If your Netflix queue looks a little stale, you might want to think about the treasure trove of free kids’ movies on YouTube. Yes, nestled in between the funny cat videos and the challenges, there are some incredible kids’ movies that don’t require a subscription to watch, plus, YouTube has gained ground in the streaming wars, becoming one of the most reputable places for its capability to stream live TV and for its impressive catalog of easy-to-navigate channels.
If you’re looking for quality, budget-friendly entertainment for kids, there’s everything from animated classics to educational movies available for free on YouTube. Of course, there are ads in most of the free movies, but if you decide it’s too much, you can always upgrade to YouTube Premium for $13.99 a month or $22.99 for the family plan, and with that comes ad-free viewing and offline downloads. As a bonus, if you plan on being on a road trip or want to create a collection of your kids’ favorite free movies, you can even create a playlist.
Wondering what else your kids can watch? Explore our top YouTube channels specifically designed for kids, or 100+ movies every kid needs to see before they grow up.
How to Find Free Kids Movies on YouTube
Finding free movies for various age groups, such as toddlers, preschoolers, or tweens, is actually quite easy on YouTube. The movie channels are easy to navigate: You can use search terms like “free animated movies for kids” or “educational movies for kids free.” You can also browse dedicated channels, like Dreamworks TV, PBS Kids, and TKTK,
Another easy way to search for free family movies on YouTube is to browse curated playlists. Type in your search query and curate your returns by selecting “playlist” in the filter options. If you want to create your own playlist of age-appropriate movies for your child, that’s also pretty simple. Since the parental controls on YouTube Kids do not allow you to create a playlist within that app, you’ll need to sign in to your own YouTube account (make sure you are linked to your child’s account) and create it from there. Search movies and shows you feel are appropriate for your child, approve the content via the three-dot menu, and then add to an existing playlist of your creation. From there, the movies will show up in your child’s feed as approved content.
Be on the lookout for signs that you’re watching legitimate content rather than pirated content. Indicators that you’re watching the correct content include official studio logos or branding (e.g., Disney, Warner Bros.), and only searching official channels like PBS Kids, YouTube Movies & TV, Movie Central, and The Box Office Network.
Free Movies for 2-4-year-olds
Animated Adventures
The Reef
In this sweet, free kids’ movie on YouTube, a young fish named Pi suffers a great loss and decides to make his way from a part of the ocean controlled by sharks and head to the Reef to find his Aunt Wanna. Once he’s there, he meets a beautiful fish named, trying to ward off the affections of a bully shark. Will Pi save the day?
Why kids love it: Similar to Finding Nemo, it’s hard to resist an adorable fish looking for family.
Things for parents to consider: Pi parents are swept away by a net at the beginning of the movie, which might be scary for young kids, and the tiger shark Troy is a bully, which is a good opportunity for parents to talk about kindness.
Runtime: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Release year: 2006
Best for ages: 4 and up
Jumbo
An adorable film about an elephant named Jumbo who prepares for the local spelling bee with his jungle friends Tiny and Weldon. The uncle of his rival, Burt, worries that Jumbo will beat Burt in the spelling bee, so he seeks out the jungle doctor for a prescription that causes Jumbo to lose his memory, and chaos ensues. Will Jumbo get his memory back in time?
Why kids love it: It’s a simple movie with lots of laughs.
Things parents should consider: There’s plenty of spelling happening, so the kids might pick up a word or two!
Run time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Release year: 2019
Best for ages: 4 and up
Live-Action Family Films
Thomas & the Magic Railroad
Sir Topham Hat is on vacation, and Mr. Conductor comes to the island of Sodor by way of the magical Shining Time Station, the link between the island and the real world. But when Mr. Conductor starts to lose the magical gold sparkle that allows him to travel between worlds, Thomas the Train teams up with a girl named Lily to find the missing magical steam engine and save the day. Will the trouble-making Diesel Engine 10 stop them from completing their mission?
Why kids love it: Train lovers will enjoy this live-action version of the iconic engine and friends, and adding humans to the mix turns it into a fun adventure that young kids will enjoy.
Things parents should consider: While this is ultimately a wholesome movie appropriate for preschool-aged kids, there is a scary moment with some of the diesel trains.
Runtime: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Release year: 2000
Best for ages: 4 and up
Best free movies for kids ages 5-7
Animated Adventures
Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon
Pushok the Dog’s dad is in trouble! The adventurous canine teenager blasts off into outer space aboard a US spaceship with his furry friends to find his astronaut father, and he meets up with all sorts of characters along the way, including a macho monkey and a baby alien. Against all odds, Pushok and his friends save the day and learn about the power of teamwork along the way.
Why kids love it: It’s a fun movie about a young dog saving the day, which kids can’t resist.
Things parents should consider: This movie is funny, wholesome, and features scary themes, such as being lost in space, which are handled with a comedic approach.
Runtime: 1 hour, 13 minutes
Release year: 2014
Best for ages: 5 and up
The Wild Life
In this animated version of Robinson Crusoe, it’s the island creatures who do the telling. When the protagonist is shipwrecked on a deserted island with his trustworthy dog, he meets Aynsley, Mak the parrot, Scrubby the goat, Carmello the Cameleon, and others, and slowly, the human and his furry sidekick get to know the island inhabitants. When two seriously vengeful cats attempt to destroy life on the island, the odd group of companions team up to battle pirates, save the harmony of living on the island, and discover the meaning of true friendship.
Why kids love it: With talking animals, a shipwreck, and themes of friendship, this lighthearted animated film is a lot of fun for young elementary school kids.
Things parents should consider: While there is some minor violence (pirates throwing knives, Crusoe being bitten by a cat), overall, it’s a fun, kid-friendly free movie on YouTube.
Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Release year: 2016
Best for ages: 6 and up
Snow Queen
Before there was Frozen, there was Snow Queen. A more direct take on Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic tale, a young girl named Greta and her brother Kai live in an orphanage, but they still manage to find happiness. When an evil mirror breaks and fragments land in Kai’s eye and heart, he becomes cruel and cold, and the Snow Queen spirits Kai away to her frozen palace, where he must reassemble the mirror. Greta sets out with her trusty companions, a ferret named Luta and a troll named Orm, on a quest to cross the four seasons and confront the Snow Queen. Gerta’s true and loyal heart breaks the curse on Kai, proving that kindness and warmth can win over evil.
Why kids love it: While this is a more authentic and darker version of the fairy tale that brought Frozen to the masses, kids will fall in love with sweet Gerta and her adorable ferret, Luna.
Things parents should consider: There is some fairly rude dialogue, and since it’s dubbed from Russian, things might get lost in translation. A few scenes with trolls might be scary for very young children, but the depiction of a brave female character overrides most concerns.
Runtime: 1 hour, 16 minutes
Release year: 2013
Best for ages: 6 and up
Ribbit
This free movie for kids on YouTube is about a red frog named Ribbit who doesn’t enjoy water, jumping, or anything that frogs normally do. After being hypnotized by a “con bat,” he believes he’s a human prince cursed to life as a frog. He sets off with his best friend, a flying squirrel named Sandy, to find a princess to help break the spell.
Why kids love it: Adorable talking animals, a princess, and an adventure through the rain forest, what’s not to love?
Things parents should consider: There’s a hungry crocodile who hunts Ribbit and his friend, a witch doctor who tries to poison the princess, and general themes of loneliness and characters being placed in danger.
Run time: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Release year: 2014
Best for ages: 6 and up
A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures
This charming tale follows the life of a green sea turtle from the moment he hatches on a beach in Baja in 1959, throughout the following 50 years as he braves the perils of the ocean deep searching for his true love, Shelly. Sammy befriends a leatherback sea turtle named Ray, and they spend 10 years together before being separated. He’s then nursed back to health by a hippie named Snow, meets another rescue turtle named Vera, and once the two turtles are released back into the ocean, he happens upon Shelley and rescues her from a shark.
Why kids love it: Sammy and Ray are adorable baby turtles, and kids will love watching their friendship grow over the years they are together. Fluffy the cat, pet to Snow, is great comedic relief, and the music throughout the film is catchy.
Things parents should consider: The opening scene of the film, when baby Sammy is attempting to make it to the ocean, is pretty scary, considering birds try to eat him before he can make it to the waves. There’s also a scary scene with a shark and Shelly, Sammy’s true love, and the entire film includes a strong environmentalist theme and how humans are polluting the ocean and endangering the animals who call it home.
Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Release year: 2010
Best for ages: 7 and up
Bunyan and Babe
While visiting their grandparents, two young kids, Travis and Whitney, discover a greedy land developer’s sinister plot for a Minnesota town. When Travis falls through a magic portal, he meets the mythical Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe. The unlikely team faces minor peril and has plenty of unforgettable adventures, but will they be able to save the town in time?
Why kids love it: It’s a fun blend of American folklore, quirky characters, and an overall message that even the tiniest people can do big things.
Things parents should consider: The main characters are chased, threatened by fire, and hypnotized, which may be scary for young viewers.
Run time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
Release year: 2017
Best for ages: 7 and up
Related: 15 Free Full-Length Kids’ TV Shows on YouTube
Live-Action Family Films
Air Buddies
In this sixth film from the Air Buds film franchise, Molly and Buddy have puppies! When they hear they might be separated and sent to new homes, the puppies run away, which leads to their parent being dog-napped. The little ones have distinctive personalities: one loves dirt, one loves to eat, one loves hip-hop music, and so on. Using sports skills and teamwork, the puppies embark on a mission to save their parents, so get ready for lots of antics and plenty of laughs.
Why kids love it: Who wouldn’t love adorable talking golden retrievers?
Things parents should consider: The kidnapped parents might cause concern for little kids, and there is some mildly crude humor.
Run time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Release year: 2008
Best for ages: 5 and up
Mee-Shee the Water Giant
When some important machinery belonging to an oil company goes missing in Canada, a man and his son have to cancel their trip to Disney to find the missing machinery. But they find an adventure they couldn’t have expected when they discover a legendary sea creature and are determined to save it from evil villains trying to capture and expose it to the world.
Why kids love it: The movie follows a fun-loving boy looking for adventure. Plus, the monster was designed in Jim Henson’s legendary creature shop, giving it a friendly appearance.
Things parents should consider: The main character experiences the loss of a parent early in the movie.
Run time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Release year: 2005
Best for ages: 7 and up
Sonic the Hedgehog
Based on the iconic video game, Sonic the Hedgehog lands on Earth, and while exploring his superspeedy powers, manages to knock out the power in the Pacific Northwest. By doing so, he catches the eye of the evil Dr. Robotnik. Small-town sheriff Tom Wachowski (aka The Donut Lord) helps Sonic battle the evil scientist when he comes to take the blue alien’s power for himself in hopes of achieving world domination.
Why kids love it: Well, first and foremost, it’s hard to resist the spunky creature that is Sonic the Hedgehog. He’s “cool” but also emotional, which can appeal to kids on a deeper level. Throw in a fantastic cast of supporting characters, and it’s a movie they’ll watch more than once.
Things parents should consider: Dr. Robotnik is one evil guy, and his constant bullying and over-the-top antics, plus scenes of mass destruction, could be a cause for concern.
Run time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Release year: 2020
Best for ages: 6 and up
Related: 40 YouTube Channels Just for Kids
Educational/Documentary Style
Calling all budding paleontologists! This animated docu/drama is set in North America during the Cretaceous Period and follows a young Edmontosaurus named Scar as he and his herd migrate south for the winter, as well as a Trodon, who stays put in the frigid North. Dinosaur enthusiasts will love the action. The movie blends facts with storytelling to depict the dangers of migration, including predators, blizzards, volcanic ash, and more.
Why kids love it: Dinosaurs are fascinating (we’ve all had our Jurassic era), and this educational yet entertaining film brings the best of both worlds to the screen.
Things parents should consider: young kids might be scared when mega meat-eaters Gorgosaurus and Albertosaurus make their entrance.
Run time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Release year: 2011
Best for ages: 7 and up
Musical Movies
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Fairy tale-loving tots will want to sing along with this 1965 version of the classic story. With minimalist sets and tons of musical numbers, this Cinderella feels more like watching a stage show than a movie, so don’t go in expecting special effects. But anyone who loves the story of the cinder girl who finds her prince will be all in.
Why kids love it: It’s a live-action version of a fairy tale they’ve most likely seen, and Lesley Ann Warren, the actress who plays Cinderella, gives an unforgettable performance.
Things parents should consider: It’s a wholesome, family-friendly movie with no scary aspects or jump scares.
Run time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
Release year: 1965
Best for ages: 5 and up
Thumbelina
Any ’90s baby will remember the Don Bluth classic about the miniature girl who dreams of seeing the world beyond her windowsill and the fairy prince who becomes her companion. Mrs. Toad, who is enchanted by Thumbelina’s singing, takes her away in hopes of marrying Thumbelina to her toad son, Grundel. Thumbelina escapes and receives help from new friends, such as Jacquimo the swallow and the Berkeley Beetle, on her quest to return home to her mother and Cornelius, the fairy prince. Cornelius asks his parents to delay winter and searches for Thumbelina with devastating consequences. Love prevails in the end, however, as Thumbelina and Cornelius are reunited and live happily ever after.
Why kids love it: This musical about a tiny girl who saves herself and her friends along the way is irresistible, plus, the animation is iconic.
Things parents should consider: This is a ‘90s animated kids’ film, which means it features more jump scares than those found in films made today.Run time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
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Release year: 1994
Best for ages: 6 and up
Free movies for 8-10-year-olds on YouTube
Tad: The Lost Explorer
Tad is a construction worker by day, but dreams of being a famous archeologist by night. He gets his chance when he’s mistaken for a professor and sent to look for a lost Incan city of gold. He meets up with Professor Lavrof and his beautiful daughter, Sara, who are waiting for the famous professor to crack the code, but things don’t go exactly as planned. Will he find the lost city and win Sara’s heart?
Why kids love it: It’s an Indiana Jones-type of fast-paced adventure movie filled with humorous characters.
Things parents should consider: There is a lot of peril, and the main characters find themselves in constant danger, including chase scenes, explosions, and running from villains with guns.
Run time: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Release year: 2012
Best for ages: 8 and up
The Stolen Princess
Set in the magical age of kings, princesses, and knights, in this fun Ukrainian animated film, Ruslan, a traveling artist who dreams of becoming a knight, meets the beautiful Mila, not knowing she’s the daughter of a king. When the evil sorcerer Chernomor steals her away, Ruslan sets out to rescue his true love and prove that real love is stronger than magic.
Why kids love it: It’s a vibrant fairy tale with Disney-style animation, magic, and likeable characters.
Things parents should consider: it’s a generally wholesome movie with a few magical attacks that lean toward funny rather than scary.
Run time: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Release year: 2018
Best for ages: 8 and up
Live-Action Family Films
Ella Enchanted
No one plays a princess quite like Anne Hathaway. In this clever retelling of Cinderella, Ella is a child cursed at birth to obey any direct command. In hopes of freeing herself from her evil stepmother and stepsisters, Ella embarks upon a quest to break the curse. She manages to do so using courage and self-love, meeting Prince Char along the way. Will Ella’s curse be their downfall? Or will true love prevail?
Why kids love it: It’s a modern take on the story of Cinderella, where the main character is outgoing, brave, and not afraid to fight for herself.
Things parents should consider: This is mostly a family-friendly film, but some fantasy scenes include creatures that eat ogres and a plot to kill the king.
Run time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Release year: 2004
Best for ages: 8 and up
White Lion
Older kids will appreciate this gorgeous film about a young African boy named Gisani, who befriends and protects a rare white lion cub who has been rejected from his pride. Together, they learn to navigate the dangers of the wild, including eluding the grasp of a ruthless poacher trophy hunter, before fulfilling their destiny as ordained by the gods.
Why kids love it: This movie is filled with stunning cinematography, plus an adorable white lion cub!
Things parents should consider: The movie includes sad scenes depicting the cruelty that the infamous “circle of life” imparts, as well as hunger and death.
Run time: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Release date: 2010
Best for ages: 10 and up
