Handpicked by Our Editors

Matilda
Age 8+
5

Matilda

Why We Recommend It

Clever Matilda handles bullying kids and berating adults with fantastical solutions that bend slightly dark and surreal.

Read our full review
Can you trust movie ratings?

Finding movies for kids that are fun to watch and developmentally appropriate takes a bit more digging than a simple movie rating. Unlike MPAA ratings, our family movie reviews look at children's movies from an age-and-stage perspective so you can know what is and isn't recommended for your child's age.

A great place to start: Check our best movies for preschoolers lists to find movies that are a perfect match for your child.

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Movies New in Theaters for Preschoolers (ages 2-4)

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Toy Story 2 (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Toy Story sequel is just as delightful as the first movie. The plot again finds the toys banding together to rescue a fellow toy in peril; the fact that characters are separated from their loved ones could scare or upset the ... read more

Age 4+
Toy Story 2
5
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Toy Story (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that there is separation in the movie -- toys are separated from one another and from their owner (but if your kid made it to preschool without an issue, this should be fine). All of the dynamics behind sibling rivalry are here as well, ... read more

Age 4+
Toy Story
5

New on DVD for Preschoolers (ages 2-4)

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Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this sweet, kid-friendly holiday tale focuses on a lovable pair of moose siblings who have their differences but always support and stick up for each other -- so there are good lessons here for kids about getting along with brothers ... read more

Age 4+
Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure
4
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Yogi's First Christmas (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this musical cartoon from 1980 (re-released for the 2009 holiday rush) is a fun one for kids and adults (unlike more recent kids-only My Little Pony and Mickey Mouse fare). Yogi does have an ardent admirer in the form of Cindy Bear, ... read more

Age 4+
Yogi's First Christmas
4
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Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that though this feature is hailed as a full-length movie, it is actually a collection of shorts, some of which can be found on the Mickey's Christmas Carol DVD. The pace is almost manic, bringing to mind a sugar rush, and some sword ... read more

Age 4+
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
2
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Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this addition to the Dora collection features a multi-ethnic cast of traditional Christmas characters. Santa speaks some Spanish and has brown skin. Dora and her friends celebrate Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, with a table of baked ... read more

Age 3+
Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure
3
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Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that the subplot in this Disney movie is about an argument between friends. The two main characters argue and blame one another until they realize that they need to take responsibility for their actions and forgive each other. Younger ... read more

Age 4+
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
3
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Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this heartwarming holiday story is perfectly appropriate for the entire family. There's no worrisome content and plenty of adventure and Christmas spirit to be found in the main character's magical travels and encounters with ... read more

Age 4+
Little Spirit: Christmas in New York
4
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Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that there is little to be concerned about in this holiday movie. George creates several messes and engages in semi-dangerous activities, like climbing to the top of a Christmas tree that then knocks down all the trees. In one scene, the ... read more

Age 3+
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
3
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A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that even though this colorful holiday special is suitable for kids of all ages, some very young viewers may find the main characters a little scary. There are also extended scenes of cartoon violence in which characters throw fire balls ... read more

Age 4+
A Miser Brothers' Christmas
2
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Veggie Tales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Giving (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that despite a focus on St. Nick in this DVD's title there are many references to God and Jesus and the Bible, as well as churchgoing scenes, making this Veggie Tales offering best for Christian families. However the message about the ... read more

Age 4+
Veggie Tales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Giving
3
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Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that in September 2009 "Mickey's Christmas Carol" became available on DVD as part of the Classic Short Films Animation Collection. Other shorts in the collection include "Pluto’s Christmas Tree," "The Small ... read more

Age 4+
Disney Animation Collection 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol
3
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Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that the age of innocence is alive and well in the Hundred Acres Forest. There are some mildly perilous moments -- falling from heights, mostly -- that end safely. The notion that everyone celebrates Christmas is a given, so parents who ... read more

Age 3+
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving
4
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A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that spooky music and exaggerated voices are the only potentially frightening elements of this Halloween-themed collection of short films. Witches, ghosts, and robbers all make appearances, and while their presence might raise tensions ... read more

Age 4+
A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids
4
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A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that this holiday special starring Jim Henson's beloved characters will delight the whole family. The story includes strong positive messages about dependability, friendship, understanding, and respecting others' feelings. There's no iffy ... read more

Age 4+
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
5
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The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that this optimistic, CGI-animated movie may stoke kids' desire for toys or other products associated with the Strawberry Shortcake brand. Also, the child-like characters many parents remember from childhood have been transformed into ... read more

Age 4+
The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit
2
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Barney: Jungle Friends (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Barney movie focuses on saving the Earth. It's a heavy theme dealt with lightly, by singing and dancing and getting busy cleaning things up. Series fans are sure to enjoy all of the animals that the group encounters in the rain ... read more

Age 2+
Barney: Jungle Friends
3
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Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this playful video has both educational and fantasy elements. Loosely based on the Alice in Wonderland story, Donald and Mickey find themselves in an upside-down world where they have to shrink or solve riddles to get back home. Some ... read more

Age 3+
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland
3
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Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that the latest Thomas & Friends movie will not disappoint aficionados of the industrious tank engine. The franchise mostly sticks to its formula of good-natured yet sometimes squabbling engines performing their daily tasks. But ... read more

Age 3+
Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails
3
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LeapFrog: Let's Go to School (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that the latest educational DVD from popular toymaker LeapFrog focuses on kids’ fears about going to school for the first time. What will they have to learn? How will they know what time it is? As the main characters, Tad and Lily, ... read more

Age 4+
LeapFrog: Let's Go to School
4
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The Tigger Movie (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that because this movie deals with Tigger's search for his "real" family, it may not be a good fit for the youngest adopted children. Expect some mild peril as Tigger searches high and low for his family; at one point he is lost ... read more

Age 3+
The Tigger Movie
3
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VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that the religious content of this movie is not limited to the beginning or end of the movie, as in other VeggieTales features. There are religious suggestions throughout, such as praying before eating chicken nuggets or mac 'n' cheese, ... read more

Age 4+
VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella
3
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Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that this full-length movie features the cast of Disney's TV series My Friends Tigger & Pooh, so your preschoolers may take an interest in the show (if they're not already fans) after enjoying this fun-filled tale. Kids will relate to ... read more

Age 3+
Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too
4
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About Our Reviews

Common Sense Media's movie reviews and ratings for preschoolers are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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