2021 saw a lot of high profile films released, and one of the most profitable areas in both theaters and streaming was movies aimed at kids. There was no shortage from usual powerhouse Disney, who released multiple films from Disney animation as well as a new Pixar movie, but many of the other studios brought in their fair share of films that could be enjoyed by the whole family, from musicals to action adventure films.
All kids are different, from their age to what they even like, along with what subject a parent finds appropriate for them. What makes a movie enjoyable for a kid ranges as well, but animation and films that appeal to a child’s sense of imagination are usually winners — one that expands their minds to the wonders of what cinema can provide, and transport them to far off worlds, different times, meet exciting colorful characters, and tell stories that speak to them. These are the eight best movies for kids (and their whole family) that were released in 2021.
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8 Godzilla vs. Kong
While Godzilla vs. Kong would not traditionally be classified as a kid’s movie, it is essentially the perfect movie for any kid who likes explosive action. The plot is simple and straightforward, a giant monster brawl between two of the biggest movie icons. The movie very much unfolds like a child playing with their toys, smashing the monsters against each other and then teaming up to fight another monster. Kong’s status as a silent but emotive protagonist makes him the perfect character for children to project onto, and Godzilla is cool to a child of any age. This film draws very heavily from the Shōwa era of Godzilla films, bright and colorful with monster battles design to entertain young audiences. This is a movie that will light up a child’s imagination and awe in the spectacle of movies.
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7 Sing 2
Universal Pictures
The sequel to the highly popular and financially successful Sing, Sing 2 pushes the characters in deeper directions, allowing them to grow beyond their initial arc character types in the first film. Bono’s appearance as Clay Calloway, a white-maned lion rock star who gave up singing after his wife died gives this sequel a much heavier weight then its predecessor while maintaining the fun entertaining characters brought to life by wonderful voice work. Sing 2 helps make the Sing franchise the best film series at Illumination Entertainment.
6 Clifford the Big Red Dog
Based on the popular children’s book series of the same name by Norman Bridwell, Clifford the Big Red Dog sees the origin story for the classic character, where a young girl named Emily (Darby Camp) adopts a red puppy who grows in massive size, and all the hijinks and attention this would cause. The movie works so well because it understands the simple appeal of the concept, making the movie about how cute the giant red dog, and it plays on the audience’s immediate attachment to the big red dog. Unlike other CGI projects which sometimes overthink the design like the recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot or the original design for Sonic the Hedgehog, Clifford is just a simple dog painted red. Simplicity is the key to the entire film, and the movie is incredibly charming and pulls on the heartstrings of everyone watching.
5 Cruella
While this PG-13 movie may seem a bit too much for kids, the fact that it comes from Disney and also re-imagines one of their classic characters makes Cruella the perfect viewing for older kids or even kids that feel like outsiders. The re-imagined origin finds a young Stella (Emma Stone) and her quest to become the iconic villain Cruella DeVille, and ask if the version audiences knew from the classic film was the image Cruella wanted the world to have of her, making her own legend. Fittingly for the character, the movie is all style with great costume and a non-stop soundtrack that may go for some obvious needle drops but also is likely to introduce a generation to a bunch of songs they never would have listened to before. This is the movie for the kid that always felt different, and maybe wants something with a little more bite.
4 Raya and the Last Dragon
The first of two animated films by Disney released in 2021, Raya and the Last Dragon follows the warrior princess named Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) as she encounters a fabled last dragon, Sisu (Awkwanfina). They attempt to lift a curse from their land, and along the way encounter allies and enemies that will test them and teach them a valuable lesson about tolerance and acceptance. The movie is classic Disney adventure from top to bottom and a combination of gorgeous animation brings the rich worlds to life alongside a talented voice cast, Raya and the Last Dragon makes even the standard Disney formula seem fresh.
3 Luca
Disney / Pixar
Luca is the ideal summer film, a warm comfort movie that is Pixar’s most laid back entry since the first Toy Story. The story centers around a sea monster named Luca (Jacob Tremblay), who has the ability to turn human once out of waterm as he meets a fellow adventurous sea monster, Alberto (Jack Dylan Glazer). The two spend their summer exploring the surface world in a small town called Portorosso, a town which has a special hatred for the very sea monsters the two boys are. Luca is a chill hangout movie where part of the fun is getting caught up in the vibes of childhood summers. The movie’s biggest point of comparison might be The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, as both are very much low-stakes films focused on character interactions, where the biggest threat looming is the fun day coming to an end and giving way to maturity.
2 The Mitchells vs The Machines
The Mitchells vs The Machines comes from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the same duo who lent their creative endeavors to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, so that already is a warming recommendation. Yet what The Mitchells vs The Machines delivers is a tale for both parents and kids about a family coming together and really learning to see and appreciate one another. What could have just been a story that rants about how technology ruins everything, The Mitchells vs The Machines instead offers a sentimental and touching while also sharp and clever family road trip comedy that also happens to be a high stakes action movie. It will make audiences laugh out loud at the absurdity but also tear up at the heartfelt emotional weight for one of the best animated films of 2021.
1 Encanto
Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, a multigenerational and magically gifted Columbian family who help serve their community, all except for Mirabel Madrigal, who learns that the family is losing their magic. She sets out to find out what is going on and save her family and their magical house. When Encanto premiered, it received positive reviews, but there was nothing that indicated it would be the next breakout-level Disney hit. However, once the film hit Disney+ on Christmas Eve, the films’ soundtrack became an instant phenomenon, climbing the Billboard charts while We Don’t Talk About Bruno has become as big a musical moment as Let It Go.
Encantomight be one of the most important films for young viewers and families alike, as it teaches viewers to see family members as not just extensions of what they can do, but as fully formed people with their own wants, desires, and fears. The songs alone make Encanto worth checking out, but the story will stick with audiences for a long time to come, and it is likely Disney will have more stories for the Madrigal family.
