TL;DR: Pixar remains the gold standard for "high-signal" screen time. While YouTube is flooded with Skibidi Toilet and "Ohio" memes that feel like pure brain rot, Pixar movies actually give kids a vocabulary for their internal lives. If you’re looking for the best of the best to help navigate the "big feelings" era, start here:
- For Anxiety & Puberty: Inside Out 2
- For Intergenerational Drama: Turning Red
- For Grief & Tradition: Coco
- For Temper & Differences: Elemental
- For Neurodivergence Coding: Luca
Ask our chatbot for a Pixar recommendation based on your kid’s current mood
We’ve all been there. It’s 6:00 PM on a Tuesday, you’re exhausted, and the kids are begging for "just one more video." It is incredibly easy to let them fall down a YouTube rabbit hole where the content is loud, fast, and ultimately hollow.
Pixar is the antidote to that.
According to Screenwise community data, about 82% of parents with children ages 5-12 report that Pixar films are their "go-to" for family movie nights because they don't just entertain—they provide a framework for emotional intelligence (EQ). In an era where kids are calling everything "mid" or "Ohio" (meaning weird or cringey), Pixar gives them a way to say, "I’m actually feeling a lot of Anxiety right now, and I don't know where to put it."
The Disney+ era has changed the game. We no longer have to wait for the DVD release; the entire library is at our fingertips. But with that unlimited access comes "choice paralysis." Not every Pixar movie is a masterpiece (we’ll get to the duds in a minute), but the ones that hit, hit hard.
If you’re trying to use screen time as a tool for connection rather than just a digital babysitter, these are the films that do the heavy lifting for you.
Inside Out 2 (Ages 6+)
The first Inside Out was a revolution for teaching kids about Sadness and Joy. But the sequel? It’s basically a survival guide for the middle school transition. It introduces Anxiety, Envy, and Embarrassment in a way that is so relatable it’s almost painful for parents to watch.
- The Play: Use this to talk about the "Console." Ask your kid, "Who’s at the controls right now? Is Anxiety pushing all the buttons?" It turns a complex internal state into a visual they can actually describe.
- Check out our full guide to Inside Out 2
Turning Red (Ages 10+)
This movie was controversial for some parents because it dared to mention... periods. And puberty. And being obsessed with boy bands. Honestly? It’s one of Pixar’s most honest films. It’s about the "messy" part of growing up and the tension between being a "good kid" for your parents and becoming your own person.
- The Play: Perfect for that 4th-6th grade window. It’s a great opener for conversations about body changes and why we sometimes "poof" into big, red monsters when we’re frustrated.
Elemental (Ages 5+)
On the surface, it’s a rom-com about fire and water. But underneath, it’s a story about the immigrant experience, parental expectations, and temper management. Ember’s struggle with her "fiery" temper is something almost every kid (and parent) can relate to.
- The Play: Talk about "why" Ember gets hot. It’s usually not just because she’s angry; it’s because she’s overwhelmed. It’s a great lesson in identifying the feeling under the anger.
Screenwise is a no-BS zone, so let’s be real: Pixar isn't batting 1.000 anymore. While their highs are astronomical, they’ve had some misses that feel more like corporate mandates than art.
The Must-Watches (The High-Signal List)
- Coco: Visually stunning, emotionally devastating (in a good way), and the best way to explain the concept of legacy and grief to a child.
- Toy Story: The OG. Still holds up. It’s about friendship and the fear of being replaced—themes that are evergreen.
- The Incredibles: The best superhero movie ever made, period. It deals with family dynamics and "specialness" better than anything in the MCU.
- Ratatouille: A sophisticated look at talent and critics. Plus, it might actually get your kid to try a vegetable.
The "Maybe Skip It" (The Low-Signal List)
- Cars 2: It’s a weird spy thriller that lost the heart of the first movie. It’s basically a 106-minute commercial for Mattel.
- Lightyear: Confusing premise, a bit dry, and lacks the "spark" of the Toy Story franchise. Your kids will likely be bored by the 45-minute mark.
- The Good Dinosaur: Beautiful backgrounds, but the story is generic and surprisingly intense/scary for younger kids without much emotional payoff.
Ask our chatbot for alternatives to Pixar if you've seen them all
While most Pixar films are rated G or PG, "all ages" doesn't always mean "all developmental stages."
- Preschool (Ages 3-5): Stick to Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Luca. These have clear stakes and aren't too heavy on the abstract concepts.
- Elementary (Ages 6-10): This is the sweet spot. Inside Out, Finding Nemo, and Wall-E are perfect here. They can handle the "sad parts" and understand the metaphors.
- Middle School (Ages 11-14): Turning Red and Soul are the winners. Soul in particular deals with existential dread and "finding your spark"—topics that resonate deeply with the "I'm bored with everything" pre-teen crowd.
There is a real risk of Pixar becoming "background noise" because it's so accessible. When a movie is just another tile on a screen, it loses its "event" status.
To combat this, we recommend the "Screenwise Cinema Style":
- Pick a movie intentionally. Don't just scroll.
- Phones in the basket. Yes, yours too.
- The Post-Game Show. Spend 5 minutes afterward asking one question. Not "Did you like it?" but "Which character did you feel like today?"
If you're worried about too much screen time in general, remember that 90 minutes of a high-quality Pixar narrative is worth 10 hours of Roblox or YouTube Shorts. It’s about the quality of the calories, not just the count.
Learn more about our philosophy on "High-Signal" vs "Low-Signal" media
The magic of Pixar is that it does the "cringe" work of parenting for you. You don't have to give a lecture on anxiety; you just have to point at the screen.
- On Anxiety: "Remember when Anxiety took over Riley’s console and she couldn't sleep? Does your brain ever feel like that?"
- On Inclusion: In Luca, they use the phrase "Silenzio Bruno!" to shut down the negative voice in their head. It’s a fantastic tool for kids struggling with self-doubt.
- On Diversity: Pixar has moved toward much more inclusive storytelling (Coco, Turning Red, Soul). Use these as windows into other cultures and experiences without making it a "lesson." Let the story do the work.
Pixar isn't just a movie studio; it's an emotional toolkit. In a digital world that often feels like a race to the bottom of the attention span, these films require—and reward—focus. They are the "slow food" of the digital world.
If your kid's vocabulary is currently limited to "skibidi" and "gyatt," a Pixar marathon might be exactly what the doctor ordered to remind them (and you) that emotions are big, messy, and totally normal.
- Audit your Disney+ Watchlist: Move the "High-Signal" Pixar films to the top.
- Try a "Shorts" Night: If a full movie is too much, Pixar’s short films (like Bao or Piper) are 5-minute masterclasses in storytelling.
- Take the Survey: If you haven't yet, complete your Screenwise family profile to see how your family's media habits compare to your local community. Are other parents in your district letting their 7-year-olds watch Deadpool? (Spoiler: Probably, but you don't have to).
Ask our chatbot for a curated Pixar playlist for a rainy weekend