When selecting movies for a 2-year-old, it’s important to consider their developmental stage and choose age-appropriate content that is both entertaining and educational. Here are some popular movies that are considered generally suitable for young children:
- “Finding Nemo” (2003) - An animated adventure about a clownfish named Marlin searching for his son, Nemo, with beautiful underwater visuals.
- “Toy Story” series (1995-2019) - These classic Pixar movies follow the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of their toy friends that come to life when humans aren’t around, teaching valuable lessons about friendship and loyalty.
- “Moana” (2016) - A Disney animated film about a young girl named Moana who goes on a journey to save her people, featuring catchy songs and a strong female protagonist.
- “Zootopia” (2016) - An animated film set in a world where anthropomorphic animals live together, highlighting themes of friendship, perseverance, and overcoming prejudice through the budding partnership between rookie police officer Judy Hopps and sly fox Nick Wilde.
- “Coco” (2017) - A heartwarming Pixar film that explores the importance of family and the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
- “The Lion King” (1994) - Often considered one of the best Disney movies, “The Lion King” tells the story of a young lion named Simba and his journey to reclaim his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands.
- “Frozen” franchise (2013-2019) - These movies follow the adventures of two sisters, Elsa and Anna, featuring memorable musical numbers and themes of love, self-acceptance and sisterhood.
- “Shaun the Sheep Movie” (2015) - A delightful stop-motion animated film that follows the misadventures of Shaun and his flock of sheep in the big city.
- “The Gruffalo” (2009) - A short animated film based on the beloved children’s book about a mouse’s encounter with a creature called the Gruffalo in the deep, dark woods.
- “Paddington” series (2014-2017) - These charming movies follow the adventures of a lovable and polite bear named Paddington in London.
- “Winnie the Pooh” series (1966-2018) - The titular Winnie the Pooh and his closest friends such as Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and more are constantly getting into a variety of adventures in their day-to-day life in the Hundred Acre Wood while learning and teaching lessons of friendship and family.
- “WALL-E” (2008) - A charming animated film taking place in the 22nd century, following a garbage-collecting robot named WALL-E who is the last one still functioning and doing his job on the deserted Earth. He forms a relationship with EVE, another robot that was sent to Earth to find signs of life.
- “Ratatouille” (2007) - This imaginative animated movie follows a rat named Remy with dreams of becoming a chef at one of the most famous restaurants in Paris, France. The film features an overall message of pursuing dreams even in the face of unlikely odds and when others tell you that it is impossible or unheard of.
- “Cars” (2006) - Follow along with the journey of rookie race car Lightning McQueen who finds himself trapped in small town Radiator Springs on his way to a championship race with two other race cars. Along the way, he has a change of heart from his arrogant, overconfident ways and finds close friends and a team to support him.
- “The Little Mermaid” (1989) - One of the hallmarks and best movies of the “Disney Renaissance,” this iconic animated tale follows the mermaid princess Ariel as she sacrifices her voice for a pair of legs after rescuing and falling in love with a human prince on the surface.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to preview movies before showing them to your kids to ensure they align with your family’s values and are suitable for your 2-year-old toddler’s individual temperament and sensitivities.