Age sweet spot: 4-12
Runtime: 101 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+

This is Pixar doing what Pixar does best—a story simple enough for preschoolers (kid gets accidentally beamed into space, meets aliens) with enough emotional depth and visual creativity to keep older kids engaged. Your four-year-old will love the colorful alien designs and slapstick humor. Your nine-year-old will appreciate the themes about feeling like an outsider and finding where you belong.

Parent note: There are a few mildly tense moments when Elio is first abducted, but nothing that approaches Inside Out 2 levels of existential crisis. The runtime is just over 100 minutes, which is pushing it for some four-year-olds—plan for a bathroom break around the 50-minute mark.

Age sweet spot: 5-11
Runtime: 102 minutes
Where to watch: Peacock, rentals

Based on Peter Brown's beloved book The Wild Robot, this one's a bit more emotionally complex than your typical animated fare. A robot washes up on an island and learns to survive in the wilderness while raising an orphaned gosling.

Your four-year-old might be on the younger edge here—there are some genuinely sad moments and the pacing is slower than something like Moana. But if your preschooler can handle emotional beats (think Encanto territory), they'll be fine. Your nine-year-old will actually be moved by the story about motherhood, belonging, and what it means to be alive.

Parent note: This is one where you might want to preview if your four-year-old is particularly sensitive. The death of the gosling's biological mother happens early and isn't glossed over. That said, it's handled beautifully and leads to some great conversations about different kinds of families.

Age sweet spot: 3-10
Runtime: 100 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+

Look, the original Moana is basically the perfect family movie, and the sequel doesn't mess with the formula too much. More ocean adventures, more catchy songs (none quite as earworm-y as "How Far I'll Go," but your four-year-old won't care), and enough humor for older kids.

The sequel expands Moana's world as she ventures beyond her island to connect with other ocean peoples. Your preschooler gets the visual spectacle and fun sidekicks. Your nine-year-old gets a more mature Moana dealing with leadership and responsibility.

Parent note: If you've already watched the first Moana 847 times, you know what you're getting. The sequel has slightly higher stakes and a few more intense action sequences, but nothing that should trouble either age group.

Age sweet spot: 5-12
Runtime: 108 minutes
Where to watch: Theatrical release (Disney+ later in 2026)

The original Zootopia was brilliant because it worked on multiple levels—cute animals for little kids, surprisingly sophisticated commentary on prejudice and systemic bias for older viewers. The sequel continues this tradition.

Your four-year-old will love the animal characters and sight gags. Your nine-year-old will appreciate the mystery plot and the way the movie tackles bigger themes without being preachy. Plus, the animation is absolutely stunning—the kind of thing that keeps everyone engaged even during slower dialogue scenes.

Parent note: Like the first film, there are some genuinely tense moments and themes that might go over your preschooler's head but could also spark some questions. Be ready to talk about fairness and treating others with respect. Learn more about how to discuss bias and stereotypes with kids.

Age sweet spot: 3-9
Runtime: 83 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix, Peacock

This one's been quietly winning over families since it hit streaming. A family of ducks ventures beyond their pond for the first time, encountering various adventures along the way. It's straightforward, colorful, and blessedly short at 83 minutes.

Your four-year-old will love the slapstick humor and cute ducklings. Your nine-year-old won't be blown away, but the zippy pacing and genuinely funny moments keep it from feeling too babyish. This is a solid "we need something easy on a Tuesday night" pick.

Parent note: There's nothing objectionable here, and the runtime makes it perfect for younger attention spans. It's not going to change anyone's life, but sometimes you just need a movie that won't cause fights.

Somehow these movies are perfect for everyone ages 3 to 93. Gentle enough for preschoolers, clever enough for older kids, and secretly moving enough that you might tear up. Both are on Netflix as of January 2026.

The visual style might be a bit much for some four-year-olds, but if your preschooler can handle faster pacing, this Netflix original is genuinely hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt. Your nine-year-old will love the robot apocalypse plot and internet humor.

Another Pixar winner that nails the age range. Sea monsters, summer adventures, and a story about friendship that works whether you're four or forty. On Disney+ and perfect for when you need something with a shorter runtime (95 minutes).

Kung Fu Panda 4: The action sequences are too intense for most four-year-olds, and honestly, it's not as good as the first three. Your nine-year-old might enjoy it, but it's not worth the tears from your preschooler.

Wish: Disney's 2023 anniversary film looked promising but ended up being too slow for younger kids and too simplistic for older ones. It falls right into the gap between your kids' ages in the worst way.

Most superhero movies: Even the "kid-friendly" ones like recent Marvel releases are generally too long, too loud, and too complex for four-year-olds. Save these for when your youngest is at least six or seven. Check out our guide to age-appropriate superhero content.

Start earlier than you think. Four-year-olds have about 60-75 minutes of attention span for movies, even good ones. Starting at 6:30 instead of 7:00 means you can finish before meltdown territory.

Snacks are strategic. Having something to munch on helps younger kids stay engaged during slower moments. Your nine-year-old will also appreciate this, obviously.

Bathroom breaks are not negotiable. Build in a pause around the midpoint. Your four-year-old needs it, and your nine-year-old can grab more snacks.

Let the older kid have input. If your nine-year-old feels like they got to choose (even if you're steering toward age-appropriate options), they're less likely to complain about watching something "for babies."

Separate screen time exists for a reason. You don't have to watch everything together. Your nine-year-old can watch more complex stuff during their own screen time. Family movie night can be the overlap in the Venn diagram, not the entire circle.

Finding movies that work for both a four-year-old and nine-year-old isn't about finding the perfect film—it's about managing expectations and choosing strategically. The 2025-2026 releases above are your best bets because they layer humor, visual interest, and emotional depth in ways that give both kids something to grab onto.

And look, some nights you're just going to watch Bluey for the 47th time because it's easier than negotiating. That's fine too. According to our data, families average about 4 hours of screen time on weekdays and 5 on weekends—movie night is just one piece of that puzzle.

The goal isn't perfection. It's getting through Friday night with both kids reasonably happy and maybe, just maybe, enjoying something together. These movies can actually do that.

Ask our chatbot for more personalized movie recommendations based on your kids' specific interests.