Movie for 3 year old

[Birthdayboy2]

It's my LO's birthday in a few days, we're not seeing anyone as I'm pregnant but to make it a bit special we thought we'd do a "movie night" with a goodie bag and treats and snuggle up on the sofa. He's never watched more than 20 minutes of TV, so not sure if he could sit through a movie? Was hoping to find something under an hour long but no luck so far. Best option seems to be Paddington, is it suitable for a 3 year old?
Thank you for any recommendation!

Care Bears in Wonderland was a favourite for me at that age

Peppa Pig my first cinema experience (£1.99 on prime or YouTube) it's basically short peppa pig stories with some people threading the stories together with songs/talk etc only about 75 minutes long.

KEEP AWAY FROM PADDINGTON!!! Bloody scarred me and I'm 32!! IMO 3 is far too young to sit through a proper 'movie', but how about one of the Julia Donaldson adaptions?

My 2 year old will happily sit through several Julia Donaldson stories. They're on BBC iPlayer so won't cost you anything

My DS liked some of the Wallace and Gromit episodes at that age. He found The Wrong Trousers hilarious.

The first film my DC sat through from start to finish was the Secret life of pets. I reckon they were about that age.

Paddington is a little too old for a 3 year old in my opinion.

How about The Secret Life of Pet 1 & 2.

Frozen 1 or 2 (my little boy loves it especially the music - when the reindeer sings).

I would definitely go for the pet one as Frozen might be more suitable for when it's a bit colder ❄️

The octonauts movies are quite good?

Paddington is definitely too scary, I started watching it recently to vet it as my 2 1/2 year old is obsessed with the books and his uncle dies tragically in the first few minutes then the Nicole Kidman character is a proper villain. Don't think she'll be watching it for a good few years.

We have Disney + and have had big success with the Winnie the pooh ones. Pooh's Hefalump Movie is 1hr 10, and the 1977 Winnie the Pooh film is actually three circa 18 minute stories one after another so you could try that and just pause if it gets too much? I think you can get a Disney + trial.

That or the animated Julia donaldons/ tiger who came to tea, but I do enjoy the hefalump film as its long enough it feels like a 'film' but anything more than that is too much for her - tried Madagascar a while ago and a lot of it went over her head.

Another voice for Paddington 1 is way too scary. Paddington 2 less so, but I'd still wait until 5-6 years old.

Cars would be my top pick. Also Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Planes. Or if you don't think he's up for a full length movie, the animated versions of the Julia Donaldsons are a good recommendation.

My 3 year old will sit through toy story!

Lost and found - lovely!

Toy Story, Wall-E, Secret Life of Pets 1&2, Stickman, Zog, the Ocotonauts films.

My Ds loved frozen at just before 3 also minions I think he liked the songs

DS is 3 and loves the Octonauts films (the coral reef one is best as it’s a musical) and Minions, all on Netflix.
He likes all the Julia Donaldsons available on bbc iplayer.

We have Disney plus and my just about to turn 4 year old will happily sit through most of the classic Disney's and many of the Pixar's too.
I know mine is a whole year older but I must say I'm impressed you only have 20 mins screen time! We are way past that!

Mine is nearly 3 and will easily sit for an hour of TV shows but won't watch a film, she gets bored 20-30 minutes in even if it's something she likes, like the Peppa Pig cinema experience one so I think keep your expectations low especially given you said he normally doesn't sit for long! I was going to suggest the Peppa Pig film and the Octonauts film as they're both only about an hour.

The Julia Donaldson or Oliver Jeffers adaptations are perfect.

Octonauts films on netflux are brilliant.

At that age DD liked chitty chitty bang bang, Mary poppins. The classics are great for that age.

Also you could try some studio ghibli. Ponyo or my neighbour Totoro are lovely.

Winnie the Pooh wins hands down.

My DC loved Shrek at that age and watched it about 100 times. Also loved My Neighbour Totoro and Toy Story.

My 2 and 4 year olds love Ice Age

If you DC isn't likely to sit still for very long then I think a short film, like Stickman on Amazon Prime might be good. Or even just an episode of a show they haven't watched yet.

So helpful thank you! We'll stay away from Paddington, we wouldn't have had time to vet it so I was really interested to hear the feedback!
The reason he hasn't watched more than 20 mins is because we turn the TV off after that rather than him not wanting to sit still. I think given the chance he'll probably love to as long as it keeps his interest. I'm going to check out the secret life of pet and octonauts (had never heard of either) and a few more options. Otherwise we might just stick with one or two of the animated julia Donaldson ones. Thank you!

Ice age