7 Movies that Will Make Your Little Kids Feel Big Emotions
We are all familiar with tears as parents. Hearing our children cry can be a part of everyday family life, from scabbed knees to squabbles between siblings. What about tears from watching a film? Even the youngest viewers can be affected by emotional scenes on screen. Children’s films often include sad or bittersweet scenes. But some films go further, evoking complex emotions like empathy, hope, and loss in our children–sometimes surprising us.
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It can be bittersweet to watch your child cry while watching a movie. You may feel sad because they’re upset, but also proud of them for growing and connecting to the story. These moments can lead to important conversations about emotions, empathy, and life’s realities.
This post will share seven movies likely to stir up big emotions in little kids, and why this emotional response can be so beneficial for their development.
First Time They Cry for a Movie
I’ll always remember the first time that my daughter cried while watching a movie. We borrowed the Mickey Mouse Christmas Special from the library when she was only three years old. This special featured three different stories with Mickey, Donald Duck, and the rest.
The beginning of the first story, featuring Mickey and Go, was somewhat sad. As the story unfolded, I saw her quietly sitting beside me with tears running down her cheeks. She showed a deep empathy with the characters. It was an emotional and touching moment, a sign that she was starting to feel and understand complex emotions.
It made me question the movie I chose for my toddler, but it also reminded me how movies can help children explore their emotions in a safe environment.
Why Do Movies Evoke Strong Emotions in Children?
Children don’t always react to stories in the same way as adults. The sadness that comes with a character losing their loved one or the tension from a frightening moment can affect children differently than we would expect. This is partly because kids are still learning how to regulate and process their emotions. Empathy can be developed by watching a character deal with a loss or a difficult situation. This helps them to understand other people’s feelings.
Children are not yet able to filter their emotions as adults do. Children tend to feel stories as if they were experiencing them. It makes some movies particularly potent tools for developing emotional intelligence, but it also means that parents must be careful about what they watch and when.
Here are seven films that will make your children feel strong emotions and provide a great opportunity for family discussions.
1. Toy Story 3 (2009) — Growing Up Means Saying Goodbye
Children and adults have long loved the Toy Story series for its humor, heart, and clever storytelling. But Toy Story 3 dives deep into some serious territory, namely the bittersweet reality that comes with growing up and having to leave behind childhood toys.
This movie brings the concept of outgrowing toys to life for many children. Andy’s scenes of leaving for college and the toys facing an uncertain future are very emotional.
Incinerator Scene: Woody, Buz, Z, and the rest are trapped in the machine and will be destroyed by the fire. It is easy to feel the fear and helplessness of the toys. It took her several viewings to get comfortable. My daughter cried the entire time.
Toy Story 3 is a gentle, but profound lesson on change, loss, and moving forward–universal topics even for the youngest of hearts.
2. Inside Out 2015 — A Journey through Emotions
Pixar’s Inside Out explores the inner thoughts of Riley, an 11-year-old girl who has just moved to a different city. Her emotions are personified in characters such as Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. They all try to guide Riley during her turmoil.
This movie is unique in its portrayal of sorrow as an important and necessary emotion. Joy attempts to keep Sadness from Riley’s memories early in the movie, but Sadness eventually helps Riley deal with her emotions and connect with her family.
This film will help kids learn to accept and identify their emotions. This film often makes parents and children cry because it captures complex, sometimes conflicting feelings that are part of growing up.
3. Cinderella 2015 — The Pain of Losing a Parent
Lily James stars in the live-action Cinderella, a romantic and visually stunning retelling. Cinderella is a classic fairy tale, but beneath its glitter and magic lies an emotional depth that’s often forgotten: the death of Cinderella’s mother.
This film explains more about Cinderella and her relationship with her mom, including the illness and death of her mother. It adds a real and tender depth to Cinderella’s kindness and loneliness, but it can be difficult for younger children to watch.
Children may not have experienced grief themselves, but watching a character in distress can help them understand that it’s a part of life and that kindness and hope can still shine through during difficult times.
4. Charlotte’s Web (2006) – Friendship and Farewell
Charlotte’s Web is a classic that has brought tears to many eyes for decades. It’s not hard to understand why. Wilbur is a little pig who loves Charlotte. The story revolves around friendship, loyalty, and the inevitable change.
Charlotte’s short life was tragic, and her death is a heartbreaking moment. This may be the first time many children have experienced death or the emotions that go with it.
This movie is honest and gentle, showing how painful endings can lead to a new beginning, as Charlotte’s kids carry on her legacy. This is a moving story that teaches children about love, resilience, and loss.
5. The Circle of Life — The Lion King (1994 and 2019).
The Lion King has a profound impact on children. The story is the same whether it’s an animated version or a live-action remake. Simba is a young lion who has lost his father,r Mufa, in a tragic accident.
This iconic death scene is devastating and lays the foundation for Simba’s journey from grief to courage and responsibility. This moment can be upsetting for young children as it brings to their attention the fear of losing a parental figure, which is universal.
The film does not shy away from major themes such as death, guilt, and redemption. It also offers hope, teaches about natural cycles of growth and life, and provides a lesson on the cycle of life. This film is a great example of how storytelling can help children process complicated emotions.
6. The Good Dinosaur – 2015 — Fear and Loss
The Good Dinosaur, a Pixar film that is not as well-known but has the same power to stir emotions, is a lesser-known gem. The story revolves around Arlo, who is a young dinosaur who loses his dad during a violent storm. This moment reminds me of Mufasa’s death in The Lion King.
The film explores themes such as courage, loss, and the power of friendship, as Arlo embarks upon a journey in order to confront his fears and find his home.
This movie is a must-see for all families because the portrayal of an orphaned child resonates with children. This movie is a good reminder that courage often comes from facing uncertainty and sadness head-on.
7. Big Hero 6 2014 — Love, Loss, & Healing
Big Hero 6 begins on a sad note: Hiro, our protagonist, lost his older brother Tadashi to a tragic accident. This sets up an emotional journey of grief, friendship, and self-discovery.
The film’s heart is Hiro and Baymax’s relationship. Baymax is a cute healthcare robot. Baymax’s sacrifice to save Hiro, his friend, and himself is particularly moving.
The movie is a balance of humor, action, and hope that combines themes of grief and recovery. This movie encourages children to realize that, while grief can be painful, it also leads to new connections and growth.
Why These Emotional Movies Matter
It is natural to wonder if it’s a good idea for children to feel emotions or cry during a film. Yes, it is. These films provide a safe environment for children to learn empathy and how to process emotions that may be unfamiliar or confusing.
Emotional responses can help develop emotional intelligence, a skill that is vital for mental health, relationships with others, and self-awareness in life. Children learn about resilience and optimism when they see characters overcome challenges such as loss, sadness, or fear.
How to Support Your Child Through Emotional Movie Moments
You can connect with your child by watching an emotional film. Here are some helpful tips to make the experience a positive one.
- Watch together: Sit near your child and comfort them if they become upset.
- Pause the Movie and Talk to Your Child: Do not be afraid to stop a movie to talk to your child about how they feel or what is happening.
- Validate emotions: Tell your child that it is okay for them to be scared, confused, or sad.
- Relate their Experience: Share your feelings or stories as appropriate.
- Following Up: Have a discussion after the movie to answer any questions and reinforce the positive messages.
Final Thoughts
Movies can be powerful tools to help children learn and grow emotionally. These seven films are just some examples of stories that can help your child develop empathy and feel safe, safely feel strong emotionsemember that tears are not just sadness. They’re also signs of emotional maturity and understanding in your child. It’s a gift to be cherished.
