If your Netflix queue looks a little stale, you might want to think about the treasure trove of free kids’ movies on YouTube (We also love these YouTube channels just for kids.). You don’t need a subscription to watch, and even though you’ll have to sit through a few commercials before your movie, don’t let the ads turn you off. These free movies on YouTube are well worth your time. If you’re on the hunt for even more classics, scan through the best movies every kid should see before they grow up—and don’t forget some creative movie night snacks!
1. The Wild Life
In this animated telling of Robinson Crusoe, the protagonist is shipwrecked on a desert island with his trustworthy dog Aynsley. Upon the shore, a group of animals befriends them and the adventures begin. The group battles pirates and deals with some seriously vengeful cats trying to destroy life on the island. 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.
Best for ages: 6 and up.
2. Snow Queen
Before there was Frozen, there was Snow Queen. A more direct take on Hans Cristian Andersen's iconic tale, a young girl named Greta must battle the evil queen and rescue her friend in this free movie for kids on YouTube.
Best for ages: 6 and up.
3. A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures
Always a good pick for kids, this charming tale about a baby sea turtle braving the perils of the ocean deep is a lot of fun. After hatching in 1959, Sammy travels the world for 50 years, picking up friends and having exciting adventures along the way.
Best for ages: 7 and up.
4. Pixies
Thanks to a Pixie's curse, Joe Beck has lost the love of his life, and now he needs to right a wrong from many years ago to end the curse.
Best for ages: 8 and up.
5. Thomas & the Magic Railroad
Train lovers will love this live-action version of the iconic engine and friends. Mr. Conductor's (Alec Baldwin) supply of gold dust is critically low, and he needs the help of Lily, the granddaughter of a caretaker in charge of a magical steam engine, and Thomas the Train. They leave the imaginary island of Sodor and head to the real world to find more and meet the trouble-making Deisel Engine 10 along the way.
Best for ages: 4 and up.
Related: 15 Free Full-Length Kids’ TV Shows on YouTube
6. The Reef
In this sweet free kids' movie on YouTube, a young fish named Pi loses everything and heads to the Reef and his family. There he meets a beautiful fish trying to ward off the affections of a bully shark. Will Pi save the day?
Best for ages: 4 and up.
7. White Lion
Older kids will appreciate this gorgeous film about a young African boy who befriends a white lion cub before embarking on an epic adventure. The film uses beautiful real-life nature footage to tell its story. Consequently, expect sad scenes depicting the cruelty that the infamous "circle of life" imparts.
Best for ages: 10 and up.
8. Ribbit
This free movie for kids on YouTube is about a frog who doesn't enjoy water or jumping and wishes he could be like other animals in the rainforest. So, he sets off with his best friend, a flying squirrel, to discover his true self.
Best for ages: 6 and up.
9. March of the Dinosaurs
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, although young kids might be scared when mega meat eaters Gorgosaurus and Albertosaurus make their entrance.
Best for ages: 7 and up.
10. Quest for Camelot
What do you get when an adventurous girl, a blind hermit, and a silly two-headed dragon team up to find the sword Excalibur in hopes of saving King Arthur and Camelot? A journey through the Enchanted Forest filled with danger, bravery, and laughs. Will they get the sword to King Arthur in time to foil evil Sir Ruber's plan?
Best for ages: 6 and up.
11. 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. Best for ages: 5 and up. Watch it here.12. Jumbo
An adorable film about an elephant named Jumbo who prepares for the local spelling be with his jungle friends. There's plenty of spelling happening, so the kids might pick up a word or two! Best for ages: 4 and up. Watch it here.13. Halo Legends
Based on the popular video game, this free movie on YouTube for teens expands into the Halo universe with seven origin stories. Best for ages: 13 and up. Watch it here.14. Bunyan and Babe
While on a visit to 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? Best for ages: 7 and up. Watch it here.15. Air Buddies
In this sixth film from the Air Buds film franchise, Molly and Buddy have puppies! The little ones also have sports skills and use them to save their parents when they're dog-napped. Get ready for lots of antics and plenty of laughs. Best for ages: 5 and up. Watch it here.16. 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? Best for ages: 6 and up. Watch it here.Related: 40 YouTube Channels Just for Kids
17. 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.
Best for ages: 5 and up.
18. Mee-Shee the Water Giant
When some important machinery belonging to an oil company is lost 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.
Best for ages: 7 and up.
19. 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.
Best for ages: 8 and up.
20. Akeelah and the Bee
A little girl from a tough neighborhood in LA learns she's got a knack for spelling—and that she doesn't need to change herself to fit in. Lawrence Fishburn stars as the spelling tutor who coaches her to the Scripps National Spelling Bee while teaching her to believe in herself. Note: There is some mild profanity in the film, so parents who have a no-tolerance policy toward this may want to wait a few more years.
Best for ages: 8 and up.
21. Ice Princess
Awkward teen Casey Carlyle has always dreamed of being a champion figure skater, but she's got a tough mom who insists she heads to a top university instead. Casey refuses to give up on the chance to be like the other skaters she sees at the rink. With the help of her coach, the cute boy who drives the Zamboni, and a lot of heart, Casey goes for the gold.
Best for ages: 8 and up.
