Smart Screen Time for Kids — Movies That Teach More Than You Think

"Screen time is bad for kids." We hear it often, but not all screen time is necessarily harmful. In fact, some movies can actively contribute to a child's emotional and moral development. This idea struck me while watching Inside Out 2, when I realized just how valuable certain films can be in exploring complex themes.

It got me thinking: what other films could be examples of smart screen time that parents and children can watch together to make difficult topics more approachable? Here are a few:

Inside Out 2 (2024) — Pixar

Theme: Emotional development during adolescence
Brief Intro: In Inside Out 2, we once again follow Riley, but this time she enters puberty. Alongside familiar emotions like joy, anger, fear, disgust, and sadness, more complex emotions such as insecurity, boredom, jealousy, and shame are introduced.
Explanation: This film offers a unique insight into the emotional changes children experience during puberty. Inside Out 2 shows how these new, complex emotions shape behavior and decision-making, with insecurity playing a key role. It provides a great opportunity to talk with kids about their own feelings during adolescence. The movie makes discussing difficult but relatable emotions easy, playful, and accessible.

Brother Bear (2003) — Disney

Theme: Empathy
Brief intro: Brother Bear tells the story of three brothers, the eldest of whom is killed by a bear. The youngest brother swears revenge and kills the bear. As punishment for this senseless act of violence, he is turned into a bear himself.
Explanation: At the beginning of the film, you sympathize with the youngest brother's feelings of revenge, but as the story progresses, you start to understand the perspective of the bear that killed his older brother. This film beautifully teaches children the importance of empathy, literally putting them in someone else's shoes—or paws. It’s a great conversation starter about seeing things from different perspectives.

Big Hero 6 (2014) — Disney & Marvel

Theme: Coping with loss
Brief intro: In Big Hero 6, Hiro, the main character, loses his brother, a brilliant inventor. His brother’s last invention, a large inflatable robot named Baymax, becomes Hiro’s support. Together with his friends, Hiro embarks on an adventure to process his grief.
Explanation: This film portrays the different stages of grief. Initially, Hiro avoids his sadness by distracting himself, but with the help of his friends and Baymax, he gradually comes to terms with his loss. Despite the heavy topic, the movie is light and action-packed, making it accessible for children to discuss loss and grief.

Shrek (2001) — DreamWorks

Theme: Appearances can be deceiving
Brief intro: Shrek, an ogre, lives peacefully in his swamp until the king decides it must be destroyed. In exchange for peace, Shrek agrees to rescue a princess for the king.
Explanation: Shrek brilliantly subverts the cliché that beauty equals goodness. Shrek may look like a monster, but he has a kind heart, while the "beautiful" characters are often selfish and shallow. This movie is a fantastic way to remind kids that appearances aren’t everything and to emphasize the importance of inner values.

Nimona (2023) — Annapurna Pictures

Theme: The power of words and prejudice
Brief intro: In a fictional world, a knight is wrongly accused of killing the queen. He meets Nimona, a shapeshifter who society views as a monster.
Explanation: Nimona is different, and since she is constantly labeled as a "monster," she begins to act like one. The film beautifully illustrates how words can shape someone and how important it is not to judge people based on their appearance or differences. With its action-packed scenes, Nimona keeps things light for children while delivering a powerful message about empathy and prejudice. It’s a great film for discussing the impact of words and judgments.

Learning from movies together

While these films contain valuable lessons on their own, the real magic happens when you talk with your child about the themes after watching. Movies can be excellent tools to make complex emotional or moral subjects easier to discuss. By watching together and discussing afterward, you help children better understand and express their emotions.

This list is by no means exhaustive. Did we miss an important film? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook, and share your tips for movies that help children grow!