These best children’s animated films make kids laugh out loud and transform their unwanted screen time into valuable learning through entertainment and great storytelling. By incorporating elements of funny scenes, delightful emotions, and the meaning of friendship, these movies engage children for hours. If you’re a parent, teacher, relative, or someone surrounded by kids, then you should set up a comfortable ambiance with some popcorn and show these dedicated animated films to them.
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Best Children’s Animated Films
1- The Iron Giant
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Release Date: July 31, 1999
- Streaming On: Prime
This story perfectly depicts the life of a 90’s kid who enjoys reading comic books and brims with curiosity and imagination. In The Iron Giant, a nine-year-old boy named Hogarth Hughes lives in the small town of Rockwell, Maine. Where he explores the woods and leads an ordinary life. Often, his mother works long hours at a diner and can’t give him enough time.
One night, Hogarth’s curiosity drives him to discover a mysterious object crashing into the nearby ocean. Which reveals itself as a massive alien robot called the Iron Giant. After Hogarth meets this robot with lost memories, who experiences a new world, he forms a unique friendship with it as they embark on an extraordinary adventure that highlights some delightful and great moments.
2- Coco
- IMDb: 8.4/10
- Release Date: October 20, 2017
- Streaming On: Disney+ Hotstar
The most creative narrative, Coco, draws inspiration from the story of the afterlife of humans, which is just as enjoyable as their original life. It opens with a vibrant ambiance in Santa Cecilia, Mexico, where we meet a young boy named Miguel Rivera. He lives with his family and passionately pursues music. Despite his family’s reluctance to let him pursue a career as a musician because of their horrifying history with it, Miguel continues to follow his passion.
On Death Day, he accidentally enters the Land of the Dead, where he meets his ancestors. Who tells him about the true history that his family doesn’t know and the importance of remembering those who have passed away. With the mix of family, love, and the power of music, this story becomes part of the best children’s animated films list.
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3- Zootopia
- IMDb: 8.0/10
- Release Date: February 13, 2016
- Streaming On: Prime and Disney+ Hotstar
- Zootopia 2 Release Date: November 26, 2025
Imagine a bustling city where animals live like humans and work to survive—exciting! You can see this in the list of the next best children’s animated films: Zootopia. The film mainly focuses on Judy Hopps, a determined young female rabbit who aims to become the first bunny police officer in the city. However, her small size makes her family disbelieve in her dream. One day, she decides to leave her hometown to pursue her ambition, and on her first day of police duty, she only receives parking duty.
But during her shift, she quickly gets involved in a dangerous mission when several predators go missing. While tackling this case, a clever fox named Nick Wilde, who has a troubled past, joins her. Together, they face challenges as they uncover the dark reality of the city and confront the fear that threatens the peace in Zootopia.
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4- The Secret Life of Pets
- IMDb: 6.5/10
- Release Date: June 16, 2016
- Streaming On: Netflix and Prime
- The Secret Life of Pets 2 Release Date: May 24, 2019
The next story showcases the bond between humans and their pets, along with the hidden lives of these pets. Set in New York City, the story begins in an apartment where an adorable and smart Jack Russell Terrier named Max lives with his owner Katie. When Katie adopts and brings home Duke, a giant Newfoundland dog, Max’s comfortable and lovable life gets disrupted. The feelings of jealousy and rivalry propel Max and Duke into a chaotic adventure as they find themselves separated from home and captured by a dog cart.
On this journey, they encounter several pets that their owner left behind, including a mischievous rabbit named Snowball. After these vibrant abandoned pets learn the truth about Max and Duke, they start attacking them. Later, the incident reveals that Max and Duke are good friends, and Snowball gains a new cute girl as its owner.
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5- The Secret of Kells
- IMDb: 7.5/10
- Release Date: 30 January 2009
- Streaming On: Prime
The Secret of Kells creates a magical tale that unfolds in 9th-century Ireland that brings it in the best children’s animated films list. Follows the story of a curious and adventurous young boy. The story begins in the Abbey of Kells, where a boy named Brendan and his uncle, Abbot Cellach, work on building a protective wall to defend the abbey from Viking attacks. Despite Brendan’s curious nature, which leads him to an adventure, he discovers that a popular Illuminator, Brother Aidan, has arrived with an incomplete magical book called the Book of Kells.
This book contains unexpected powers and wisdom, prompting Brendan to embark on this thrilling journey to finish it. During his mysterious journey through the forest filled with mythical creatures, he encounters Aisling, a wolf-girl who supports him as he faces challenges and dangers.
6- Despicable Me
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Release Date: August 6, 2010
- Streaming On: Prime
- Despicable 2 Release Date: July 3, 2013 & Includes two more seasons
Despicable Me tells a story famous for its unique characters and their interesting bond, enriched by a heartwarming emotional touch. The film features Felonious Gru, a notorious and experimental supervillain, who devises a grand plan to steal the moon. Accompanied by his loyal Minions, Gru lives in a dark, secretive house filled with an array of high-tech gadgets. However, an undesirable situation prompts him to adopt the three orphaned girls—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—changing his life. Despite his opposite personality, these girls view him as a potential and caring father.
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Initially, he uses them to retrieve a gadget from another villain. But later, he discovers that he is forming a bond with the girls, which challenges his villainous behavior. Throughout the movie, they develop a loving, family-like relationship, making it a great choice for the best children’s animated films list. I’m sure after watching it, you’ll say “banana”….
Enjoy! Best Children’s Animated Films
Engaging your children with the screen must involve these six best children’s animated films, as they deliver meaningful storylines with attractive characters and demonstrate personal growth. This list features classics and current favorites, each embodying essential learning and knowledge for kids.
Zooptopia will release its new film next year, which promises more thrill and excitement. The film reveals new theaters in the city and showcases the great bond between our favorite, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
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