yet their determination to stay connected gives the film its lasting appeal.
The Hawaiian setting, Elvis songs and unusual character designs also make it feel distinct from a conventional princess adventure. Children may come for Stitch’s antics; adults may find themselves thinking about how much Nani is carrying.
Be sure to choose the 2002 animated film if you are following this list, rather than a later live-action version.
Best for: Families who love mischievous characters and stories about sticking together.
Before you watch: The threat of family separation and the loss of Lilo and Nani’s parents may be upsetting for some children.
Disney’s official page identifies the original animated film and its story of Lilo adopting the extraterrestrial Stitch. Film details: Disney.
If you like finding films beyond the obvious classics, browse our underrated animated Disney movies.
7. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Hiccup lives among Vikings who fight dragons. Then he meets Toothless and discovers that everything his community believes about these creatures may be wrong.
Few animated films capture the thrill of friendship as well as the original How to Train Your Dragon. Hiccup and Toothless do not immediately understand one another. They build trust through observation, mistakes and small acts of courage. Their first successful flights feel earned because the film has taken time to show what each of them risks.
For children, this is a magnificent adventure full of dragons, humour and soaring action. For adults, it is a story about a parent and child who cannot see the world in quite the same way. Hiccup’s father wants to keep him safe and make him fit into Viking society; Hiccup needs him to recognise the person he actually is.
The film’s strongest message is not simply “be different.” It is that changing your mind can require bravery, especially when everyone around you is certain they are right. That gives the dragon spectacle an emotional foundation.
Choose the 2010 animated original for this list. The flight and battle scenes are exhilarating but can also be loud and intense, particularly for younger children.
Best for: Families who want a grand adventure and an unlikely friendship.
Before you watch: Dragon battles, peril and an emotionally charged ending may be a lot for sensitive viewers.
DreamWorks’ official film page introduces Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless and the conflict it creates in his dragon-fighting world. Film details: DreamWorks.
You can also explore That Love Podcast episodes for more stories about the relationships that stay with us.
6. The Incredibles (2004)
Bob and Helen Parr are trying to raise three children while hiding the fact that they are superheroes. When Bob is pulled back towards his old life, the whole family finds itself in danger—and discovers that its greatest strength is working together.
The Incredibles remains one of the most effective films for a mixed-age audience because it understands both sides of family life. Children see powers they might dream of having: speed, invisibility, extraordinary strength. Adults see exhaustion, identity struggles, marital friction and the pressure to be good at every role at once.
The action is exceptionally clear and exciting, but it matters because the Parrs are not merely a team of interchangeable heroes. Dash wants room to show what he can do. Violet wants to disappear before learning to take up space. Helen has to protect everyone while refusing to be reduced to the sensible parent. Bob’s desire to feel heroic again creates the central problem.
There is a sharp comic rhythm to all of this, especially when domestic arguments collide with superhero emergencies. Still, The Incredibles is one of the more intense films on this list. Villains threaten the children, and the action has real stakes.
Best for: Families with children who enjoy superhero stories and fast-moving adventure.
Before you watch: Expect sustained action and moments of genuine danger to the Parr children.
Disney describes the film as the story of a family of superheroes forced back into action. Film details: Disney.
5. Inside Out (2015)
When Riley’s family moves to San Francisco, her emotions struggle to help her adjust. Joy tries to keep everything positive, while Sadness seems to get in the way. Their journey through Riley’s inner world gradually reveals that the feeling Joy wants to avoid has an essential purpose.
That idea sounds like a lesson, but Inside Out makes it cinematic. Memories become glowing objects. Personality takes the form of islands. Thought processes turn into elaborate spaces that are funny enough for children to enjoy while giving adults a surprisingly precise image of what change can feel like.
The film is especially useful for families because it gives everyone a shared language for difficult feelings. A child may not be ready to explain why a move, a new school or a change at home hurts. Watching Riley struggle can make it easier to say, “That feels a bit like me.” Adults, meanwhile, receive a reminder that cheering someone up is not always the same as listening to them.
There are jokes and imaginative detours, but this is not a film that treats sadness as a problem to eliminate. Its warmth comes from allowing more than one feeling to exist at once.
Best for: Families who want a funny, thoughtful film that can start a conversation about emotions.
Before you watch: Riley’s distress and several poignant scenes may hit harder than expected.
Disney’s synopsis explains Riley’s move and the roles Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust play in her inner life. Film details: Disney.
For more options across genres, visit our guide to hidden-gem movies on Disney+.
4. Encanto (2021)
Every member of the Madrigal family has a magical gift except Mirabel. When the magic surrounding their home begins to falter, the one person who has always felt ordinary may be the person best placed to understand what is wrong.
Encanto is ideal for family viewing because it works on two levels without making either feel secondary. Younger viewers can fall for the living house, dazzling colours and songs. Older viewers can recognise the less magical pressures beneath them: being labelled the strong one, the perfect one, the responsible one, or the one who has not lived up to expectations.
Mirabel does not need to discover a secret superpower for her story to matter. She notices things other people have learned to ignore. She asks questions. She loves her family enough to challenge the way it operates. That gives the film a generous message for children who do not feel exceptional in an obvious way.
The music gives everyone something to revisit after movie night, but the quieter family conversations provide its real staying power. It also offers a useful reminder to adults: even loving families can ask too much of one another.
Some children may be unsettled by the house’s collapse and the family history behind its magic, though the overall experience is bright and reassuring.
Best for: Families who want songs, colour and a story about finding your place.
Before you watch: Family conflict and a traumatic backstory sit beneath the upbeat musical surface.
Disney’s official synopsis introduces Mirabel as the only Madrigal without a magical gift and the family’s possible last hope. Film details: Disney.
If this blend of humour and heart is your favourite kind of viewing, try our feel-good movies with family-first messages after this list.
3. Moana (2016)
Moana feels a pull towards the ocean even as she is expected to stay on her island and prepare to lead her people. When their home is threatened, she sets out across the sea and forms an uneasy partnership with the demigod Maui.
The adventure is enormous, but Moana stays anchored to a relatable question: how do you honour the people you love while becoming the person you know you must be? Moana is not rejecting her family for the sake of excitement. She is trying to find a way to protect them that they cannot yet imagine.
For family movie night, the balance is excellent. There are memorable songs, a beautifully animated ocean, comic relief and a heroine who solves problems through persistence and compassion as often as bravery. Maui brings swagger and jokes, while Moana remains unmistakably the heart of the film.
It is also a satisfying choice for children who want adventure without a romance taking over the story. The central relationships are between Moana, her family, her community and the world she is learning to navigate.
Some sequences involving monsters and open-water danger are intense. Otherwise, this is an uplifting film with enough spectacle to hold a room of different ages.
Best for: Families who want music and a sweeping adventure led by a determined heroine.
Before you watch: Ocean peril and monster encounters may unsettle younger children.
Disney’s film page describes Moana’s voyage and her partnership with Maui. Film details: Disney.
Want more family viewing ideas? Our 2024 animated-film roundup is a useful next stop.
2. Finding Nemo (2003)
After Nemo is taken from the Great Barrier Reef, his anxious father Marlin crosses the ocean to find him. Along the way, Marlin meets Dory, whose cheerful openness challenges nearly every fearful instinct he has.
Finding Nemo works so well as a family film because both sides of its parent-child story matter. Marlin’s worry is understandable; the ocean can be dangerous, and he has already experienced terrible loss. Nemo’s frustration is understandable too. He wants the chance to try things for himself rather than live entirely inside his father’s fear.
Children get a colourful undersea journey, memorable creatures and plenty of comedy. Adults get a story about the difficult art of letting a child grow. Dory provides the bridge between those experiences. She is funny, but she also helps Marlin keep moving when his own certainty has failed him.
The film never pretends that independence means an absence of danger. Instead, it suggests that love requires trust as well as protection. That is a surprisingly rich idea to carry inside such an entertaining adventure.
Parents should be aware that the opening depicts a family tragedy, and several ocean encounters are frightening. For children who can handle those moments, the emotional payoff is considerable.
Best for: Families who love an exciting journey with a strong parent-child story.
Before you watch: The opening loss and several predator scenes may upset younger viewers.
Disney’s synopsis follows Marlin and Dory as they search for Nemo after he is taken to a dentist’s aquarium. Film details: Disney.
Before we reach No. 1, you can advertise with That Love Podcast or discover more of our podcast episodes.
1. Toy Story (1995)
Woody has always been Andy’s favourite toy. Then Buzz Lightyear arrives, convinced he is a real space ranger, and Woody suddenly has to face the possibility that he is no longer quite as important as he believed.
That simple setup gives Toy Story everything a family classic needs. There is a clear adventure children can follow, comic friction between two unforgettable characters, and an emotional story adults can recognise. Woody’s jealousy is not especially flattering, which makes him interesting. Buzz’s confidence is hilarious until the moment he discovers that the world does not work as he thought.
The film’s greatest trick is turning a child’s playroom into a world of enormous stakes. Being left behind, replaced or forgotten feels frightening to the toys because it is frightening to people. Yet Toy Story handles those anxieties with energy, wit and affection rather than heaviness.
It is also a superb introduction to family movie night as a shared ritual. Adults who grew up with Woody and Buzz may see them differently now; children meeting them for the first time can simply enjoy the chase. Both experiences belong in the same room.
Sid’s neighbourhood and his altered toys may scare particularly young viewers, but the film’s heart is reassuring: friendship begins when Woody and Buzz stop treating one another as rivals.
Best for: Almost any mixed-age family looking for a lively, funny and emotionally satisfying classic.
Before you watch: Sid and his toys can be unsettling for small children.
Disney’s official film page identifies Toy Story as the 1995 story of Woody and Buzz’s rivalry and eventual friendship. Film details: Disney.
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Final Thoughts
The perfect family movie is not necessarily the gentlest one or the one with the most jokes. It is the film that gives everyone a reason to stay on the sofa—and perhaps something to say when the credits end.
For a light, creative evening, choose Ratatouille. For songs everyone will still be singing tomorrow, try Encanto or Moana. If your family is ready for bigger feelings, Coco, Inside Out and The Wild Robot can turn movie night into a meaningful conversation. And when nobody can agree, Toy Story remains our safest bet: funny, brisk and generous enough to make room for viewers of different ages.
Whichever film you pick, a little preparation helps. Check the themes if a child is sensitive to peril or loss, make the snacks, and allow time afterwards for the inevitable question: “Can we watch another one?”
If our guides help you find your next favourite, please consider supporting That Love Podcast. You can also listen to our episodes for more conversations about the stories we love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best animated movie for a family movie night?
Our No. 1 choice is Toy Story. Its clear adventure, quick comedy and friendship story make it accessible to a broad mix of ages. That does not mean it suits every child: Sid and his modified toys may frighten very young viewers. If your family prefers songs, Moana or Encanto may be a better first pick. The best choice depends on what your children enjoy and what they find upsetting.
Which film on this list is best for younger children?
Ratatouille is one of the gentler choices here. It has comic chases and kitchen tension but less sustained danger than How to Train Your Dragon or The Incredibles. Encanto may also appeal to younger viewers who enjoy music, though its family conflict and crumbling-house sequence can be intense. Age labels alone cannot tell you how a particular child will react, so a quick look at the themes is worthwhile.
Which animated family movies will adults enjoy most?
All twelve offer something to older viewers, but The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Inside Out are especially rewarding. They explore family responsibilities, creative ambition and emotional change without slowing the story for children. The Wild Robot may have the strongest emotional impact on adults, particularly parents and carers. A good family film allows different viewers to take different things from it.
Is The Wild Robot suitable for a family movie night?
Yes, for families comfortable with an emotional adventure. Roz’s bond with Brightbill is warm and hopeful, but the film also includes animal peril, separation and themes around loss and parenting. Younger or sensitive children may need reassurance during some scenes. Its greatest strength is that it invites conversation afterwards about kindness, belonging and what it means to care for another living thing.
Is Coco too sad for children?
That depends on the child. Coco is colourful, funny and ultimately comforting, but death, remembrance and family loss are essential to its story. Some children will embrace the Land of the Dead as an imaginative setting; others may have difficult questions. Watching together gives adults a chance to talk about those themes. It is not a film to avoid automatically, but it is one to choose thoughtfully.
Which movie should we watch if our family loves music?
Start with Moana for a sweeping adventure and memorable songs, or Encanto for an ensemble story about family expectations. Coco is the most emotionally tied to music: Miguel’s passion drives the plot and connects him to his family history. Lilo & Stitch offers a very different soundtrack, with Elvis songs adding to its distinctive personality. Each creates a different kind of singalong night.
Are all the movies on this list available on Disney+?
No. Disney and Pixar films are commonly associated with Disney+, but catalogues can change and vary by country. How to Train Your Dragon and The Wild Robot are DreamWorks films, so do not assume they are on Disney+. Check the current listing in your region before promising a particular title for movie night. Rental, purchase and physical-disc options may also be available.
Why isn’t Paddington in Peru on the list?
Because this is a list of animated movies. Paddington in Peru features a computer-generated Paddington, but the film itself is a live-action production. The 2002 animated Lilo & Stitch replaced it so that every entry meets the same basic rule. Paddington in Peru may still be a lovely option for a broader family-movie list.
Which films are best for talking about feelings with children?
Inside Out is the clearest starting point because its characters give names and personalities to different emotions. Encanto can open a conversation about family expectations, while Finding Nemo offers a way to discuss worry, independence and trust. The Wild Robot may prompt questions about care and belonging. You do not need to turn movie night into a lesson—simply asking what a character might have felt can be enough.
Which animated movie on this list should we watch first?
If you have no special preference, begin with Toy Story. It is short, energetic and a useful test of what your group enjoys. If the children love creatures and adventure, follow it with Finding Nemo or How to Train Your Dragon. If music is the deciding factor, choose Moana. For a quieter but still funny evening, put on Ratatouille. The right first film is the one your family is excited to share.
More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows
For release details, cast information and further viewing ideas, browse IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Collider, Screen Rant, CBR, MovieWeb, /Film and ComicBookMovie. For age-sensitive decisions, it is also worth reading a current, film-specific parents’ guide before watching.
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