As a parent, there are few things more entertaining—and enlightening—than asking your child what they think. The unfiltered, honest, and often hilarious way they see the world is a constant reminder of how fresh and vibrant life can be when you’re just four years old.
One afternoon, while we were sitting on the couch with crumbs on our shirts and our dog napping nearby, I decided to ask my 4-year-old daughter, Lily, what she thought were the seven best movies for kids her age.
She paused for a second (this is serious business, after all), and then she gave me her answers, one by one. What followed was a mix of dancing, storytelling, deep emotional insight, and the occasional dramatic reenactment involving stuffed animals.
Here are Lily’s seven picks – and her thoughts on why they’re the best.
The Lion King (1994)
Me: “Lily, what’s one of your favorite movies?”
Lily: [eyes wide] “The Lion King. Because Scar says ‘long live the king,’ and then he PUSHES him off the cliff like THIS:” [re-enacts the entire scene with a dramatic yell and throws a teddy bear off the couch]
Me: “Isn’t that part kinda sad, though?”
Lily: “Yes, but the music is SO COOL. I like the song where it goes ‘dunnn dunnn DUNNNN’ and the sky goes red. That’s my favorite part. I pretend to be Simba when he’s running.”
Honestly, I was surprised she led with this one – not because it’s not amazing, but because it’s intense. But that’s precisely why she loves it. Lily is dramatic in the most delightful way. She loves to act out scenes, sing along, and assign roles to family members (I’m Mufasa, the dog is Zazu). Her favorite track is “To Die For,” the score from the stampede scene, and she plays it on repeat while doing slow-motion falls in the living room.
There’s something deeply emotional about The Lion King that resonates even with young children. Maybe it’s the music, perhaps it’s the circle of life message, but in Lily’s case, it’s 90% the drama and 10% the lions.
Frozen (2013)
Me: “What about Frozen?”
Lily: [gasps dramatically] “YES! I’m Elsa! Watch this: ‘Let it GOOOO!’” [twirls] “Also, yoohoo!”
Me: “What’s that from?”
Lily: “You have to say ‘BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT!’ after I say that. That’s the rule.”
Frozen is practically embedded into her DNA at this point. She sings “Let It Go” almost daily, usually barefoot and wrapped in a blanket she insists is an Elsa cape. But what she really loves is the little quotes, like “Yoohoo! BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT!” that have made their way into our everyday language. That’s how she calls the dog, and yes, the dog always answers.
It’s not just about Elsa’s power or the glittering snow. It’s about the songs, the characters that feel like friends, and the joy of shouting movie lines at full volume in the middle of dinner.
Mighty Pups (PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups)
Me: “What’s a movie that makes you feel brave?”
Lily: “MIGHTY PUPS! Because they get their powers and Skye can FLY, and she goes, ‘let’s take to the sky!’ and I do it too!”
PAW Patrol has been a staple in our home since toddlerhood, but Mighty Pups is Lily’s superhero film of choice. The transformation of the regular pups into super-powered versions of themselves? That’s peak cinema for a 4-year-old.
Lily often runs through the house shouting Skye’s catchphrases and leaping from the furniture with a paper towel cape tied around her neck. She loves the teamwork, the colorful animation, and the high-stakes missions – especially since they’re just the right amount of excitement without ever being too scary.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Me: “Do you like movies with fish?”
Lily: “Yes. Nemo gets lost, but then his daddy finds him. I like Dory because she’s silly. She goes ‘just keep swimming!’ and I swim in the bathtub like her.”
This one is all heart. Lily watches Finding Nemo not just for the bright underwater world or the silly seagulls (“MINE! MINE!” gets quoted often), but because it’s about a dad who never gives up. That hits a soft spot for both of us.
There’s something comforting about the movie’s rhythm – its blend of humor, sadness, and joy. For Lily, the emotional part (when Nemo and Marlin are reunited) makes her smile every single time. And yes, Dory’s “just keep swimming” has become a mantra for brushing teeth, putting on shoes, and finishing broccoli.
Ponyo (2008)
Me: “Do you like Ponyo?”
Lily: “I LOVE Ponyo. She goes ‘HAM!’ and eats noodles and turns into a girl and runs like THIS!” [makes splashy running motion across the floor]
Ponyo might be one of the gentlest, most visually enchanting movies we’ve ever watched together. The magic of it enchants Lily—the way the sea moves, the creatures, the transformation of Ponyo from a fish into a little girl. But what sealed the deal was the ramen scene.
Lily now asks for “Ponyo noodles” and mimics the way Ponyo says “HAM!” with unmatched enthusiasm. It’s the kind of movie that quietly sparks imagination. She talks about the ocean like it’s full of magic now, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
Moana (but NOT Moana 2)
Me: “Do you like Moana?”
Lily: “I like it when she sings and sails and tells the water to help her! But I don’t like Moana 2. It’s too scary. I don’t like the big fire part.”
Moana is empowering and uplifting, and Lily has always loved the songs. “How Far I’ll Go” gets sung loudly and passionately in our home – usually with a dramatic arm reach toward the sky. She loves that Moana is brave and talks to the ocean.
But when we watched Moana 2, she hid behind a pillow. The tone was darker, and for a child sensitive to tension or scary scenes, it was too much. So we’ve agreed that Moana 1 is the keeper. It’s the version where the water helps you, the chicken makes you laugh, and the world is wide and full of adventure.
Coco (2017)
Me: “What about Coco?”
Lily: [hums “Remember Me” softly] “I like when he sings to his grandma. I cry a little, but it’s okay because it’s a happy cry.”
Coco surprised me with how much it resonated with Lily. It’s a movie that explores memory, family, and love in a tender and deeply emotional way. She doesn’t understand all the cultural nuances yet, but she understands the love between Miguel and his family.
She sings “Remember Me” quietly while cuddling her stuffed animals and once asked if we could “paint our faces like skeletons but not scary ones, happy ones.” It’s clear that, even at 4, she feels the heart in this story. And that’s something worth celebrating.
Coco was featured on our list of the best kids’ movies that teach children about death.
Final Thoughts: Why Her List Matters
As parents, we often think we know what our kids love or why they love something. But asking them outright and listening is something else entirely.
Lily’s answers showed me that she values emotion, music, adventure, and humor, as well as safety. She’s attuned to feelings and can sense when something tips too far into scary. She doesn’t just consume movies; she feels them. She reenacts, sings, and quotes them in her daily life. To her, these stories are alive.
And maybe that’s the magic of watching movies with a 4-year-old: you’re reminded that the story isn’t about the plot. It’s about connection. It’s about laughing when Olaf walks into a tree, crying when a grandmother is remembered through song, or whispering “Long live the king” before dramatically leaping off the couch.
Thanks for the list, Lily. I’ll never watch these movies the same way again.
If you’re looking for other movies to watch with your children or just something that might catch their imagination and they can watch on their own, check out our family-friendly movie database, where you can filter movies by age rating (G, PG, and PG-13), genre, and even find out what’s available on the streaming services of your choice.