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Your family will be talking all about Bruno after watching Encanto. ©Disney Enterprises, Inc

Our Top Picks for Animated Musical Films for Kids

1. Encanto

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

Encanto may not have had the staying power of Frozen, but it's a great introduction to Lin-Manuel Miranda for little musical enthusiasts. The story of a girl with no powers in a family where everyone has a special power or talent teaches kids about jealousy and not acting like the victim. There are lots of amazing, upbeat songs and a good mix of male and female characters. There's also a song in Spanish, which is a great way to introduce or reinforce another language.

2. Moana

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Apple TV

Moana is an underdog story in which the daughter of an island chief goes against his wishes to try to solve problems on the island. Along the way, she meets a demigod, Maui, whose big ego almost costs them their mission. Another Lin-Manuel Miranda flick, this one has lots of bangers that you'll want to sing along to time and time again. The plot is easy enough for even the littlest kids to follow, plus there's some humor. Moana 2 has a bit more of a complicated plot, and our younger child found it scary.

3. Frozen

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

The animation in Frozen grabs kids' attention right away and doesn't let it go. The story of two princesses, one with powers and one without, has lots of timeless messages about controlling emotions, true love among families, and—unlike some older Disney movies—not falling in love with the first person you meet. Let It Go is still popular among today's preschoolers, so this one has withstood the test of time (at least for a decade now). Frozen 2 is also worth a watch if you have superfans in your house, and more installments are on the way.

RELATED: Best Pixar Movies in Order, As Ranked By Kids & Parents!

The Lion King will quickly become a family favorite. ©Disney Enterprises, Inc.

4. The Lion King

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

This 1998 favorite based loosely on Hamlet has been made into a Broadway show. It's about a young lion who is set to become king until his uncle, who is next in line, does away with his father and leaves him for dead. This is darker than the traditional Disney film, but the music is great. Hakuna Matata and I Just Can't Wait to Be King will forever be in my memory. This one is best for ages 9 and up because many younger kids find it scary.

5. Aladdin

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

With a strong message about being yourself and standing up for what's right, this 1992 classic's fun pre-CGI animation and humor make it a movie the whole family can enjoy. Be ready to explain some stereotypes (like the threat to cut off someone's hand for stealing) and some body image and fashion issues (yes, we all wanted to look like Princess Jasmine in the 90s, but no one really has hair thicker than their waist). But then enjoy some favorite songs, like A Whole New World and Friend Like Me.

6. Trolls and Trolls World Tour

Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Apple TV

Trolls is a heartfelt story of Princess Poppy, who is trying to convince the big ugly bergens to stop eating trolls. She helps bergen maid Bridget get the attention of the prince, who in turn saves the trolls from being eaten by convincing the bergens that there are other ways to be happy. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake shine by singing songs made for the movie as well as pop songs from different eras. Trolls World Tour is about how you can like different things and still get along with others. It includes lots of fun musical genres, from classical and yodeling to hip-hop and K-pop.

RELATED: 100 Best Kids' TV Shows of All Time

 
Your house will be alive with the sound of music. The Sound of Music ©The Everett Collection

Best Movie Musicals for Kids Based on Broadway Shows

7. The Sound of Music

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

The Sound of Music was filmed in 1965, and a fourth generation of children is now learning Do Re Mi and My Favorite Things. It's best for kids in second grade and up, when they may have already been introduced to the history of World War II. The plot is somewhat dated—it's about a would-be nun finding a job as a governess for seven children and a widower—but kids will probably appreciate the historic aspects. And it's always great to see a musical featuring children and some of the emotions they might have.

8. The Wizard of Oz

Streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play

If your kids love Wicked, then they need to see The Wizard of Oz! It's about a girl from Kansas whose house is blown away in a tornado to the fictional land of Oz, where she meets munchkins, a live scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, and travels to see the wizard so she can be sent home. Predating its prequel by almost 80 years, this film contains songs that are part of the vernacular of American culture—everyone knows Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead. I was scared of the winged monkeys as a kid, but updated animation technology makes them seem much less real (and less frightening) to today's children.

9. The Music Man

Streaming on Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Apple TV

This is another old musical that still has life left in it. It's about a salesman who travels from town to town selling instruments to help townspeople form a children's marching band—only he doesn't actually know how to play music. When he falls in love with a librarian and piano teacher in River City, he has to stick around and fake it until he makes it. Songs like 76 Trombones and Gary, Indiana, along with some fun and quirky dance numbers, make this one a spectacle for kids. It's on the long side, though—be prepared to split the 151 minutes into two parts if necessary.

RELATED: Top PBS Kids Shows That Never Get Old

Your kiddos will be singin' in the rain after watching this classic movie. Photo credit: © Metro Goldwyn Mayer

10. Singin' in the Rain

Streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

This 1952 film is older than my kids' grandparents, but it's my son's favorite non-animated musical. It's about silent-film stars Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, who get into a fix when sound comes to films and they realize people will now hear how atrocious Lina's voice is. They bring in Kathy Selden to sing and speak for Lina, and the actors must adjust to their new roles on screen and in life.

This is an interesting period in history that we sometimes forget about, and my kids liked learning about the evolution of movies. The plot is somewhat simple, with a clear good guy and bad guy, but in the end, it's about putting aside your ego and giving credit where it's due. Kids will like the energetic tap dancing sequences, the title song, and the comedic Make 'em Laugh number.

11. Annie

Streaming on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

Based on an old comic strip, Annie is about an orphan who gets taken in by a millionaire for a week. With her precocious attitude, she eventually convinces him to adopt her, but evil orphanage manager Miss Hannigan wants to get more money to let her go. Songs like Tomorrow and Hard Knock Life are now part of pop culture, and the easy-to-follow plot is captivating for kids. There's one part toward the end that may be scary for little ones, as well a bit of racial stereotyping that will likely go over kids' heads.

12. Matilda The Musical

Streaming on Netflix

This modern 2022 film is based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, but includes some heavy helpings of fantasy. Matilda is about a girl who outsmarts her half-wit parents by learning to read, then helps her smart and kind teacher overcome her evil aunt, who is also the school's principal. It's all about using your powers for good and includes the dark humor of a traditional Roald Dahl book. Some parts might be scary for kids under 7.

13. My Fair Lady

Streaming on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

While we don't think about classism in the same ways we may have in the Victorian era, kids may sympathize with the main characters in My Fair Lady. It's about working-class girl Eliza Doolittle, who speaks with a heavy accent, and Henry Higgins, who takes a bet that he can "fix" her so she can pass for a fine lady. Higgins ends up falling for Eliza and improving her diction. It's long and somewhat old, but my kids liked the costumes and the theme of kindness to others regardless of their social status.

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Mary Poppins truly has staying power. Photo credit: ©The Everett Collection.

More Favorite Movie Musicals for Children

14. Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns

Streaming on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

Loosely based on books, this classic and its much newer sequel are about children being cared for by a magical nanny. Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke are unforgettable, making the original Mary Poppins a multigenerational favorite. Everyone loves the songs Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious and A Spoonful of Sugar. The new Mary Poppins Returns features Emily Blunt in the title role. It's not quite the classic that the original is, but it's strong score and lyrics (and a dose of animation combined with live action) make it worth the watch.

15. The Greatest Showman

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

This is the highly fictionalized story of famed circus owner P.T. Barnum and his family as they create and promote the first circuses. Barnum takes his children's suggestion of hiring interesting people instead of just showing off dead animals in a museum. He hires dozens of people who are ordinarily outcasts, like a bearded lady and "the largest man on earth." The songs and visuals are dazzling, and you'll be singing The Greatest Show and A Million Dreams for weeks. Just note that Barnum wasn't quite the philanthropist that the movie makes him out to be.

16. High School Musical

Streaming on Disney Plus, Hulu Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

It's a story of high school romance: an athletic boy meets an academically inclined girl and they fall in love over their theater audition. But, a jealous brother and sister who always get the leads in the play are trying to thwart them. It's a sweet story with a message of doing what you want instead of bending to peer pressure. My kids liked the heavily choreographed dance numbers and teen idols (who are now pushing 40, btw). Like many serialized family movies, the first one is the best and they're all downhill from there.

17. Descendants

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, and Google Play

What happens when the kids of Disney's princesses and heroes meet up with the offspring of its greatest villains? Find out in this series of quirky musicals. Again, the first movie is the best, but the second is still worth a watch. Songs like Rotten to the Core and Evil Like Me are catchy and different from typical movie-musical fare. The message is also solid—kids aren't evil just because their parents are, and no one should be judged for the actions of their parents. There are also strong themes of friendship, cool costumes, and interesting pairings of "Villain Kids" and children of heroes.

RELATED: Best Children's Theaters in the US

 
Kids will root for Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray! Photo: ©Zadan/Meron Productions

18. Hairspray(2007)

Streaming on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

This musical that rallies against racism and sizeism is about plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad and her efforts to get on a teen dance show in the 1960s. She recognizes that Black teens, like bigger girls, aren't getting the same shot at the show and helps them along, too. My kids love the song Can't Stop the Beat and the plucky characters who stand up for equality. Tracy's mother Edna is played by John Travolta in the 2007 version, so be prepared for questions about that. There's also a brief scene where the TV-station manager tries to seduce Tracy's father, which could be questionable for some younger kids.

19. Newsies

Streaming on Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

Who knew kids could like a musical about labor unions? Newsies is about paper boys fighting for fair wages from newspaper tycoons in late 19th-century New York City. It started as a film in 1992 and became a Broadway show in 2012. Starring a young Christian Bale, this show features lots of choreographed dance numbers and great tunes like Santa Fe and The King of New York. The ideas might be hard to explain to kids under 7 or 8.

Tips for Enjoying Movie Musicals with Kids

• Sing out loud! Some family movie musicals even have sing-along editions with the lyrics printed on the bottom. Who doesn't love sing-along movies?
• Discuss the musical's theme or message. Kid-friendly musicals are lots of fun, but that doesn't mean they can't also be a learning experience. Pick age-appropriate musicals with themes you can talk about later.
• Have a themed movie night. Find snacks, drinks, decorations, and maybe even comfortable costumes to wear while watching the movie.
• Pay attention to the movie's length. Keep your kids' attention spans in mind—many children can't make it past the two hour mark unless they're REALLY engaged.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What age are movie musicals appropriate for?

Each musical is different, and I've tried to mark here if something is too scary for kids of a certain age. Each child is also different, so what scared my kids might be fine for yours. And every family has a different comfort level with talking about sex, violence, racism and more. Only you know what's best for your family!

Are there any classic musicals that are still okay for kids?

Yes! The above-mentioned The Sound of Music, Singin' in the Rain, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, and My Fair Lady are all classics that still stand, in my opinion. I love Grease and am on the bubble about showing it to my 10-year-old, but I might fast-forward certain suggestive scenes. On the other hand, I was gearing up to show my kids The King and I, but I watched the trailer and saw plenty of things I didn't want to explain to my kids (such as the King beating his concubine). Racism was also worse 60-plus years ago, so do some Googling and make sure the movie is something you'd be OK showing your kids and talking about later.

How can I tell if a musical is age-appropriate?

As mentioned above, watch the preview. Listen to soundtracks in advance if you aren't sure. Google "What age is ________ appropriate for?" MPAA ratings can be helpful, but consider that the PG-13 rating didn't exist before 1984, so there's less gradation of big-kid vs. little-kid movies that are more than 40 years old.