Learning Through Entertainment: 5 Kids Movies That Teach the Best Moral Lessons

When it comes to animation, there's a stereotype that it's silly entertainment for children. However, some cartoons have a lot of educational potential. The following five definitely have a lot to teach.

Ferdinand (2017, 6.7 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Blue Sky Studios' adventure comedy tells the story of Ferdinand, the world's most pacifist bull, who doesn't want to participate in the violent bullfight. However, he is forced to take part in the activity where his beliefs are challenged by one of the greatest bullfighters of all time.

The movie teaches that there is much more to being a man than being physically strong and aggressive, and that it's okay for men, no matter how masculine they appear, to appreciate beauty and freely express their feelings.

Kung Fu Panda (2008, 7.6 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

One of DreamWorks Animation's most popular franchises follows Po, a husky and awkward panda bear who, to the surprise of himself and the rest of the kung fu masters, is chosen to be the next Dragon Warrior, the mighty protector worthy of reading the sacred scroll that contains kung fu's most guarded secret. Long story short, there is no secret, with the moral being that you are the main ingredient of your own success.

Shrek (2001, 7.9 on IMDb)

Available on: Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Another of DreamWorks' most popular franchises revolves around the grumpy ogre who is hired by the arrogant and vain Lord Farquaad to rescue a princess from a dragon's nest in exchange for control of the swap that Shrek lives on. The mission is accomplished, but something goes wrong and the princess falls in love with the ogre, despite his hideous appearance and bad manners. The lesson of this movie is that personality is much more important to others than what's on the surface.

Zootopia (2016, 8.0 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

Disney's animal action comedy follows the unlikely friendship between rabbit cop Judy Hopps and red fox con man Nick Wilde as they team up to uncover a vast conspiracy behind the disappearance of predators that threatens the peace of the city. In another 'don't judge a book by its cover' lesson, the movie teaches that even the most seemingly well-meaning and harmless people can be dangerous and vicious.

WALL-E (2008, 8.4 on IMDb)

Available on: Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime

One of Pixar's classics, this animated sci-fi film tells the story of humanity's possible future in which the Earth has become uninhabitable due to pollution and humans have been sent to travel through space while the planet recovers. The movie follows the titular robot, whose only job is to collect and compress garbage, but there's room in his programmed existence for love and appreciation of beauty.

The film teaches us to appreciate our home planet, which is the only reason we exist in the vastness of the cosmos.