Family Animation backdrop

Family Animation movies

All-ages animated movies with warmth, accessible stakes, and themes of friendship, family, and hope.

171. Arthur Christmas

Arthur Christmas
Drama Animation Family Comedy Family Animation
7.1
20111h 37minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Sarah Smith

Overview

For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in a one-night high-tech operation. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur Claus, the current Santa’s misfit son deemed ineligible for the title, who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present halfway around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Tradition vs modernization, Error tolerance in service, Family pressure and responsibility, Hereditary duty vs merit, Technology vs magic

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

172. Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots
Animation Family Fantasy Adventure Comedy
6.6
20111h 30minUnited States
Director: Chris Miller

Overview

Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend... The Boots.

Themes

Wealth as lure, Loyalty under pressure, Betrayal and alliance, Revenge as motive, Deception within alliances, Fugitive status and public gaze

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

173. The Smurfs

The Smurfs
Animation Family Adventure Comedy Fantasy
5.4
20111h 43minUnited States, Belgium
Director: Raja Gosnell

Overview

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.

Themes

Power and vulnerability, Trust across strangers, Magic as power, Vortex driven transit, Displacement under blue moon, Cat and mouse pursuit

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

174. Cars 2

Cars 2
Animation Family Adventure Comedy Family Animation
6.2
20111h 46minUnited States
Director: John Lasseter

Overview

Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

Themes

Deception and misdirection, Trust vs deception, Loyalty and reconciliation, Espionage within competition, High-stakes racing pressure, Corporate fuel manipulation

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

175. Kung Fu Panda 2

Kung Fu Panda 2
Animation Family Comedy Family Animation Buddy Comedy
7.3
20111h 31minUnited States
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Overview

Po and his friends fight to stop a peacock villain from conquering China with a deadly new weapon, but first the Dragon Warrior must come to terms with his past.

Themes

Power and responsibility, Teamwork under pressure, Mentors and doubt, Heritage and destiny, Belief over fear, Past betrayal and trust

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

176. Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh
Animation Family Comedy Adventure Family Animation
7.1
20111h 3minUnited States
Director: Don Hall

Overview

During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Owl convinces Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named "Backson" and they set out to rescue him.

Themes

Group solidarity under pressure, Honey as motivation, Note misread, Small acts of bravery, Playful collaboration, Uncertainty and fear

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

177. Rio

Rio
Animation Adventure Comedy Family Family Animation
6.9
20111h 36minUnited States
Director: Carlos Saldanha

Overview

Captured by smugglers when he was just a hatchling, a macaw named Blu never learned to fly and lives a happily domesticated life in Minnesota with his human friend, Linda. Blu is thought to be the last of his kind, but when word comes that Jewel, a lone female, lives in Rio de Janeiro, Blu and Linda go to meet her. Animal smugglers kidnap Blu and Jewel, but the pair soon escape and begin a perilous adventure back to freedom -- and Linda.

Themes

Freedom vs captivity, Domestication vs wild, Cross species friendship, Exploitation and rescue, Spectacle as cover, Sanctuary stewardship

Available on

Netflix
Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

178. Hop

Hop
Animation Comedy Family Holiday Family Family Animation
5.4
20111h 35minUnited States
Director: Tim Hill

Overview

E.B., the Easter Bunny's teenage son, heads to Hollywood, determined to become a drummer in a rock 'n' roll band. In L.A., he's taken in by Fred after the out-of-work slacker hits E.B. with his car.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Rebellion and power, Belonging and otherness, Deception and identity, Ambition vs duty, Leadership and legitimacy, Fame vs responsibility

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

179. Rango

Rango
Animation Comedy Family Western Adventure
7.3
20111h 52minUnited States, United Kingdom
Director: Gore Verbinski

Overview

When Rango, a lost family pet, accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Resource scarcity dynamics, Outsider adaptation, Performative leadership, Communal vigilance, Frontier justice and authority, Water politics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

180. Gnomeo & Juliet

Gnomeo & Juliet
Animation Family Family Animation Holiday Family
5.9
20111h 24minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Kelly Asbury

Overview

A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness?

Themes

Forbidden love, Alliances across divides, Community reconciliation, Defiance of authority, Rival garden feud, Transformation of environment

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.