10 Best Kids Movies From The Early 2000s, According To Ranker
The early 2000s introduced general audiences to plenty of classic kids' movies, but certain entries from the decade stand apart from the crowd.
Over the last several decades, the creation of children's films has proven to be a true art form, as creators strive to fashion stories and characters that both kids and adults can enjoy. One of the best decades in the formulation of such films was the 2000s, where several iconic children's films struck a chord with audiences of all ages.
In a time so heavily influenced by nostalgia, many kids' films from the years 2000 to 2010 have continued to be staples of modern culture. As a result, over 21,000 users on Ranker have crowd-sourced a ranking of the 10 greatest children's movies of the early 2000s.
10 Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is the faithful sequel to the 2001 original film, both of which remain beloved films to this very day. This 2004 comedy, which is available to stream on Peacock, follows Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey as they travel to the kingdom of Far, Far Away to reunite with Fiona's long-lost parents.
Shrek 2 was the rare sequel that not only did justice to its predecessor but actually improved upon its premise, introducing the audience to a much bigger and more intriguing world than had been previously presented. The second film in the series introduced several characters that would become staples of the franchise, most notably in Antonio Banderas's Puss in Boots, who has received two spinoff films of his own.
9 Up
Up is one of the most beloved of Pixar's impressive catalogue of animated films, following the adventures of one grumpy widower and an excitable young Wilderness Explorer to the beautiful cliffs of South America in a floating house. This 2009 classic can be found to stream on Disney+.
Up has remained in the public discussion for over a decade, mostly due to its emotionally impactful opening ten minutes, which is often regarded as one of the best openings to a children's film ever put to screen, telling the story of Carl and Ellie's married life from start to finish in a matter of minutes. While the rest of the film is entertaining, it never quite tops its opening sequence.
8 Ratatouille
Ratatouille is the unique tale of a rat who loves to cook. Teaming up with the long-lost son of one of the world's greatest chefs, Remy the rat achieves his dream at a restaurant in the heart of Paris. This 2007 Pixar classic is available to watch on the Disney+ streaming service.
This animated classic is beloved for several reasons, including introducing one of the best Disney friendships of all time between Remy and Linguini. Its bizarre yet adorable premise has never been replicated, making it a unique film for all ages.
7 Night At The Museum
In 2006, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, and a host of other iconic actors and actresses worked together to create one of the most imaginative film franchises of all time: Night at the Museum. While all three films in the franchise are beloved, the original still stands above the others in terms of originality and comedy, all of which can be relived on Disney+.
Night at the Museum combines the comedic stylings of Ben Stiller with an intriguing premise that includes museum displays coming to life while retaining the memories and emotions of the historical figures they portray. This truly unique premise became quite beloved, spawning two sequels, the last of which would act as the final film outing for the late comedy legend Robin Williams.
6 The Incredibles
The Incredibles is Pixar's prolific take on the superhero genre, first hitting theaters in 2004. The film follows the Parr family, a group of superpowered individuals, as they uncover a conspiracy to wipe out all the supers in the world. The film was an instant classic, eventually receiving a sequel in 2018, almost fifteen years after the original's release.
The Parrs are a truly incredible superhero family, whose superpowers are only outshone by their humanity. Many regard this film as not only one of the greatest children's films ever made, but also one of the greatest superhero films, comparing it to Marvel's Fantastic Four, who are notoriously underwhelming in each of their film appearances thus far. Even over a decade after its release, The Incredibles redefines an oversaturated genre to perfection.
5 Ice Age
Ice Age is the jewel of Blue Sky Studios, kicking off a franchise that consists of four sequels and one spinoff, with yet another film in the works, this time under the Disney banner. The original film, available on Disney+, follows the tale of a Woolly Mammoth and his other animal friends as they take care of a human baby that has been lost by his tribe.
With an all-star cast that includes Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Dennis Leary, and Jack Black, Ice Age managed to kickstart a beloved and long-running franchise that did not belong to any of the major animation studios at the time. While Blue Sky Studios was eventually acquired by Disney, Ice Age remains a testament to its time, having overcome the precarious odds of the movie industry.
4 Madagascar
The vocal talents of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, and David Schwimmer united for the first time in 2005 with the animated classic Madagascar, which told the story of four zoo animals from New York who accidentally found themselves on the island beaches of Madagascar. The first film in the franchise is available to stream with a premium subscription to Peacock.
Madagascar's hilarious characters were quickly adopted as some of the greatest cartoon characters ever by the children of 2005, who especially grew to love Chris Rock's Marty the Zebra, Ben Stiller's Alex the Lion, and the mysterious Penguins, who would go on to receive their own spinoff film in 2014. The Madagascar franchise may have stalled in recent years, but executives at Dreamworks continue to assure fans that the story therein is not finished just yet.
3 Finding Nemo
Finding Nemo is the fifth feature film created by Pixar, following the adventures of one clownfish and his new friend Dory as they search for his son, who has been captured by humans off the coast of Australia. The film was released in 2003, eventually attaining a long-awaited sequel, Finding Dory, in 2016. Both films are available with a Disney+ membership.
This animated classic is notable for its truly heartfelt story, a Pixar trademark, and the unforgettable friendship between Marlin and Dory. Certain scenes and lines from this film continue to be quoted across the internet even almost twenty years after the film first hit theaters, securing its place in the animation hall of fame.
2 Shrek
Shrek is by far the most successful film franchise from Dreamworks Animation. Released in 2001, the film tells the now-classic tale of an ogre who falls in love with the princess he has been hired to bring to the villainous Lord Farquaad. This film, available on Peacock and Prime Video, has received numerous sequels and spinoffs, which are still being released to this day.
Over two decades after his feature film debut, Shrek remains one of the most popular meme characters of all time, who is perhaps even more popular today than he was at the time of his franchise's height. As such, a continuation of the beloved ogre's story seems inevitable, with Dreamworks scurrying to return Shrek and his friends to the big screen as soon as possible.
1 Monsters, Inc.
Monsters, Inc. is the fourth of Pixar's many animated features, depicting a world inhabited by monsters who attain their energy from scaring children in the human world. Following best friends Mike and Sully, who befriend a human child, the 2001 film tells a heartwarming story of friendship and unexpected love, which can be relived on Disney+.
The characters of Monsters, Inc. remains beloved to this day, causing Pixar to return to the monster world for the 2013 prequel film Monsters University. More recently, the legacy of this film franchise has been revived in the Disney+ original series Monsters at Work. Even over twenty years after first meeting Mike, Sully, and the gang, fans can't seem to get enough of the most lovable monsters ever put to screen.
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