Best Kids Movies

"Shrek 2," "The Lost Unicorn," as well as the Addams family!

there is no minimum age requirement for viewing children's films.

Aside from the primary audience, there are times when you just want to watch a slew of colorful characters — possibly animated or CGI — embark on daring exploits.

The good news is that streaming services have us more than covered, with Netflix and (of course) Disney+ offering an abundance of content options.

But don't overlook Amazon Prime. On Amazon Prime, there may not be as many options as on other streaming services, but there are still a few hidden gems. From oddly existential unicorn animations to classics such as Shrek 2, here are some of the best children's films available to stream on Prime Video today.

The Final Unicorn.

The Last Unicorn is not your typical cheerful, look how much fun we're all having type of children's film. In no way. There are some humorous moments, but the overall tone is darker than Monsters, Inc. Nevertheless, you should not skip it! The Last Unicorn is highly recommended for those who enjoy darker Disney and Studio Ghibli films, such as Spirited Away. The story, based on Peter S. Beagle's novel and adapted by Beagle himself, follows the titular unicorn (voiced by Mia Farrow) on a mission to reunite with the rest of her kind. Along the way, she must face an evil witch (Angela Lansbury), a miserable king (Christopher Lee), and the shadow of a menacing red bull that wants nothing more than to trap her forever. This one receives bonus points for the music, which includes some original songs by Jimmy Webb performed by the band America and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania

It is the 125th anniversary of Hotel Transylvania, and Papa Drac (Brian Hull) is ready to hand over the hotel to his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez). The sole issue? His human son-in-law Johnny (Andy Samberg), who is visibly excited to undertake the project, much to Dracula's chagrin. Thus begins the Amazon Prime Original Hotel Transylvania 3 film. Twists and turns abound, with the Hotel Transylvania clan members transforming into humans and Johnny transforming into a monstrous dragon-like creature. As a human, Dracula is remarkably down-to-earth and considerably less intimidating. Perhaps the strongest aspect of the film, if not the exciting animation, are the voice characters, with Samberg/Johnny standing out among the rest. As they traverse the South African jungle, an awe-inspiring cave, and then their beloved hotel for a long-awaited happy ending and a new era, they encounter family drama, lies, and comical mishaps.

Shrek 2

There was a reason why Shrek movies were the Friday afternoon go-to for exhausted teachers. Not only are the films immensely popular twenty years after their release, but they are also a surefire crowd-pleaser. The 2004 sequel Shrek 2 is just as good as the original. It follows Shrek (Mike Myers), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) as they travel to meet Princess Fiona's parents, who are unimpressed with her new husband. Children and parents adored the original's blend of dry wit and silliness, so the sequel features a zany adventure featuring enormous gingerbread men and an evil fairy godmother.

The Addams Family 2

In this sequel featuring the creepy yet enduringly beloved film family, the Addams are in need of some old-fashioned quality time. In the film, they abandon science fairs and their iconic mansion for Niagara Falls, which seems like an odd decision for a group that would have preferred to visit Salem. Wednesday Addams (Chloe Grace Moritz) may not be the biological child of Gomez and Morticia (Gomez and Morticia Addams) — this is the most unsettling aspect of the story (voiced by Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron respectively). The most recent Addams family film is a departure from its predecessors, but its recurring characters remain true to form. With the exception of a few typical Addams elements, this version is considerably more kid-friendly. The film is classic Addams family in that it is both kooky and spooky in equal measure, so you should watch it. Indeed, you've arrived at the madhouse.

A Monster in Paris

Set in 1910 during the Great Flooding of Paris, when the Lumière brothers were already pioneering filmmakers and Art Deco architecture shone, A Monster in Paris (originally released in France as Un monstre à Paris) is a surprisingly bizarre and moving animated film from French director Bibo Bergeron. When film-loving projectionist Emile Petit (Sébastien Desjours/Jay Harrington) and his smarmy inventor pal Raoul (Gad Elmaleh/Adam Goldberg) accidentally create an insect-like monster after breaking into a professor's conservatory, the creature escapes into the night and befriends L'Oiseau Rare cabaret singer Lucille (voiced by Vanessa Paradis in both the French and English dubs). While attempting to evade her aunt's (Julie Ferrier/Catherine O'Hara) plan to marry her off to the problematic mayoral candidate Victor Maynott (Francois Cluzet/Danny Huston) — who, I kid you not, literally has a 2IC named Paté — she befriends Francoeur, the so-called monster (voiced by Matthieu Chedid/Sean Lennon), who demonstrates that they have more While some of the character tropes may feel a bit dated, and some of the scares may frighten younger children away, the film's visuals are truly remarkable.