20 best movies for toddlers that parents will love, too
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Finding movies for toddlers can feel like navigating a maze of overstimulation, questionable plotlines, or humor that doesn’t quite land. But when do you strike the right balance? Movie night becomes a screen time win.
We’ve rounded up a list of toddler-friendly movies that are soft on visuals, easy on plot, and gentle enough for growing minds. Whether it’s a rainy day, a cozy weekend, or you’re just in need of a calm moment, these movies are great picks for toddlers—and enjoyable enough for parents, too.
What makes a movie toddler-friendly?
The best toddler movies tend to share a few key traits:
Simple, comforting storylines with minimal conflict
Soothing visuals and music
Characters toddlers can identify with (think animals, kids, or friendly grown-ups)
Little to no scary moments or fast-paced action
We kept all of this in mind while building our list, so you don’t have to do the filtering.
20 great movies for toddlers
1. Puffin Rock and the New Friends (2023)
Storyline: Oona the puffin and her friends help new arrivals on their island.
Length: 80 minutes
Main character(s): Oona, Baba, new animal friends
Why toddlers like it: Soft animation, calming narration, and short runtime.
2. Winnie the Pooh (2011)
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Storyline: Pooh and his friends search for Eeyore's tail and face a silly misunderstanding.
Length: 63 minutes
Main character(s): Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore
Why toddlers like it: Familiar characters and gentle humor make this endlessly rewatchable.
3. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Tiger Family Trip (2017)
Storyline: Daniel and his family go on a road trip, learning how to handle changes along the way.
Length: 51 minutes
Main character(s): Daniel Tiger, Mom, and Dad Tiger
Why toddlers like it: Recognizable routines and positive messages in musical format.
4. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Storyline: Two sisters explore their new countryside home and meet a magical creature.
Length: 86 minutes
Main character(s): Satsuki, Mei, Totoro
Why toddlers like it: Peaceful pacing and whimsical creatures without high drama.
5. The Snowman (1982)
Storyline: A young boy builds a snowman that comes to life for a magical night.
Length: 26 minutes
Main character(s): The Boy, The Snowman
Why toddlers like it: No dialogue; just music and stunning animation to spark imagination.
6. Luca (2021)
Storyline: A sea creature boy experiences life on land in a sunny seaside town.
Length: 95 minutes
Main character(s): Luca, Alberto, Giulia
Why toddlers like it: Friendship, bright visuals, and very low stakes.
7. Curious George (2006)
Storyline: Curious George follows The Man with the Yellow Hat to the big city, where chaos and fun unfold.
Length: 82 minutes
Main character(s): George, The Man with the Yellow Hat
Why toddlers like it: Light mischief and sweet monkey antics paired with a great soundtrack.
8. The Gruffalo (2009)
Storyline: A clever mouse invents a creature to scare off predators, only to meet it in real life.
Length: 27 minutes
Main character(s): Mouse, Gruffalo
Why toddlers like it: Rhyming narration and animal visuals capture attention.
9. Minions & More 1 & 2 (2022)
Storyline: Compilation of short Minions adventures filled with physical comedy.
Length: Around 48 minutes per volume
Main character(s): The Minions
Why toddlers like it: Goofy, expressive antics that don’t rely on language.
10. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
Storyline: A compilation of three classic Pooh tales stitched together.
Length: 71 minutes
Main character(s): Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore
Why toddlers like it: Gentle humor and a slow pace make it perfect for young kids.
11. A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019)
Storyline: Shaun helps a stranded alien return home while dodging secret agents.
Length: 87 minutes
Main character(s): Shaun, Lu-La
Why toddlers like it: No dialogue, just clever slapstick that toddlers giggle at.
12. Little Bear: The Movie (2000)
Storyline: Little Bear helps a lost cub find his parents with the help of forest friends.
Length: 75 minutes
Main character(s): Little Bear, Cub
Why toddlers like it: Familiar faces and cozy woodland vibes.
13. Miffy the Movie (2013)
Storyline: Miffy and friends go on a treasure hunt at the zoo.
Length: 70 minutes
Main character(s): Miffy, Melanie, Grunty, Snuffy
Why toddlers like it: Primary colors and simple shapes keep things clear and calming.
14. Peppa Pig: Festival of Fun (2019)
Storyline: A string of Peppa shorts linked together with festival-themed interludes.
Length: 68 minutes
Main character(s): Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig
Why toddlers like it: Familiar voices and everyday situations with plenty of humor.
15. Barney's Great Adventure (1998)
Storyline: Barney and the kids find a magical egg that leads them on an adventure.
Length: 78 minutes
Main character(s): Barney, Cody, Abby
Why toddlers like it: Familiar music and dance, with a safe and friendly atmosphere.
16. Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales (2000)
Storyline: Animated adaptations of classic bedtime stories.
Length: 26 minutes
Main character(s): Varies
Why toddlers like it: Familiar books come to life in a relaxing format.
17. Franklin and the Green Knight (2000)
Storyline: Franklin goes on an imaginative quest to bring spring back to his forest.
Length: 77 minutes
Main character(s): Franklin
Why toddlers like it: Gentle themes about courage and change.
18. Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird (1985)
Storyline: Big Bird leaves Sesame Street and learns where he belongs.
Length: 88 minutes
Main character(s): Big Bird, Bert, Ernie
Why toddlers like it: Songs and friendly faces from the beloved show.
19. Elmo in Grouchland (1999)
Storyline: Elmo ventures to Grouchland to retrieve his beloved blanket.
Length: 77 minutes
Main character(s): Elmo, Zoe, Huxley
Why toddlers like it: High-energy musical numbers with lessons on kindness.
20. Ernest & Celestine (2012)
Storyline: A gentle, watercolor-animated tale of an unlikely friendship between a bear and a mouse in a world where their species are expected to fear each other.
Length: 76 minutes
Main character(s): Ernest (a bear), Celestine (a mouse)
Why toddlers like it: The soft animation style, slow pace, and sweet themes of friendship and acceptance make it ideal for young viewers.
Tips for a successful toddler movie night
Keep it short. If your toddler loses interest after 20 minutes, that’s okay!
Create a cozy setup. Blankets, low lighting, and their favorite stuffed animal go a long way.
Skip the trailers. Dive straight into the movie to avoid overstimulation.
Watch together. Your presence makes all the difference.
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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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