Family-Friendly Movies Your Three Year Old Will Love

If your toddler insists on watching the same thing every time it's movie night, you may be feeling a bit of deja vu. But don’t worry, it’s totally normal for your three-year-old to be hesitant to watch anything they haven't already seen. And all too common that once they love something, they’ll want to watch only that for the rest of their lives.

Whether it's monthly movie nights or daily screen time, young children are exposed to media at younger ages than before. Forty-five percent of kids are exposed to digital media before they turn one, according to a 2021 study by Front Psychiatry.

A three-year-old's cognitive and emotional skills are developing faster than you can say "Don't touch that!". So it's important to consider how screen time is contributing to their learning.

While watching movies as a family is a great way to bond with your little ones, not all movies are appropriate for growing minds. So, how can you pick something that your kiddo will enjoy while also making sure it helps them learn a thing or two along the way?

Here are some of the best movies for toddlers. They're unlikely to cause nightmares (although we all know that no one can make that guarantee) and are fun enough that your kids will agree to watch again and again.

Why movie time can be wonderful for three-year-olds

Professor of Clinical-Developmental Psychology at York University, Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell says we can use screens to build bridges between parents and kids, rather than using them as babysitters. “Honestly, screens are here to stay and I think that an all-or-nothing approach with the toddler-preschooler group is not reasonable,” she says.

Watching a movie with your little one can provide them with a sense of comfort and security. Dr. Brae Anne McArthur, director of the University of Calgary Psychology Clinic, says there is evidence to suggest that when children and caregivers watch screens together, children are more likely to learn from the experience.

“Past research has shown that parents can aid their children when using media together by directing their child’s attention to specific content, discussing what is being viewed, and reinforcing what they have learned by making it relatable to the child’s day-to-day activities,” McArthur says.

Once a movie is finished, there is also the potential for sparking conversations and learning opportunities, which can help to reinforce key themes and lessons.

For a simple activity, McArthur suggests asking your three-year-old to describe or label what’s on the screen. “When possible, sit down with your child and enjoy media together. Talk about what you are seeing on the screen and get children thinking about what they are watching by asking them engaging, open-ended questions.”

What to look for in movies for three-year-olds

If curling up and watching something with your kiddos sounds like the perfect start to your weekend, here’s how you can pick the right movie for everyone to enjoy.

Keep it short and sweet: Avoid feature-length films. Choose movies or episodes with shorter run times, around 30 to 60 minutes, to match your three-year-old's attention span.

Gentle pace and simple plots: While you may love winding down with an intense action film, even exciting movies for kids might be too much for three-year-olds. Pick a movie that has slow pacing, clear storylines and minimal subplots. This will limit confusion and keep kids engaged.

Make it educational: Look for movies and episodes that focus specifically on teaching your three-year-old different skills. “When programming is developed with education in mind, such as Sesame Street, it can have some small, but beneficial effects on children’s language skills,” McArthur says.

Positive themes and role models: We all remember at least one movie or TV show character we looked up to when we were kids. That’s why it's important to show your little one movies that showcase good role models. Look for episodes that promote kindness, friendship, and problem-solving with characters who give back to the community, stand up for what’s right or persevere through challenging times.

Visually engaging but not over-stimulating: Bright colours, playful animation and loud music can all catch your little one’s attention. However, they can run the risk of becoming too much all at once. Try picking movies that are engaging but avoid overly fast-paced visuals or flashing lights which can potentially be overstimulating.

Age-appropriate content: Nothing is worse than when you realize the movie you're showing your three-year-old is not appropriate for them. Pillai Riddell suggests avoiding exposing children to explicit violence and sexual content in their presence, “even if you think they aren’t watching.” It’s also important to stay away from movies with scary monsters, violence, intense conflict or themes that might be frightening or confusing for your little one.

Top movie recommendations for three-year-olds

Classic animated films

Toy Story

If you’re looking for a movie series to watch with your little one, be sure to turn on the beloved classic Toy Story. While your three-year-old falls in love with animated characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Rex and of course Mr. Potato Head, it will also teach them the importance of acceptance and friendship. The Toy Story series is available on a variety of platforms to stream or rent.

Finding Nemo

Teach your child to “just keep swimming” with Finding Nemo’s heartfelt story about the value of perseverance, bravery and family. This 2003 movie also introduces kids to the beauty of ocean life, however, there is a scene that shows a shark chase, which might be frightening for young viewers. Finding Nemo is available to stream or rent online.

Dumbo

Although originally produced in 1941, Dumbo remains a classic film that teaches kids about acceptance. Sharing this movie with your little ones can be a good way to talk to them about the topic of bullying and encourage them to think about what makes them unique. Since the film was created decades ago, Disney gives a disclaimer that warns viewers about the “negative depictions” and “mistreatment of people or cultures" in the original movie.

Gentle and Educational Series

Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood

If you don’t have enough time to commit to watching a full movie, or your little one has a shorter attention span, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood is a good educational option for your three-year-old. Each episode focuses on building different emotional and social skills such as sharing, forgiveness and how to solve problems with friends. There are compilations of episodes available on the Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood YouTube Channel.

Bluey

For an adorable animated cartoon series, be sure to watch Bluey with your little ones. Each episode follows a puppy named Bluey and her many adventures and heartwarming moments with her family. A Bluey movie is currently in the works, but until then you can enjoy individual episodes on YouTube and on Disney Plus.

Nature and Animal Focused

Paddington

With its heartwarming moments and gentle humour, Paddington is a family must-watch. The live-action film features a young bear from the jungles of Peru, who makes his way to London in search of a new home. Available on a few streaming services, Paddington is a story all about acceptance and the true meaning of family.

Babe

Introduce your kids to life on the farm with Babe, a classic story about a pig who dreams big! The comedy-drama film represents themes of kindness and breaking stereotypes, as it follows a little pig named Babe, who defies his role in the barn and instead learns to herd sheep with some help along the way. Parental co-viewing is suggested as there are some intense scenes for sensitive children.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Invite your kiddo into the hundred-acre wood with Walt Disney’s classic Winnie the Pooh. The 1977 animated musical film uses gentle storytelling to teach your three-year-old important morals and life lessons, especially about the beauty of friendship. While your little one will love the cute animations, you’ll enjoy the nostalgia of this beloved classic.

Music and Engaging

Frozen

Once you watch Frozen with your three-year-old, you’ll finally be able to tell them to “let it go” when they refuse to go to bed one night. Available to stream or rent, Disney’s Frozen is an animated story about sisterly love and overcoming obstacles as a family. Parental guidance is suggested due to some slightly intense scenes.

Moana

There’s no doubt that your kiddo will be singing nonstop once they watch Disney’s Moana. The beautifully animated film is about an empowering heroine who perseveres and follows her dreams. Light parental guidance is suggested due to some intense scenes for very sensitive children. And once they've seen it once, there's a sing-along version to enjoy!

Stop-Motion Charm

Shaun the Sheep Movie

Show your kiddos a unique way of storytelling with the stop-motion animated film, Shaun the Sheep Movie. Available to rent online, the movie follows a clever sheep named Shaun who makes a plan with the other animals to get out of doing work on the farm, only to have a few things go wrong along the way. With slapstick humour and some fast-paced scenes, you’ll want to make sure you’re watching by your little one’s side.

Making movie time a cozy tradition

Create a cozy and comfortable environment

Movie time starts with the right atmosphere. Snuggle up with some blankets on the couch or build a comfy fort with some pillows—just make sure to not fall asleep during the movie! Dim the lights and get some snacks ready if you’re looking to recreate the traditional movie theatre experience.

Watch together and engage

Connecting with your three-year-old while you’re watching a movie together means actually watching with them – not just near them. Ditch your phone, stay present in the moment and interact with them during the movie. Listen to what your kid is saying and answer their curious questions.

Talk about the movie afterwards

One of the highlights after a movie finishes is always getting to debrief its ending. Once the movie is done, discuss the plot, characters and favourite scenes with your little ones.

Ask them questions to encourage reflection and thinking, such as:

• Who was your favourite character?
• What happened in the story?
• How did the movie make you feel?

Connect movie themes to real life

Most movies always connect to a greater life lesson. Encourage your kiddo to think about what they’ve learned from the movie or how the character’s story connects to their own everyday experiences. What does the movie teach them about friendship, kindness or problem-solving?

Be mindful of timing

Although parents might be used to watching TV before they go to bed, it’s important to choose appropriate times for movie watching with your three-year-old. Pillai Riddell suggests to avoid screens within an hour before bedtime, at family mealtimes, and when they are doing other activities like crafts or colouring.

Balancing screen time: movies within a healthy media diet

When it comes to screen time, it's all about balance. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children between two and five have no more than one hour of screen use per day.

Along with movie time, be sure to dedicate time for active play, outdoor time, reading and social interaction. If your little one is starting to become “glued” to the screen, think about setting time limits. For technology like tablets, consider also enabling parental controls if needed.

Even though watching movies with your kids has many benefits, McArthur says screen time does not displace other important activities that keep children healthy.

“In addition to co-viewing, a good idea might be to create a schedule for online and offline activities, such as physical activity, sleep, healthy eating, reading, learning activities and device-free family time,” she says.

“Together, these activities can help children maintain mental and physical health.”

Experts

• Dr. Brae Anne McArthur is Director of the University of Calgary Psychology Clinic.
• Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell is a Professor of Clinical-Developmental Psychology at York University.