IMDb aggregates user ratings from millions of viewers, which means highly-rated content generally has strong storytelling, production value, and broad appeal. But here's the thing: the IMDb user base skews older and more male, which means some genuinely great kids' content gets overlooked while edgier teen content gets inflated scores.

What IMDb does well:

What IMDb misses:

That's why you can't just sort by rating and call it a day. You need context.

Bluey (IMDb: 9.5/10)
If you haven't watched this yet, where have you been? This Australian show about a Blue Heeler family is legitimately the best thing on television right now, period. Parents cry more than kids do. The episodes are 7 minutes long, which is perfect for attention spans and for you maintaining control of screen time. Every episode models healthy family dynamics, creative play, and emotional regulation without being preachy. It's won multiple Emmys for a reason.

Paddington (IMDb: 7.3/10) & Paddington 2 (IMDb: 7.8/10)
These movies are chef's kiss. Paddington 2 especially is one of the best family films ever made—it's funny, heartfelt, visually stunning, and has actual stakes. Hugh Grant is delightfully unhinged as the villain. Both films celebrate kindness without being saccharine, which is a rare feat.

The Muppet Movie (IMDb: 7.6/10)
The original 1979 film holds up shockingly well. It's funny for adults (the jokes land differently now than they did when you were a kid), the music is genuinely great, and it's refreshingly earnest in a way that modern kids' content often isn't. Plus, it's a masterclass in practical effects.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (IMDb: 8.4/10)
This isn't just a great superhero movie—it's a great movie, full stop. The animation is groundbreaking, the story is emotionally complex, and it deals with themes of identity, grief, and believing in yourself without being heavy-handed. There's some action violence, but nothing gratuitous. Most kids this age are ready for it, especially if they're already into Marvel stuff.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (IMDb: 9.3/10)
This is the show that parents wish their kids would watch instead of YouTube shorts. It's a complete story across three seasons with genuine character development, complex themes about war and colonialism (handled age-appropriately), and humor that works for both kids and adults. The finale is genuinely satisfying, which is rare. Fair warning: once your kid finishes this, they'll want to watch The Legend of Korra, which is also excellent but skews slightly older.

The Iron Giant (IMDb: 8.1/10)
This 1999 film was a box office flop that became a cult classic for good reason. It's about a boy who befriends a giant robot during the Cold War, and it's genuinely moving without being manipulative. The "you are who you choose to be" message is powerful without being preachy. Some kids find the ending emotional (okay, everyone finds it emotional), so be prepared for feelings.

Gravity Falls (IMDb: 8.9/10)
Two seasons of mystery, humor, and surprising emotional depth. This show respects kids' intelligence—there are ongoing mysteries, character arcs that matter, and jokes that work on multiple levels. It's got some spooky elements (it's literally about supernatural mysteries), but it's more Scooby-Doo than horror movie. The creator, Alex Hirsch, knew exactly how long the story should be and ended it properly, which is refreshing.

The Princess Bride (IMDb: 8.0/10)
If your kid hasn't seen this yet, now's the time. It's funny, quotable, and works as both an adventure story and a satire of adventure stories. The framing device (grandfather reading to his sick grandson) helps younger viewers process the more intense moments. Plus, it's a cultural touchstone—they'll encounter references to it constantly.

Howl's Moving Castle (IMDb: 8.2/10)
Studio Ghibli films are consistently excellent, and this one hits the sweet spot for this age group. It's visually stunning, the story is engaging without being too complex, and it deals with themes of aging, war, and identity in thoughtful ways. If they like this, the whole Ghibli catalog is worth exploring—Spirited Away (IMDb: 8.6) and My Neighbor Totoro (IMDb: 8.1) are also fantastic.

The Good Place (IMDb: 8.2/10)
This is technically a network sitcom about the afterlife, but it's secretly a philosophy class wrapped in dick jokes and frozen yogurt. It's one of the smartest shows of the past decade, and it's genuinely funny while tackling big questions about ethics and what it means to be a good person. There's some mild language and adult situations (nothing graphic), but most 12+ kids who are ready for more mature content will love it. Fair warning: they might start asking you about Kantian ethics.

IMDb ratings fluctuate. A movie might have a 7.5 when you look it up and a 7.8 six months later. Don't get too hung up on the exact number—use it as a general quality indicator, not gospel.

Check the content warnings. IMDb has a "Parents Guide" section for each title that breaks down violence, profanity, frightening scenes, etc. It's crowd-sourced, so take it with a grain of salt, but it's more detailed than the MPAA rating alone. Learn more about how to interpret content ratings.

"Highly rated" doesn't mean "right for your kid right now." A film can be objectively excellent and still not be appropriate for your specific child's maturity level, sensitivities, or interests. You know your kid better than any rating system does.

Consider watching together first. For anything in that 11-13 age range where you're not sure, watch it yourself or with your kid the first time. It's actually a great way to have conversations about what they're seeing and thinking.

Let's be real for a second: some highly-rated content just doesn't hold up for kids, despite what IMDb says.

The Wizard of Oz (IMDb: 8.1/10) is a cultural landmark, but it's also nearly 90 years old and genuinely frightening for a lot of young kids. Those flying monkeys are nightmare fuel. If your 5-year-old bounces off it, that's completely normal.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (IMDb: 7.9/10) is beloved by people who saw it as kids in the '80s, but modern kids often find it slow and E.T. himself kind of creepy. It's fine to skip it.

The NeverEnding Story (IMDb: 7.3/10) traumatized an entire generation with the Swamp of Sadness scene. You've been warned.

High IMDb ratings can point you toward quality content, but they're just one tool in your parenting toolkit. The best approach? Use ratings as a starting point, check age-appropriateness separately, and trust your own judgment about what works for your kid.

The films and shows listed here are legitimately excellent—they're well-crafted, emotionally resonant, and respectful of their audience. They're also rewatchable, which matters when you're inevitably going to see them seventeen times.

Start with one. Pick something from the age range that fits your kid and watch it together. See what lands.

Build a family watchlist. Have your kids help choose from age-appropriate options. Giving them agency in the selection process makes them more invested in actually watching instead of scrolling.

Branch out from what works. If your kid loves Gravity Falls, try other mystery-adventure shows. If they're into Spider-Verse, explore other animated films that push creative boundaries.

And hey, if you need help figuring out what's actually age-appropriate versus what other parents are letting their kids watch, Screenwise can show you what's normal in your community—because sometimes it helps to know you're not the only one saying "no, you cannot watch Squid Game in third grade."