When I say a movie "holds up," I mean a few specific things:

The humor isn't cringe. We all remember rewatching something we loved as kids only to realize... yikes. The good news? The 2000s gave us plenty of genuinely funny films that don't rely on outdated stereotypes or humor that makes you want to crawl under the couch.

The animation or effects still look good. This is huge. Kids today are spoiled by incredible CGI and animation quality. A movie from 2003 that looks like it was made in MS Paint isn't going to cut it, no matter how great the story is.

The themes are timeless. The best 2000s movies dealt with friendship, identity, creativity, and resilience—stuff that matters just as much now as it did then.

It's not just a commercial for discontinued toys. You know what I'm talking about.

Here's something I've noticed: when we share movies from our own childhoods with our kids, it creates this really cool bridge between generations. They get a glimpse into what we loved, and we get to see these stories fresh through their eyes.

But more practically? Having a solid list of movies you know are good means:

Plus, and I cannot stress this enough: these movies have endings. They're not trying to hook your kid into the next episode or create a binge-watching spiral. They tell a complete story in 90-120 minutes, and then they're done.

Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Finding Nemo (2003) are your MVPs here. The Pixar formula was perfected in this era, and these two are genuinely entertaining for adults while being totally age-appropriate. The animation still looks incredible, and the emotional beats hit without being traumatizing.

Lilo & Stitch (2002) is another winner—it deals with family, grief, and belonging in ways that are surprisingly deep for a kids' movie. Fair warning: the social worker scenes can bring up some feelings if your family has any CPS/foster care experience, so just be aware.

The Incredibles (2004) is probably the most rewatchable family movie of the decade. It works on multiple levels, the action holds up, and it sparked legitimate discussions in my house about fairness, competition, and what makes someone "special."

Ratatouille (2007) is another Pixar gem that I'd argue is even better as an adult. It's about following your passion despite what everyone expects of you—pretty relevant for kids growing up in an era where they're told they can "be anything" while also feeling intense pressure to optimize every moment. Learn more about helping kids navigate passion vs. pressure

Spider-Man 2 (2004) is the sweet spot for superhero content—actual character development, consequences that matter, and action that's exciting without being overwhelming. Good for mature 10+ who are ready for some peril and intensity.

Holes (2003) is wildly underrated. It's based on the Louis Sachar book, deals with justice and friendship, and has this satisfying way of weaving multiple storylines together. Great for kids who love mysteries and stories with clever plotting.

Mean Girls (2004) is basically required viewing at this point, right? Yes, there's some mature content (you'll want to watch it first if your tween is on the younger side), but it's also a legitimately smart satire about social hierarchies that's incredibly relevant to middle school dynamics—and now, social media culture.

The Princess Diaries (2001) holds up surprisingly well as a story about identity, expectations, and finding your voice. The fashion is dated in a fun way, and it's a good conversation starter about how we present ourselves online vs. in person.

Whale Rider (2002) is less well-known but absolutely beautiful—a New Zealand film about tradition, gender roles, and leadership. Perfect for families looking for something outside the Hollywood mainstream.

Here's the annoying part: these movies are scattered across every streaming service imaginable, and they move around constantly. Disney+ has the Pixar films locked down, but everything else is a moving target. I've had success with JustWatch for tracking where things are streaming, but honestly? Sometimes it's worth just buying the digital version of your family favorites so they're always available.

Some kids will immediately reject anything that doesn't look like it was made yesterday. I get it—they're used to the visual quality of modern content. A few strategies that have worked:

Even "kid-friendly" 2000s movies sometimes have moments that feel different now:

None of this makes these movies bad—just be prepared to pause and talk if needed. Learn more about co-viewing strategies

The 2000s gave us a genuinely great era of family films—movies that respected kids' intelligence while still being fun, that pushed animation and storytelling forward, and that dealt with real themes without being heavy-handed about it.

In a digital landscape where our kids are constantly being fed algorithm-optimized content designed to keep them watching just one more video, there's something really valuable about a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. These movies aren't trying to hack your kid's dopamine system—they're just trying to tell a good story.

This week: Pick one movie from the list that matches your kid's age range. Check where it's streaming, or if it's bouncing around, consider just buying it digitally for $10-15.

Make it special: Don't just throw it on as background noise. Make it an actual movie night—phones in another room (yes, yours too), snacks, maybe even let the kids build a blanket fort to watch from.

Talk about it after: Ask what they liked, what surprised them, what was different from movies they usually watch. You might be surprised by what they notice.

Build your family's library: Once you find a few hits, you've got your go-to list for rainy days, sick days, or those Friday nights when everyone's too tired for anything complicated.

And hey, if they don't love your favorite childhood movie? That's okay too. Not everything has to be a generational bridge moment. Sometimes Bluey really is the right call.

Want to explore more about balancing screen time with intentional media choices? Check out our guide on creating a family media plan that actually works for your household.