Whether it's a rainy weekend, the third snow day in a row and you're looking for a quick and easy fix for cabin fever, or the kids are begging for something new to watch before bedtime, having a list of the best toddler movies can come in handy in a pinch. Movies can solve boredom as well as entertain and educate the kiddos on important themes. Luckily, you can find a plethora of kid-friendly movies on Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, to name a few popular streaming services. Regardless of how you stream, the best movies for toddlers combine goofy plot lines and character dynamics with hidden messages that will become clearer to the kids with each watch. Rather than wasting time scrolling, we've compiled the best movies for toddlers you can stream now.
In this epic movie duo, sisters Elsa and Anna learn the true value of family and sibling relationships as they battle an unlikely foe. Get ready to sing to the all-too-catchy tunes and fall in love with adorable characters, like Olaf and Sven.
When a little wilderness explorer knocks on the door of an elderly man in his community, the adventure begins. The two end up floating by way of balloons as they encounter various creatures and an evil villain. Working together as a team, the two develop an unlikely friendship in this 2009 Pixar animated movie.
In this 2007 Pixar film, a little chef (who is, yes, a rat) creates delicious meals at a high-end restaurant thanks to an unlikely friendship with a not-so-culinary great. The moral of this story is three-part: friendship, not judging a book by its cover, and honoring your memories through food.
Get ready to shed a few tears, but also to laugh, as this movie brings so much joy and heart through toys who come to life and save the day. You can also continue on in your Toy Story journey by watching Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4.
What happens when a clown fish named Nemo gets captured by a diver from the ocean and put in a dentist’s fish tank? Clown fish dad Marlin (and a blue reef fish named Dory) set out to find Nemo while making shark, jellyfish, and whale friends along the way.
Gru, who sets out to prove he's the best "bad guy" on the planet, becomes an unlikely good guy when he meets three orphan girls. From the adorable minions to Agnes' cute obsession with all things fluffy, this movie will leave you laughing (and probably crying) multiple times.
A spinoff from the Despicable Me franchise, Minions centers around Gru’s little yellow pals as they go on a search for a new, evil boss to rule their species. They latch onto Scarlett Overkill, who plots to take over the world.
In another Pixar classic, Lightning McQueen, a popular race car, is on a quest to secure the Piston Cup. Unfortunately, he breaks down in a small town called Radiator Springs, but learns a valuable lesson about competition, community, and friendship.
Elmo’s bestie is his blue blanket. So when his BFF got dirty and needed to take a trip to the laundromat, Elmo starts an exciting journey. Many lessons are learned along the way that your child will definitely benefit from learning, too.
In this 1988 classic, a plant-eating dinosaur named Littlefoot loses his mother while she was protecting him from a predator. Before her death, she tells him how to get to Great Valley where he’ll be safe with other dinosaurs like him. Along his journey Littlefoot makes friends and faces the dinosaur who killed his mom.
The Peanuts Movie, which came out in 2015, is the fifth full-length film from the beloved franchise. In this movie, Charlie Brown (who hasn’t aged a bit since the introductory movie 35 years ago) becomes infatuated by a new neighbor. Meanwhile, Snoopy is on his own adventure that, you guessed it, will having you laughing along the way.
Rapunzel, who’s been locked away by a woman posing as her mother, finds herself on an epic adventure in an attempt to find out who she truly is. Luckily, she encounters a thief who eventually becomes a pal and helps her escape to be reunited with her real (not to mention, royal) family.
This animated movie featuring LEGO characters will enthrall and excite. In it, you’ll watch Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) as he embarks on a truly epic journey to save the universe from an evil tyrant (voiced by Will Ferrell) from taking over the world.
A timeless classic, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh premiered in 1977 (and yes, it still holds up). The heartwarming stories of Pooh and his sweet pals Tigger, Piglet, and Rabbit in the Hundred Acre Wood will delight. It’ll definitely bring back memories for parents, too.
Deviating from the overplayed "Disney princess needs to be rescued by a handsome prince" narrative, Moana seeks out adventure and strength instead of a romantic companion. To save her people, Moana (and demigod Maui) voyages across the Pacific Ocean on a mission and, along the way, finds herself.
In another Pixar favorite, a family of superheroes tries to be just that: super. Fighting crime while still somehow living “normal” lives in the suburbs, this dynamic team rescues the world in a way only the super family can.
Curious and enchanted by humans and how they live, Ariel, a mermaid, gets into all sorts of trouble while exploring life outside of the water. Ariel is rendered speechless while evil Ursula makes a move for Prince Eric. Adorable sea creatures Flounder and Sebastian are along for the ride in this Disney classic.
One might say that this is a gateway movie for your little one’s soon-to-be obsession with Thomas, the lovable Tank Engine. So, you know, proceed at your own risk. But the story is very sweet, and your toddler will learn the meaning of friendship and hard work as they meet Thomas and his train tribe for the very first time. All aboard!
In this Dr. Seuss adaptation of the beloved book, Horton, the book’s hero, vows to protect Whoville, a tiny town located on a speck of dust. “A person’s a person, no matter how small,” Horton famously says.
Another Pixar classic, Monsters, Inc. follows James P. Sullivan, a professional scarer, and his pal and coworker Mike Wazowski as they attempt to secure the top scarer spot at Monsters, Inc. The problem? Along the way they uncover a plot that will change the way the monster world operates.
Ysolt Usigan is a lifestyle writer and editor with 15+ years of experience working in digital media. She has created share-worthy content for publishers Shape, What To Expect, Cafe Mom, TODAY, CBS News, HuffPo, The Bump, Health, Ask Men, and Best Gifts. A working mom of two, her editorial expertise in parenting, shopping, and home are rooted in her everyday life.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.