Movies to watch with 4yo

[Goldbar]

My DC has just turned 4. Up until now, they've mostly just watched TV shows like Paw Patrol, Peppa, Blaze and Puffin Rock.

Now that it's getting cold and miserable, does anyone have any suggestion for films which would keep a 4 yo's attention? And also which are age-appropriate - I remember watching Gremlins around that age with older cousins and having nightmares for weeks! It would be good to have a few suggestions for rainy days.

Any ideas appreciated!

My 4 and 5 year olds like Turbo, Shrek, Monsters Inc, Luca, Minions, The Lorax, The Bee Movie, the Ice Age films, Antz, Madagascar, The Lion King. At Christmas they liked the Nativity films.

Trolls, Ponyo, Boss Baby, Despicable Me, there are a few Paw Patrol films but not so fun for adults to sit through.

Sing!
Zootropolis
Paddington
Toy Story

Cars
Moana
Toy Story
Disney Robin Hood
Lilo and Stitch

Another vote for Ponyo. I think the boy in the film is four - it is by Studio Gibli.

my neighbor totoro although Ponyo is also lovely

The Julia Donaldson adaptations are a good 'in betweeny' type length as they are about 45 mins each I think.

At 4 dd loved the nemo films, frozen, trolls and most animal based Disney films.

The Jungle Book

Hi, thanks for these suggestions! Going to make a list.

We've already watched some of the Julia Donaldson ones together and they've generally gone down well so might try to get the others as well.

Can 4yos watch the Lion King? I remember bawling my eyes out while watching it age 5-6 but I was a sensitive wee soul and DC is....more robust . Likewise, I found Jungle Book quite scary but DC would probably love it.

My daughter loves Ballerina on Netflix, and frozen, but has also enjoyed
The jungle book
Beauty and the beast
Snow White
Shrek (was scared of the dragon but then realised she is nice)
Paddington (she was literally hysterical at some of the slapstick)
Trolls
Finding Dory/Nemo
Tinker bell and the neverbeast

We watched the lion king for the first time the other day and I felt v awkward when Mufassa died as I could see her realising what happened. She was hiding too so didn't even see the really traumatic "long live the king"...."noooo!!" However I made sure we watched to the end and it was better than leaving it there as we have talked about death before and living through the memories of others etc.

She was also a bit scared in Aladdin (of jafaar) and asked to switch it off.

She prefers films where she has already heard of it tbh so I can't get her to watch certain ones (that I want to haha) but she can sit through that length of time at almost 4.

She also likes the Julia Donaldson and similar ones on at Christmas eg going on a bear hunt, the tiger who came to tea, snowman/and snow dog

It all makes a nice change from peppa!!

So with the lion king I would possibly be cautious or watch it again yourself but with your child in mind to see how you would feel if they were there.

Dd4 loves Frozen, Moana. The Disney classic animations of lady & the tramp, 101 Dalmatians, aristocrats, & Fox and the Hound. Winnie the Pooh movie, Paddington.
Farmageddon and the longer Shaun the sheep episodes/short films are very popular too.

My 3yo and 6yo were absolutely glued to The Incredibles last weekend.

DD is currently obsessed with the animated version of The Addams Family. Quite a leap from Frozen, which she was watching daily up until Halloween.

I think DS enjoyed Wallace and Gromit A Grand Day Out at that age. We are going back a few years here! Also remember DC enjoying a Noddy Christmas film when they were very little. Hoodwinked is also quite watchable for both adults and children as works on two levels.