Top 20 Underrated Kids Movies

It’s not uncommon for children’s movies to become popular long after they first come out. Sometimes they’re overshadowed by bigger films or don’t get wide release, but they still manage to connect with audiences thanks to great stories, characters kids love, and topics that families can talk about. This collection highlights those hidden gems – movies that might have flown under the radar but still offer plenty of entertainment for both kids and parents.

This collection features both animated and live-action films from studios around the world. Each film listing includes key information like the creators, cast, and subject matter, plus details on any awards or unique production aspects to help you choose the best option for your team.

‘The Iron Giant’ (1999)

‘The Iron Giant’ is a family-friendly animated movie directed by Brad Bird and produced by Warner Bros. It features the voices of Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Christopher McDonald, and Vin Diesel, who voices the Iron Giant himself. The film is based on a novel by Ted Hughes and lasts approximately 90 minutes.

This family-friendly science fiction story is set in the late 1950s and explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and facing fears, all against the historical backdrop of the Cold War. It’s a critically acclaimed film, winning several Annie Awards, and a beautifully restored version is now available for easy home viewing in excellent quality.

‘The Secret of NIMH’ (1982)

Don Bluth’s animated film, ‘The Secret of NIMH,’ is based on the book by Robert C. O’Brien. Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, and Dom DeLuise provide voices for the characters. With a G rating and a short length, it’s a great choice for kids.

This animated film tells the story of a field mouse who teams up with genetically engineered rats to rescue her family. Using traditional hand-drawn animation and a fantastical world, it explores themes of bravery, finding solutions to difficult problems, and the moral considerations of scientific research. The movie is considered a classic of 1980s animation and is still popular in libraries today.

‘The Brave Little Toaster’ (1987)

‘The Brave Little Toaster’ is a family-friendly animated movie directed by Jerry Rees and featuring the voices of Jon Lovitz, Tim Stack, and Deanna Oliver. It first appeared at a film festival and gradually gained popularity through home video releases.

This story centers around a group of household appliances going on a journey to find their owner, offering children a simple and engaging adventure with just enough excitement. It was one of the first stories to suggest that everyday objects could have feelings, inspiring many popular toy-based shows and movies that followed, all suitable for families.

‘The Rescuers Down Under’ (1990)

Okay, so ‘The Rescuers Down Under’ is a classic Disney sequel – totally G-rated, perfect for families. Hendel Butoy and Mike Gabriel directed it, and it’s got a fantastic voice cast including Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, John Candy, and George C. Scott. What’s really cool about this one is it was the first Disney animated movie made using this new digital system called CAPS – a pretty big deal at the time!

This movie takes the adventure to Australia, where a group called the Rescue Aid Society joins forces with a local boy to save a golden eagle from a hunter. It’s fast-paced with exciting flying scenes and emphasizes the importance of working together and protecting wildlife. Because it’s short and action-packed, it’s perfect for younger children who enjoy adventure stories without a lot of talking.

‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ (2001)

‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire,’ directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, features the voices of Michael J. Fox, Cree Summer, James Garner, and Leonard Nimoy. This PG-rated film combines a unique steampunk aesthetic with traditional hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery.

This adventure features maps, languages, and archaeology as the team hunts for a lost civilization. It’s a story that families can enjoy, exploring themes of translation, strong leadership, and appreciating different cultures. Visually, the show has a unique style for the studio, moving away from typical fairy tale musical designs.

‘Treasure Planet’ (2002)

‘Treasure Planet’ is a family-friendly animated movie directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. It’s a fresh take on the classic adventure story, set in space with solar-powered ships and futuristic spaceports. The film features the voices of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, Brian Murray, and Martin Short.

As a total animation fan, I was really drawn to this movie. It’s a classic coming-of-age story, but what really stood out was the relationship between the young character and their mentor. Visually, it’s something special too – they did this cool thing where they combined traditional hand-drawn animation with digital backgrounds. It even got an Oscar nomination! The art style, they call it ‘seventy thirty,’ is a neat blend of old-fashioned design and futuristic sci-fi elements, which I thought was really unique.

‘Akeelah and the Bee’ (2006)

‘Akeelah and the Bee’ is a heartwarming drama, rated PG, about a young girl’s journey to the National Spelling Bee. The film, written and directed by Doug Atchison and produced by Lionsgate, stars Keke Palmer, alongside acclaimed actors Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett.

This film shows how young spellers progress from local competitions to the national level, highlighting the importance of good study skills, guidance from mentors, and strong community backing. It accurately portrays how spelling bees work and includes vocabulary lessons that teachers and parents can easily connect to classroom learning.

‘Meet the Robinsons’ (2007)

‘Meet the Robinsons’ is a family-friendly animated movie created by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Stephen Anderson. It’s based on a story by William Joyce and stars the voices of Daniel Hansen, Jordan Fry, Wesley Singerman, and Tom Selleck.

This film centers around an inventor who travels to the future and meets his family, ultimately discovering the importance of never giving up. It beautifully highlights themes of invention, adoption, and learning from failures. A post-credits message also offers a fun historical connection to the studio that made the movie, which is a neat detail for interested viewers.

‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ (2008)

‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ is a family-friendly fantasy movie directed by Mark Waters. It’s based on the popular book series by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, and stars Freddie Highmore as twin brothers. The film also features Mary Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, and Seth Rogen (as a voice actor).

This story follows a guidebook that unlocks a secret world of fairies living near an old house. The book teaches children the rules governing these magical creatures and how to cleverly overcome them. The fairies are brought to life using a blend of practical effects and digital animation, making them believable even for today’s audiences.

‘City of Ember’ (2008)

‘City of Ember’ is a PG-rated movie based on Jeanne DuPrau’s novel, and was directed by Gil Kenan. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Bill Murray, and Tim Robbins. The filmmakers created an incredibly detailed, fully-built underground city for the movie’s sets.

The story centers on two teenagers who must solve puzzles and follow clues left by the city’s founders to bring the power back on before everything goes dark. It’s a fun adventure with a message about responsibility, how we use energy, and the importance of thinking things through, and it’s sure to spark some good conversations for families after watching.

‘The Secret of Kells’ (2009)

‘The Secret of Kells’ is a family-friendly animated movie from Ireland, directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. Evan McGuire and Brendan Gleeson provide the voices for the characters. The film’s beautiful art style is inspired by ancient Irish manuscripts and Celtic designs.

This movie tells the story of a young apprentice tasked with completing a renowned book while protecting his monastery. It was nominated for an Academy Award and is a great choice for children interested in art and history, as it beautifully illustrates the process of creating art with inks, patterns, and symbols.

‘Arthur Christmas’ (2011)

‘Arthur Christmas’ is a family-friendly animated movie made for the holidays, created by Aardman and Sony Pictures Animation. Sarah Smith directed the film, with Barry Cook as co-director. The voice cast features James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, and Imelda Staunton.

This movie explores how modern technology could revolutionize gift delivery, all while telling a heartwarming story about a family passing down traditions. It touches on themes of shipping and receiving, the importance of heritage, and understanding others, making it a dependable and convenient choice for a cozy night in – especially on school nights, since it’s less than two hours long.

‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!’ (2012)

‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’ is a family-friendly stop-motion animated movie made by Aardman, directed by Peter Lord and Jeff Newitt. The film features the voices of Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, David Tennant, and Imelda Staunton.

This movie follows a pirate crew’s adventures at a science fair and throughout London, offering families a delightful look at the art of stop motion animation – how it brings stories to life using physical sets and models. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and is especially interesting when viewed alongside footage showing the incredible detail and skill that went into creating its miniature world.

‘Song of the Sea’ (2014)

‘Song of the Sea’ is a family-friendly animated movie from Ireland, directed by Tomm Moore and produced by Cartoon Saloon. GKIDS distributed the film in many countries, and the voice cast features David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, and Fionnula Flanagan.

The film is inspired by selkie folklore and features animation created with hand-drawn images and watercolor effects. It was nominated for an Academy Award and its music often sparks family discussions about mythology and different cultures.

‘The Little Prince’ (2015)

Mark Osborne’s animated film, ‘The Little Prince,’ is rated PG and uniquely combines stop motion and computer animation techniques. The film features the voices of Jeff Bridges, Mackenzie Foy, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, and Paul Rudd.

This animated film retells a classic story within a new narrative, following a student and his pilot neighbor. This approach makes the original tale easier for younger audiences to understand. It won the César Award for best animation and is a lovely introduction to literature, exploring themes of imagination and taking responsibility.

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ is a family-friendly adventure movie made using stop-motion animation by Laika, and directed by Travis Knight. The voice cast features Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, and Ralph Fiennes.

This movie draws inspiration from Japanese folklore and is filled with stunning visuals created using thousands of handmade pieces. It was nominated for Academy Awards for both animation and visual effects, making it a great option for children curious about how movies are made with real-world techniques.

‘The BFG’ (2016)

‘The BFG’ is a family-friendly movie based on Roald Dahl’s book, brought to life with a mix of live action and performance capture technology. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant and Ruby Barnhill, with supporting roles played by Penelope Wilton and Jemaine Clement.

This family-friendly movie is a whimsical story about dreams, friendship, and delicious food, featuring impressive visuals and imaginative settings. It was nominated for an Academy Award for its visual effects and is perfect for children who love seeing bedtime stories come to life through animation.

‘The Kid Who Would Be King’ (2019)

Joe Cornish wrote and directed ‘The Kid Who Would Be King,’ a fresh, family-friendly reimagining of the classic Arthurian stories. The film stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Angus Imrie, Patrick Stewart, and Rebecca Ferguson.

This story reimagines the legend of the sword in the stone, placing it in a modern school environment. It establishes a clear system for quests, outlines a code of chivalry, and emphasizes the importance of teamwork. The approximately two-hour narrative follows a complete hero’s journey, blending classroom and family life to represent the character’s training and the obstacles they face.

‘Wolfwalkers’ (2020)

Cartoon Saloon’s ‘Wolfwalkers’ is a family-friendly animated film directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart. The voice cast features Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean, and Maria Doyle Kennedy.

This animated film beautifully combines traditional hand-drawn animation and detailed pencil textures to depict a story taking place in 17th-century Ireland. It was nominated for an Academy Award and is a great resource for teachers looking to connect history lessons about forests and Irish folklore with engaging activities.

‘The Adventures of Tintin’ (2011)

‘The Adventures of Tintin’ is a family-friendly animated movie directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson. Jamie Bell voices the main character, Tintin, and the film also features performances by Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig.

This movie is based on a popular comic book series and includes exciting action sequences filmed with camera techniques similar to live-action movies. It won a Golden Globe award and is often how many children first discover the original books.

Tell us about your family’s favorite lesser-known kids movies in the comments below! We want to help other families find something new to enjoy.

2025-09-28 15:48