10 Kids Movies That Are Great Works Of Cinema (#1 Is Rightfully Iconic)

People often underestimate kids’ movies, even though many are beautifully made. Even when a children’s film is truly exceptional, it’s rarely considered a serious work of art.

As a movie fan, it feels like when it comes to kids’ films, everyone only talks about how much money they make, not how good they actually are. Studios pour tons of money into making these movies because they know families will go see them, but the discussion always ends with box office numbers. It’s frustrating because there’s so much more to a great movie than just how much money it earns!

During awards season, films made for families often don’t receive the serious attention they deserve. While animated movies get some recognition, especially for technical aspects, live-action family films are rarely praised for their writing, acting, or directing. Even when respected filmmakers create family-friendly movies, they’re sometimes dismissed as a temporary break from their usual, more dramatic work.

Just because movies are made for children doesn’t mean they’re simple or lack quality. Many classic kids’ films are actually as well-made – or even better – than movies intended for adults.

Children’s movies often lead the way in creativity and new ideas. They become more than just favorites from our youth – they become important parts of our culture that everyone recognizes and enjoys.

10. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

With My Neighbor Totoro, Studio Ghibli became widely recognized and established itself as a leading animation studio. This film essentially defined the style and quality that would become hallmarks of all future Ghibli productions.

An incredibly tight-knit team of only eight animators reportedly made the famous anime in just eight months. The film was released in 1988 and quickly became a critical success.

The movie My Neighbor Totoro follows two sisters as they experience magical adventures with a kind, fantastical creature who lives in the forest. Instead of relying on big conflicts to drive the story, the film beautifully captures the simple joys and wonders of childhood.

With its touching story, peaceful imagery, and beautiful sound, Totoro is a cherished film that appeals to everyone, not just children. My Neighbor Totoro is a truly memorable movie and a perfect example of subtle, masterful filmmaking.

9. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

As a huge Tim Burton fan, I always say that Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is where it all began for him. It really shows off his unique style – the way he creates these incredibly quirky and colorful worlds feels like a live-action cartoon, and it’s absolutely perfect for a character as wild as Pee-wee Herman!

The strength of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure starts with its script. Written by Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman, and Michael Varhol, the film’s straightforward story is a great example of how to tell an effective story in its most basic form. The movie centers around Pee-wee Herman’s cross-country trip to get his stolen bicycle back.

The bicycle is more than just a lost object; it’s what drives the entire, winding story. Pee-wee’s wild adventure takes viewers on a much bigger journey than simply finding it. By the end of the film, it becomes clear that the real achievement isn’t getting the bike back, but how much Pee-wee changes and grows as a person.

This significant film is included in the Criterion Collection, a company dedicated to releasing important classic and modern movies from across the globe.

8. Matilda (1996)

In the 1996 film Matilda, director Danny DeVito brings Roald Dahl’s beloved story to life, following a remarkably intelligent young girl as she unlocks incredible magical abilities.

I absolutely loved how much care and respect went into this film! You can tell DeVito genuinely adored the book, and that shines through. It doesn’t shy away from the more challenging parts of Roald Dahl’s story, but it beautifully emphasizes the hopeful message at its heart. What I appreciated most was that it didn’t ‘dumb down’ the material for kids – it lets children enjoy the wonderfully complex characters and delightfully odd humor, just as the book does.

When Matilda first came out, it didn’t do very well at the box office, earning only $33 million globally despite costing $35 million to make. However, critics generally liked it then, and over time, it’s gained a dedicated following. Now, Matilda is considered a beloved classic and a perfect example of how to successfully adapt a book into a movie.

7. Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story showed that animated movies could be truly groundbreaking. Released in 1995, it was the first feature film created entirely with computer animation, changing the animation world forever.

In 1996, Pixar won a special Oscar for creating the first 3D animated movie. While the groundbreaking technology used in the film seemed amazing at the time, it now looks dated. However, the story of Toy Story – about a cowboy doll and a space ranger toy trying to reunite with their owner – remains beloved and timeless.

With perfectly placed humor and a captivating performance from Tom Hanks, Toy Story is a truly important film. The story continues to be popular, and has expanded with five sequels.

6. The Lion King (1994)

The Lion King is a truly unforgettable movie. When it came out in 1994, it was a huge box office success, bringing in $771 million globally, and it’s still incredibly popular and influential today.

Hans Zimmer’s music for the Disney film was highly praised, receiving three Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score in 1995. Although the film was a strong contender and likely would have won Best Animated Feature, that award category hadn’t been created yet and wouldn’t be for another seven years.

While The Lion King is famous for its stunning animation and incredible music, its brilliant story is often overlooked. Many consider it one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and its powerful story continues to influence writers and filmmakers today.

5. Ernest & Celestine (2012)

As a huge animation fan, I recently discovered Ernest & Celestine, and it completely charmed me. It’s a beautiful French film based on the children’s books by Gabrielle Vincent. What I especially loved is that it was made as a heartfelt tribute to Vincent herself – and you can really feel her independent, spirited personality in Celestine, the little mouse character. She’s small, but definitely mighty!

The film Ernest & Celestine beautifully brings Vincent’s charming illustrations to life with watercolor animation. The movie’s lovely visuals are enhanced by a classical musical score created by cellist Vincent Courtois. At its heart, Ernest & Celestine is a truly artistic film.

It’s no surprise that Ernest & Celestine is such a beautifully made film – the same talented team was behind the acclaimed animations The Triplets of Belleville and The Secret of Kells.

The English-dubbed version of Ernest & Celestine came out in the United States in 2014. That same year, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but Frozen won instead.

4. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Wes Anderson’s debut animated film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, is a clear triumph. Although both Anderson and editor Andrew Weisblum were still learning the stop-motion technique, the final movie feels polished and complete, not like a practice attempt.

The director’s unique and playful style works beautifully in this stop-motion film. The consistently excellent actors deliver performances that truly make the story resonate.

Anderson did something unique: he brought his actors together on a farm in upstate New York to record their lines. He wanted to capture a natural sound, and the video from this session was used as a guide while making the animation. This approach gives the film a realistic and genuine feel, even though it’s a fantastical story.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stand-out Wes Anderson piece that happens to be suitable for younger viewers.

3. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

I still remember being blown away by Who Framed Roger Rabbit when it first came out. It really felt like something new – blending live actors with cartoon characters so perfectly! Looking back, it’s clear that movie paved the way for so many films that do the same thing now – it’s become super common, but Roger Rabbit was the first to really nail it.

This animated film, styled like a classic detective movie, features a tough private investigator (Bob Hoskins) trying to clear the name of Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer). Roger is accused of killing the owner of Toontown (Stubby Kaye), and it’s up to the detective to find the real killer.

Released in 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit—a collaboration between Disney and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment—was instantly celebrated for its impressive technology and grand scope (according to The Credits). The film, rated PG, received seven Academy Award nominations and won four awards in 1989, including a Special Achievement Award for Disney’s innovative blend of animation and live-action footage.

As a huge fan, I still can’t get over how amazing it was to see Disney and Warner Bros. characters together in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. When it came out in 1988, it was such a cool and new experience to see Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny in the same scene – it really blew everyone away!

2. Paddington 2 (2017)

The creators of Paddington 2 aimed to make a good sequel to the charming story of a well-mannered bear, and they ended up making something truly exceptional.

In this new adventure, Paddington embarks on a big quest to get back a valuable pop-up book that was stolen. Along the way, he unexpectedly finds a new group of friends while briefly being held in jail.

Families loved the film’s beautiful visuals and sweet story about being kind. But critics and movie experts especially appreciated how well it was made. Paddington 2 has earned excellent reviews, with a score of 9/10 from Ebaster and a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Paul King, the director of Paddington 2, clearly loves movies, and that passion shines through in the film. It’s a delightful mix of different genres, filled with nods to classic films like The Usual Suspects, Casablanca, and the work of Wes Anderson.

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz isn’t just a film for children; it’s a classic movie that has become a significant part of film history and our culture.

I always thought The Wizard of Oz was the very first movie in color, but I recently learned that’s not quite right! It was the first film made using Technicolor, which was a really groundbreaking way to show incredibly vibrant, full-spectrum colors. Before that, there was a process called Kinemacolor, but it couldn’t produce the same range of colors – Technicolor was a big step up!

The vibrant colors in the film made a strong impact on audiences, and The Wizard of Oz continues to be one of the most famous and cherished movies ever made. It was groundbreaking when it came out in the late 1930s, and its skillful storytelling and beautiful sets have kept it popular for over 87 years.

2026-04-19 18:06