20+ Best English Movies for Kids

By Aarohi Achwal | Updated: 12/11/2024

Watching a movie with your family is one of the best ways to spend some quality time with the people you love. If you are planning to watch a movie, your kids won’t just sit quietly and let you watch one – they’d want to watch the movie too. If your kids are young, then you will have to make sure that the movie you plan to watch is appropriate for them. If you are looking for some movies that you can watch with your kids or they can watch it on their own to kill time, we have some suggestions for you. We have compiled a list of English movies that your kids will love to watch – these good English movies for kids are entertaining, and we are sure your children will enjoy watching them.

List of English Movies for Kids

Here is a list of animated, comedy, and fantasy English movies that your children can watch in their leisure time.

Animated Movies

Kids love to watch animated movies, so here are some of our recommendations for animated English movies for kids.

1. Cinderella, 1950

Cinderella is the story of a girl who has lost her parents at a young age. She lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters. She is forced to work as a maid in her own residence. Cinderella is tormented by her stepmother and stepsisters. However, her fate changes when she attends the royal ball where she dances with the prince, who is enchanted by her beauty. When it’s midnight, she leaves the castle of the prince, but one of her glass slippers falls. The prince is determined to find Cinderella. Let your kids watch this movie to find out if the prince finds Cinderella in the end or not.

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2. Frozen, 2013

Frozen is an animated musical film released in the year 2013. The story of this movie is about a fearless princess who embarks on a journey to find her estranged sister. The princess is accompanied by her loyal reindeer, a rugged iceman, and a naive snowman. Princess Elsa also has some magical power that allows her to create ice and snow. Her power inadvertently traps the entire kingdom into eternal winter. As the story progresses, you will see the struggles that she goes through in finding her sister and in undoing the damage to her kingdom.

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3. Coco, 2017

Coco movie won the Oscar for best animated feature at the 90^th Academy Awards in 2018. The concept of this movie is inspired by the Mexican holiday ‘Day of the Dead’. The protagonist of the movie is a twelve-year-old boy named Miguel who dreams to have a career in the field of music. However, his family is dead against the idea and forbids it. Miguel accidentally gets transported to the land of the dead where he meets his great-great-grandfather, a deceased musician. He helps him to return to his family and to reverse his family’s ban on music.

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4. The Little Mermaid, 1989

This movie exhibits the life underwater through spectacular animation and gripping storyline. Ariel is a young mermaid who longs to go on land and experience life on the other side of the world. Her father forbids her but she still plans to go. She falls in love with a human prince. Being madly in love, she makes a mistake by making a deal with an evil witch. The witch gives Ariel human legs in exchange for her melodious voice. Whether she unites with the prince and gets her voice back or not, your kids will have to find out.

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Funny Movies

Here is a list of comedy English movies for children.

1. Elf, 2003

This movie is about Buddy, who gets transported to the North Pole by crawling into Santa’s bag. He is raised by elves and he grows up believing himself to be an elf too. However, after learning the truth that he is a human, he heads back to New York City to get united with his biological parents and also to the spread the Christmas spirit in the world of cynics.

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2. The Incredibles, 2004

This funny movie is about superheroes. The story revolves around a family of superheroes who live a quiet suburban life because they are not allowed to exercise their superpowers because of a government mandate. However, the innate urge of Mr. Incredible to save people in distress gets them in a vengeful confrontation with a fan-turned-enemy, who also owns a killer robot.

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3. Mary Poppins, 1964

Mary Poppins is a classic children’s film which is loved by children of all age groups. The story revolves around a banker, his notorious kids, and a nanny. The nanny takes care of the kids and teaches them good virtues and manners by adopting her peculiar methods. Slowly and gradually the kids start to love the nanny.

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4. Home Alone, 1990

This holiday classic tells the story of Kevin, a quick-thinking young boy who is accidentally left alone at home when his family jets off on vacation. He hilariously defends his house from a pair of bumbling burglars using ingenious traps and tricks that will have kids in stitches. The movie is a perfect blend of comedy and cleverness, showing the importance of creativity and resilience in the face of challenges.

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5. Night at the Museum, 2006

When Larry takes a job as a night guard at the Museum of Natural History, he quickly discovers that the exhibits magically come to life after hours. From playful dinosaur skeletons to famous historical figures creating havoc, Larry must navigate the delightful chaos while keeping the peace. Kids will love the humour mixed with history, making this both an entertaining and subtly educational film.

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6. The Parent Trap, 1998

This heartwarming comedy introduces us to twin sisters who, after being separated at birth, discover each other at summer camp. They switch places in an attempt to reunite their estranged parents, leading to all kinds of funny mix-ups and touching family moments. This movie is great for kids as it celebrates family bonds, teamwork, and the fun that can come with unexpected adventures.

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7. Dr. Dolittle, 1998

Dr. John Dolittle, a dedicated veterinarian, is shocked to find out he can suddenly speak with animals. His new skill takes him on a hilarious journey as he navigates the demands of his animal patients, who have a lot to say! Packed with funny interactions between Dr. Dolittle and his talking animal friends, this movie shows kids the importance of empathy and caring for all living beings.

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8. Cheaper by the Dozen, 2003

Centred on the Baker family and their twelve energetic kids, this movie explores the wild, funny, and chaotic life of a big family. With both parents balancing work and family duties, the children’s antics add to the comedy as they get into plenty of mischief. This movie offers a lighthearted look at the joys and challenges of family life, making it both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny for kids.

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9. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, 2017

In this adventurous comedy, four teens are pulled into a video game, transforming into adult avatars with different skills and personalities. They must work together to survive a jungle filled with perils while also learning to appreciate their real-world selves. This movie brings humour and excitement to a whole new level, teaching kids about the value of teamwork and self-confidence.

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10. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, 1989

When a scientist accidentally shrinks his kids down to the size of insects, they embark on a thrilling adventure to navigate their own backyard, now a giant jungle filled with comical dangers. This classic film encourages kids to think big and use their imagination while delivering laughs through the clever perspective of the tiny heroes.

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Fantasy/Adventure Movies

Here is a list of some famous fantasy or adventure movies for your kids

1. Beauty and the Beast, 1991

This movie presents the story of a fictional character, Belle, who is a beautiful young damsel. She is a kind-hearted soul who loves to read. This story explores the relationship between a prince, who is transformed into a monster, and Belle, who he imprisons in his castle. The beast (the prince) has to learn to become kind and love Belle if he wants to become human again. He must earn the love of Belle before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose, or he will remain a beast forever. Let your kids watch this movie to find out if Belle falls in love with the beast or not.

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2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937

This movie is about Snow White, a princess who lives with her evil stepmother. Her stepmother despises Snow White because of her enchanting beauty. Her stepmother wishes to kill her, but Snow White runs into the jungle, where she takes refuge in a house that is owned by seven dwarfs. These dwarfs slowly become her friends and help Snow White in defeating her evil stepmother.

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3. Alice in Wonderland, 1985

This movie centres around Alice, who gets transported into a world of fantasy after she follows a white rabbit. Alice encounters many adventures and characters during her journey through the mystical land and finally finds herself in her bed dreaming. The movie is filled with many exciting adventures that your kid will surely enjoy.

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4. Tangled, 2010

The movie Tangled is about Rapunzel, a beautiful, young, and innocent girl who is forced to stay in a high tower, away from the fancies of the normal world. Rapunzel is a princess who is separated from her parents. She has magical long blonde hair. She wishes to explore the world outside her secluded tower, but her mother stops her from stepping outside. Soon, her wish comes true, and she goes out against her mother’s wishes. She accepts the help of a good-hearted thief called Flynn. He helps her get out of her house and explore the outside world.

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Upcoming English Films for Children in 2025

Now that you have a list of some classic English movies, you may be thinking about what 2025 has in store for your kids. Here is a list of upcoming English movies that will keep your children entertained.

1. The Smurfs Musical, July 4, 2025

This exciting animated musical reboot of The Smurfs will hit theatres on July 4, 2025, bringing the beloved blue creatures back for a brand-new adventure. In this version, Smurfette and her friends embark on a journey filled with catchy songs, colourful animation, and of course, plenty of Smurfy shenanigans. Kids will love the energetic music and the heartwarming story of friendship, while a star-studded voice cast adds to the fun. It’s the perfect summer movie for families who want to enjoy some light-hearted, musical fun together.

2. A Minecraft Movie, April 4, 2025

Get ready for the world of Minecraft to come to life in this live-action adaptation, set to release on April 4, 2025. The film will follow a group of characters who find themselves transported into the imaginative, blocky world of Minecraft. Expect thrilling adventures, creative challenges, and epic survival battles as the characters navigate the game’s vast landscapes. With voices from stars like Jason Momoa and Jack Black, this movie promises to be a hit with kids who are fans of the game—and those who just love a fun adventure.

3. How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action), June 13, 2025

The hit How to Train Your Dragon series is getting a live-action makeover, and kids are in for a treat! Scheduled for release in June 2025, this live-action version will follow Hiccup and his trusty dragon, Toothless, in a breathtaking Viking world. With amazing visual effects, this film will bring the magical bond between Hiccup and Toothless to life in a way that animated versions never could. Fans of the original movies will love seeing the characters in a new, exciting format filled with action, adventure, and heartwarming moments.

4. The Bad Guys 2, August 1, 2025

The mischievous gang of animals from The Bad Guys are back for another round of laughs and wild adventures in The Bad Guys 2, set for release in August 2025. This family-friendly animated film promises even more antics from Mr. Wolf and his team as they take on new challenges. Kids will enjoy the playful humour, quirky characters, and plenty of exciting moments as the “bad guys” try to go good. It’s sure to be another hit for kids who love animated action and comedy.

5. Zootopia 2, November 2025

The highly anticipated sequel to Zootopia is set to release in November 2025, and it promises even more fun, mystery, and laughs. In this film, detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back to solve a new mystery—this time involving the city’s reptilian residents. The movie will feature fresh laughs, new characters, and all the heartwarming lessons of teamwork and friendship that made the original so popular. With its engaging story and lovable characters, Zootopia 2 is a must-watch for kids and families alike.

How to Choose English Movies for Children

Choosing the right English movies for children can be a fun yet challenging task. It’s important to consider a variety of factors to ensure the content is suitable, engaging, and enriching for young viewers. Here are a few tips on how to select the best movies for your kids:

1. Age-Appropriate Content

When selecting a movie for children, always consider the age rating and whether the content suits the child’s developmental stage. Movies with a PG or G rating are typically safe for younger children. Avoid films with excessive violence, strong language, or adult themes that may be inappropriate for kids. Parents and caregivers should also review the plot to ensure it aligns with the child’s maturity level.

2. Educational and Moral Lessons

Kids’ movies often provide an opportunity to teach valuable lessons. Look for films emphasising positive messages such as kindness, friendship, perseverance, and teamwork. Animated films like Zootopia or Finding Nemo are examples of movies that are not only entertaining but also impart lessons about diversity, compassion, and problem-solving. Educational content that explores new places or concepts is also a bonus!

3. Engaging Storylines

Children tend to enjoy films that capture their attention with imaginative stories and vibrant characters. Choosing movies that offer an engaging narrative that will keep them interested from start to finish is important. Adventure, fantasy, and animation tend to be popular genres that resonate with kids. Movies like Toy Story or The Lion King keep children engaged with their captivating plots and relatable characters.

4. Representation of Diversity

Movies that showcase diverse characters and settings can help children understand and appreciate different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. Look for films that feature characters of various races, genders, abilities, and family structures, as this fosters inclusivity and empathy. Films like Frozen 2 or Moana not only tell a great story but also promote cultural awareness and respect for diversity.

5. Humour

Children love movies that make them laugh! Lighthearted, funny movies are often a hit with younger audiences, as humour helps in making the movie experience more enjoyable and memorable. Comedies like Minions or The Incredibles are great examples of films that offer plenty of laughs while remaining appropriate for kids of all ages.

FAQs

1. Are there any English movies that subtly teach kids about historical events without feeling like a lesson?

Yes, there are films that incorporate historical events in a fun and engaging way, often blending adventure with a sense of discovery. These movies introduce children to the past through relatable characters, making history come alive without feeling like a textbook. The plots often focus on personal stories within larger historical contexts, offering kids a way to explore history in an entertaining format.

2. What types of English movies can help kids understand different perspectives or cultural differences?

Some movies subtly introduce themes of cultural understanding by telling stories from the viewpoints of characters in unfamiliar settings. These films may not overtly discuss cultural differences, but through the lens of adventure or conflict, they encourage empathy and open-mindedness. They often present the challenges and beauty of adapting to new environments or interacting with people from different walks of life, fostering a broader worldview for young viewers.

These are some of our recommendations of English movies that your kids can watch in their free time. We hope your kids enjoy these movies.

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Top Educational Movies for Children
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