50 Movies to Help You Raise a Kind Kid

Last updated: April 7, 2025

Developing character strengths is essential to kids' overall growth and success -- and, believe it or not, kids can learn these key skills, including kindness, through media. Of course, raising a kind kid takes a lot more than showing them good movies, but the films we've selected can spark conversations about kindness and why it's important. From learning to appreciate differences to seeing the importance of friendship, acceptance, and tolerance, these movies might help inspire random acts of kindness in your kids. And if your kids are gamers, we have suggestions for those, too!

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The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Poster Image
MOVIE

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

age 3+

Remains faithful to A. A. Milne's beloved classic stories.

March 11, 1977 1977 G (74 minutes)
The Peanuts Movie Poster Image
MOVIE

The Peanuts Movie

age 4+

Gentle family-friendly comedy has sweet messages.

November 6, 2015 2015 G (93 minutes)
VeggieTales: Lyle, the Kindly Viking Poster Image
MOVIE

VeggieTales: Lyle, the Kindly Viking

age 4+

Faith-based messages about sharing are sweet and funny.

March 24, 2001 2001 NR (30 minutes)
My Neighbor Totoro Poster Image
MOVIE

My Neighbor Totoro

age 5+

Beautifully animated fantasy about friendship fit for all.

June 14, 1988 1988 G (86 minutes)
Ponyo Poster Image
MOVIE

Ponyo

age 5+

Miyazaki's stunning adventure is geared to younger kids.

August 14, 2009 2009 G (103 minutes)
Tangled Poster Image
MOVIE

Tangled

age 5+

Fantastic princess adventure is fun, with great messages.

November 24, 2010 2010 PG (92 minutes)
Babe Poster Image
MOVIE

Babe

age 6+

Heartwarming farm story is touching and a bit scary.

August 4, 1995 1995 G (91 minutes)
Beauty and the Beast Poster Image
MOVIE

Beauty and the Beast

age 6+

Disney fave has great music, strong messages, some scares.

November 22, 1991 1991 G (90 minutes)
Cinderella (2015) movie poster: Cinderella in a blue dress
MOVIE

Cinderella (2015)

age 6+

Visually impressive fairy tale promotes kindness.

March 13, 2015 2015 PG (105 minutes)
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch movie: Max the dog next to a frowning Grinch on a green background
MOVIE

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch

age 6+

Pratfall-heavy take on holiday tale is fun, mostly gentle.

November 9, 2018 2018 PG (90 minutes)
Paddington Movie Poster: Paddington, in a blue coat and red hat, holds a marmalade sandwich
MOVIE

Paddington

age 6+

Charming story about beloved bear has some scares.

January 16, 2015 2015 PG (95 minutes)
Pollyanna Poster Image
MOVIE

Pollyanna

age 6+

Wonderful family film with excellent messages.

May 19, 1960 1960 NR (134 minutes)
The Fox and the Hound Poster Image
MOVIE

The Fox and the Hound

age 6+

Heartwarming tale of friendship, but expect some peril.

January 1, 1981 1981 G (83 minutes)
The Iron Giant Poster Image
MOVIE

The Iron Giant

age 6+

Touching robot-kid friendship tale has great messages.

August 6, 1999 1999 PG (86 minutes)
Trolls Poster Image
MOVIE

Trolls

age 6+

Fun, colorful adventure has some peril, lots of great music.

November 4, 2016 2016 PG (92 minutes)
Up Poster Image
MOVIE

Up

age 6+

Pixar's stunning adventure is an upper for everyone.

May 29, 2009 2009 PG (98 minutes)
An American Girl Story - Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win Poster Image
MOVIE

An American Girl Story - Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win

age 7+

Indomitable girl speaks up for civil rights in sweet story.

October 21, 2016 2016 NR (48 minutes)
Batkid Begins Poster Image
MOVIE

Batkid Begins

age 7+

Tremendously heartwarming, positive docu for all ages.

June 26, 2015 2015 PG (87 minutes)
Dolphin Tale Poster Image
MOVIE

Dolphin Tale

age 7+

Heartwarming tale is sweet, inspiring for kids and tweens.

September 23, 2011 2011 PG (113 minutes)
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Poster Image
MOVIE

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

age 7+

Spielberg's family classic is still one of the best.

June 11, 1982 1982 PG (115 minutes)
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