For a year that often felt like a calendar stuck on “loading,” 2020 delivered an unexpectedly strong stack of kids’ movies and new family films. The big-screen popcorn experience may have taken an extended nap, but animated adventures, musical fantasies, talking animals, superheroes, magical schools, and at least one extremely energetic blue hedgehog kept family movie night alive.
The best kids’ movies of 2020 did more than fill a couple of hours between dinner and bedtime negotiations. Many of them gave children big, colorful stories about grief, friendship, bravery, creativity, and belonging. Adults got jokes that sailed pleasantly over younger viewers’ heads, emotional moments that landed harder than expected, and a temporary excuse to eat snacks shaped like dinosaurs.
Below are 26 standout 2020 family films worth revisiting. Some are ideal for younger children, some work better for tweens, and a few have enough heart and humor to keep grown-ups from mysteriously needing to “check an email” halfway through.
Why 2020 Was a Surprisingly Great Year for Family Movies
Movie releases changed dramatically in 2020, with studios moving many titles from theaters to streaming services, video-on-demand platforms, and home premieres. That shift made family entertainment more accessible for many households and helped smaller, imaginative films find audiences alongside major studio releases.
It also encouraged studios to take chances. The year featured hand-drawn-inspired animation, musical adventures based on folklore, live-action remakes, sports dramas, offbeat comedies, and superhero stories built around children rather than adults with extremely complicated capes. The result was a broad menu of family films with different moods, messages, and levels of silliness.
The 26 Best Kids’ Movies of 2020 for Family Movie Night
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1. Onward
Pixar’s Onward follows elf brothers Ian and Barley as they chase one magical chance to reconnect with their late father. The fantasy world is full of suburban unicorns, traffic jams, quests, and enough emotional material to make parents suddenly very interested in the ceiling. It is funny, warm, and especially meaningful for families ready to discuss love, loss, and sibling bonds.
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2. Soul
Soul is one of the most thoughtful animated movies of 2020. It centers on Joe Gardner, a jazz-loving teacher who starts questioning what gives life meaning. The movie has gorgeous music, inventive visuals, and a message that small joys can matter as much as grand ambitions. Younger children may enjoy the humor, while older kids and adults may find themselves quietly rethinking lunch breaks forever.
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3. Wolfwalkers
With its rich, storybook-like animation, Wolfwalkers feels like a moving watercolor painting that learned how to run through the forest. Set in 17th-century Ireland, it follows a young hunter who befriends a girl connected to a mysterious wolf clan. It is a beautiful choice for families with older children who enjoy folklore, friendship stories, and adventurous fantasy with a few darker moments.
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4. Over the Moon
Over the Moon turns a Chinese moon legend into a bright animated musical adventure. Young Fei Fei builds a rocket in hopes of proving that the moon goddess Chang’e is real, then discovers a dazzling lunar world. The film balances grief, family traditions, determination, and colorful fantasy. It is a lovely pick for children who enjoy music, science projects, and rockets that would definitely fail every school safety inspection.
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5. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
This holiday musical brings giant costumes, inventive gadgets, dance numbers, and a charming robot to the screen. Forest Whitaker stars as a once-brilliant toymaker who has lost his confidence until his granddaughter arrives with a burst of imagination. Jingle Jangle is festive without feeling like a sugar cookie exploded in a snow globe, making it a strong holiday movie for the whole family.
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6. The Willoughbys
The Willoughbys is delightfully strange, with a visual style that looks like a children’s book decided to become mildly chaotic. Four siblings attempt to escape their self-absorbed parents and build a more loving family of their own. The humor can be dark and absurd, but the movie ultimately celebrates resilience, chosen family, and the fact that a responsible nanny can solve more problems than most adults.
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7. The One and Only Ivan
Based on the beloved novel, The One and Only Ivan tells the story of a silverback gorilla living in a shopping-mall circus. When a young elephant arrives, Ivan begins remembering the wild world he once knew. The film handles friendship, compassion, and animal welfare with a gentle tone. It is ideal for families who want a heartfelt animal story that may spark useful conversations after the credits.
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8. Trolls World Tour
If your household needs color, glitter, and songs played at a volume that annoys every nearby plant, Trolls World Tour delivers. Poppy and Branch discover that the Trolls belong to different musical tribes, from pop and funk to country and classical. The movie is cheerful, energetic, and built around the idea that differences should be celebrated rather than erased. The soundtrack does much of the heavy lifting, and it knows it.
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9. The Croods: A New Age
The prehistoric Crood family returns in a sequel full of slapstick survival, strange creatures, and a rivalry with a more polished family called the Bettermans. The Croods: A New Age is packed with visual jokes and fast-paced adventure, but it also explores changing family roles and the challenge of letting kids grow up. In other words, it is basically parenting, but with more giant bananas.
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10. Sonic the Hedgehog
The speedy video-game hero made a surprisingly fun leap into live action with Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic hides on Earth until he accidentally creates a massive power surge and draws the attention of the eccentric Dr. Robotnik. Jim Carrey brings cartoon-level energy to the villain role, while Sonic offers enough quick jokes and action to entertain kids and nostalgic adults.
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11. The Call of the Wild
This adaptation of Jack London’s classic follows Buck, a pampered dog who is taken from California to the Yukon during the Gold Rush. Harrison Ford provides the human heart of the story, while Buck’s journey offers adventure, danger, and loyalty. Families with animal lovers may appreciate its sweeping scenery and emotional themes, though younger viewers may need reassurance during the more intense moments.
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12. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Timmy Failure believes he is the world’s greatest detective, despite plenty of evidence suggesting otherwise. His imaginary business partner happens to be a polar bear, and his investigations are impressively unhelpful. The movie has dry humor, a quirky hero, and a message about confidence without pretending that every strange idea needs to become a company. A good fit for kids who enjoy offbeat comedy and underdog stories.
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13. Safety
Safety is a sports drama inspired by the real-life story of Ray McElrathbey, a college football player who becomes responsible for his younger brother. The film focuses on perseverance, family responsibility, and support from a community. It is more grounded than many animated picks on this list, making it a strong choice for tweens and teens who respond to inspirational stories with real stakes.
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14. We Can Be Heroes
When Earth’s superhero parents are captured by aliens, their children must work together to save the day. We Can Be Heroes is a cheerful superhero adventure full of unusual powers, goofy action, and young characters learning to trust one another. It never takes itself too seriously, which is wise when one child’s superpower is essentially turning into a very useful puddle.
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15. Godmothered
Godmothered follows Eleanor, a fairy godmother-in-training who travels to the human world to help a woman whose childhood wish was never fulfilled. The movie blends fish-out-of-water comedy with a sweet reminder that happiness does not always arrive in a ballroom gown. It is especially fun for families who enjoy fairy-tale stories but would like the magic wand to occasionally make a mistake.
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16. Mulan
The 2020 live-action version of Mulan takes a more dramatic approach to the familiar legend. Mulan disguises herself as a man to protect her father and becomes a skilled warrior in the process. The film is visually ambitious and centers on courage, discipline, and family loyalty. Because the action is more intense than in many animated movies, it may work best for older kids and tweens.
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17. Secret Society of Second-Born Royals
This playful fantasy imagines that second-born royal children have secret superpowers and are trained to protect the world. The premise is pure wish-fulfillment: hidden abilities, a fancy academy, and a mission that does not involve folding laundry. It is light, adventurous, and easy to watch, especially for children who enjoy magical-school stories and team-based superhero action.
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18. Upside-Down Magic
In Upside-Down Magic, a young girl enters a magical academy only to discover that her powers do not work quite like everyone else’s. Instead of treating differences as failures, the movie encourages viewers to see unusual abilities as strengths. It is a gentle, affirming story about self-acceptance, friendship, and resisting the pressure to become a neat little version of somebody else.
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19. The Secret Garden
This 2020 adaptation of The Secret Garden brings the classic story into a lush fantasy setting. After losing her parents, Mary Lennox is sent to live with her distant uncle and discovers a mysterious garden that seems to hold healing magic. The film is visually lovely and emotionally gentle, though its themes of illness and loss may be better suited to older children.
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20. Scoob!
Scoob! gives Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang a bigger-than-usual animated adventure involving ancient secrets, superheroes, and plenty of snack-related motivation. The plot is busy, but the main appeal is still the group’s friendship and familiar personalities. It is a reliable pick for kids who enjoy mysteries but prefer their monsters goofy, colorful, and unlikely to cause any lasting nightmares.
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21. Farmageddon: A Shaun the Sheep Movie
Shaun the Sheep meets an adorable alien in this nearly dialogue-free animated comedy. Farmageddon relies on physical humor, visual gags, and expressive characters rather than long speeches, making it easy for younger viewers to follow. It is clever enough for adults, gentle enough for many children, and proof that a sheep can carry an entire film franchise with more confidence than most people carry groceries.
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22. Dino Dana: The Movie
For children who can name more dinosaurs than relatives at a family reunion, Dino Dana: The Movie is a treat. Dana’s fascination with prehistoric creatures becomes a full adventure when she searches for dinosaur eggs and investigates the past. The story mixes imagination, science curiosity, and family teamwork, making it a solid choice for younger viewers who enjoy educational entertainment without feeling like they are doing homework.
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23. The Christmas Chronicles 2
Kurt Russell returns as a lively Santa Claus in this holiday sequel, which follows Kate Pierce on another magical Christmas adventure. There are elves, time travel, snowy chases, and enough festive chaos to make wrapping paper seem peaceful. It is a fun seasonal choice for families wanting adventure with their cocoa, especially when everyone is willing to accept that Santa apparently has an action-movie schedule.
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24. The War with Grandpa
When a boy is forced to give up his bedroom so his grandfather can move in, he begins a ridiculous campaign to win the room back. The resulting prank war escalates with predictable silliness and a surprisingly strong cast. The War with Grandpa is not subtle, but it understands that family comedies sometimes need a little chaos, a few harmless tricks, and furniture in mild danger.
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25. The Sleepover
The Sleepover turns an ordinary overnight hangout into a kid-friendly action comedy when siblings discover that their mother has a secret past. The movie mixes family banter, escape plans, and playful suspense without becoming too heavy. It is a good weekend choice for tweens who want an adventure story that feels a little grown-up but still keeps the humor and heart front and center.
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26. The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
This animated holiday special sends Rey through famous moments from the Star Wars timeline in full LEGO style. It is packed with callbacks, playful jokes, and cheerful nonsense that works best for fans who know their Jedi from their Jawas. Even casual viewers can enjoy the fast pace, while longtime Star Wars families will appreciate the gentle roasting of almost every era.
How to Choose the Right 2020 Family Movie
The best family movie is not always the one with the loudest trailer or the most famous character. Match the film to the mood in your living room. For a comforting, emotional story, try Onward, Soul, or The One and Only Ivan. For a high-energy laugh, choose Sonic the Hedgehog, Trolls World Tour, or The Croods: A New Age.
Families looking for creative animation should put Wolfwalkers, Over the Moon, and The Willoughbys near the top of the list. For holiday viewing, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, The Christmas Chronicles 2, and The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special make easy seasonal choices.
It also helps to consider your child’s comfort level. A movie may be family-friendly while still including peril, sadness, action scenes, or complicated themes. Preview summaries, ratings, and parental guidance when needed. The goal is not to choose the “perfect” movie; it is to choose one that lets everyone relax, laugh, and avoid arguing over the remote for at least ninety minutes.
Family Movie Night Experiences: What Made 2020 Kids’ Movies Memorable
Watching 2020 family films at home created a different kind of movie experience. There was no need to rush through traffic, find parking, or explain why a tub of popcorn cost roughly the same as a small appliance. Instead, families built their own routines around blankets, takeout, homemade snacks, and the timeless question: “Can we pause it? I need water.”
For many parents, these movies became an easy way to create a small pocket of togetherness during an unusual year. A child might have watched Onward for the talking unicorns and magical quest, while a parent connected with the story’s tender look at family and memory. Soul could begin as a colorful Pixar movie and end with everyone talking about hobbies, dreams, and the tiny things that make an ordinary day feel worthwhile.
The best experiences often came from leaning into a movie’s world. Before watching Trolls World Tour, families could make a living-room dance floor and let each person choose a favorite music style. For Over the Moon, kids could create paper lanterns, draw moon missions, or read about moon myths from different cultures. A viewing of Farmageddon could become an excuse to make silly sheep crafts, while Dino Dana: The Movie could inspire a backyard fossil hunt involving rocks, spoons, and very questionable scientific methods.
Holiday movies brought their own traditions. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey works especially well with warm drinks, holiday cookies, and a willingness to sing along even when nobody remembers the lyrics. The Christmas Chronicles 2 can become part of a December movie marathon, paired with homemade decorations or a family vote about the greatest Christmas snack. There is no wrong answer, although the cookies will probably claim victory.
Older kids and tweens may remember the films that gave them something real to talk about. Wolfwalkers can open conversations about nature, loyalty, fear, and who gets labeled as “different.” Safety can lead to discussions about responsibility, support systems, and how asking for help is not weakness. Upside-Down Magic offers an approachable way to talk about individuality and the pressure to fit in when your strengths do not look like everyone else’s.
The beauty of family movie night is that it does not need to be expensive or perfectly planned. A couch, a shared screen, a bowl of snacks, and one good story can be enough. The 2020 kids’ movies on this list remain memorable because they gave families many different ways to laugh together, feel something together, and occasionally debate whether a blue hedgehog could outrun bedtime.
Final Thoughts on the Best Kids’ Movies of 2020
The best 2020 family films offered much more than distraction. They gave viewers imaginative worlds, memorable songs, thoughtful lessons, and characters worth cheering for. Whether your family prefers animation, fantasy, live-action adventure, animal stories, holiday musicals, or superhero chaos, there is a movie here ready to make your next family movie night feel a little more special.
Start with one title that fits your household’s mood, keep the snacks within reach, and let the living room become a theater for the evening. No ticket line required. Pajamas are not only allowed; they are strongly recommended.
