50 Movies to Help You Raise a Kind Kid

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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1977)
The Peanuts Movie Poster Image
MOVIE

The Peanuts Movie

age 4+

Gentle family-friendly comedy has sweet messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
VeggieTales: Lyle, the Kindly Viking Poster Image
MOVIE

VeggieTales: Lyle, the Kindly Viking

age 4+

Faith-based messages about sharing are sweet and funny.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2001)
My Neighbor Totoro Poster Image
MOVIE

My Neighbor Totoro

age 5+

Beautifully animated fantasy about friendship fit for all.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1988)
Ponyo Poster Image
MOVIE

Ponyo

age 5+

Miyazaki's stunning adventure is geared to younger kids.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2009)
Tangled Poster Image
MOVIE

Tangled

age 5+

Fantastic princess adventure is fun, with great messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2010)
Babe Poster Image
MOVIE

Babe

age 6+

Heartwarming farm story is touching and a bit scary.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1995)
Beauty and the Beast Poster Image
MOVIE

Beauty and the Beast

age 6+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1991)
Cinderella (2015) Poster Image
MOVIE

Cinderella (2015)

age 6+

Easy-on-the-eyes fairy tale promotes kindness.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Poster Image
MOVIE

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch

age 6+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2018)
The Fox and the Hound Poster Image
MOVIE

The Fox and the Hound

age 6+

Heartwarming tale of friendship, but expect some peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1981)
The Iron Giant Poster Image
MOVIE

The Iron Giant

age 6+

Touching robot-kid friendship tale has great messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1999)
Paddington Poster Image
MOVIE

Paddington

age 6+

Charming story about beloved bear has some scares.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
Pollyanna Poster Image
MOVIE

Pollyanna

age 6+

Wonderful family film with excellent messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1960)
Trolls Poster Image
MOVIE

Trolls

age 6+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2016)
Up Poster Image
MOVIE

Up

age 6+

Pixar's stunning adventure is an upper for everyone.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2009)
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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2016)
Batkid Begins Poster Image
MOVIE

Batkid Begins

age 7+

Tremendously heartwarming, positive docu for all ages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
The BFG Poster Image
MOVIE

The BFG

age 7+

Sweet Dahl book adaptation has big heart, big scares.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2016)
Dolphin Tale Poster Image
MOVIE

Dolphin Tale

age 7+

Heartwarming tale is sweet, inspiring for kids and tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2011)