Animation is a medium enjoyed by audiences of all ages, though many movies are aimed towards kids. These movies don’t go above a PG rating and are typically comedic with heartfelt messages. However, while many animated movies can be considered kid-friendly, some are still too dark or complex for younger viewers to sit through comfortably, such as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Luckily, several recent animated releases are both entertaining and void of such narratives that may be too intense for young kids. The recent releases from the past five years or so introduce a range of animated adventures for kids to engage with, from the music-filled story of a magical family in Encanto to Dog Man‘s adaptation of the eponymous graphic novel series.
10
Minions: The Rise Of Gru (2022)
Directed by Kyle Balda
First introduced in 2010’s Despicable Me, the Minions have grown to become iconic figures in animation. The species of yellow creatures were the focus of the prequel movie Minions, which was followed by the more recent Minions: The Rise of Gru. Both films act as prequels to Despicable Me, with the latter detailing the early days of the Minions’ partnership with the aspiring supervillain Gru (Steve Carell).
Admittedly, Minions: The Rise of Gru doesn’t move the Despicable Me timeline forward all that much, but for young audiences who just want to see their favorite unintelligible side characters participating in all sorts of shenanigans, it provides a rewarding watch. The movie is an engaging look into the origins of the characters kids have grown to love and there’s rarely a moment throughout the film that doesn’t result in laughter.
9
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
Directed by Kirk DeMicco
The coming-of-age tale in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is tied up neatly with a timeless message for young audiences. Lana Condor leads the film as the shy Ruby Gillman, a high school student who wishes to fit in with her peers. One rebellious act by Ruby leads her to discover that she is a descendant of the Krakens, which are an underwater species known to be protectors of the sea.
The movie’s minimal violence and frightening scenes are outweighed by its positive depiction of a parent-teenage relationship and the emphasis on the importance of celebrating what makes one different. Additionally, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken has a catchy soundtrack and satisfying humor that round out the film’s appeal and make it one worth returning to.
8
The Croods: A New Age (2020)
Directed by Joel Crawford
Released nearly a decade after its 2013 predecessor, The Croods: A New Age reunites audiences with the Crood family as they set out on another wild adventure. Continuing after the events of the first film, the sequel sees the Croods venturing out for a safe habitat. However, upon finding what initially seems like an idyllic place to settle down, the family is met by their far more advanced neighbors.
The playful conflict between the Croods and the neighboring Betterman family is lighthearted and provides kids with a good laugh.
The improvements from the 2013 film may not be strong enough for some to warrant the seven-year gap between each movie’s release, but The Croods: A New Age remains a fun time for young audiences nonetheless. The playful conflict between the Croods and the neighboring Betterman family is lighthearted and provides kids with a good laugh.
7
Migration (2023)
Directed by Benjamin Renner
The story and message of Migration are relatively simple, yet moving for all audiences, no matter one’s age. At the beginning of the film, audiences see an anxious and overprotective Mack Mallard (Kumail Nanjiani) do everything he can to prevent his family from venturing beyond their home as he worries something bad will happen to them. This all changes when Mack is convinced to migrate with his family to Jamaica.
The main Mallard family is easy to get invested in, and the various characters they meet during their trip add a great amount of humor to the film. Through its comedic and visually stunning adventure, Migration encourages audiences to take risks and put themselves out there. The message is important for kids to hear, but is especially powerful for parents who find they have a lot in common with Mack at the start of the film.
6
Leo (2023)
Directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel & David Wachtenheim
Combining solid musical numbers with a heartwarming tale about a classroom pet is Leo. The тιтle character is a 74-year-old lizard (Adam Sandler) who acts as the classroom pet at an elementary school. The film opens with Leo’s discouraging realization that he only has one year left to live, before he finds his purpose aiding various elementary students, by offering life advice and helping them solve a range of problems.
Sandler proves once again to be a strong voice actor and his friendship with Bill Burr’s Squirtle is among the actor’s best on-screen friendships. The animation, while not necessarily groundbreaking, is agreeable and Leo has an effective message everyone can get behind. Despite his age, Leo’s innate innocence is comparable to that of the young students he befriends, making it easy for audiences to root for his success.
5
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Directed by Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic
Despite earning a mixed response from critics, The Super Mario Bros. Movie did extremely well at the box office, grossing over $1 billion and breaking numerous records. The film is packed with several familiar characters as Mario and Luigi embark on an adventure that leads them to partake in a fight against Bowser. The animated film is action-packed and filled with vibrant imagery guaranteed to catch young kids’ attention.
The movie has just the right amount of nostalgia to please older crowds.
Additionally, there are plenty of Easter eggs in The Super Mario Bros. Movie that older audiences with a wider knowledge of the Nintendo video games can appreciate. The movie has just the right amount of nostalgia to please older crowds, while its fun adventure narrative and memorable soundtrack welcome those who are younger.
4
Dog Man (2025)
Directed by Peter Hastings
Released at the beginning of 2025, Dog Man is a great start to one of DreamWorks’ biggest years. Dog Man is based on Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel series of the same name and follows the тιтular dog-human hybrid who works as a police officer and tries to stop the villainous Petey the Cat from terrorizing the city.
Under dire circumstances, the film sees the two put their differences aside and team up to defeat a common enemy. The movie is elevated thanks to the performances of its talented, comedic cast and has the sort of humor that is sure to please both younger viewers and their parents. Even with all of its silly characters and absurd shenanigans, Dog Man still has a heartfelt message and sets up a promising future for the Captain Underpants franchise.
3
The Bad Guys (2022)
Directed by Pierre Perifel
One of DreamWorks Animation’s best films in a long time, The Bad Guys is a refreshing heist movie that’s entertaining for all ages. The movie revolves around the тιтular group of infamous criminals who begin to have a change of heart and contemplate what it would be like to do good. The movie is a great watch for younger kids, but it has something for everyone to enjoy.
The film’s themes are heartfelt and deep, which add an appreciated amount of depth for older audiences, while presented in a way that’s still easy for younger kids to digest. The unique mix of criminal characters is charming as well, and The Bad Guys‘ animation, inspired by films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, is stunning and sets the film apart from other animated movies in recent years.
2
The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024)
Directed by Pete Browngardt
The nearly century-old Looney Tunes franchise first introduced its famous characters through a series of short films and television specials, with the most recent film being The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. Gaining a wide release in March, the film is the first fully animated theatrical release in the franchise. The movie revolves around Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as they work to save the world from a dangerous alien ploy.
The multigenerational appeal of the Looney Tunes franchise has never been more apparent than in The Day the Earth Blew Up. In the characterization and humor throughout the film, it’s evident that the creative team behind it has a great amount of love and respect for the legacy of the iconic characters. The film provides a welcoming and delightful introduction of these characters to younger audiences.
1
Encanto (2021)
Directed by Jared Bush & Byron Howard
Encanto is one of the biggest movies of 2021, impressing audiences with its musical numbers, worldbuilding, and emotional depth. The film centers around the Madrigals, a family made up of grandchildren who possess a range of magical abilities used to help out others in their community. The film’s protagonist, Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), the only grandchild without a gift, is determined to find out what’s causing the family home to lose its magic.
Encanto does touch on deeper themes like generational trauma, which isn’t something most kids are going to be able to grasp. Still, the film’s catchy soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and colorful imagery do enough to entertain a younger demographic. In addition to the eccentric Madrigal family, who are made up of amusing characters like the future-seeing Bruno and the shape-shifting Camilo.
