This is the surprise hit of the year for the younger set. Aardman's claymation magic returned with Wallace and Gromit's first feature film in nearly 20 years, and it's genuinely delightful. The humor works on multiple levels—slapstick for the little ones, clever wordplay for adults—and there's something about the tactile nature of stop-motion that just hits different for young kids.

Why it works: Zero scary moments, visually engaging without being overstimulating, and short enough (85 minutes) that you won't lose them halfway through. Plus, it's actually funny for parents, which is more than I can say for most preschool content.

Parent note: This is a Netflix release, so it's already in your queue. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

The third Paddington movie maintains the franchise's remarkable ability to be genuinely wholesome without being saccharine. This one takes the Brown family and Paddington to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy, and it's got adventure, humor, and those emotional beats that make Paddington films so reliably good.

Why it works: Paddington movies have this rare quality of being made for families rather than at kids. The pacing is gentle enough for younger viewers, but the story never talks down to anyone.

Watch out for: A few mildly tense jungle adventure sequences. Nothing traumatic, but sensitive 3-4 year-olds might want a lap to sit on.

Look, if your kid is in the Bluey demographic, you already saw this. But for those who somehow missed it: it's essentially three extended episodes stitched together with a through-line about growing up. It's fine. Not essential, but if you need 90 minutes of guaranteed engagement, it delivers.

This is where 2025 really delivered.

DreamWorks adapted Peter Brown's beloved book, and they actually nailed it. The story of Roz, a robot stranded on an island who learns to survive and eventually becomes a mother to an orphaned gosling, is as emotionally resonant on screen as it was on the page.

Why it works: It tackles big themes—belonging, found family, environmental stewardship—without being preachy. The animation style is gorgeous (painterly backgrounds that feel like concept art), and the voice cast (Lupita Nyong'o as Roz) brings genuine warmth to what could have been a cold story about a robot.

Parent note: There are some genuinely sad moments. The death of the gosling's biological mother in the opening act is handled gently but clearly. Most 7-year-olds can handle it, but know your kid. This is also a great movie to discuss themes of adoption and different kinds of families.

I'll be honest: I had low expectations. The first Sonic movie was better than it had any right to be, the second was fine, and I figured the third would be where they ran out of steam. But Sonic 3 is legitimately the best of the trilogy.

Why it works: Jim Carrey playing dual roles (Robotnik and his grandfather) brings genuine energy, the action sequences are creative without being chaotic, and they finally figured out how to balance the human characters with the CGI hedgehogs. Plus, introducing Shadow the Hedgehog gives the story actual stakes.

Parent note: This is solidly PG with some cartoon violence and one or two mild language moments ("hell" used once in context). The 7-10 crowd eats it up, and it moves fast enough that even non-gamers stay engaged.

This should not work. A movie based on a game with no story, starring Jack Black (again) in another video game adaptation? But somehow, somehow, it does.

Why it works: They leaned into the absurdity. It's not trying to be The Lego Movie, which is smart because that comparison would be deadly. Instead, it's a straightforward adventure story about kids getting sucked into the Minecraft world and having to survive. The humor is goofy, the visuals are surprisingly creative (they found a way to make the blocky aesthetic work in live-action), and it respects the game's mechanics without being a tutorial.

Parent note: If your kid plays Minecraft, this is a no-brainer. If they don't, it's still fun but loses some of the referential joy.

Tweens are the hardest to program for because they're too old for "kids movies" but not quite ready for everything teens can handle. These hit the sweet spot.

Nine years after the original, Disney finally delivered the sequel, and it's shockingly good. Judy and Nick are back, now as partners in the ZPD, investigating a conspiracy that takes them beyond Zootopia's city limits.

Why it works: The original's themes about prejudice and bias were surprisingly sophisticated for a kids movie, and the sequel doesn't shy away from continuing that conversation. This time, it's about tribalism and echo chambers—how communities isolate themselves and demonize outsiders. It's relevant without being heavy-handed, and the mystery plot is genuinely engaging.

Parent note: This is PG, but the themes are definitely aimed at older kids who can grasp social commentary. The 11-13 crowd gets it; younger kids will just enjoy the buddy cop adventure. Either way works.

James Cameron's third Avatar movie arrived (only five years after The Way of Water), and while it's not revolutionary like the first film, it's a solid entry that tweens and teens genuinely enjoy.

Why it works: The spectacle is undeniable—this is still the best 3D experience you can have in theaters—and the story focuses more on the Sully kids this time, which makes it more relatable for younger viewers. The introduction of the "Ash People" (a more aggressive Na'vi clan) adds real tension.

Parent note: This is PG-13 for a reason. Intense action sequences, some violence (people and creatures die, though not graphically), and the runtime is 3 hours and 10 minutes. This is not for squirmy kids. But for tweens who can handle it, it's an event movie that feels worth the theater experience.

After the Disney+ series proved there was still appetite for Percy Jackson done right, Disney Pictures greenlit a proper theatrical adaptation of the first book. And unlike the 2010 disaster, this one actually respects the source material.

Why it works: They cast age-appropriate actors (the characters are actually 12), kept the humor and heart of the books, and didn't try to age it up into a gritty YA thing. It's an adventure movie that treats its audience with respect.

Parent note: If your kid loved the Disney+ series, this is a no-brainer. If they haven't read the books, they might be a little lost on some of the mythology, but the story stands on its own.

These are the rare films that actually work for the whole family—from the 6-year-old to the 13-year-old to the parents who are tired of watching garbage.

Disney's sequel to Moana was originally developed as a Disney+ series before being retooled into a theatrical release, and honestly, you can kind of tell. It's more episodic than the original, with Moana assembling a crew to explore beyond her island's reef.

Why it works: The music (Lin-Manuel Miranda returned) is catchy, the animation is stunning, and Moana remains one of Disney's most appealing protagonists. The story about exploration and finding your place in a bigger world resonates across age groups.

Why it's not perfect: The villain is underdeveloped, and the pacing drags in the middle. But the highs are high enough that most families will have a good time.

Pixar's third Inside Out movie (yes, they made another one) follows Riley through her first year of college, introducing new emotions like Nostalgia, Cringe, and Homesickness.

Why it works: Pixar continues to mine genuine emotional insight from this premise. Watching Riley navigate the transition to college while her emotions struggle to adapt is both funny and surprisingly moving. The whole family will see themselves in different moments.

Parent note: This one skews slightly older than the first two films—the college setting means younger kids might not connect as strongly—but it's still accessible. And honestly, parents might get the most out of it.

A few movies got buzz but didn't land:

Frozen 4: Yes, they made another one. No, it's not good. It feels like a cash grab, the songs are forgettable, and the story (Elsa and Anna dealing with their parents' legacy) is weirdly joyless. Skip it.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2: Somehow less charming than the first one, which was already pretty thin. More characters, less heart. If your kid demands it, fine, but don't expect much.

Wish Upon a Star (Disney's 100th Anniversary Film): This was supposed to be Disney's big celebration of their legacy, but it ended up being a confusing meta-narrative that kids didn't connect with and adults found trying-too-hard. The animation style (a blend of 2D and 3D) is interesting but not enough to save a weak story.

Your kid is 3-6 and you need something gentle: Paddington in Peru or Wallace & Gromit

Your kid is 7-10 and loves adventure: The Wild Robot or Sonic 3

Your kid is 11-13 and "over" kids movies: Zootopia 2 or Percy Jackson

You need something for movie night with mixed ages: Moana 2 or Inside Out 3

Your kid plays the game and you want to lean into that: Minecraft: The Movie or Sonic 3

2025 was a genuinely solid year for family movies. Not every release was a winner, but the hits were legitimate, and there's enough variety that you can actually find something appropriate for your specific kid's age and interests without settling for mediocrity.

The biggest shift I've noticed: studios are finally figuring out that "family movie" doesn't mean "dumbed down for kids." The best films this year—The Wild Robot, Zootopia 2, even Paddington—treat their audiences with respect. They tackle real themes, trust kids to handle complexity, and don't condescend.

That's the bar now. And honestly, it's about time.

If you want to dig deeper into any of these, ask about age-appropriateness for your specific kid or explore similar movies based on what your family loved this year.