Best picks: Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., Toy Story

At this age, kids need straightforward narratives with clear emotional beats. They're not ready for complex metaphors or heavy existential themes (save those for middle school).

Finding Nemo works beautifully here—yes, there's the scary barracuda opening, but the core story is simple: dad loses son, dad finds son. The underwater world is visually engaging without being overstimulating, and Dory provides comic relief that lands with this age group.

Monsters Inc. is perfect for kids working through fear of the dark or bedtime anxiety. The twist that laughter is more powerful than screams? Chef's kiss for this developmental stage.

Skip for now: Up (that opening montage will wreck them), Coco (death themes are too abstract), Inside Out (emotional complexity is over their heads).

Best picks: Toy Story 3, Ratatouille, Moana (technically Disney Animation, but often grouped with Pixar), Luca

This is the sweet spot where kids can handle longer narratives and start picking up on themes beyond the surface story. They're developing empathy and can understand that characters might feel multiple emotions at once.

Luca is criminally underrated for this age group. It's about friendship, being yourself, and the fear of being "different"—all wrapped in a gorgeous Italian summer setting. No scary villains, no death, just two sea monsters learning to ride a Vespa. It's giving wholesome.

Ratatouille works here because kids this age are starting to understand that adults can be wrong, that following your passion matters, and that talent can come from unexpected places. Plus, the food critic scene at the end? Still makes me tear up.

Themes they can handle: Friendship challenges, feeling different, pursuing dreams, family expectations, mild peril.

Best picks: Inside Out, Coco, Soul, WALL-E

Upper elementary is when Pixar really shines. Kids this age are navigating more complex social dynamics, starting to understand nuance, and can appreciate layered storytelling.

Inside Out is essential viewing for this age group. They're old enough to grasp the metaphor of emotions as characters, and honestly, it gives them vocabulary for what they're experiencing. "I'm feeling like Sadness is driving right now" is way more helpful than "I don't know, I just feel bad."

Coco handles death and memory in a way that's profound but not traumatizing. If your family has experienced loss, this can be a beautiful conversation starter. The music slaps, the animation is stunning, and the twist about Héctor gets me every single time.

Soul is interesting—it's technically about mortality and purpose, but it works for this age because kids are starting to think about "what they want to be." The jazz might lose some of them, but the message about finding joy in everyday moments is gold.

Themes they're ready for: Grief and loss, identity, mental health, purpose, family conflict, mortality (in abstract terms).

Best picks: Turning Red, Inside Out 2, Up, Soul

Middle schoolers and teens can handle everything Pixar throws at them—and honestly, some of these movies might land even harder for them than for adults.

Turning Red is THE movie for tweens navigating the chaos of puberty, generational trauma, and the mortifying ordeal of being perceived. Yes, it's about getting your period (sort of). Yes, there's boy band obsession. Yes, it's perfect. Some parents found it "too mature"—you can explore that conversation here—but for most families with kids 11+, it's incredibly validating.

Inside Out 2 introduces Anxiety as a character, and if your teen isn't dealing with anxiety yet, they definitely know someone who is. It's a masterclass in showing how our emotional landscape gets more complex as we grow.

Up hits different when you're old enough to understand what Carl and Ellie's montage really means. The themes of loss, regret, and finding new purpose are heavy—but teens can sit with that weight.

Themes they can handle: All of it. Anxiety, depression, existential questions, complex grief, generational trauma, identity formation.

The "family movie night" trap: Just because you're watching together doesn't mean everyone's getting the same thing out of it. Our data shows 50% of families watch Disney Plus content together, which is great—but a 6-year-old and a 12-year-old watching Elemental are having completely different experiences. The younger kid sees pretty fire and water effects; the older kid sees a story about immigration, racism, and family pressure.

Pixar does the work for you: Unlike a lot of kids' content (looking at you, YouTube), Pixar movies are conversation starters. They give you language to talk about hard things. Use them.

Rewatch value: Kids will want to watch these on repeat (the average family in our community logs 4.2 hours of screen time daily). The good news? Pixar movies hold up. You won't want to throw the TV out the window on the 47th viewing like you might with some other content.

Cultural representation matters: Coco, Turning Red, Soul, and Elemental center specific cultural experiences. If that's your family's culture, these can be powerful mirrors. If it's not, they're important windows. Either way, they're worth watching.

Pixar makes movies that respect kids' intelligence while not overwhelming them emotionally. But "Pixar" isn't a monolithic rating—there's a huge range in what's appropriate when.

The best approach? Know your kid. Some 7-year-olds can handle Inside Out; others need to wait until 9. Some teens will roll their eyes at Turning Red; others will feel seen for the first time.

And here's the thing about that 4.2 hours of daily screen time in our community: if a chunk of it is going to be watching something, Pixar is a pretty solid choice. These movies have staying power, emotional depth, and actual artistic merit.

Want to dig deeper into your family's streaming habits? Take the Screenwise survey to see how your family's viewing compares to others in your community—and get personalized recommendations based on your kids' ages and your family's values.

Not sure if a specific Pixar movie is right for your kid? Ask the Screenwise chatbot for a breakdown of themes, scary moments, and what age it really works for.

Looking for what to watch after you've exhausted Pixar? Check out our guides on Disney Plus and Netflix for age-appropriate recommendations that aren't total brain rot.