Why are Some Movies/Shows Not Included?
Reason 1: inappropriate/ sexual jokes for age demographics
Reason 2: inter-species relationships included (self-explanatory)
Reason 3: terrifying animation or puppets
Some movies/shows are not included for one of a few reasons (it could also mean I've never seen it or it hasn't been seen recently enough to review it).
Examples of movies not included: Elemental, Happy Feet, Aladdin, Spies in Disguise, Zootopia, Madagascar, Sing, The Bee Movie, Shrek, Kung-Fu Panda, Monster House, and Coraline.
Toy Story - 1995
The experiments that Sid does on the dolls is not something kids under 10 should be seeing. It could cause nightmares.
This movie is pretty scary. The plot and animation is genuinely terrifying. Especially the neighbor, Sid. His character is psychotic.
It can also be scary to think that your toys are actually alive. It can mess with the sense of fantasy vs reality.
Monsters, Inc. - 2001
The scene where Randall uses a machine to extract screams could definitely cause nightmares.
This movie has a lot of horrifying scenes, especially toward the end. Randall is also very scary.
It can also be scary for kids to think that there are monsters in their closet waiting to scare them.
The Incredibles - 2004
The superheros have to stop fighting because they don't actually help anyone, they just cause incredible damage.
This movie features lot of fighting made to seem like a good thing. One of the plots of the movie acknowledges this.
I would recommend this for kids who understand right vs wrong. This is not a good movie to learn from.
Cars - 2006
Lightning McQueen is a great example of learning from your mistakes. His character matures a lot in this movie.
There is no death in this movie. It is great for kids who understand fantasy vs reality but not death.
This movie is a great way to introduce romantic love to children. Sally is a good example of a romantic interest.
Curious George - 2006-2015
George is a good example of a nonverbal character. He vocalizes and communicates in many ways; but, he cannot verbalize words.
Curious George is a great show for any age of child. There are good morals and only mild anti-lessons.
The show is very high contrast which can be over stimulating to some. For low-vision children this makes the show more accessible.
Ratatouille - 2007
Remy the rat is very good at cooking; but, rats should not be allowed in kitchens. This could be seen as an anti-lesson.
This movie is good for children who already understand fantasy vs reality. It could be scary to think that rats could communicate with humans.
The scene where the rats are floating down the sewer is quite scary. There are also 18 rats killed by rat traps and their bodies are displayed.
Phineas and Ferb - 2007-2015
The entire concept of the show is keeping what you do from your parents and manipulating them into thinking your sister is insane.
This show contains a lot of danger and fighting. Phineas and Ferb are also constantly damaging their city with their inventions.
The animation is amazing, though. It isn't scary at all, making it perfect for ages 10 and up. Hopefully at that age they know right from wrong.
Tinker Bell - 2008
A big problem with this movie is the sexualization of Tinker Bell. Her dress is extremely short. Clank and Bobble also compliment her.
This movie is perfect for little kids. Tinker Bell learns from her mistakes and she uses her skills to help people.
The animation is perfect and very unlikely to cause nightmares. There is very little fear and danger in this movie.
Wall-E - 2008
A good lesson is the benefit of exercise. The people who live on the spacecraft are incredibly unfit. They are unable to walk.
This movie has a lot of good life lessons; however, it can be a bit overwhelming for young kids (and adults).
Another good lesson is the benefit of plants. Eve's entire purpose is to find plant matter to prove Earth is livable. This could cause nightmares, though.
Bolt - 2008
The animation and character design can be a bit freaky. Example: the villain, Dr. Calico is terrifying and could cause nightmares.
This movie contains a lot of danger and fighting. There is also abandonment, near-death, fire, and being away from family/ home.
There is mention of themes such as bullying, logic, and the concept of right vs wrong. This could be too much for little kids.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - 2009
The idea that a machine could create food weather is quite scary. It could cause nightmares, especially for kids under 10.
This movie contains a lot of danger. When the food falls from the sky it causes a lot of damage and could injure by-standards.
There is also mild nudity (Baby Brent). Sam is a great example of a love interest. She is perfect for Flint.
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure- 2009
Even though Tinker Bell apologizes for being mean to Terrance and not appreciating his help, it should still be made clear that she was in the wrong.
This movie only slightly scary (the rats at the end). It could cause anxiety for kids who don't like being away from home.
The scene where Tinker Bell wishes for Blaze to be quiet is also very upsetting. Kids should be told that Blaze did nothing wrong.
Up - 2009
It can be very upsetting to see how the villain treats his dogs. They are like experiments to him.
This movie is very sad, but not too scary. It could be a difficult watch for those who have lost a loved one.
The scene where Carl abandons Ellie's chair to make the house lighter is very upsetting for those who have been left with a loved one's belongings.
How to Train Your Dragon - 2010
There is great disability representation in this movie. Both Toothless and Hiccup require prosthetics.
This movie contains a lot of fighting. Hiccup even meets Toothless because he attacks him. Toothless even becomes disabled.
There is also mention of topics like bullying, tradition, and consequences for your actions.
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue - 2010
It should be made clear that Lizzie should never have captured Tinker Bell in the first place. She never learns this as a lesson.
This movie is a bit scary at times. The scene where the cat is chasing the fairies and when they get caught in a water fall are very tense.
A great lesson that is learned is to never go snooping where it isn't safe. Tinker Bell is taken and Vidia has to live with the guilt.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated - 2010-2013
I would recommend this show for age 12+ because of the last couple episodes. They are genuinely terrifying.
This show can definitely cause nightmares. The animation is great; but, the plot lines are incredibly scary.
The show touches on subjects like sexism, fate, panic attacks, ghosts, parental defiance, and love. It has many anti-lessons.
Tangled - 2010
Rapunzel is very easily fooled, so this is a good movie for teaching kids lessons like stranger danger.
This movie is perfect for kids just learning about romantic love. The only problem is that Flynn is not a good love interest. This should be made clear to kids.
It can also be used as a way to teach kids that not all adults are to be trusted, importance of socializing, and the value of nature.
Adventure Time - 2010-2018
Finn and Jake are constantly killing living beings. Sometimes the fights can be pretty gorey. It can definitely cause nightmares.
This show can be genuinely terrifying. The animation is either really cute or really scary. It can be hard to watch. I would only recommend this for kids 15+.
There are a lot of anti-lessons as well. Example: you shouldn't help jerks. Finn's robot arm is also very unrealistic as a usable prosthetic.
Rio - 2011
The villain, Nigel the cockatoo, is animated pretty scarily. His character design on its own is terrifying.
There are a few deaths in this movie that could be upsetting for young children. Especially the frog being eaten by a snake.
Jewel is a good example of a love interest. She is kind, but doesn't encourage Blue's delusions.
Cars 2 - 2011
Motor is treated very poorly in this film. It is made clear that he has a mental disability of some sort. He is treated differently because of it.
This movie contains a lot of death. The cars are killed like it doesn't even matter. One drowns. Another is crushed into a cube.
A lot of cars a blown up in this movie as well. The violence may be too much for some kids. Make sure to explain that violence is bad.
Secret of the Wings - 2012
Tinker Bell can also be very selfish. Her machine ends up causing a frost in summer because she wanted her sister to meet her friends.
This movie can be a bit confusing. It doesn't make sense how the fairies of different seasons can mix. Real seasons don't mix.
This movie also introduces magic (other than the pixie dust). Tinker Bell's wing magically heals when lined up with Periwinkle's.
Brave - 2012
There is a lot of magic in this movie. One of the plots is the daughter, Merida, accidentally poisoning her mom with magic that turns her into a bear.
This movie is pretty scary. The main plot might go over young kids heads as well. It might be hard to understand.
The other main plot is Merida arguing with her mom and them making up. It might be confusing for some kids.
Wreak It Ralph - 2012
There is also mild nudity (shirtless characters) and risque outfits. There is also a character called Satan.
This movie is definitely scary. The Cy-Bugs could cause nightmares or a fear of bugs. The animation can be scary too.
I would only recommend this movie to kids age 10 and up because of mature concepts such as segregation and death.
Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse - 2012-2015
This show is very unlikely to cause nightmares due to the doll-animation style. There is a lot of adult humor that kids won't understand.
This show is a good way to introduce children to fantasy vs reality. The dolls have restrictions similar to reality.
There are some scary plot lines. Example: in episode 1, Barbie's smart closet turns evil and locks her and her friends inside. This might cause nightmares, especially in an AI world.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 - 2013
Chester is the villain of this movie. He takes advantage of Flint and his skills. The misuse of caffeine is also something that should be talked about.
This movie contains more danger (and gluttony) than the first one. The animation for Chester V can also be pretty unsettling. He moves abnormally.
There are some inappropriate jokes. Example: Steve accidentally calls a woman hot and she says "not too bad yourself".
Frozen - 2013
Anna and Elsa's parents die at sea, leaving Elsa to rule Arendelle on her own. Anna also dies twice (she is revived both times).
This movie is a great way to introduce the concept of death to children. Especially the death of a parent.
There is a lot of magic; so, the kids would have to understand the difference between fantasy and reality before watching this.
Gravity Falls- 2013-2016
If your kid has a difficult time differentiating reality and fantasy, this show is not for them. It could cause nightmares. The last episode is horrifying.
I wouldn't let children under 12 watch this show. It features paranormal activity a lot. It also talks about death and the concept of ghosts/haunting.
This show also talks about there being multiple dimensions. The kids' great uncle gets lost in another dimension and is saved.
Steven Universe - 2013-2019
There are some anti-lessons. Example: children are entitled to know everything about their parents' lives.
I would recommend this show to children that already understand intimacy, death, and war. These are the main topics of the show.
This show often touches on subjects like racism. There is also a scene that says the government corrupts. These topics may be too mature for young children.
The Pirate Fairy - 2014
Zarina is very selfish in this movie and she never properly apologizes for everything she did.
This movie can be a little scary at times. The pirates and their swords almost kill the fairies a lot. The singing is also annoying.
It can also be upsetting to see Rosetta abandon the baby crocodile that imprinted on her when it was born.
Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast- 2014
Fawn dies in this movie. She is brought back because of electricity from the Neverbeast. This could cause nightmares for young kids.
This movie can be a very scary at times. The ending is the reason this movie is in 8 and up instead of 5 and up like the other movies.
The end of the movie is very sad. The last 20 minutes (give or take) is very loud and scary. There is constant stress,
Big Hero 6 - 2014
The entire plot of the movie promotes fighting. Because of this, it is best to explain to the kid before watching that fighting is wrong.
This movie is amazing for kids who understand death. The fight scenes can be a bit tense; but, not too scary.
Hiro is a child genius (not a savant because he isn't disabled). He is very good representation of using your gift for good.
Inside Out - 2015
There is mild danger; and, Sadness can be very trouble-prone. This could make kids under 5 frustrated or scared. It can also be used as a learning moment.
This movie is perfect for introducing kids to death (Bing Bong). It also helps kids to understand their emotions and why they happen.
The animation can be very overstimulating. The bright colors and arguing can get you a little anxious.
Star Vs the Forces of Evil - 2015-2019
There are some anti-lessons. Examples: children deserve the freedom to go wherever they please; it can be good to lie to your parents.
This show is good for kids who already know right from wrong. Star can be very selfish and destructive.
There is also mention of war, colonization, and racism. The monsters in Mewni are treated as minorites,
PowerpuffGirls - 2016-2019
One anti-lesson includes: you can cause as much damage as you want as long as you're a superhero.
This show is great for kids that understand reality vs fantasy. There are also anti-lessons every episode.
The Powerpuff Girls are constantly wreaking Townsville and leaving the damage up to others to clean.
Milo Murphy's Law - 2016-2019
The premise of the show is the idea of being a "jinx". This can make kids superstitious and distrusting of certain people.
This show is great for kids that understand reality vs fantasy. Every episode Milo gets into unimaginable danger and has to save himself.
Milo is very admirable for how he lives despite being a "jinx". His friends are very nice to him in spite of his condition making their lives dangerous.
Coco - 2017
It can be scary to think about spirits being able to visit people who are alive; so, keep that in mind. It is also important to tell kids not to take things that aren't yours.
This movie is great for helping kids understand different cultures (for non-latinos). The portayal of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is mostly accurate.
The movie takes creative liberties on its portrayal of the Land of the Dead. It is not known what the Land of the Dead looks like.
Hotel Transylvania: The Series - 2017-2020
If your kid was unable to handle the creepiness of the movie, the series won't be much better. The animation is less scary; but, the plots aren't.
This show is good for kids who enjoyed the first Hotel Transylvania movie. This show takes place after the first movie.
This show touches on subjects such as death, curses, Halloween, Christmas, and other things that might be against some religions.
Trolls: The Beat Goes On - 2018-2019
The animation can be very overstimulating and there is a lot of flashing lights. There is also mild nudity (naked trolls butts).
This show is good for kids who understand fantasy vs reality. It is a good way to learn right from wrong. Each episode is a lesson.
You also need to understand social cues like sarcasm to watch this. Or it can be used as a way of teaching social cues.
Bluey - 2018-2023
Bluey can be a great way to expose your child to other accents (this is to non-Australians).
There are some anti-lessons in Bluey. Example: children should be allowed to get away with things because they are small.
I would recommend this show to children that have already developed a sense of right and wrong. This show should not be where they learn life skills.
Amphibia - 2019-2022
The main concept of the show includes the idea of multiple dimensions, a topic quite mature for some ages. This is why a recommend this show for ages 10+.
This show is fun to watch; but, it isn't good for learning right from wrong. You also need to understand fantasy vs reality.
The end of the show has a lot of fighting and war. The main character even dies and speaks to a God of some sort before coming back to life.
Soul - 2020
The idea that when we die (or enter a coma), our souls all meet at a hub to find their passion might be against the teachings of some religions.
The entire plot of this movie revolves around death and what happens when we die. This could be very overwhelming for some young kids.
The animation is beautiful and not at all scary. The scary part is how Joe enters a coma (falling down a man hole).
Trolls: Trollstopia - 2020-2022
This show is very overstimulating. It can give you a headache if you watch for too long; so, limit watch time.
This show touches on topics like bullying, segregation, and multiple dimensions. There is mild nudity (troll butts).
I recommend this show for ages 8+ because the different troll types can be very confusing. This is how they bring up segregation.