kids who scare easilyadventure moviesfamily moviesparent guide

Gentle Adventures: Movies for Kids Who Scare Easily

JW

Jon Wilkinson · · 4 min read

Gentle Adventures: Movies for Kids Who Scare Easily

Films about exploration with little to no fear-filled moments. These films aren't just for young children; they're for anyone who is frightened easily.

For kids who scare easily, the gentlest adventure movies on our list are Jungle Beat: The Movie, The Lego Movie, Finding Nemo, How to Train Your Dragon and Ratatouille. Each has a real sense of adventure with little to no fear-filled moments, and the notes below point out the few intense scenes to know about.

Choose tonight’s movie

Quick Picks

Jungle Beat: The Movie — A gentle cast made for young children who get easily scared.

The Lego Movie — Dire stakes without any nightmare-filled moments.

Finding Nemo — Laughs and emotional scenes for the whole family.

Ratatouille — Adventure elements and a dream worth chasing.

Movie Knight guide

The Full List

The Lego Movie poster

No. 1 · Creativity and belief

The Lego Movie

2014 · 6+ · 87/100

The Lego Movie is a fun adventure that kids are sure to love. This film follows Emmet, a "regular" Lego man who is forced on a journey. The Lego Movie is filled with creativity, fun and dire stakes without any nightmare-filled moments.

The Lego Movie teaches about believing in yourself, creativity and what being "special" really means. This film is filled with many fun and unique characters that the kids will love. There are a few intense scenes in this film but nothing outright scary. The Lego Movie is a great film for all ages, with comedy kids will love and messaging that parents will appreciate.

Jungle Beat: The Movie poster

No. 2 · Made for little ones

Jungle Beat: The Movie

2020 · 4+ · 91/100

Jungle Beat: The Movie is a fun film specifically tailored for kids. This film follows Munki and Trunk, a monkey and an elephant trying to help their new alien friend. It is a fun, quick adventure that animal- and space-loving kids will enjoy.

Jungle Beat: The Movie teaches about kindness and friendship. This film's fun and gentle cast are great for young children who get easily scared. There are a few semi-intense scenes near the end of the film, though I wouldn't say they're scary. I highly recommend this film for children who get easily scared.

Finding Nemo poster

No. 3 · Family and letting go

Finding Nemo

2003 · 5+ · 95/100

Finding Nemo is a film that families are sure to enjoy together. This film follows Marlin, an overprotective clownfish father, and Nemo, Marlin's son. Finding Nemo has many moments to make children laugh as well as many emotional scenes that will affect the whole family.

Finding Nemo teaches about the importance of family and learning when to let go. This film's fun cast will keep the little ones entertained while its deeper themes will stay with the entire family. The film has two or three scary moments that may scare those sensitive to violence, so tread with caution before they watch. I highly recommend this film as one for the entire family to enjoy together.

How to Train Your Dragon poster

No. 4 · Don't judge by the cover

How to Train Your Dragon

2010 · 7+ · 94/100

How to Train Your Dragon is an iconic film that everyone should enjoy. The film follows Hiccup, a scrawny kid in a village of dragon-slaying Vikings. This film has many moments that both kids and parents will love and enjoy.

How to Train Your Dragon teaches about not judging a book by its cover and overcoming societal pressures. The film's story and premise are great, with fun characters that will get the little ones laughing. There are quite a few intense scenes in this film, but I'd only consider one sequence scary. I highly recommend this film as one everyone should watch.

Ratatouille poster

No. 5 · Follow your dreams

Ratatouille

2007 · 6+ · 94/100

Ratatouille is a great film for all ages filled with lots of fun and great messaging. The film follows Remy, a rat who loves to cook, on his journey away from home. Ratatouille may not be classified as an adventure film, but it has many elements of an adventure for the entire family.

Ratatouille teaches about following your dreams no matter how big or small. This film will give people a craving for good food and may give confidence in achieving dreams. There are a few scenes with intense sequences; be cautious if your child is sensitive to violence. I highly recommend this film for everyone to enjoy together.

Before you press play

A note for parents

None of these films is outright scary, but most have a handful of intense scenes, noted above for each movie. For the most sensitive viewers, Jungle Beat: The Movie and The Lego Movie are the gentlest places to start. For more ideas, see Best Adventure Movies for Kids That Aren't Too Scary and Book-to-Movie Adaptations That Get It Right. Find parent guides for every movie here at movie-knight.com.

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Jon Wilkinson

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