At a time when YouTube channels for toddlers are becoming an integral part of cognitive development, are children missing out on Disney classics? We grew up watching movies like The Lion King and The Jungle Book, but what about the next-gen? As an ardent Disney fan, you can’t help but introduce your kids to the best Disney movies for toddlers. These could give you one of the earliest memories of your growing babies walking into the magical world of Disney.
Best Disney movies for toddlers
The toddler age ranges between 1 and 3, so if your baby falls in the age group, they are likely to grasp the following movies:
1. Bambi (1942)
We remember Bambi as an emotional story of a deer who is introduced to life as he explores the world around him. The 1942 classic is considered Disney’s most beloved movie.
It is one of the best Disney movies for young toddlers due to its educational representation through storytelling.
When Thumper introduces Bambi to a butterfly and a bird, he confuses them with something else, and the rectification is a learning process.
2. Cinderella (1950)
Cinderella is a classic, and we resonate with Disney most with this character. The movie represents one of Walt Disney’s iconic creations and a famous bedtime story for growing kids. If you have already introduced the storybook with pictorial descriptions to your toddler, they should also see the visual representation.
3. The Jungle Book (1967)
Before introducing your toddler to the Animal Kingdom theme park at Disney World, this classic is worth a watch. The story has had several renditions, but old is gold.
As your toddler explores their way in the world by crawling, bumping, and grabbing, Mowgli also does so during his adventures. He befriends animal companions, and they fight adversities together, like you’d do with your baby.
4. The Aristocats (1970)
If your toddler loves kittens or you have a pet, they ought to explore the sophisticated version of cartoon cats. The story is about four feline friends who inherit a massive property left to them by their wealthy owner. It gets interesting when the house butler tries to kidnap the cats, and dogs rescue them in the process.
5. The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (1977)
Winnie The Pooh is yet another bedtime story option that comes under the list of best Disney movies for toddlers. The easy-to-understand animation style with the adorable yellow bear and piglet is a great way to introduce the true meaning of friendship. If your baby loves this one, you two can also explore other parts like Piglet’s Big Movie (2003), Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005), and The Tigger Movie (2000).
6. Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo is a family movie exploring similar bonds to ours but in a marine scape. It is filled with life lessons that might be hard for your toddler to understand, but the pictorial representation is attractive.
Finding Nemo was the first Pixar animated movie to get an Oscar for the best feature animation. If your child loves this one, follow it with the 2016 sequel Finding Dory.
7. Cars (2006)
Your toddler indeed has a car or two in their list of toys. It is one universal gift that kids of all genders love to play with. So, when they see colorful Lightning McQueen, they resonate quickly. Cars is a lovely way to tell your child how arrogance isn’t cool, just how the overconfident car character finds himself in a soup that changes his life.
8. Ratatouille (2007)
Ratatouille is one of Pixar’s best works and has a unique adventure ride associated with the movie in EPCOT. Here, the protagonist is a rodent named Remy who loves food. He lives in Paris and craves to eat the best, unlike other rodents who would eat anything (IRL and in the story). The film unveils how he turns into a chef and works with Linguini, and their life is filled with unexpected twists and turns.
9. Wall-E (2008)
Wall-E is a robot who finds himself on an Earth that is wrecked and has no trace of life. He starts exploring the ruins but soon feels lonely. But one day, he finds a spaceship arrives, and Eve enters. The duo finds love in each other and sets out on an exciting space adventure. Wall-E is one of the best Disney movies for toddlers and not scary.
10. Tangled (2010)
Rapunzel is another bedtime story we grew up with. The story of this beautiful princess, the evil Gothel, captured reminds us of twisted childhood tales. The handsome Flynn Rider helps Rapunzel elope from the tower and gives her a new life. It is one of the finest visual representations that is sure to engage baby girls.
11. Frozen (2013)
One of the best Disney Plus movies for toddlers has to be Frozen due to the epic camaraderie shared between the characters. It was also one of Disney’s fresh takes on having no damsels in distress and letting two sisters take the lead.
The story explores how Anna and Elsa need to protect their kingdom from an extreme and unending winter. But one character who melted our hearts was Olaf, the snowman.
12. Moana (2016)
Moana is a treat to watch if you want to introduce your toddler to island life. The scenic animation, blue waters, dusky tanned shades of characters, and their whirlwind full of life are worth a watch.
Moana is also an interactive way to tell your toddler that our environment needs protection for better days ahead. The movie has lovely songs, lessons to learn, and complete entertainment.
Final thoughts
There are plenty more Disney movies for growing kids, but the top 12 here are G Rated. Kids about three years old can watch, enjoy, and engage with such stories. If you have already introduced your baby to some of these, do let us know in the comments.
