The bright colors and loud noises of many movies might be exciting for your little one, but low-stimulation movies for toddlers pack all the excitement into a gentle package. Skip the sensory overload and enjoy one of these light and pleasant movies with your toddler.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
This movie might not be the first time your child meets Pooh Bear. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a collection of tales with Pooh at the center. It's a slower-paced movie with beautiful colors and soft-spoken characters, perfect for a low-stimulation viewing experience. Stream it on Disney Plus.
The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time film series started in the late 80s and you might remember it fondly as part of your childhood. The color palette, occasional musical numbers, and slow story progression make it a great choice for toddlers. Plus, who doesn't love a film about dinosaurs? Stream it on Amazon Prime Video.
There are a total of 14 Land Before Time films you can enjoy with your family.
Lilo & Stitch
Toddlers don't ask for much in their entertainment, and a little girl adopting an alien she believes to be a dog is just the sort of plotline they love. Lilo & Stitch is a bit different from other Disney films of its time as it relies on an average soundtrack in place of musical numbers and features a very young child as the main character.
The scenery and family focus of this film make it a beautiful and endearing choice for toddlers. Find it on Disney Plus.
Tinkerbell
Who would Peter Pan be without Tinkerbell? In 2008 we finally got her full back story in Disney's Tinkerbell. The film inspired five more full-length movies and a few shorts about the fairies of Pixie Hollow. This whimsical movie offers beautiful animation and stories packed with lessons for your little one. Find all the Tinkerbell movies on Disney Plus.
Little Bear: The Movie
The Little Bear series is a favorite from our low-stimulation toddler show list. Little Bear: The Movie gives you and your toddler a longer view time and a captivating adventure with the beloved bear. Just like the show, it's full of lovely music, colors, and characters. Bring it home from Amazon.
Brave
Disney and Pixar have a long list of movies your toddler might love, but there's something special about Brave. It stands out with softer colors, young characters, and a heavy focus on natural scenery. As long as your little one can handle a couple of bear jump scares, this is a sweet movie you can enjoy together. Stream Brave on Disney Plus.
Robin Hood
The tale of Robin Hood has many adaptions, but the gentle animation of Disney's version is a true classic. Adding whimsy to childhood since 1973, this version of the heroic fairytale is family-friendly and offers your toddler a low-stimulation movie with plenty of fun animals and gentle songs. Watch the adventure on Disney Plus.
Ice Age
A mammoth, sloth, and sabertooth tiger team up to return a lost baby to his village. Plot twists and hilarity ensue within the icy animation of this film. It's a fun watch for the whole family and is followed by additional movies and short films featuring the same characters. Stream Ice Age on Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.
Charlotte's Web
A wise spider spends her short life saving the life of "some pig" in this adaption of E. B. White's famous story. With light musical numbers and gently animated farm animals, Charlotte's Web is something of a right of passage in childhood. Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
Thumbelina
The 1994 telling of Thumbelina gave us the musical stylings of Barry Manilow paired with lovely animation and a cast of intriguing animated animals and fairytale creatures. Thumbelina is a sweet way to give your toddler a bit of whimsy without overstimulating them. Watch the tale of a girl no bigger than your thumb on Amazon Prime Video.
101 Dalmatians
If your toddler is in their puppy-obsessed phase, it's time to introduce them to the wonderful world of Disney animated dogs. You have a few options when it comes to family-friendly dog movies, but 101 Dalmatians is a classic film with gentle animation and soft-spoken characters, excluding Cruella of course. Stream it on Disney Plus.
101 Dlamatians follows the same animation style as other Disney films released during this time, like Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Lady and the Tramp. These and the other animated films of the period are great low-stimulation movies for toddlers.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
This stop-motion film is based on the novel by Roald Dahl and sees Mr. Fox through a heartwarming journey. With wholesome themes like loyalty, courage, and the importance of family, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a sweet choice for little viewers. Rent it on Apple TV.
Related: Banish Mom Guilt With These Entertaining Activities for Kids
The Aristocats
For the little dog lover, there's 101 Dalmatians. But Disney gave cat-obsessed children The Aristocats in 1970. This movie has adventure, family challenges, and even a sweet love story wrapped in a gentle animation package for your little one. Watch it on Disney Plus.
Paddington
2014's Paddington brought another beloved book bear to life. The movie follows Paddington's quest for family while adapting to a new city life in London. It's heartwarming and the animation is refreshing. Your whole family might love this gem. Watch Paddington on Netflix.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Follow a young witch on her journey of self-discovery in this slow and sweet animated film. Kiki is learning how to live on her own, use her powers, and fit in with kids her age across a beautifully animated backdrop. Find Kiki's Delivery Service on Amazon Prime Video.
Since toddlers and young kids are each different, they might be sensitive to different themes or sounds. If you have any concerns, it can be worth watching (or rewatching) any film before letting your toddler view it.
Ferngully: The Last Rainforest
Tim Curry lends his villainous voice to this climate-conscious kids' movie. Ferngully is a lovely animated rainforest full of fairies, a bat voiced by Robin Williams, and other fantastical animal characters. There's music and plenty of tiny lessons for your toddler to enjoy throughout the film. Ferngully: The Last Rainforest is currently streaming on Tubi.
The toxic villain of Ferngully, Hexxus, might be a bit scary for very young toddlers.
The Prince of Egypt
The Prince of Egypt follows the life of Moses with plenty of musical numbers to keep little ones engaged. With a warm and inviting animation, it's gentle enough for younger viewers while interesting enough for older kids. Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
An American Tale
A young Russian mouse searchs for his family in a new country as he faces challenges and the struggles of being in an unfamiliar place. Fievel is a lovable mouse with an important message the whole family can enjoy alongside a slower story line and soft animated color palette. Watch An American Tale on Apple TV.
Cinderella
There are tons of Cinderella movies to choose from, but the classic 1950 animated film from Disney offers a low-stimulation version of the tale. The music, colors, and countless animal characters might hold your toddler's attention in the best way. Find Cinderella on Disney Plus.
The second and third Cinderella films from Disney, as well as their 2015 live-action version, are also great low-stimulation options for your toddler.
The Sound of Music
If you're looking for a live-action movie toddlers might enjoy, look no further than The Sound of Music. The musical numbers in this classic film offer your toddler an engaging experience without overstimulating them. With a long running time, you can stretch this movie across a number of low-stimulation screen time occasions. Stream it on Hulu.
Mary Poppins
Julie Andrews didn't just give us one musical masterpiece in The Sound of Music. She also brought Mary Poppins to life. This timeless Disney film is whimsical and engaging for young viewers with a balance between live action and animation to keep the stimulation low. Watch Mary Poppins on Disney Plus.
Stuart Little
An animal attempting to experience life as a human usually makes an entertaining film for the whole family. Your little one gets a blend of the real and the whimsical with Stuart Little. Find it on Hulu.
Related: How to Combat & Prevent Overstimulation as a Parent
Babe
Another live-action film young children can appreciate, Babe follows the unique story of one very special pig. In a story of overcoming expectations and stereotypes, this movie is a feel-good experience for the whole family with a gentle storyline and endearing characters. Find Babe on Apple TV.
How to Know Your Little One Is Overstimulated
Low-stimulation films are great anytime and can be a regular part of your toddler's routine. If you're wondering whether or not it's time to incorporate these movies into your little one's screen time, look for these signs of overstimulation:
- Tiredness
- Excessive crying
- Irritable for seemingly no reason
- Refusal to play or cooperate
- Refusing to use words to communicate feelings
- Refusing to do simple tasks
- Sudden unexplained tantrums
Slow Down With a Movie
Low-stimulation movies aren't just good for your toddler. They give you a moment to slow down and take a breath as well. Whether you're viewing the film with your little one or just using the time to practice your own self-care, these movies can reset you day and help you both avoid overstimulation.
