Pixar was the dominant force in animation at the time, but it wasn’t the only studio capable of releasing unforgettable movies for children.
Many of the best ‘kids’ films at the time contained something for everyone, so they remain watchable no matter your age. In fact, some of the greatest kids’ movies ever released arrived between 2000 and 2009.
School of Rock (2003)
School of Rock is a light-hearted, family-friendly comedy with plenty of humor and a feel-good story. The movie stars Jack Black as Dewie Finn, who becomes a substitute teacher at an elementary school.
Finn gets kicked out of his rock band, but uses his position at the school to hatch a unique plan. Instead of sticking to the curriculum, Finn teaches his students the history of rock music and how to play instruments. He also enrolls his students in the ‘Battle of the Bands’ tournament.
If you can ignore the consequences of an event like this happening in real life, School of Rock tells a wonderful story of empowerment and coming of age. Jack Black is hilarious, and the film is enjoyable for a multigenerational audience.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Pixar was a juggernaut studio during the early 2000s, with many of its movies shaping the landscape of kids’ films. Monsters. Inc. is a perfect example, introducing us to Sully (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal), two monsters with hearts of gold.
Monsters, Inc. introduces us to a fantasy world full of monsters, which relies on children’s screams to keep the power on. However, monsters are actually scared of children, and events spiral out of control when Boo (Mary Gibbs) unwittingly enters Monstropolis.
It’s a wild premise, even for a Pixar movie, but Monsters, Inc. has a good message and is even suitable for young children. The monsters are sillier than scary, and the film retains subtle adult jokes for an older audience.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (2009)
Disney and Pixar dominated the animated movie space in the early 2000s. However, movies like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Sony Pictures Animation proved there was still space for other studios to thrive.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is a hilarious story about an unappreciated genius, Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), looking for a breakthrough. He accidentally creates a machine that allows him to make it rain food, but overuse could have disastrous consequences.
The movie leans heavily into meme culture for its humor. It’s full of ‘laugh out loud’ moments, but also tells a relatable tale about a son who yearns for his father’s praise when the two have so little in common.
The Incredibles (2004)
Pixar’s The Incredibles was released in 2004, several years before the MCU’s movies started hitting their stride. It remains one of the best superhero films of all time, effortlessly combining high-intensity action with relatable family dynamics and a revenge story.
Regular people see superheroes as a liability in The Incredibles, forcing them to retire and live normal lives. However, Bob (Craig T. Nelson), aka Mr. Incredible, finds a way back into his superhero lifestyle.
There is plenty of action in The Incredibles, and the movie stands out for its focus on Bob’s family and surprisingly emotional exploration of self-worth.
Shrek (2001)
DreamWorks is another heavy hitter in the animated studio space and unleashed its largest IP onto audiences in 2001. There are many films in the Shrek franchise now, and the original tells a whimsical fantasy story about Shrek (Mike Myers), an ogre and unlikely hero who just wants to be left alone in his swamp.
The movie’s all-star cast includes Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy, and follows Shrek’s quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a castle guarded by a dragon. The movie takes lighthearted jabs at well-known fantasy staples while also telling a heartfelt story.
The film spins a wonderful tale about self-worth and true love. Many of Murphy’s lines as Donkey are comedy gold, and the film introduces audiences to a franchise that rarely misses the mark.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)
The Harry Potter movies were in full swing during the early 2000s. They all have merit, but many fans would argue that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the best in the series.
The Prisoner of Azkaban is the third film in the franchise. It has a much darker tone than the previous movies, and the acting from the main cast is vastly improved.
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is a teenager now and believes he is being hunted by Sirius Black (Gary Oldman). The movie’s direction feels more mature than that of The Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, and it sets the tone for future stories, which quickly become more intense and fraught with danger.
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Jack Black enjoys a second entry on this list, this time as Po, a large, lovable panda. Kung Fu Panda is a brilliant, action-packed movie suitable for kids. The comedy also lands well for adults, which explains why it remains so beloved today.
Po dreams of becoming a martial arts master, but doesn’t seem well-suited to the role. He may not look like a traditional kung fu hero, but he learns to rely on his own strengths.
Like many movies on this list, Kung Fu Panda has a good message and well-deserved emotional moments. The action sequences are also far better than you may expect from a slapstick animated film, boasting stylish fight choreography.
WALL-E (2008)
WALL-E is a remarkable Pixar movie and stands out against the rest of the studio’s library for several reasons. It tells a unique story, with a delivery style we simply wouldn’t see in a kids’ movie today.
The film tells a cautionary tale about the dangers of wastefulness and overconsumption. Humans have made the planet uninhabitable, turning it into a wasteland overflowing with trash. WALL-E makes the list thanks to its incredible visual storytelling. In fact, audiences don’t even hear a character utter a single word for roughly the first 30 minutes.
WALL-E is still an iconic protagonist, and his relationship with EVE is adorable. The movie tackles heavy subjects without pointing fingers and has a strong, hopeful message.
Up (2009)
The opening scene of Up may hit an adult audience particularly hard, but the film tells a heartwarming story of an unlikely duo on a grand adventure in the wilderness.
The story of Up is surprisingly emotional. Carl (Edward Asner) saves up to go exploring with his wife, Ellie. They tragically never get a chance. As an older man, Carl primes his house to take flight, powered by thousands of balloons, and embark on a journey he never could before.
Russell (Jordan Nagai), a young Wilderness Explorer, tags along for the ride and the pair tackles dangers far away from home together. Kids will love the wild adventure, and Pixar delicately tackles adult themes like grief and aging. Up is an unforgettable masterpiece that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo isn’t just one of the best kids’ movies; it’s one of the best animated movies of all time. It tells a grand story about a clownfish who defies the odds and braves the perils of the ocean in search of his son.
We see Nemo (Alexander Gould) get caught in a net near the start of the film and end up in a fish tank in a dentist’s surgery. Nemo’s father, Marlin (Albert Brooks), embarks on an epic journey to find him in an aquatic adventure with jaw-dropping visuals that still hold up today.
The adventure story is superb, but Finding Nemo also explores relatable themes, like overprotective parenting and letting go. The ocean comes to life with a charismatic cast, including Ellen DeGeneres as Dory.
Audiences of all ages can find something to enjoy in Finding Nemo. It’s become a cultural phenomenon and remains endlessly quotable.