8 fun kids’ movies that tackle big topics
Movies aren’t always just entertainment—they can be powerful tools for understanding the world and ourselves. From navigating big feelings and growing pains to learning about friendship, kindness and identity, films hold lessons that can stay with your kids and help address big, scary topics gently. I’m sharing a few of my favorite movies, for kids and parents, that explore how to grapple with emotions, relationships and life’s challenges and changes.
Inside Out (1 & 2)—big feelings and new emotions
These movies are like emotional roadmaps for kids. Inside Out helps children understand that all feelings—even the uncomfortable ones—serve a purpose. For example, sadness isn’t something to fix or push away; it’s something to listen to. And Inside Out 2 takes that understanding deeper, showing what happens when new emotions like anxiety, embarrassment and envy show up as kids grow older and become more connected to their peers but are still figuring out themselves and their place in the world. Together, they remind us that emotional change is normal—and that naming our feelings (and feeling them) helps us handle them with compassion instead of fear.
Fox and the Hound—friendship
This story gently shows that friendship isn’t always simple. Sometimes people we care about take different paths, and that hurts. Kids watching The Fox and the Hound get to see what it means to hold care and sadness at the same time, to miss someone but still wish them well. It’s a quiet way to help children understand that relationships can change without being failures, and that kindness and love can still remain, even after things shift. Not all things are forever, but they can still hold meaning and purpose—and that’s okay.
Wonder—bullying and ableism
Wonder shows how one act of kindness can ripple through other people or entire environments (classrooms, communities, etc.). It’s not just about Auggie; it’s about everyone learning how to treat others with empathy and acceptance. The story opens up space for kids to see the impact of exclusion and to recognize that being kind can sometimes also mean being brave. It helps families talk about difference in a way that’s real but hopeful, and it reminds us that what makes someone stand out is often what makes them unique and extraordinary, in the best way.
Elemental—immigration and the effects of racism
Elemental uses fire and water as a beautiful metaphor for culture, identity and the barriers that exist between people. Kids see what it feels like to be part of two worlds, wanting to honor where you come from while finding where you belong. It’s a gentle way to start conversations about prejudice, belonging and empathy. The movie shows that connection happens when we’re willing to look beyond what separates us and past antiquated societal biases. It highlights that accepting someone for who they are can soften hard lines and begin to cross systemic barriers to change the way we treat people and create communities.
Turning Red—puberty
Turning Red spins the messy, emotional chaos of puberty into something funny, relatable and full of heart and acceptance. It helps kids see that growing up doesn’t have to be scary—it’s just change. And it’s okay to acknowledge that change can be messy and beautiful all at once. The movie makes space for talking about body changes, big feelings and the push for independence in a way that feels natural. It reminds kids (and parents) that those “giant red panda” moments (outbursts, embarrassment, overwhelm, drama) are just signs of someone learning who they are.
The Good Dinosaur—grief and loss
At its core, The Good Dinosaur is about what happens after you lose someone and how you keep going when your world feels different, heavy and hard. It shows kids that grief isn’t a straight line; it’s a journey that includes fear, courage and moments of unexpected joy. Plus that bittersweet moments will come, and it’s okay to feel the joy in them without feeling guilty. Arlo’s story gives families language for loss—not in a heavy way, but in a hopeful one. It’s a reminder that love doesn’t end when someone is gone; it stays with us, guiding us as we find our way forward.
Encanto—generational trauma and nonacceptance
Encanto is a love letter to every family that tries hard but still misses each other sometimes. It shows how pressure, perfectionism and silence can make kids feel unseen, and how healing begins when we start listening to each other, even when we may not understand each other. Every character’s struggle mirrors something real: feeling invisible, misunderstood or afraid to disappoint a long line of family expectations. This story helps kids and parents alike see that love isn’t about earning your place. It’s about belonging, exactly as you are, even when it’s different and uncomfortable.
AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ME FOR HELP, QUESTIONS OR TO SET UP A TIME TO TALK.