The 2000s were a fantastic decade for film. Epic fantasy like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Matrix sequels captivated audiences. It was also a golden age for family-friendly movies, with many popular films like most of the Harry Potter series being released during this time.
Pixar was leading the way in animation, but other studios were also making truly memorable films for kids.
The most popular children’s movies often appealed to viewers of all ages, which is why many are still enjoyable today. Interestingly, a lot of the all-time great kids’ films came out during the 2000s.
School of Rock (2003)
School of Rock is a funny and heartwarming movie the whole family can enjoy. It stars Jack Black as a musician who unexpectedly ends up as a substitute teacher at a grade school.
Okay, so there’s this guy, Finn, who gets booted from his band – rough, right? But he’s a teacher, and he decides to turn lemons into lemonade. Instead of teaching the usual stuff, he starts a rock and roll class – basically, a history of the genre and how to actually play instruments. And the coolest part? He enters his class into the ‘Battle of the Bands’! It’s a total underdog story, and I’m already rooting for them.
Putting aside the unrealistic parts, School of Rock is a heartwarming story about finding your potential and growing up. Jack Black is incredibly funny, and the movie is fun for people of all ages.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Pixar was incredibly successful in the early 2000s, and its films really changed how kids’ movies were made. A great example is Monsters, Inc., which features Sully (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal) – two lovable monsters with good hearts.
The movie Monsters, Inc. takes place in a colorful world powered by the screams of children. Surprisingly, the monsters are actually afraid of kids! Things get chaotic when a little girl named Boo accidentally wanders into their city, Monstropolis.
Even for a Pixar film, the idea behind Monsters, Inc. is pretty unusual! But it’s a movie with a positive message that kids can enjoy. The monsters are more funny than frightening, and there are also some clever jokes that adults will appreciate.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (2009)
In the early 2000s, Disney and Pixar were the leaders in animated films. But movies like Sony Pictures Animation’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs showed that other studios could also succeed.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is a funny story about Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), a brilliant but overlooked inventor. He builds a machine that makes food fall from the sky, which sounds amazing at first, but things quickly get out of control.
The movie’s comedy relies a lot on internet memes. While it has plenty of genuinely funny scenes, it also tells a touching story about a son trying to connect with his father, even though they don’t share much common ground and the son really wants his father’s approval.
The Incredibles (2004)
Released in 2004, Pixar’s The Incredibles came out before the Marvel Cinematic Universe really gained momentum. It’s still considered one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, skillfully blending exciting action sequences with a heartwarming story about family and a compelling quest for revenge.
In The Incredibles, ordinary citizens view superheroes as a problem, leading them to retire and try to live like everyone else. But Bob Parr, also known as Mr. Incredible, discovers a path back to being a hero.
The Incredibles is packed with action, but what really makes it special is its heartwarming focus on the Parr family and its surprisingly touching look at what it means to feel good about yourself.
Shrek (2001)
DreamWorks is a major animation studio, and in 2001, they released their biggest franchise yet: Shrek. The first Shrek movie is a funny fantasy story about an ogre named Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) who just wants peace and quiet in his swamp, but ends up becoming an unexpected hero. There have been many Shrek films made since then.
As a huge movie fan, I remember being so excited for this one! It stars Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy, and it’s all about Shrek trying to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded castle. What I really loved was how it playfully poked fun at classic fairytale tropes, but still managed to tell a genuinely sweet and touching story.
This movie tells a heartwarming story about believing in yourself and finding genuine love. Donkey, voiced by Murphy, delivers some truly hilarious lines, and the film kicks off a hugely successful series known for its consistent quality.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)
The Harry Potter films were hugely popular in the early 2000s. While all of them are good, many fans consider Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to be the strongest movie in the series.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third movie in the series. Compared to the first two films, it’s noticeably darker and the actors give much stronger performances.
Now a teenager, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) thinks Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) is after him. This movie feels more grown-up than the first two, and it establishes a darker, more dangerous direction for the rest of the series.
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Jack Black appears on this list again, this time voicing Po, the friendly and funny panda in Kung Fu Panda. It’s a fantastic, high-energy movie that kids will love, but it’s also genuinely funny enough to appeal to adults, which is why it’s still so popular.
I’ve always been drawn to underdog stories, and Po is a perfect example. He’s got this huge dream of becoming a kung fu master, but honestly, he doesn’t look the part. He’s not your typical hero, but what I love is that he figures out how to use his own unique abilities to get there. It’s a really inspiring journey, watching him embrace who he is instead of trying to be someone else.
Similar to other films on this list, Kung Fu Panda delivers a positive message and genuinely touching scenes. Plus, the action is surprisingly well-done for a comedy cartoon, featuring impressive and creative fight sequences.
WALL-E (2008)
WALL-E is a truly special Pixar film. It’s different from most of the studio’s other movies, telling an original story in a way you rarely see in children’s films nowadays.
This movie serves as a warning about the problems with creating too much waste and buying things we don’t need. It depicts a future where humans have ruined the planet, leaving it a garbage-filled wasteland. WALL-E stands out because of its amazing visuals. Remarkably, the first half-hour of the film unfolds without any characters speaking at all.
WALL-E remains a beloved character, and his connection with EVE is truly charming. The film explores serious themes in a thoughtful way, ultimately delivering a powerful and optimistic message.
Up (2009)
I still get choked up every time I watch the beginning of Up. But beyond that incredibly emotional start, it’s just a really sweet story about two very different people who go on an amazing adventure together in the wild.
The movie Up is surprisingly touching. Carl and his wife, Ellie, dream of going on an adventure together, saving for years to make it happen. Sadly, they never get the chance. Later in life, Carl fulfills that dream in a unique way – he attaches thousands of balloons to his house, lifting it into the air and beginning a journey he and Ellie always wanted.
Young Russell (voiced by Jordan Nagai), a Wilderness Explorer, joins Carl on a fantastic journey filled with exciting challenges. It’s a fun adventure for kids, but Pixar also thoughtfully explores deeper topics like loss and growing older. Up is a truly memorable film that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo is more than just a great movie for kids—it’s considered one of the best animated films ever made. The story follows a determined clownfish who faces many dangers as he searches the ocean for his son.
At the beginning of the movie, a little clownfish named Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould) is captured and ends up in a fish tank at a dentist’s office. His worried father, Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), sets off on a huge adventure across the ocean to find him, and the movie’s underwater scenes are still incredibly beautiful.
Finding Nemo is a wonderful adventure, but it also touches on universal experiences like parents wanting to protect their children while also learning to let them grow. The movie is brought to life by a delightful group of characters, including Ellen DeGeneres as the unforgettable Dory.
People of all ages love Finding Nemo. It’s a classic movie that’s still widely referenced and enjoyed today.
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2026-03-29 20:22