Keeping the kids entertained can be challenging, especially on rainy days or during the school holidays. If you’re out of arts and crafts ideas or can’t bear to watch Finding Nemo for the 100th time, the hardworking parents at Now to Love have rounded up their favourite kids’ movies to stream in New Zealand.
So, take your pick of a light-hearted comedy or action-packed cartoon, grab some popcorn (or your favourite chippies), and get ready for a family night full of good vibes.
Family movies for all ages: 11 best kids’ movies to stream on Disney+ and Prime Video
Moana 2
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Best for: Brushing up on your te reo skills with the whānau at home
Landing on our screens just in time for the April school holidays, Moana 2 brings the adventurous Moana and mighty Maui back to our screens for another epic quest.
With incredible voice talents like Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger and Aotearoa’s own Rose Matafeo, Temuera Morrison and Jermaine Clement, you can watch both the English and te reo Māori versions, making it a fun and easy way to bring te reo into your home. And don’t forget to play the end credits to see what villainous crab Tamatoa is plotting next!
Stream Moana 2 here and Moana 2 Reo Māori here on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Inside Out
Rating: PG
Running time: 96 minutes
Best for: Little ones learning to cope with big feelings
If managing emotions has been a hot topic in your home lately, Inside Out 2 is a must-watch. This Pixar masterpiece explores the world inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind, where the arrival of Anxiety causes a stir among the existing crew: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust.
Surpassing Frozen 2 as the highest-grossed animated film of all time, parents will love the thoughtful plot, while kids will gain some emotional insights and have a few giggles. Then, keep the fun going by catching up on the spin-off miniseries Dream Productions.
Stream Inside Out 2 on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
George of the Jungle
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Best for: Family movie night
If you grew up singing “George, George, George of the Jungle”, you’ll love revisiting this 1997 comedy with your tamariki.
George of the Jungle stars Brendan Fraser as the lovable but clumsy George, a man raised by wild animals after surviving a crash in the jungle as a baby. The movie follows his escapades as he rescues and falls in love with a wealthy American heiress, Ursula Stanhope (Leslie Mann).
Stream George of the Jungle now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Monsters, Inc.
Rating: G
Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Best for: Kids with wild imaginations
Step into the zany city of Monstropolis with Monsters, Inc., where big, furry creatures believe children are dangerous. When human child Boo accidentally crosses over to their world, monsters Sulley and Mike’s lives take a turn.
However, if your little ones are scared of the monsters under their bed, don’t worry because Monsters, Inc. is a tale about friendship where good triumphs evil.
Stream Monsters, Inc. now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Rating: PG
Runtime: 2 hours
Best for: Parents tired of yet another trip to the zoo!
This reimagining of the 1994 Disney Classic The Lion King takes the magic up a notch with photorealistic animation, allowing kids and parents to fall in love with Sima, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa in an entirely new way.
Mufasa: The Lion King stars the iconic Beyoncé as Nala, alongside her daughter Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara (Simba and Nala’s daughter).
Get ready to hum along to the catchy tunes, but disclaimer: keep a tissue box close for some tear-jerking scenes.
Stream The Lion King now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Frozen II: Sing-Along
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Best for: Budding karaoke stars
Turn your lounge into a full-on karaoke session with the sing-along version of Frozen II. By the time you’ve heard the kids sing “Into the Unknown”, “Show Yourself” and “Lost in the Woods” over and over again, don’t forget to “let it go” when the school holidays are finally over!
Stream Frozen II: Sing-Along on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Rating: M
Run time: 3 hours 12 minutes
Best for: A rainy day movie marathon for teenagers
The blockbuster sequel transports viewers back to Pandora’s stunning landscapes, this time exploring what lies beneath the sea. Avatar: The Way of Water follows Jake Sully and his family as they seek refuge with an aquatic tribe while facing challenges to protect their planet from human settlers.
The third highest-grossing film of all time, the movie is definitely worth a watch. With a runtime of over three hours, be sure to stock up on snacks beforehand.
Stream Avatar: The Way of Water on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Elemental
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Best for: A teachable moment about celebrating differences
Set in Element City, where fire, water, earth and air residents coexist, the Pixar animation follows the fiery Ember as she forges a relationship with the highly sentimental Wade, causing her to challenge her rigid beliefs about the world they live in.
A humorous tale about identity and friendships, kids (and parents) of all ages can learn something from Elemental’s feel-good message.
Stream Elemental now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
I Am Groot
Rating: G
Running time: Around 4-5 minutes per episode
Best for: A quick distraction for the kids
It’s technically not a movie, but we couldn’t leave everyone’s favourite troublemaking twig from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, baby Groot, off the list! If you need a quick five minutes to keep the kids entertained while you tackle a task or have some ‘me time’, I Am Groot’s bite-sized episodes pack plenty of laughs in a short space of time.
Stream I Am Groot now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Best for: A lighthearted scare
The latest in the quirky Hotel Transylvania series, Dracula and his pals are transformed into humans by a mysterious new invention.
Hotel Transylvania 4’s A-list voice cast includes Selena Gomez (also of Only Murders in the Building fame), Fran Drescher (The Nanny) and Kathryn Hahn (Tiny Beautiful Things)
Stream Hotel Transylvania: Transformania on Prime Video. Subscribe here for a free 7-day trial.
Air Bud
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Best for: Taking a trip down memory lane
A wholesome ’90s favourite, Air Bud is a story about a lonely boy and a basketball-playing golden retriever.
Parents will enjoy revisiting this classic; after all, it’s where we first heard the iconic line: “There’s nothing in the rule book that says a dog can’t play basketball”.
Share the magic with the next generation and inspire them to believe anything is possible!
Stream Air Bud on Prime Video. Subscribe here for a free 7-day trial.
What is the most-watched kids’ movie in the world?
Frozen’s (2013) unforgettable songs, such as “Let It Go,” make it a favourite, most-watched movie for children everywhere. However, in Aotearoa, other beloved classics like Toy Story, Moana and The Lion King are also household staples.
What are some age-appropriate movies for seven-year-olds?
Speaking from experience, by the age of seven, kids are better at following engaging plotlines and sitting through longer films, which opens up a world of exciting movie options. Movies like Inside Out (2015) and How to Train Your Dragon (2010) are great choices because they balance age-appropriate humour with easily digestible plotlines.
Related articles:
