Top 10 Moving Movies That Help Your Kids

Discover the top 10 heartwarming movies that help children navigate the emotions of relocating, turning a challenging experience into an exciting adventure. Click to explore!

9 min read

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Key takeaways

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) 
2. Finding Dory (2016) 
3. The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) 
4. The Peanuts Movie (2015) 
5. Inside Out" (2015) 
6. Zootopia (2016) 
7. Up (2009) 
8. Lilo & Stitch (2002) 
9. Monsters, Inc. (2001) 
10. Toy Story (1995) 

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So, you've decided to uproot your entire life and drag your tiny humans along for the ride. Congratulations! You're about to embark on an adventure that's equal parts exciting and terrifying, kind of like that time you tried to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions.

But have you ever wondered how your kids would be feeling? While you're busy trying to figure out how to fit your entire life into cardboard boxes, we've got a secret weapon to help your kiddos cope with this monumental change. And no, it's not bribing them with ice cream (though that works too).

It's movies! That's right, those magical moving pictures that have been distracting your children since they were old enough to drool on the remote. But not just any movies, movies that have some sort of script about the main character moving to a new city and town and portrays what they're going through and the emotions they are feeling can really make your little ones relate and help them control their own emotions.

So, grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and let's check out our list of top 10 movies that'll turn your little movers from sobbing sad sacks to relocation rock stars.

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Helpful relating with: Identity, change, and responsibility

Plot: Miles Morales navigates his life after moving to a new school while discovering his new abilities as Spider-Man.

Production company: Sony Pictures Animation

This movie is like a crash course in "How to Be Cool When Everything Changes." Miles Morales doesn't just move schools; he gets bitten by a radioactive spider and has to save the multiverse. As he navigates the challenges of his new school, Miles must also come to terms with his newfound powers. The combination of these experiences forces him to grow quickly, balancing the emotional turmoil of his personal life with the immense responsibility of being a hero. Through this journey, the film explores themes of identity, adaptation, and resilience, making it relatable to anyone who has faced significant life changes.

How it can help: After watching, challenge your kids to find their own "superpowers" in your new neighbourhood. Who knows? Maybe they'll discover they have a knack for convincing the local ice cream truck to make extra stops.

2. Finding Dory (2016)

Helpful relating with: Family, persistence, and homecoming

Plot: Dory, a forgetful fish, goes on a journey to find her parents, highlighting the idea of finding one's way.

Production company: Pixar Animation Studios

If a fish with short-term memory loss can navigate the entire ocean to find her family, your kid can totally handle a new zip code. This movie is all about persistence, family, and the importance of just keeping looking forward. In this heartwarming sequel to "Finding Nemo," everyone's favourite forgetful fish, Dory, embarks on a journey to reunite with her long-lost parents. Along the way, she learns more about herself and discovers that sometimes the best things in life come from unexpected places. With its themes of acceptance, perseverance, and finding your place in the world, "Finding Dory" is a must-watch for any child going through a major move.

How it can help: Have your kids create their own "memory wall" in your new home where your kids can pin photos and mementos from your old place. It's like Dory's shell trail, but less likely to be eaten by other fish.

3. The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)

Helpful relating with: Adaptation, new beginnings, and facing fears

Plot: Max the dog has to deal with major changes when his owner gets married and has a baby, leading to a move to the countryside.

Production company: Illumination Entertainment

Max the dog's journey mirrors the upheaval and emotions of moving to a new place. Initially a city dog, Max is thrust into the unfamiliar countryside, feeling anxious and out of place. The plot follows his adaptation, as he navigates the challenges and discovers the joys of rural life. He meets new friends, overcomes fears, and gradually embraces his new environment. This story parallels the common human experience of relocating for the first time, highlighting the mix of excitement, uncertainty, and eventual adjustment. It's a reminder that change, though daunting, can lead to new adventures and connections.

How it can help: Let your kids "interview" their toys about how they feel about the move. It's a sneaky way to get them to express their own feelings, giving parents valuable insights on how to handle your kids feelings.

4. The Peanuts Movie (2015)

Helpful relating with: Self-acceptance, change, and perseverance

Plot: Charlie Brown tries to reinvent himself, proves that round heads are always in style.

Production company: Blue Sky Studios

This movie is perfect for kids who see moving as a chance to start fresh. Charlie Brown's attempts to impress the new girl in town are both hilarious and heartwarming. Plus, it teaches an important lesson: no matter where you go, you're still you – and that's pretty great.

How it can help: After watching the movie, chat to your kids about the challenges of starting over and making new friends and why it's important to still stay true to oneself during transitions.

5. Inside Out (2015)

Helpful relating with: Change, emotional growth, and the importance of family.

Plot: Riley, a young girl who's parents decides to move interstate to San Francisco, and her emotions as they navigate the change.

Production company: Pixar Animation Studios

This movie is a journey through the mind of an 11-year-old girl named Riley, who faces the challenge of moving to a new city. Her emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are personified as colourful characters that navigate her feelings. As Riley adjusts to her new environment, these emotions must work together to help her cope with her mixed feelings about leaving her old home and making new friends. This narrative beautifully illustrates that it's normal to experience a range of emotions during major life changes, offering a relatable and insightful way to help children understand and express their feelings.

How it can help: Following the movie, you can discuss how moving affects emotions and the coping mechanisms children can use. It's also important to acknowledge and express our feelings during a move so we can understand and manage them.

6. Zootopia (2016)

Helpful relating with: Determination, diversity, and achieving dreams

Plot: Judy Hopps moves to the city of Zootopia to fulfil her dream of becoming a police officer, facing many challenges and adventures.

Production company: Walt Disney Animation Studios

This movies depicts the story of Judy Hopps, the poster child for chasing your dreams, even when they take you far from home. This movie teaches kids about embracing diversity, working hard, and not judging a book (or a fox) by its cover.

How it can help: The story helps kids understand some of the reasons people choose to move and why it's important to embrace diversity and understand different perspectives. It can also reiterate the fact determination and hard work is needed in achieving goals.

7. Up (2009)

Helpful relating with: Adventure, fulfilling dreams, and unexpected friendships.

Plot: Carl, an old man, and Russell, a young boy, embark on an adventure to fulfil Carl’s dream of relocating his house.

Production company: Pixar Animation Studios

Okay, so you're probably not planning to attach balloons to your house and float away. But this movie shows that adventure can happen at any age and that sometimes, the best journeys are the unexpected ones. It follows the story of Carl, an elderly man who, after losing his beloved wife, decides to fulfil their shared dream of exploring South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying away. Along the way, he accidentally takes a young boy scout named Russell with him. Together, they encounter exotic locations, surprising friends, and formidable adversaries. The film delves into themes of grief, finding new purpose, and the emotional journey of moving forward in life, showing how adventure and new connections can help heal old wounds.

How it can help: Start a conversation with your kids about how adventure can be a part of the moving process after watching the movie. The significance of keeping an open mind and forming new relationships can open doors to new opportunities and friendships no matter how old you are.

8. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Helpful relating with: Family, acceptance, and finding where you belong

Plot: Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, and her alien pet Stitch form a unique family while dealing with social services and fitting in.

Production company: Walt Disney Animation Studios

This movie follows the journey of an orphaned young girl who's parents pass away in a car crash. The elder orphaned teenage sister struggles to take care of her lonely sister Lilo and threatened by a social worker Cobra Bubbles to place Lilo into foster care if the situation doesn't improve. Lilo ends up adopting a pet dog, experiment 626 who is impersonating a dog and she calls him, "Stitch". Together, they navigate their new environments, learning the importance of creating their own definition of family.

How it can help: This movie is all about finding your place and creating your own definition of family. It's perfect for kids who feel like aliens in their new surroundings. Talk about diverse definitions of family and belonging and how acceptance and understanding is important when adjusting to new places.

9. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Helpful relating with: Friendship, change, and overcoming prejudice

Plot: Sulley and Mike's lives are turned upside down when a human child enters their world, leading to unexpected adventures and changes.

Production company: Pixar Animation Studios

While not explicitly about moving, this movie is all about overcoming fears and prejudices. The movie is about Sulley and Mike, the top performing duo at Monsters Inc, for scaring Children to harness their energy. Suddenly their lives are thrown into chaos when a human child enters their world, leading to unexpected adventures and changes. This highlights how an unexpected newcomer can turn a familiar environment upside down, forcing characters to adapt and embrace new experiences. It's perfect for kids who are scared of the "monsters" they might encounter in their new home.

How it can help: Discuss with you kids that that change is good and building new relationships and understanding others' perspectives highlight the positive aspects of change and new experiences especially when you move.

10. Toy Story (1995)

Helpful relating with: Friendship, loyalty, and adapting to new environments

Plot: Andy's toys face the challenges of moving to a new house.

Production company: Pixar Animation Studios

This classic shows that even your kid's toys have feelings about moving. It centres around two competitive toys Woody(Andy's favourite old toy) and Buzz Lightyear Andy's newest toy), and their toy friends who face anxiety and uncertainty when their owner, Andy, prepares to move to a new house and Woody and Buzz gets lost in the moving checklist and try and make it back to Andy during the move. The movie beautifully addresses themes of change, adaptability, and the importance of sticking together during transitions.

How it can help: It's a great way to talk about the anxiety of change and the importance of sticking together. Also let your kids be in charge of packing their own toy box for the move. It gives them a sense of control and responsibility.

Closing the curtains

Moving to a new home can be a stressful and emotionally challenging experience for both children and adults. However, films like "Inside Out," "Finding Dory," "The Princess and the Frog," "Zootopia," "Up," "Lilo & Stitch," "Monsters, Inc.," and "Toy Story" provide valuable lessons and comfort during such transitions. These movies offer unique perspectives on dealing with change, understanding diverse experiences, and embracing new adventures. By discussing the themes and messages from these films, parents can help their children navigate their own feelings about moving, find joy in the journey, and build resilience for the future. Ultimately, these stories remind us all that with a bit of understanding, determination, and the right attitude, any move can become a positive and enriching experience.

So pop in a DVD, curl up on that moving box you're using as a couch, and let the magic of movies turn your family's big move into the adventure of a lifetime. And hey, if all else fails, there's always ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream.