You do not need to break the bank to enjoy great entertainment. Several legal platforms offer full-length movies completely free of charge. From YouTube official channels to ad-supported services like Tubi and Vudu, the options are endless.
I have curated a list of 32 free movies for kids that are safe, fun, and easy to find. Skip the rental fees and jump straight into the magic with these family favorites.
Key Takeaways
- Explore legal free platforms: Services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Vudu (Fandango at Home) offer massive libraries of free content supported by ads.
- Utilize YouTube: Many studios and distributors upload full-length, legal movies to their official YouTube channels.
- Check ratings first: Free content varies in tone; always verify age ratings to ensure the film suits your child’s sensitivity level.
- Mix of genres: This list covers everything from CGI dinosaur adventures to classic live-action retellings of fairytales.
1. Dino King
- Run Time: 1 hour 28 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: CGI and animated.
- Best for: 10-14 years old.
- Why watch it: This is a visual treat for dinosaur lovers that offers a grittier, more realistic look at prehistoric life than typical cartoons. Speckles, a young Tarbosaurus with a unique birthmark, loses his family to a stampede caused by a rival named One-Eye. Years later, he teams up with a companion named Blue-Eyes to hunt and survive. It is a tale of revenge, survival, and resilience in a harsh ancient world.
2. Son of Bigfoot
- Run Time: 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 11-14 years old.
- Why watch it: It combines superhero-style origin stories with a heartwarming father-son reunion. Adam Harrison feels like an outsider with growing feet and wild hair until he discovers his missing dad is the legendary Bigfoot. He sets out on an epic quest to find him, realizing that he has inherited some wild superpowers of his own.
- Click here to watch.
3. Monster Family
- Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 7-10 years old.
- Why watch it: This film delivers high stakes and colorful characters perfect for kids who love jungle adventures. An evil beaver threatens to destroy the habitat with dangerous pink foam. The Jungle Bunch must unite to stop the explosion before the rainy season triggers a catastrophe. It teaches great lessons about teamwork under pressure.
- Click here to watch.
4. The Jungle Bunch
- Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 7-10 years old.
- Why watch it: Maurice is a penguin who thinks he is a tiger, which is a comedy goldmine for younger viewers. He leads his friends against a villainous koala and an army of baboons. It is silly, action-packed, and emphasizes that you can be anything you want to be, regardless of how you were born.
- Click here to watch.
5. All Dogs Go to Heaven
- Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 8+ years old.
- Why watch it: This Don Bluth classic explores deeper themes of redemption and loyalty that stick with you forever. Charlie, a German Shepherd, cheats death to return to Earth for revenge but ends up caring for an orphan girl who can talk to animals. It is a touching, slightly darker animated musical that respects a child’s intelligence.
6. Happily N’Ever After
- Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 6-9 years old.
- Why watch it: If your kids love Shrek, they will enjoy this fractured fairy tale. The Wizard controlling the balance of good and evil goes on vacation, leaving Cinderella (Ella) to lead a resistance against the wicked stepmother. It flips traditional tropes upside down and empowers the princess to save herself.
- Click here to watch.
7. A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventure
- Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 4-8 years old.
- Why watch it: This is a gentle, educational journey through the oceans that introduces kids to environmental issues. Sammy travels the globe over 50 years, witnessing global warming and human impact while searching for his lost love. It is visually soothing and great for younger children.
- Click here to watch.
8. The Reef
- Run Time: 1 hour 17 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 6-10 years old.
- Why watch it: This is a classic “little guy vs. big bully” story set underwater. Pi, a small fish, loses his parents and moves to the reef, where he falls for a pink fish named Cordelia. Unfortunately, a shark named Troy wants her too. Pi has to learn martial arts from a turtle to defend his new home.
- Click here to watch.
9. Another Cinderella Story
- Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 9+ years old.
- Why watch it: This modern musical twist on the classic tale features catchy pop songs and great dance numbers. Instead of a glass slipper, the protagonist leaves behind an MP3 player. It is a lighthearted, feel-good romance that pre-teens will absolutely devour.
10. Bratz: The Movie
- Run Time: 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 8+ years old.
- Why watch it: It focuses heavily on the importance of maintaining friendships despite social cliques. Yasmin, Cloe, Jade, and Sasha enter high school and are immediately separated by the student body president. They have to band together to break the social hierarchy and prove that best friends stick together.
11. Luis and the Aliens
- Run Time: 1 hour 22 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 5-8 years old.
- Why watch it: This is a zany sci-fi comedy about a lonely boy who befriends three shapeshifting aliens. Luis’s dad is obsessed with proving aliens exist, but he never notices the ones right under his nose. It is a fast-paced adventure about finding your tribe, even if they come from another galaxy.
- Click here to watch.
12. The Dog Who Saved Summer
- Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 7-10 years old.
- Why watch it: If your family loves slapstick comedy and talking dogs, this is a winner. Zeus, a former police dog, gets sent to obedience school after ruining a party. While there, he stumbles upon a diamond heist. It is silly, low-stakes fun that highlights that even “bad dogs” can be heroes.
- Click here to watch.
13. Akeelah and the Bee
- Run Time: 1 hour 52 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 8+ years old.
- Why watch it: This is an incredibly inspiring drama about intellect, community, and perseverance. Akeelah is a bright 11-year-old trying to make it to the National Spelling Bee despite challenges at home and school. It is a powerful film that encourages kids to embrace their talents and not shrink back to fit in.
14. Grandma’s House
- Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 12+ years old.
- Why watch it: Based on a true story, this film tackles tougher subjects like foster care and blended families. Kimberley moves into her grandmother’s strict, crowded home and initially rebels against the structure. Over time, she learns valuable lessons about faith and resilience. It is a good pick for older kids ready for real-world drama.
- Click here to watch.
15. Storm Boy
- Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 9+ years old.
- Why watch it: This Australian classic is a beautiful, emotional story about the bond between a boy and a pelican named Mr. Percival. A now-successful businessman recounts his childhood living in isolation with his father. It deals with ecological themes and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
- Click here to watch.
16. Charlotte’s Web
- Run Time: 1 hour 42 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 5-12 years old.
- Why watch it: This is the definitive adaptation of E.B. White’s beloved novel. It brings the barnyard to life with a mix of live actors and CGI animals. The friendship between Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider teaches children about cycle-of-life concepts gently and beautifully.
17. The Secret of Moonacre
- Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 9+ years old.
- Why watch it: This fantasy film offers lush visuals and a strong female lead. Maria Merryweather moves to a mysterious manor and discovers she is the “Moon Princess” with the power to undo an ancient curse. It is perfect for kids who love magic, mystery, and period costumes.
- Click here to watch.
18. The Big Trip
- Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 7-10 years old.
- Why watch it: It is a classic road-trip comedy featuring animals. A stork delivers a baby panda to the wrong door (a bear’s house), sparking a journey to return the infant to its true parents. The humor is physical and fast, making it an easy watch for a relaxed afternoon.
- Click here to watch.
19. The Magic Kids
- Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 10-14 years old.
- Why watch it: It flips monster tropes on their head. A vampire who can’t see blood and a fairy fearful of flying team up to save their town. It is a quirky, European-style adventure that celebrates misfits and proves that your “weaknesses” can actually be your greatest strengths.
- Click here to watch.
20. Heidi
- Run Time: 1 hour 51 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 7+ years old.
- Why watch it: The scenery alone makes this movie worth watching. It captures the freedom of the Swiss Alps and the innocence of childhood. Heidi is torn between her life in nature with her grandfather and the city life in Frankfurt. It is a wholesome, timeless story about home and belonging.
- Click here to watch.
21. Monster Island
- Run Time: 1 hour 21 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 8-10 years old.
- Why watch it: This is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a creature feature. Lucas finds out he is not human at all, but a monster. He travels to Monster Island to discover his roots. It is colorful, weird, and helps kids understand that being different is something to celebrate.
- Click here to watch.
22. Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom
- Run Time: 1 hour 19 minutes.
- Rating: Not rated.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 8+ years old.
- Why watch it: This serves as a “horror-lite” introduction for kids. It takes the H.P. Lovecraft mythos and makes it accessible for a younger audience. Howard must travel to an undersea kingdom to save his family. It is spooky without being terrifying, perfect for kids who like a little creepiness.
- Click here to watch.
23. A Princess for Christmas
- Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Rating: Not rated.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 8+ years old.
- Why watch it: It is the ultimate holiday comfort food. Jules, struggling to raise her niece and nephew, gets whisked away to a castle in Europe. It hits all the classic notes: royalty, romance, and Christmas spirit. Watch this when you want something sweet and predictable.
24. A Little Princess
- Run Time: 1 hour 48 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 9+ years old.
- Why watch it: Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this film is visually stunning and emotionally deep. Sara Crewe maintains her kindness and imagination even when she is forced into servitude at her boarding school. It is a masterpiece about the power of storytelling and maintaining dignity in hard times.
- Click here to watch.
25. Hope Dances
- Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 9+ years old.
- Why watch it: This is great for kids feeling pressure to pick a single hobby. Hope loves both ballet and baseball, but her parents are pulling her in opposite directions. It is a relatable drama about finding your own identity and balancing expectations.
- Click here to watch.
26. Scales: Mermaids Are Real
- Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 8-14 years old.
- Why watch it: It offers a grounded take on mermaid mythology. Siren discovers that on her 12th birthday, she will transform into a mermaid. It deals with the awkwardness of puberty through a fantasy lens. She has to say goodbye to her human life and friends, adding emotional weight to the magic.
27. The Incredible Story of the Giant Pear
- Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 6+ years old.
- Why watch it: This Danish film is delightfully weird and creative. Mitcho and Sebastian sail a giant pear to find their missing mayor on a mysterious island. It is visually unique and moves at a gentle pace, avoiding the frenetic energy of many modern American cartoons.
- Click here to watch.
28. The Emoji Movie
- Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 5-8 years old.
- Why watch it: While critics were harsh, young kids often love the bright colors and familiar characters. It takes place inside a smartphone where emojis live. Gene, a “meh” emoji with too many expressions, goes on a code-breaking adventure. It is a digital-age story about accepting your multifaceted personality.
- Click here to watch.
29. The Secret Garden
- Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Rating: Not rated.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 8+ years old.
- Why watch it: This version adds a steampunk aesthetic to the classic tale. Mary Lennox discovers a magical garden that helps heal her and her cousin. It emphasizes the healing power of nature and friendship, with a unique visual style that sets it apart from other adaptations.
- Click here to watch.
30. Bob the Butler
- Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 12+ years old.
- Why watch it: Tom Green stars in this family comedy, toning down his usual antics for a PG audience. Bob is a clumsy oddball who tries to become a proper British butler. It is a fish-out-of-water story that is goofy and heartwarming as Bob tries to help a disorganized family get their act together.
- Click here to watch.
31. Madagascar
- Run Time: 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Rating: PG.
- Animated: Yes.
- Best for: 7-12 years old.
- Why watch it: This is a high-energy classic featuring some of the most memorable zoo animals in cinema history. Alex the Lion and his friends are thrust from their pampered NY life into the wild. It is packed with quotable lines (“I like to move it, move it!”) and explores the dynamics of friendship when pushed out of your comfort zone.
- Click here to watch.
32. Three Wishes for Cinderella
- Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Rating: G.
- Animated: No, live action.
- Best for: 7+ years old.
- Why watch it: This is a beloved European classic (originally Czech/German) that presents a much more active Cinderella. She shoots crossbows, rides horses, and charms the prince before the ball even starts. It uses magical acorns instead of a fairy godmother and feels like a winter wonderland fairytale come to life.
- Click here to watch.
FAQs
Time for Movie Night
With these 32 recommendations spanning YouTube, Amazon, and Vudu, you are all set for an affordable evening of entertainment. From hidden animated gems to nostalgic live-action classics, there is something here for every age group.
Grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy the show. You have plenty of magic to explore without spending a dime!






