The Best Disney Movies For 2 Year Olds | Parents Guide & Tips

If you’re searching for a Disney film for a two year old, you’ll want something entertaining, with minimal adult themes, perhaps educational, and, most importantly, fun!

In this Disney Movie Guide, we’ll break down our top Disney movie picks for two year olds, including why they may or may not be perfect for your child!

Questions We’ll Answer About Disney Movies For Two-Year-Olds:

  • What Are Our Rating Criteria?
  • What Are The Best Disney Movies For Two Year Olds?

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What Are Our Rating Criteria?

 

When deciding which Disney films are best for a two year old, we considered the following factors:

  • Presence of adult themes
  • Entertainment value
  • Educational

A significant factor we, of course considered was the presence of adult themes in these films. While many children may not understand the adult themes in Disney films, we did our best to provide recommendations that avoid them altogether.

Just as important to us was the entertainment value of the film. Kids want something that will hold their attention span, colorful and engaging. So we found films that are most likely to grab the attention of a two year old and keep them watching for as long as possible.

Less of a factor, but something we still considered, was education. If any of the films we considered had any sort of educational elements, then they received some bonus points from us, but this was hardly a deciding factor on the movies we included.

What Are The Best Disney Movies For Two Year Olds?

 

Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo (2003):

Why it’s perfect for a 2-year-old: “Finding Nemo” is an underwater adventure that captivates young audiences with its vibrant colors, adorable characters, and heartwarming story.

Taking place alongside coral reefs, across the ocean, and even on land, Finding Nemo is full of fun and vibrant colors which grab the attention of many two year olds.

The film follows the tale of a clownfish named Marlin and his journey to find his lost son, Nemo, is entertaining and educational in the form of its life lessons. Finding Nemo teaches important life lessons about courage, friendship, and the vastness of the ocean.

Adding more fun to the film is  Dory, who has short-term memory loss, brings humor and laughter throughout the movie, making it relatable and enjoyable for your toddler. The humor is quite silly and can be interpreted from the physical actions of Dory, making it easy for your toddler to catch on to what’s happening.

With a running time of approximately 100 minutes, it’s an ideal length to keep their attention without overwhelming them.

Toy Story

Toy Story (1995)

Why it’s perfect for a 2-year-old: “Toy Story” takes us into the imaginative world of toys when we’re not looking.

The movie is a heartwarming story about friendship, loyalty, and no adult themes. Best of all, it’s a great film for both children AND parents.

Like Finding Nemo, Toy Story is an extremely colorful and imaginative film that does a great job at capturing and keeping, your toddler’s attention.

The film also has a really great and upbeat soundtrack, which will also make for a fun listening experience for your child.

At just 77 minutes, it’s a quick watch and is one of the best films to introduce your child to Pixar and Disney.

Moana

Moana (2016)

Why it’s perfect for a 2-year-old:  The most recent film on this list, Moana, is a visually stunning Disney film that introduces your toddler to the magic of the South Pacific.

This adventurous tale of a brave young girl who sets out to save her people is filled with catchy songs and breathtaking scenes. It’s a story of courage, self-discovery, and determination.

The character of Moana is a fantastic role model for your child, emphasizing qualities like perseverance and bravery.

You’ll also get plenty of silliness and fun with Moana’s sidekick, Heihei, the rooster, who brings some great laughs, especially for younger children.

With a runtime of just about 107 minutes, Moana is just long enough before a film might get too drawn out for a two year old.

The Jungle Bo

The Jungle Book (1967)

Why it’s perfect for a 2-year-old: The oldest entry in this list is the timeless classic The Jungle Book.

This Disney classic that takes your child on an adventure through the heart of the jungle and is packed with tons of fun music, dancing, and laughs.

With lovable characters like Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, your child will be entertained by their playful antics, which always somehow find a way to connect to the child watching.

The Jungle Book is great for toddlers through its combination of catchy songs, colorful animation, and valuable lessons about friendship and embracing differences.

 

The Lion King

The Lion King (1994)

Why it’s perfect for a 2-year-old: “The Lion King” is a timeless Disney classic that has been enchanting audiences of all ages for decades. This film is not only visually stunning but also a powerful story of love, courage, and the circle of life.

Simba’s journey from a playful cub to a powerful lion king is both heartwarming and thrilling. The movie’s memorable characters, including Timon and Pumbaa, provide comic relief bringing lots of giggles and amusement.

While a film about “the circle of life” might not be the best fit for every toddler, as there is a death in the movie, it’s done so tastefully that it shouldn’t be too bothersome for your child.

However, we did want to flag this as some parents want to avoid any and all possible adult themes in films when their child is this young!

With another short runtime of just 89 minutes, The Lion King is another quick watch that’s just the right amount of length to keep your child occupied.

 

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