If you have a toddler, you already know Gabby. She is the undisputed queen of the preschool demographic right now. The movie, which recently made the jump from the Netflix show, is essentially a "greatest hits" of the series. The Vibe: It’s bright, it’s loud, and it’s very "unboxing" coded. The Screenwise Take: While it’s high-energy, it’s not "bad" for them. Gabby focuses on a "growth mindset"—when things go wrong, they "fail fantastically." It’s much better than the mindless toy-review videos they might find elsewhere. Just be prepared for the inevitable request for more Gabby's Dollhouse toys.

Pixar decided to go there. This year’s installment features Buzz, Woody, and the gang facing off against a new rival: The Tablet. The Vibe: Classic Pixar heart, but with a very 2026 twist. The toys are feeling neglected because Bonnie is obsessed with her screen. Why it matters: This is a meta-moment for us parents. It’s a great way to start a conversation with a 4-year-old about why we put the iPad away. It’s a movie about digital wellness, wrapped in a beloved franchise. Is it a bit "get off my lawn" for the tech-native generation? Maybe. But it’s a conversation starter.

Now that this is hitting streaming services, it’s becoming a toddler staple. It’s about a kid who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth to an interstellar organization of aliens. The Vibe: Visually stunning and very imaginative. The Caution: Some of the aliens might be a bit "weird" for the most sensitive toddlers, but for the kid who loves Bluey and space, it’s a winner.

Sometimes, you don't want a "cinematic universe." You want a movie that won't turn your child into a frantic mess when the credits roll. We call these "low-stim" movies—slower pacing, gentler colors, and softer audio.

If you haven't discovered Puffin Rock yet, consider this your lucky day. Narrated by Chris O'Dowd, it’s the Irish equivalent of a warm hug. The movie follows Oona and her friends as they welcome new inhabitants to the island. It’s slow, educational, and beautiful. It’s the anti-CoComelon.

While not a 2-hour epic, the Trash Truck specials on Netflix are perfect for the 24-month-old crowd. It’s a boy and a giant, honking truck. That’s it. No villains, no scary chases, just friendship and garbage collection. It’s pure, wholesome content.

Learn more about the benefits of low-stimulation media

According to Screenwise community data, about 45% of toddlers are regularly watching movies rated for ages 7+ because they have an older sibling. If you’re in this boat, you need "bridge" movies—films that won't scar the 3-year-old but won't bore the 8-year-old.

Disney’s big late-2025 release is now the go-to for family movie nights. It deals with some more complex themes (prejudice, systemic issues), but toddlers just see a funny bunny and a cool fox. Parental Note: There are some "intense" chase scenes. If your toddler is prone to nightmares, maybe skip the "action" climax.

Coming this spring, but the hype is already everywhere. If your toddler is already obsessed with Mario Kart, they’ll want to see this. The No-BS Review: These movies are basically 90-minute candy bars. They are high-sugar, high-speed, and high-noise. They aren't "educational," but they are a shared cultural language. If you watch it, plan for some "heavy work" or outdoor play afterward to burn off that visual adrenaline.

At this age, movies aren't just entertainment; they are a training ground for focus. In a world of 15-second TikTok clips and 5-minute YouTube videos, sitting through a 60-to-90-minute narrative is a skill.

When a toddler watches a movie like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, they are learning:

Check out our guide on building focus through long-form media

Toddlers have zero concept of "one more episode" being a lie. Movies are great because when the credits roll, the story is over. We recommend turning off "Auto-play" on Disney+ or Netflix so the screen goes black when the movie ends. This creates a natural boundary.

I know, the whole point of the movie is often so you don't have to be "on." But even being in the room, occasionally commenting ("Oh look, Bluey is being patient!"), makes a huge difference in how they process what they see.

If you are watching these movies on a device rather than a TV, be wary of what "suggested videos" pop up afterward. 2026 has seen a rise in "AI-generated" toddler content that looks like Paw Patrol but is actually weird, nonsensical, or even slightly creepy. Stick to the official apps.

You’ll hear the term "brain rot" a lot in 2026. Usually, it refers to hyper-stimulating, nonsensical short-form content. Most of the movies listed above—especially the Pixar and Puffin Rock options—are the antidote to brain rot. They have scripts written by humans, orchestral scores, and intentional pacing.

Don't feel guilty about a movie. Feel intentional about which movie.

If you’re looking for the best overall experience for a toddler right now, go with Puffin Rock: New Friends for a quiet afternoon or Toy Story 5 for a family event that actually gives you something to talk about.

Parenting in 2026 is a balancing act. You don't have to be a "no screens ever" parent to be an intentional one. You just have to be the one holding the remote.

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