55 children’s movies featuring animals

Do you have a little one in your household who adores movies about animals? Running out of ideas for what to show them next? Then don’t worry – I’ve got your back.

In this post you will find a list of children’s movies all about animals, and all suitable for young audiences. From dinosaurs and dragons through to cats and dogs, this list of movies is sure to entertain young film fans who want something fun to watch.

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Bee Movie (2007)

First up, Bee Movie is an animated movie about a honey bee who sues the human race. The film features the voice talents of Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, and Patrick Warburton.

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Chicken Little (2005)

Next, Disney takes on the story of Chicken Little in this animated adventure film which is part of the Walt Disney Classics collection. Mark Dindal directs, while Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, and Steve Zahn star.

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Curious George (2006)

Based on the book series by H. A. Rey, Margret Ray and Alan J. Shalleck, Curious George is an animated feature about a mischievous monkey. The movie features the vocal talents of Will Ferrell and Drew Barrymore, with Matthew O’Callaghan on directing duties.

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Clifford’s Really Big Movie (2004)

Clifford, the loveable (and large) red Labrador from the book series by Norman Bridwell stars in his own movie. The story sees Clifford join a travelling animal show, in a film aimed at the younger members of the household.

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The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Based on the novel of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix, The Fox and the Hound is an animated drama about two unlikely friends – a fox and a hound. The movie follows their story from their early years, to later interactions when they get older, and details the reasons they drift apart.

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How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

How to Train Your Dragon is a delightful tale about a Viking who befriends a dragon. The film is filled with action and adventure, likeable characters, and some great gags, perfect for the whole family.

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Ice Age (2002)

A collection of prehistoric animals band together in Ice Age – an imaginative and comical tale about friendship. Ray Romano, Denis Leary, Jack Black, and John Leguizamo provide voices, while Chris Wedge directs this hilarious tale that both young audiences and their parents will adore.

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The Good Dinosaur (2015)

In this oft-overlooked Disney-Pixar movie, a young Apatosaurus befriends a human boy, before embarking on an adventure. Peter Sohn directs, while the voice cast includes Anna Paquin, Sam Elliott, Steve Zahn, and Jeffrey Wright.

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The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Disney takes on Sherlock Holmes in this fun adventure movie, which reimagines the world-famous detective as a mouse. The film is imaginative and delightful – a real treat for children.

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The Jungle Book (1967)

Based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, The Jungle Book is a well-loved, well-remembered Disney movie which dates back to the late ‘60s. But despite its age it still feels as fresh as it was upon release and boasts a fantastic collection of songs including The Bare Necessities.

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Shark Tale (2004)

Will Smith, Robert De Niro, and Angelina Jolie star in this animated movie about a fish who gets mixed up with the mob. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and includes a soundtrack featuring the disco song, Car Wash.

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DC League of Super-Pets (2022)

In DC League of Super-Pets, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League take a step back from fighting crime, to allow for a new breed of hero! Step forward: The Super-Pets – a team of heroes led by Superman’s best pal, Krypto!

Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, and Natasha Lyonne are part of the all-star voice cast. Jared Stern directs.

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Lady and the Tramp (1955)

In this delightful, romantic animated film, a refined cocker spaniel and a down-and-out mutt fall in love – Disney style. Lady and the Tramp is largely regarded as one of Disney’s best animated features, and is perfect for the whole family.

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The Lion King (1994)

Disney’s beautifully animated musical about a lion cub who embarks on a journey of self-discovery is a real winner for all ages. Featuring songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, The Lion King is an unforgettable picture which looks and sounds sublime.

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The Nut Job (2014)

Will Arnett, Liam Neeson, and Maya Rudolph star in this adventure movie about a squirrel named Surly and a rat named Buddy. The movie is based on the animated short, Surly Squirrel, with Peter Lepeniotis on directing duties.

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Oliver & Company (1988)

Loosely based around Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist, Oliver & Company follows the story of a homeless kitten who makes friends with a group of dogs. Set in modern-day New York, the movie is filled with songs and colourful characters.

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Brother Bear (2003)

Brother Bear follows the story of a young Inuit boy who is transformed into a bear, in this delightful movie from Disney. Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker direct, while Phil Collins provides the songs.

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Over the Hedge (2006)

Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, William Shatner and Wanda Sykes provide voices in this animated comedy about a group of whacky animals. Based on the comic strip of the same name, Over the Hedge is directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick.

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Open Season (2006)

Open Season follows the story of Boog, a grizzly bear who teams up with a group of woodland critters to fight back against human hunters. Martin Lawrence, Gary Sinise, Debra Messing and Ashton Kutcher provide the voices.

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Piglet’s Big Movie (2003)

Winnie the Pooh’s best friend, Piglet leads the way in this feature-length tale from Disney. The movie includes all of the characters from the Hundred Acre Wood and delivers the charm that Pooh fans have come to expect.

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Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005)

Another fun adventure from the gang in the Hundred Acre Wood, this time focusing on a mysterious creature called the ‘Heffalump’. Frank Nissen directs, while the voice cast includes Jim Cummings, Kath Soucie, and Peter Cullen.

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Ratatouille (2007)

In Ratatouille, a French rat called Remy chases his dream of becoming a chef, with a little help from his friend – a young boy called Alfredo. Brad Bird directs this Disney-Pixar movie, while Patton Oswalt provides the voice of Remy.

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Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

Horses are the focus of this next movie – an animated tale from DreamWorks which was nominated for an Oscar. Matt Damon and James Cromwell provide voices, while Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook direct this animal adventure.

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Garfield: The Movie (2004)

Jim Davis’ lasagne loving feline, Garfield takes centre stage in this live-action movie from director Peter Hewitt. Bill Murray voices Garfield, while Breckin Meyer plays the role of his long-suffering owner, Jon Arbuckle.

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Shaun the Sheep: The Movie (2015)

British animated character, Shaun the Sheep is given his own big screen adventure in the aptly titled film, Shaun the Sheep: The Movie. The film follows Shaun as he goes on an adventure in the big city and features plenty of humour and a colourful collection of characters.

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Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992)

Classic cartoon characters, Tom and Jerry make their feature-film debut in this story about friendship. Unlike their previous encounters, both characters talk, sing, and find common ground.

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Paddington (2014)

Paddington bear takes centre-stage in this adorable family movie about a bear, his new-found family, and his love for marmalade sandwiches. The movie is a sheer delight from beginning to end, and is a wonderful treat for all ages.

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Paddington 2 (2017)

Paddington is back for yet another fun adventure which is just as good (if not better) than the first! This superb sequel offers up a fine mix of belly laughs and heart, as well as a standout turn from Hugh Grant as the film’s hilarious villain.

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Zootopia (2016)

Set in a world entirely populated by animals, Zootopia (aka Zootropolis) follows the story of a rabbit police officer and a con artist fox as they uncover a mysterious conspiracy. The movie won a great deal of praise upon release and even picked up an Academy Award.

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The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

Based on the computer game of the same name, The Angry Birds Movie focuses on a group of birds and a group of pigs, and their ongoing conflict. Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly direct.

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The Land Before Time (1988)

Set during the Jurassic era, The Land Before Time is a wonderful animated movie about family and friendship, from director Don Bluth. Due to the film’s popularity The Land Before Time spawned a long-running series of sequels.

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Blinky Bill the Movie (2015)

Based on the popular children’s character, Blinky Bill, this feature-length movie tells a story set in the Australian outback. Deane Taylor directs, while the voice cast includes Rufus Sewell, Toni Collette, Richard Roxburgh, and Barry Humphries.

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Stuart Little (1999)

Stuart Little is an imaginative live-action movie about a talkative mouse who goes to live with an American family. Stuart Little is a real treat of a movie, ideal for the entire family, and will certainly entertain the younger members of the household.

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Cats & Dogs (2001)

The rivalry between cats and dogs is explored in this live-action movie from director Lawrence Guterman. Jeff Goldblum, Elizabeth Perkins, and Tobey Maguire are amongst the cast.

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Finding Nemo (2003)

An overprotective clownfish sets out on an adventure in search of his missing son, in this hilarious and heartfelt animated comedy from Disney-Pixar. The film is filled with memorable characters, including Dory, a very forgetful fish.

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Finding Dory (2016)

In this sequel to Finding Nemo, Dory becomes the main focus as she embarks on a new adventure in search of her parents. The movie retains the charm of its predecessor, while introducing some new characters.

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DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)

Scrooge McDuck and the gang set off in search of treasure in this animated spin-off from the popular ‘80s cartoon series, DuckTales. The movie features the vocal talents of Alan Young, Russi Taylor, Christopher Lloyd and Rip Taylor.

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Rio (2011)

Set in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Rio follows the story of a macaw who falls in love, but has to contend with a smuggler. Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jemaine Clement provide voices, while Taio Cruz provides the theme song.

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The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

If you’ve ever wondered what your pets get up to when you’re at work, then The Secret Life of Pets answers that question through an animated comedy for all ages. Kevin Hart, Steve Coogan, and Albert Brooks provide voices.

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Help! I’m a Fish (2000)

Alan Rickman, Terry Jones, and Aaron Paul provide voices in this animated adventure story, about a special potion that can transform humans into fish. The movie includes the song Help! I’m a Fish (Little Yellow Fish) and is ideal for younger audiences.

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Sing (2016)

Sing is a fun and frothy animated movie about a group of anthropomorphic animals who take part in a singing competition. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, and Scarlett Johansson, while Garth Jennings directs.

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Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Jack Black voices Po Ping, a giant panda chosen to be a warrior in this animated feature. The movie includes plenty of jokes, along with a strong dose of action, and is suitable for the whole family.

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A Bugs Life (1998)

Inspired by the Aesop’s fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper, A Bug’s Life is an animated movie from Disney-Pixar. The story focuses on a group of insects who fight off a gang of hungry grasshoppers, with Dave Foley and Hayden Panettiere providing voices.

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An American Tail (1986)

The story of young mouse who gets lost when his family emigrate to the US is a delightful tale which continues to wow audiences. The movie was a big success when it was released in 1986, with lead character Fievel Mousekewitz becoming a firm favourite with young audiences. 

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The Aristocats (1970)

This lively Disney movie centres on a family of well-to-do cats, and a friendly alley cat. Wolfgang Reitherman directs, while the voice cast includes Phil Harris and Eva Gabor.

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Bolt (2008)

A dog mistakenly believes he is a super hero in this hilarious animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures. John Travolta plays the role of Bolt, while the supporting cast includes Miley Cyrus, Malcolm McDowell and Diedrich Bader.

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The Gruffalo (2009)

Adapted from the children’s picture book of the same name by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo is a delightful animated movie short about a monster living in a forest. Running to just under 30 minutes, The Gruffalo is perfect for audiences who get a little fidgety watching long films and boasts a cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, James Corden, and Robbie Coltrane.

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The Gruffalo’s Child (2011)

In this follow-up to The Gruffalo, the Gruffalo’s daughter takes centre-stage in another delightful animated movie short. The cast from the previous entry return, and the running time is once again around the 30-minute mark.

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Peter Rabbit (2018)

Based on the Peter Rabbit stories by Beatrix Potter, this live-action movie follows the story of a group of bunnies, living in the English Lake District. Will Gluck directs, while the cast includes Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, Sam Neill and Daisy Ridley.

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Robin Hood (1973)

The legend of Robin Hood is retold in this charming animated feature from Walt Disney. The cast includes Brian Bedford, Phil Harris, and Peter Ustinov.

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G-Force (2009)

The spy genre takes a new turn in this family comedy about a group of guinea pig special agents. The movie features the vocal talents of Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Nicolas Cage, and Penélope Cruz.

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Madagascar (2005)

A collection of New York zoo animals find themselves a little out of their depth when they wash up on the shores of Madagascar, in this wacky and humorous movie. Youngsters will love the characters, while parents will enjoy the opportunity to sit back and watch a family-friendly film.

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The Rescuers (1977)

Two mice, Bernard and Miss Bianca, set out on a mission to rescue an orphan from the clutches of a treasure hunter in The Rescuers, a fantastic Disney movie. Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor play the heroes, while Geraldine Page takes on the role of chief villain, Madame Medusa.

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The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

In this belated sequel, Bernard and Miss Bianca head to the Australian Outback in search of a missing boy. Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor reprise their roles, while the supporting cast includes John Candy and George C. Scott.

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The Wild (2006)

And finally, a group of zoo animals go wild in this animated comedy from Walt Disney. The movie features the vocal talents of Kiefer Sutherland, Jim Belushi and William Shatner.

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Recap

I hope this list of animal movies for young children has proved useful. To save you some time from scrolling back through this post, if you want to jot down the titles here is the list in full.

• Bee Movie (2007)
• Chicken Little (2005)
• Curious George (2006)
• Clifford’s Really Big Movie (2004)
• The Fox and the Hound (1981)
• How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
• Ice Age (2002)
• The Good Dinosaur (2015)
• The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
• The Jungle Book (1967)
• Shark Tale (2004)
• DC League of Super-Pets (2022)
• Lady and the Tramp (1955)
• The Lion King (1994)
• The Nut Job (2014)
• Oliver & Company (1988)
• Brother Bear (2003)
• Over the Hedge (2006)
• Open Season (2006)
• Piglet’s Big Movie (2003)
• Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005)
• Ratatouille (2007)
• Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
• Garfield: The Movie (2004)
• Shaun the Sheep: The Movie (2015)
• Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992)
• Paddington (2014)
• Paddington 2 (2017)
• Zootopia (2016)
• The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
• The Land Before Time (1988)
• Blinky Bill the Movie (2015)
• Stuart Little (1999)
• Cats & Dogs (2001)
• Finding Nemo (2003)
• Finding Dory (2016)
• DuckTales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
• Rio (2011)
• The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
• Help! I’m a Fish (2000)
• Sing (2016)
• Kung Fu Panda (2008)
• A Bugs Life (1998)
• An American Tail (1986)
• The Aristocats (1970)
• Bolt (2008)
• The Gruffalo (2009)
• The Gruffalo’s Child (2011)
• Peter Rabbit (2018)
• Robin Hood (1973)
• G-Force (2009)
• Madagascar (2005)
• The Rescuers (1977)
• The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
• The Wild (2006)

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about animal movies suitable for children. For more posts about children’s movies, please take a look at the recommended reads below.

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