Screen time isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it means enthralling adventure and valuable lessons for them, and a chunk of precious time or invaluable moments of silence for you. Here, we’re rounding up the best movie marathons for toddlers—movie series and film franchises that are more than just a half-hour deep and will keep little viewers occupied for hours.
Of course, these movie marathon ideas for toddlers aren’t without their scary or age-inappropriate parts, so we’ve flagged the scenes we think parents will want to know about ahead of time. All that’s left to do is pop open some puff cereal, whip up some sugar-free punch, and hit play.
Toy Story
So far, there are four endearing stories about the world’s most beloved toys, with one on the way (set for 2026). The action in these films revolves around a motley crew of stuffies, dolls, slinkies, and action figures, led by a pull-string cowboy named Woody. Together, they embark on a number of adventures—some hilarious, some harrowing.
Heads Up…
In Toy Story 3, the horror goes beyond Lots-O, the villain, and his creepy dolls. There is a cymbal monkey watch guard who attacks Woody with his instruments. And later on, Woody and his pals find themselves cheating death in a fiery incinerator that recalls Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Stream the entire franchise on Disney+.
Cars
The Cars universe, led by the shenanigans of a bright-red stock car named Lightning McQueen, includes the Planes films, the Cars Toons series, Cars on the Road, and even Cars-inspired rides at amusement parks. So there’s plenty of vehicular entertainment to occupy a giggle of toddlers.
Heads up…
There are a few scenes, though, that might cause adverse reactions. Amid car crashes and fiery explosions, there’s a chase scene in the first film that involves Lightning, Mater, and a tractor named Frank that will remind the adults in the room of thrillers like Joy Ride and The Hitcher. Intense and full of suspense, it’s also set at night, notching up the scare scale.
Stream the entire franchise on Disney+.
Winnie the Pooh
A.A. Milne’s beloved characters have become some of the most recognizable creatures in the pantheon of classic animation. From Pooh and Piglet to Rue and Tigger, the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood have raised generation after generation. Some favorites include The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet’s Big Movie, and The Tigger Movie.
Heads up…
Tigger’s friends hatching a plan to ditch him in the forest overnight in the 1974 film might be the peak of scariness for this group, so it’s a pretty safe bet for toddlers. But by all means, don’t confuse it with Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. That one is feral horror and not at all suitable for kids.
Stream the entire franchise on Disney+.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Food fights, flailing meatballs, raining noodles—let’s be honest, the forecast in Cloudy is not unlike the mess going down in and around your two-year-old’s highchair. So they’ll be right at home with Flint and the residents of Chewandswallow as they navigate the pros and cons of gastronomic weather. With two films in this toddler movie marathon series, there’s plenty to fill up on: first, learning about Flint and his invention that turns water into food; then, coming face to face with its aftermath in the sequel.
Heads up…
As we mentioned, the sequel gets into the aftermath of such an invention, with Flint and friends learning about the food monsters his machine has created. Some hybrids, like the Tacodile and Cheesepider, might frighten the youngest viewers.
Stream both movies on Prime Video.
Shrek
Cinephiles of every age love this film franchise for its vivid imagery, clever dialogue, and sweet message. A brilliantly executed homage to Mother Goose, the brothers Grimm, and pop culture in general, all six films (which include two holiday shorts) unfold around the adventures had by a swamp-dwelling ogre, his shapeshifting princess, and the wisest gray donkey sidekick.
Heads up…
The movies take place in a fictional world where evil lords, sword fights, and fiery dragons dwell, and the leading ogre has quite the temper and scary yell—all things to be mindful of when watching with toddlers. For the adults and anyone else capable of putting two and two together: There’s a disturbing through line that involves The Three Bears. IYKYK, and if you don’t you’re better off.
Stream the entire franchise on Prime Video and keep an eye out for Shrek 5 in 2025.
Finding Nemo
A gift from Pixar Studios, the Nemo saga is one of the most comforting and entertaining watches for the entire family. Parents love both films for their themes of adversity, friendship, and family connection, with the challenges of grief, loss, and growing up really striking a nerve. And children get hooked on the gorgeous animation and real-life connections they make with the animals trying to make sense of the world around them.
Heads up…
There’s one particular scene to be aware of in the first movie of undoubtedly one of the best toddler movie marathon series. In the opening scene, Marlin and his wife, Coral, are attacked by a barracuda in their nest, where Coral has just laid a bunch of clownfish eggs. The little ones might not understand the heaviness of just a single egg left after the assault, but the visuals are still somewhat frightening.
Stream both movies at Disney+.
The Secret Life of Pets
Everyone’s curious about what the furry creatures in the family think about and what they do when those who walk upright leave the home. This two-part series offers an answer. From heavy metal parties to toilet bowl chugging, these critters get down. As for the narrative, it belongs to a terrier named Max and a stray named Duke, who take on the mean streets of New York City in the first movie and the bucolic beasts of rural America in the sequel.
Heads up…
Aside from a lot of slapstick violence, parents might want to prepare their babes for the gang of alley cats in the initial movie that are particularly menacing and quite aggressive.
Stream both films on Peacock.
Ice Age
It’s never too early to get young minds interested in this majestic rock we call Earth—even if it’s by way of anthropomorphic animals, namely a woolly mammoth, a saber-tooth tiger, a megalonyx sloth, and a hyperactive rat-squirrel on an obsessive pursuit of acorns. Beyond humor and artistic license, the five-deep series looks at the effects of a constantly changing planet on its inhabitants.
Heads up…
That said, nature and science can be scary. Animals with sharp fangs, volcanoes that erupt with hot lava, and avalanches that suffocate anything in their path are all at play here. There is also a scene in the first film depicting a mother who drowns while trying to save her infant.
Stream the entire franchise on Disney+.
How to Train Your Dragon
Modern animated fare is so clever: Brilliantly generated and thoughtfully messaged, these movies supply little ones with hours of entertainment and impart upon grown-ups nuanced lessons. How to Train Your Dragon is tops at this. On its surface, the three-deep series is about a Viking kid who befriends a dragon rather than slaying it. Underneath, it’s a metaphor for humanity’s tendency to villainize entire populations it doesn’t understand. Of course, toddlers won’t care about any of this.
Heads up…
In the first film, Toothless saves Hiccup from a fiery death, and when the dust settles, we learn that Hiccup has lost one of his legs. The assumption is that Toothless—who has retractable teeth—had to clamp down on Hiccup’s leg with his mouth to save his best friend. There’s no gore, of course, but the emotion and poignancy are potent.
Stream the entire franchise on Prime Video and look out for the newest chapter in 2025.
PAW Patrol
An offshoot of the beloved Nick Jr. series created in 2013, the PAW Patrol movies offer extended adventures with Ryder, a tech-savvy 10-year-old, and the six rescue dogs who make up the gadget-friendly PAW Patrol, short for Pups at Work. In the first movie, the crew teams up to save the citizens of Adventure City from an antagonistic mayor, while the sequel sees the pups magically bestowed with superhero powers. Be on the lookout for the third movie in 2026.
Heads up…
The series isn’t without its scary moments, particularly, a plane crash scene in the second movie.
Stream both movies on Prime Video.
Madagascar
Five movies, including a Penguins of Madagascar spinoff, chronicle the happenings of a group of zoo animals who suddenly find themselves out in the wild, making this franchise a perfect choice for a movie marathon with a toddler. Going from New York City to Africa, Europe, and beyond, the core menagerie—a lion, zebra, giraffe, and hippo—run into friends and foes, action and humor along their journey to get back home.
Heads up…
The animated wildlife on display might be jarring for toddlers whose only exposure is the stuffies and domestic species decorating their nurseries. The same goes for the foosa attack in the first movie, the plane crash in the second, and the creepy-looking octopus named Dave in the Penguins offshoot.
Stream the entire franchise on Prime Video.
Despicable Me
Felonious Gru’s universe runs deep. Kicking off in 2010, the franchise now encompasses four Despicable Me movies and two Minions features. A former evildoer-turned-father of the year, Gru, his three daughters, and his scene-stealing minions spend the movies’ runtimes saving all of mankind from the world’s supervillains.
Heads up…
There’s the use of guns, hammers, and other objects as weapons throughout the series, and the action can get intense in parts. But mostly, making kids laugh is the name of the game in this potential movie marathon for toddlers.
Stream the entire franchise on Prime Video.
Sing
Colorful animation, engaging pop music, energetic animal characters: There are so many reasons toddlers will love Sing and Sing 2 from start to finish. With solid humor and positive messages in spades, both films are good for the older kids in the rooms, too. The first movie introduces Buster Moon, a koala who hosts a singing competition to save his theater, with the second continuing the saga of his talented singing troupe.
Heads up…
The protags run into bear thugs in the first movie and gorilla robbers in the second, causing bouts of fear among the cast and possibly those watching along. But the two films could also introduce a few fears to newbie movie watchers, like the fear of drowning (Sing) and the fear of heights (Sing 2).
Stream both movies on Prime Video.
Peanuts
Since 1969, the Peanuts gang has taken to the screen to delight fans of all ages—and we’re not even talking about the classic Halloween and Christmas specials. Starting with A Boy Named Charlie Brown, heading into The Peanuts Movie in 2015, and now racking up gem after gem in the Snoopy Presents short-film canon, Schulz’s juggernaut shows no signs of slowing. So, just close your eyes and point—no matter which film you land on, you and your toddler will have a rewarding watch.
Heads up…
The Peanuts Movie features some WWI fantasy scenes with plane crashes and gunfire.
Stream the entire franchise on Apple TV+.
Tom and Jerry
There were a couple of Tom and Jerry features to grace the big screen, but in this instance, we’re pointing to the vivid collaboration between Warner Bros. and Turner Entertainment Co. These direct-to-video projects offer viewers reimagined takes on classic stories. Injecting favorites like The Wizard of Oz, The Nutcracker, Robin Hood, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with a little cat-and-mouse drama, they’re entertaining and really fun to look at!
Heads up…
Luckily, there is no terrifying Tunnel of Terror scene in the Willy Wonka adaptation, but there is the usual amount of violence and physical abuse that comes with a classic Tom & Jerry cartoon throughout the series of movies.
Stream the entire franchise on Boomerang.
