Spending time at Disneyland this weekend made me realize some amazing things – I love Disney movies, I can’t wait to show my future children every Disney movie, and you can walk like 10 miles in that park and burn some serious cals.
After much thought, here are the movies I am most excited to show my future kids at each year of their life. Enjoy!
Age 0: Fantasia
Not sure how much of it they’ll really remember, but I’m going to have to enjoy it too! And I always hear that classical music is good for kids, so the colors and sounds will be stimulating, and form an early, positive bond with movies along these lines.
Age 1: The Swan Princess
Does no one else remember loving this Disney movie? I feel like it’s always forgotten (I mean seriously, who knows Princess Odette, right?) but I loved it. This is one with most pretty colors for the little ones, as they’re on the cusp of understanding what’s really going on on the color box (which I assume is what babies call the TV.)
Age 2: 101 Dalmatians
Animal movies here we come! Shove over, Princesses, for the terrible twos we promise a hundred puppies, because there is nothing cuter. The songs and the infinite puppy-pile will surely cancel out the scary Cruella de Vil and henchmen. (The only way I can see this backfiring is if it makes them start asking for a puppy… but I would honestly love that, so we’ll see what I can do)
Age 3: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Another one that I don’t think is very well known, but that I loved as a kid. I am only realizing now that that movie is over 2 hours long, which is a bit insane, but it’s some good stuff. Combining live action and animation will work well for the imaginative three-year-old mind, and the animated animals and numerous songs will likely penetrate the house. But at least the kids will love it!
Age 4: The Little Mermaid
My absolute, total, and complete favorite thing when I was a kid was The Little Mermaid. No questions asked. From the sleeping bag to the night light, I can’t wait to buy my kids all the same paraphernalia (and probably also something crazy like a phone for 4 year olds.) I also secretly hope that my kids grow up loving nature, and the early introduction to fish & seagulls, especially while we live near the ocean, would be petty well timed indeed. (My second secret wish is that my kids get my SO’s red hair, so Ariel becomes their favorite Disney Princess.)
Age 5: Mulan
If my hypothetical child is a girl, she will be shown Mulan with my personal commentary on strong women. And if said child is a boy, he’ll get a notepad too to take notes on how much he will need to appreciate strong women in the future. Regardless of gender, we will be doing family practice sessions where we all sing I’ll Make A Man Out Of You. Additionally the inclusion of an Eddie-Murphy-voiced-dragon in their lives is probably important for development too.
Age 6: Toy Story
This may seem late to watch Toy Story, which is arguable one of the most defining movies I saw as a kid, but hear me out. Reason 1 – I would want them to have the same experience I did, where they’re about the same age as Andy and really understand the whole point of the movie. Plus, if they like the first one, they can see the second and third right away. (Although I will argue getting to be the same age as Andy as each of those movies came out was an amazing experience.) Hell, we’ll see if I can wait 6 years.
Age 7: Up
The perfect age to watch this movie – seven years old. They might be doing their own boy scouts / girl scouts, and identify with Russell’s positive attitude and endearing spirit. … They’ll also probably be young enough not to understand the crushing sadness and storm of tears that I’ll inevitable suffer from during the first sequence in the movie, you know the one. This movie is beautiful as well, and a love for balloons will be a requirement when it comes to my future children.
Age 8: Tangled
One of the best movies Disney has come out with in the last few years, I am a big fan of this one. Rapunzel is a story I’ve always liked, and this rendition is great. From Flynn Rider’s real name, to Pascal the lizard, this movie is sweet. With a number of memorable songs and lines, it’s a favorite among my friends from college as well as the 2 year old girls I babysit. This is another one I’d be happy to watch with them every weekend if they want!
Age 9: Aristocats
Is it fair that I have so many favorite Disney movies? Who cares, I can have as many favorites as I want. This one is probably my favorite musical from when I was younger, and we will absolutely be a cat family. There are so many lines from this movie I remember from my childhood that I didn’t even know what they MEANT at the time of viewing. I hope this viewing will teach them some amazing jazz songs, and how to say “goodbye” in four language. Also one of my favorite movie names of all time.
Age 10: Beauty and the Beast
I’ll be honest, they will in all likelihood see this movie earlier than 10. BUT, if I’m able to hold them off with Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast will be a big finishing number. And I want them to totally understand how amazing books are, and that Gaston is NOT the one to be with. Let’s instill the “looks aren’t the most important thing” (until the end of the movie) rule in them while they’re still young.
There they are! The most important movies for each year of my future children’s lives. I will say – all those that I didn’t mention, from Bambi, to Wreck It Ralph, to Pocahontas, to Tarzan, will be dispersed evenly throughout their lives. These are simply the most important of each year of their young and developing lives.
What are your kids favorite Disney movies? When did they find their favorite?
Trying to Wait, Waiting to Try 
I absolutely loved The Swan Princess, but sadly it’s not actually Disney! I used to love the song at the beginning ‘this isn’t my idea of fun.’ I think I would have a tough time holding off on Beauty and The Beast purely because I love it so much. I would have to spend 10 years watching it in secret! 🙂
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Oops – I don’t know how I missed that! But wow, good on that company for making a movie that lands up there with the best classic Disney films in my book haha. I can totally see myself going back on all these promises about waiting and showing them tons of movies while they’re super young. We shall see!
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I thought it was for years. I also thought Anastasia was a Disney film for years too. It is still a really nice idea though. I hope that if I ever have children they like Disney as much as me – i’m slightly obsessed!
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