At this age, we are looking for low-sensory, high-quality storytelling. You want to avoid the "bright colors and loud noises" trap that leads to a post-screen-time meltdown.

This is the ultimate "slow TV" for toddlers. The pacing is gentle, the stakes are low (oh no, Eeyore lost his tail!), and the hand-drawn animation is a breath of fresh air compared to the hyper-kinetic CGI of modern shows. It’s the visual equivalent of a warm blanket.

Okay, I know Bluey is a series, but "The Sign" is a 28-minute special that is essentially a mini-movie. It deals with moving house and big changes in a way that will probably make you cry more than your kid. It’s the gold standard for co-viewing.

If your kid is obsessed with anything that has wheels, this is the one. It’s a bit louder than Pooh, but the themes of sportsmanship and slowing down are solid. Just be prepared to buy a lot of Lightning McQueen merchandise.

This is where kids start to understand nuance, but they still have one foot in the world of magic. They’re starting to play Roblox and talk about "Ohio" memes, so you want content that actually challenges them a bit emotionally.

This movie is a masterpiece of "vibe." It’s about two sea monsters disguised as humans in an Italian seaside town. It’s a beautiful metaphor for feeling "different" and the power of a supportive friendship. Plus, there’s no "scary villain" in the traditional sense, which is great for sensitive kids.

By now, you’ve probably heard "We Don't Talk About Bruno" enough to last a lifetime, but Encanto holds up. It’s one of the few Disney movies that tackles intergenerational trauma and the pressure of being the "perfect" kid. It’s a great conversation starter for families.

The sequel actually delivers on the scale of the first one. It doubles down on the wayfinding and the mythology, which is perfect for kids who are starting to get into "adventure" style video games.

Check out our guide on the best Pixar movies for emotional intelligence

Welcome to the tween years. They want stakes. They want world-building. They want to feel like they’re watching something "grown-up" without the R-rated trauma.

If you have a 10-year-old, this movie is non-negotiable. It introduces "Anxiety" as a character, and the way it visualizes the "Sarcasm Chasm" and the "Belief System" is genius. It gives parents and kids a shared vocabulary for the weird stuff happening in their brains during puberty.

While technically a series, this is the definitive way to consume the Percy Jackson book world on screen. It’s much more faithful than the old movies and captures that "modern-day mythology" feel perfectly. It’s a great bridge for kids who are starting to move away from "kiddie" Disney.

If you haven’t started the Star Wars journey yet, this is the age. The effects might look "retro" to them, but the hero’s journey is timeless. It’s also a great way to steer them toward the LEGO Star Wars games, which are fantastic.

At this stage, your kids are likely on TikTok and seeing everything. They have a high "cringe" filter. If it feels like a "kid's movie," they’ll check out in five minutes.

Fair warning: this one is heavy. It deals with animal testing and some pretty intense backstory for Rocket Raccoon. But for a teen, it’s one of the most emotionally resonant movies in the MCU. It’s about found family and healing from the past.

Don't let the "cartoon" look fool you. This show (which feels like a continuous movie event) is incredibly sophisticated. It tackles prejudice, politics, and complex ethics. It’s "prestige TV" that just happens to be animated.

Wait, is this on Disney+? Yes, if you have the Hulu bundle. For older teens (16+), The Bear is a masterclass in tension, work ethic, and family dynamics. It’s "mature" content that isn't just about sex or violence—it’s about the stress of excellence.

Disney+ is generally the "safest" of the big streamers, but it’s not a digital babysitter. Here’s how to handle it:

Learn how to set up Disney+ parental controls in 5 minutes

Not all animation is created equal. There's a big difference between the storytelling in Turning Red and the mindless, repetitive toy-unboxing videos they might find on YouTube.

Disney+ content generally has a "narrative arc." This is good for their developing brains. It requires them to follow a plot, understand character motivation, and empathize with someone else's struggle. When we talk about "digital wellness," we aren't just talking about how much time they spend on screens, but the quality of the input. A 90-minute Pixar movie is almost always a better "brain" choice than 90 minutes of scrolling through YouTube Shorts.

Don’t just let the credits roll and walk away. Use these movies as "Trojan Horses" for real conversations:

Disney+ in 2026 is a powerhouse, but it requires a bit of curation. Skip the "straight-to-streaming" sequels that feel like they were written by an AI (looking at you, some of the newer "live-action" remakes) and stick to the stuff with heart.

The goal isn't to ban screens—it's to make sure that when the screen is on, it's actually adding something to your kid's world. Whether that's a lesson in anxiety or just a really good laugh about a sea monster eating gelato, that’s a win in our book.

Ask our chatbot for a list of movies that teach grit and perseverance