Plugged In Movie Awards: Best Movies for Kids (2024)

Why let Oscar have all the fun?

About the time the Motion Picture Academy rolls out the red carpet for what its voters would say are the best films of the year, Plugged In offers its own awards showcase. And—with all due respect to the Oscars—we think we offer something that the folks in Hollywood don’t: We point to films that you and your family might, y’know, actually want to watch. I mean, Killers of the Flower Moon might be an artistic triumph and all, but is it really something you’d enjoy checking out with your 8-year-old?

So every year in our Plugged In Movie Awards, we nominate what we think are the best movies in four different categories: Kids, Teens, Adults and Best Christian movie. We’re looking for aesthetically pleasing films, sure. Quality is important. But in our vote, we also weigh a couple of other things: one, the sorts of messages the movie is delivering; and two, how “clean” a movie is, especially when we’re thinking about a kid-centric story. After all, a movie might feature great acting, great writing and even great messages. But if it also has a great many swear words, too, that’ll push it right out of many a family’s viewing queue.

We’ll be debating all of these categories and their nominees on the March 7 episode of The Plugged In Show and picking who will receive our coveted awards, affectionately known as the “Pluggies.” And trust me, that’s one episode you don’t want to miss. We can have some pretty passionate opinions about he movies we saw. I’m not saying there will be blood … but I’m on saying there won’t be, either. 

But we don’t want to just tell you what we think are the best movies out there. We want you to vote for your own favorites. And if you think we missed something? Let us know what you would’ve picked instead! That’s part of the fun of awards like these—telling us where we went wrong.

We’ll be rolling out our nominees every Friday in this space over the next month. You can cast your votes (or submit your write-ins) in the comments section of this blog below. Or comment on the appropriate posts on Facebook and Instagram, too. You can vote for anything and everything straight through February, and we’ll let you know in our March 7 episode of The Plugged In Show not only what we selected, but what you did, too. (And if you can’t listen in, we’ll be posting all the winners on the blog as well.)

And remember, even if a movie lands on this list, don’t take that as an unqualified seal of approval or automatic endorsement. Read our reviews to know whether these movies are right for your family.

With that lengthy preamble out of the way, onto our nominees for the Best Movies for Kids. (Movie synopses written by Paul Asay, Bob Hoose and Emily Tsiao.)

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (PG)

Years after Ginger, Rocky and the rest of their chicken chums escaped Mrs. Tweedy’s farm (as chronicled in the original Chicken Run), the whole crew has settled into an idyllic life—a poultry paradise, if you will. But when Ginger’s headstrong daughter, Molly, leaves that life to explore a tempting-but-dangerous factory nearby—one whose mascot is a deceptively happy hen sitting in a bucket—the chickens risk everything to save her. For a sequel made 23 years after the original recipe, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget feels surprisingly fresh. It’s breaded with fun, stuffed with clever Easter eggs and dipped in some sweet messages about family. Dawn of the Nugget reminds us that it’s often not easy to do what’s right, and that courage is a matter of overcoming your fears—not the absence of them.

The Little Mermaid (PG)

Admittedly, not many were falling all over themselves begging for a live-action version of Disney’s 1989 The Little Mermaid. The original worked just fine, thanks. But Disney’s light, lovely romance of a marine-born maiden and a land-lubbing prince works well in its own right. This remake of The Little Mermaid features a more diverse cast than the original, a re-positioned love story and some nice new songs. But the reason why this fish-filled-film lands on this list is the greater emphasis on Triton’s relationship with Ariel—and the sacrifice he makes for his headstrong daughter. Sure, Ariel shouldn’t have disobeyed her pops, that’s for sure. But we shouldn’t have disobeyed our own heavenly Father, either. And through its waterlogged proxy, The Little Mermaid reminds us that true love is about what we give, not what we get.

Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (PG)

If you’re of a certain youthful age, you know that the Paw Patrol is a pretty powerful platoon of pups. I mean, even the fact that these canines—with the help of their human pal, Ryder—can save the day behind the wheel of a variety of rescue vehicles is doggone impressive. But what if these heroes suddenly gained superpowers? That’s exactly what happens when a building-smashing meteor crashes down into the streets of Adventure City. But our pup protagonists aren’t the only ones to get some super-oomph. That glowing chunk of space rock contains crystals that can impart superpowers to anyone who touches them … including bad guys. The latest pic from the Paw Patrol franchise is playful, puckish and filled with pizazz. And it teaches kids that even if they feel small and underpowered, they can still bravely help those around them. The only small ruff of warning is over those mean (but not terrible) baddies and a few perilous moments. Other than that, this is a fun movie chewtoy.

Spy Kids: Armageddon (PG)

When Tony and Patty break their parents’ strict technology rules to download a video game, it unleashes the Armageddon Code, a program capable of hacking into any and every device on the planet. And it’s up to these spy kids (along with their spy parents) to get the code back and save the world. Spy Kids: Armageddon is just as wholesome, if not more so, than some of the other films in the Spy Kids franchise. Tony and Patty learn that kindness and honesty are some of the highest virtues. And even when it feels easier to lie, cheat, steal or even use violence, the story illustrates why those choices aren’t profitable in the long run. There’s also a redemptive storyline for some bad guys and a reminder to parents who may have lost sight of their priorities in the craziness of life. And considering the distinct lack of other problematic content, all that makes Spy Kids: Armageddon a film that’ll leave many a child—and her parents—smiling.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG)

You may think of Mario and his brother, Luigi, as just a couple of thickly accented Italian plumbers in a video game. But this movie tells us that all of that is just for the commercials. Hey, you gotta have a good shtick if you wanna break into the plumbing biz. But then this pair of average, real-world brothers gets accidentally sucked down the wrong pipe while trying to avert a flood and end up in a land of mushrooms, where a fire-breathing baddie roams and a pretty princess is in need of help. Who knew all that was under Brooklyn? This pic has the slow upfront load time of an old Game Cube filled with fanservice that tiny audience members likely won’t catch. And some bad-guy Bowser scenes might be a bit visually frightening for really young viewers. Still, this is a movie for fans, first and foremost. And most who’ve played any of the Mario games will have a ball watching this rollicking big-screen homage to Nintendo’s flagship franchise.

Special Mention:

The Velveteen Rabbit (G)

Based on the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of Rabbit, a toy who wants to become real by earning the love of a child, William. There are lessons about bravery, friendship and love. But more importantly, The Velveteen Rabbit teaches us that saying goodbye doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Sometimes, it just allows us to say hello to new things instead. Too short to qualify as a true “movie” (its runtime is just 44 minutes), The Velveteen Rabbit packs a punch in its brief time frame. Parents familiar with the story will note some magical elements (toys come to life and a fairy makes an appearance). And some toys can be mean to Rabbit when he becomes the favorite. However, the film’s strong focus on imagination should make these elements navigable. And the important lessons that William and Rabbit learn certainly make it worth consideration.