Are Popular Kids Movies Safe for Christian Families? 7 Films Every Parent Should Screen First

As Christian parents, we want to provide our children with entertainment that aligns with our values while still being engaging and age-appropriate. However, navigating today's movie landscape can feel like walking through a minefield. Even films rated G or PG can contain content that conflicts with biblical principles, leaving many families wondering: which popular kids movies are actually safe for Christian households?

The reality is that not every popular children's movie passes the test when viewed through a Christian lens. While these films may be technically "family-friendly," they often promote worldviews, behaviors, or spiritual concepts that don't align with biblical teaching. That's why it's crucial to screen these movies before family movie night.

Why Screening Matters More Than Ratings

The Motion Picture Association's rating system focuses primarily on violence, language, and sexual content – but it doesn't account for spiritual or moral messaging. A G-rated movie might feature witchcraft, rebellion against authority, or New Age spirituality presented as harmless fun. Meanwhile, the underlying messages about identity, purpose, and truth can subtly influence our children's worldview.

Christian parenting expert Dr. Ted Baehr from Movieguide emphasizes that "entertainment is not neutral." Every story teaches something, and as parents, we need to be intentional about what lessons our children absorb during screen time.

The 7 Most Popular Kids Movies Every Christian Parent Should Screen First

1. Encanto (2021)

Disney's "Encanto" has captured hearts worldwide with its beautiful animation and catchy songs, but Christian parents should be aware of its heavy focus on mystical powers and spiritual themes outside biblical teaching. The movie centers around magical gifts that aren't attributed to God, and includes elements that some families might consider occultic.

What to watch for: References to fortune telling, unexplained magical powers, and spiritual themes that don't point to Christ Discussion points: Talk about where true gifts come from (1 Corinthians 12) and how God uses our talents for His glory

2. Frozen & Frozen II (2013, 2019)

While these films promote themes of love and acceptance, they also feature magic as a central plot element and include subtle messages about self-empowerment that may conflict with biblical teachings about surrendering to God's will.

What to watch for: Magic presented as natural and good, "follow your heart" messaging that contradicts Jeremiah 17:9 Discussion points: How God's love is greater than any human love, and why we need wisdom beyond our own understanding

3. Moana (2016)

This visually stunning film draws heavily from Polynesian mythology and presents other gods as real and powerful. While the themes of courage and calling are admirable, the spiritual worldview is distinctly non-Christian.

What to watch for: Polytheistic beliefs, ancestor worship, and mystical elements Discussion points: Discuss how God alone is sovereign and how He calls us to serve Him

4. Inside Out (2015)

Pixar's exploration of emotions has been praised by psychologists, but some Christian families find concern with its purely secular view of human psychology that doesn't acknowledge the spiritual aspects of human nature or the role of faith in emotional health.

What to watch for: Purely naturalistic explanation of human behavior without acknowledging the soul or spirit Discussion points: How God designed our emotions and how faith helps us process feelings biblically

5. Coco (2017)

While celebrating family bonds, "Coco" is deeply rooted in Mexican Day of the Dead traditions and presents ancestor worship and communication with the dead as positive themes – practices that directly conflict with biblical teaching.

What to watch for: Communication with the dead, ancestor worship, and non-biblical afterlife concepts Discussion points: What the Bible teaches about death and the afterlife (Hebrews 9:27)

6. The Incredibles Series (2004, 2018)

These superhero films are generally more family-friendly than most, but they do present moral relativism in some situations and include mild language that some Christian families prefer to avoid.

What to watch for: Situational ethics, mild profanity, and violence Discussion points: Absolute moral standards and how God calls us to use our abilities

7. Zootopia (2016)

While this film has positive messages about prejudice and working together, it also presents a purely evolutionary worldview and includes some adult humor that might go over children's heads but concerns parents.

What to watch for: Evolutionary assumptions, subtle adult humor, and secular worldview Discussion points: How God created all creatures and calls us to love our neighbors

Questions Every Christian Parent Should Ask

Before watching any movie with your children, consider these key questions:

Worldview Questions:

• Does this movie acknowledge God's existence and sovereignty?

• What does it teach about the source of meaning and purpose in life?

• How does it portray authority figures and submission to authority?

Character Questions:

• What behaviors are rewarded or celebrated?

• How are problems solved – through wisdom, faith, and prayer, or through self-reliance?

• What does the movie suggest about right and wrong?

Spiritual Questions:

• Are there any occult or mystical elements presented as positive?

• Does the film promote biblical virtues like love, patience, kindness, and self-control?

• What does it teach about forgiveness and redemption?

Better Alternatives for Christian Families

Instead of defaulting to the latest popular release, consider these faith-affirming alternatives that provide quality entertainment without compromising your values:

For Younger Children:

• VeggieTales movies (especially "Jonah" and "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything")

• The Prince of Egypt

• The Star

For Older Children:

• Chronicles of Narnia series

• God's Not Dead (for teens)

• Letters to God

Holiday Films:

• The Nativity Story

• The Star

• A Charlie Brown Christmas

Creating Meaningful Family Discussions

If you do choose to watch mainstream movies with your children, use them as opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith and values. Ask open-ended questions like:

• "What did you think about how the character handled that situation?"

• "How might a Christian approach this problem differently?"

• "What does the Bible say about [specific theme from the movie]?"

These discussions help children develop critical thinking skills and learn to evaluate media through a biblical worldview.

Practical Steps for Movie Screening

1. Research before watching – Use resources like Plugged In, Movieguide, or Christian movie review sites

2. Watch first – Preview movies yourself before family viewing when possible

3. Set clear standards – Establish family guidelines about acceptable content

4. Prepare talking points – Think through potential discussion topics beforehand

5. Stay engaged – Watch together rather than using movies as babysitters

The Bottom Line

Popular doesn't always mean appropriate for Christian families. While these seven films might be cultural touchstones for kids today, they each contain elements that warrant careful consideration and discussion. Remember, protecting our children's hearts and minds isn't about sheltering them from the world, but about helping them navigate it with wisdom and discernment.

By taking the time to screen movies and engage in thoughtful conversations about what we watch, we can help our children develop strong biblical worldviews while still enjoying quality entertainment together as a family.

The goal isn't to avoid all secular media, but to be intentional about what we allow into our homes and hearts. When we approach entertainment with wisdom and discernment, we can use even imperfect movies as opportunities to reinforce our faith and values with our children.