90s movies · action-adventure · PG-rated · family classics
Top 5 Movies Every '90s Kid Knows
Movie Knight Editorial Team ·
From ninja-fighting turtles and underdog hockey players to a boy's bond with a captive whale, these five PG-rated films defined the '90s with action, adventure, and lessons in teamwork and courage.
The top movies every '90s kid knows are a high-energy mix of martial arts action, underdog sports stories, and thrilling adventures. These PG-rated films often feature kids and teens taking charge, whether they're fighting crime or saving a whale.
This era of family filmmaking embraced more intense action and peril, from the gritty streets of New York to the chaotic jungles of a magical board game. The core themes, however, remain timeless: teamwork, family loyalty, and finding the courage to face your fears.
Choose tonight’s movie
Quick picks
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- 3 Ninjas
- The Mighty Ducks
- Free Willy
- Jumanji
Movie Knight guide
The full list
No. 1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
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Heroes in a half shell
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Four mutated turtles use their ninjutsu skills to battle the evil Shredder and his army of disaffected teens. Parents should be aware that the film has a dark, gritty tone and features frequent martial arts action with weapons. This action film works best for kids 7 and up.
No. 2
3 Ninjas
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Rocky, Colt, and Tum Tum
3 Ninjas
Three young brothers use their martial arts training from their grandfather to fight off bumbling kidnappers. The action is largely slapstick, but the villains are menacing and the boys are placed in peril. This kid-power comedy works best for kids 7 and up.
No. 3
The Mighty Ducks
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Quack, quack, quack!
The Mighty Ducks
A lawyer is sentenced to community service coaching a peewee hockey team, teaching them teamwork and rediscovering his own love for the sport. The plot is kicked off by a DUI arrest, and the movie contains frequent sports-related bullying, name-calling, and aggressive hockey checks.
This underdog story works best for kids 8 and up.
No. 4
Free Willy
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A whale of a tale
Free Willy
A troubled boy befriends a captive orca and risks everything to help him escape back to the ocean. The film directly depicts the mistreatment of a captive animal and deals with themes of family separation and abandonment. This emotional drama works best for kids 6 and up.
No. 5
Jumanji
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A game for those who seek to find...
Jumanji
Two siblings unleash a man trapped in a magical board game, along with a host of jungle-based dangers that terrorize their town. This film features sustained and intense peril, including animal stampedes, a menacing hunter with a rifle, and a very frightening sequence with large spiders. This thriller works best for kids 10 and up.
Before you press play
A note for parents
The PG-rated films of the 1990s often pushed the boundaries of family entertainment with more realistic peril and action. Unlike the gentler fare of previous decades, these movies feature martial arts combat, intense animal attacks, and themes like parental loss and bullying that may require conversations with your kids. The intensity level, particularly in Jumanji, is significantly higher than what many families might expect from a PG rating today.
Questions parents ask
Parent FAQ
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