This is one of those rare animated films that treats kids like they can handle real emotions—and they can, but it's a lot. From the same studio as The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea is visually breathtaking with hand-drawn animation that feels like a moving watercolor painting.

The Irish folklore is authentic and enchanting, but this isn't a fun romp. It's a meditation on grief, loss, and finding your voice (literally). The mother's absence hangs over everything, and while it's handled beautifully, it's genuinely sad. Some kids will find it profound; others will find it heavy.

The pacing is contemplative—almost meditative—which means kids accustomed to the joke-a-minute style of modern animation might squirm. But for families who value slower, more meaningful storytelling, this is a gem. Just be ready for some big feelings and possibly some tears (yours and theirs).