The Best Science Movies for Kids

Looking for the best science movies for kids? Look no further. We have the best in our comprehensive list, and we show you where to find them!

If you ask kids what their favorite subject to learn about would be, many would answer science. It’s a big part of why there are so many cool science movies for kids out there!

Science allows kids to learn about engaging topics that keep their interest. Science topics can range from anything such as space to dinosaurs to chemistry and more. When teaching kids about science, it is helpful to have various resources to increase their content knowledge. One way to help do this is to use science movies as part of your lesson planning. 

Finding the best science movies for kids can be a little tricky due to the fact that many science topics can be complex or geared toward an adult audience. Knowing which resources have the best options can help you choose age-appropriate movies for elementary-aged kids that are also entertaining. We have done the research for you and have included the best places to find science movies as well as some of the best science movies for kids to watch. 

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VidAngel: Try This Service for Science Streaming

When you’re all set to watch science movies with your kids, you might discover that some of the content isn’t entirely suitable for their age. In such situations, VidAngel comes to your aid.

VidAngel allows you to seamlessly connect to your favorite streaming services and apply filters to remove any inappropriate content. So, whether it’s strong language, adult themes, or violent scenes you’d rather your kids avoid, VidAngel can help eliminate them, providing a safer and more enjoyable viewing experience for your little ones.

Enjoy science-filled and kid-friendly movies with VidAngel’s content filtering – try it for free here! You can also learn more about the service by reading our VidAngel review.

Where to Find the Best Science Movies for Kids

Narrowing down the abundant science movie options out there can help you choose quality and engaging options for your kids to enjoy. Here are some of the best resources with science movies for kids. 

Option #1: Disney+

Disney Plus is a hit among parents and kids and we can see why. With what feels like infinite options, Disney Plus provides all of the science movies you need. Featuring documentaries from iconic educational companies such as National Geographic, you can find both movies and series to watch about a variety of science topics. Disney Plus does a great job of organizing its choices to make it user-friendly for kids to find science topics and movies interested in viewing. 

Option #2: Amazon 

With over 3,000 titles to choose from, Amazon provides numerous options for kids to find the best science movies to watch. Amazon offers the option to let you purchase the movie which allows you to watch it multiple times instead of during a shorter rental period. 

Option #3: Netflix 

What can we say about Netflix that you don’t already know?! Just remember, there are a lot of movies here not suitable for kids. So make sure to set parental controls for the kids’ profiles.

Criteria for Selection

Many parents wonder how to choose movies for their children to watch. While rating and content should be the first things to check, there are other criteria to consider when selecting the best science movies for your kids to watch. 

Remember that depending on the topic in science, vocabulary can be complex for specific ages of students. When you are searching for the best science movies, consider what terms your child may need to learn before the movie. Vocabulary and concepts should be one of the most essential criteria you consider when choosing movies. It is also important to consider how engaging and entertaining the movie will be for your child. 

Top 15 Best Science Movies for Kids

Now that you know where to find the best science movies for kids and tips for how to select them, we have chosen our top picks for science movies that are best for kids. These movies are packed with educational information while keeping your child entertained while watching. Here are our top picks for the best science movies for kids out there. 

1. Hidden Figures (Disney+)

Hidden Figures topped the charts in theaters due to its interesting true story of the women at NASA that helped get astronaut John Glenn into space. Filled with heartfelt underdog stories as well as inspiring mathematical and science lessons, this movie is a hit among kids and parents. Keep in mind that it is rated PG so it is geared toward older kids. 

2. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Netflix)

If you are looking for a movie to inspire while learning fascinating facts about windmills and physics, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is the movie to watch. Based on a true story that has also been turned into a book, this movie follows the story of a 13-year-old boy in Africa who is determined to help his family by creating a new and unusual power source to obtain water. Mixed with numerous science and life lessons, this movie is a popular choice for many kids. 

3. Meet the Robinsons (Disney+)

Meet the Robinsons is a top choice for parents and students in the science movie category. Packed with an entertaining plot as well as multiple STEM references, this cartoon movie is a perfect choice for a science movie. With inventions as a big theme in the movie, kids will be encouraged to use creative thinking to problem solve and learn more about science. 

4. The Lorax (Netflix)

Perfect for budding ecologists or biologists, The Lorax is based on Dr. Seuss’s children’s book and is packed with important information about the environment. If you are studying a unit on plants, and ecology or are learning anything about sustainability and how to help the environment, The Lorax is the ideal science movie for kids to pair with those topics. 

5. Wall-E (Disney+)

In a post-apocalyptic future, Wall-E, a lonely robot tasked with cleaning up Earth, embarks on a captivating adventure and unexpected love story that explores themes of environmental conservation and human reliance on technology.

6. The Iron Giant (Disney+)

Set in the 1950s, this heartwarming animated film follows a young boy named Hogarth who befriends a gentle giant robot from outer space. Together, they face challenges while teaching important lessons about empathy, friendship, and the power of choosing who you want to be.

7. Big Hero 6 (Disney+)

Join Hiro Hamada, a young prodigy, and his inflatable healthcare robot Baymax as they assemble a team of friends-turned-superheroes. Through science and ingenuity, they must save their city from a mysterious villain, showcasing the importance of teamwork and the limitless possibilities of technology.

8. Jurassic Park (Amazon Prime)

In this thrilling adventure based on Michael Crichton’s novel, a group of scientists brings dinosaurs back to life on a remote island. Chaos ensues as they must navigate the dangers of their own creation, highlighting the ethical implications of genetic engineering and the importance of respecting nature.

9. October Sky (Amazon Prime)

Based on a true story, “October Sky” follows the inspiring journey of Homer Hickam, a young boy who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik, dreams of building rockets and becoming a NASA scientist. Against all odds, Homer and his friends strive to overcome obstacles and pursue their passion for science, demonstrating the power of determination and the pursuit of dreams.

10. A Wrinkle in Time (Disney+)

Meg Murry, alongside her younger brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin, embarks on an interdimensional adventure to find her missing scientist father. This visually stunning film explores the concepts of space, time, and the triumph of love and acceptance over darkness.

11. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (Disney+)

When a scientist accidentally shrinks his children and their friends, they find themselves on an adventure of a lifetime within their own backyard. This hilarious and imaginative movie showcases the wonders of science and the importance of resourcefulness and teamwork.

12. The Incredibles (Disney+)

In this superhero film, a family with extraordinary abilities must use their powers to save the world from a formidable foe. Combining action and humor, “The Incredibles” explores themes of genetics and superhuman abilities, reminding us that every individual has unique strengths to contribute.

13. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Tubi)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this beloved film follows a young boy named Elliott who befriends a gentle alien stranded on Earth. Their friendship blossoms as they work together to help E.T. return home, highlighting themes of friendship, compassion, and the wonder of the unknown.

14. Zootopia (Disney+)

In the animal metropolis of Zootopia, a determined bunny police officer teams up with a sly fox to uncover a conspiracy threatening their diverse society. Through this animated adventure, the film touches on biology, ecology, and the importance of embracing differences and breaking stereotypes.

15. Dream Big: Engineering Our World (Kanopy)

With STEM careers and education continuing to grow at a rapid pace, an engineering movie has to be at the top of the list. This inspirational science film is a short documentary but is packed with interesting information about engineering which is a popular science topic for kids. Narrated by Jeff Bridges, this science movie is sure to wow and entertain as you watch. 

Parental Guide for During and After the Movies 

Now that you have found and watched some of the best science movies for kids, you may be wondering what next? Well, providing children with opportunities to further their learning and passions is one of the most important things you can do as a parent.

Here are some tips on how to watch the movies and tips so that you can guide meaningful discussions with your children and provide extension activities to continue as much science exploration as possible. 

Filter the Movies Before You Watch Them

Many parents get frustrated when they find a science movie to watch with their kids and realize there is content or language that is not age appropriate. Luckily, resources like VidAngel exist that allow you to filter out the parts that you don’t want your children to see. VidAngel is a great resource to use as a parent to allow you to have access to the science movies you need without the unnecessary content and language that isn’t meant for little ears. 

Encourage Active Learning and Dialogue

While every child learns in their own unique way, for the majority of children having a discussion during and after they have watched a movie will help with knowledge retention as well as taking the thought process to a deeper level. 

One successful tip that works well for many students is to have a science journal. Allow your child to pick out the notebook so that there is more buy-in from them when it is time to use it. While watching the movie, pause it every so often to allow your child to write down questions they may have as well as information they have learned. Use their notes to guide conversations during and after the movie. 

Learn with Both Books and Movies

Students enjoy being able to compare content between books and movies. What better way to encourage their interest in a subject or book than by reading the book first and then watching the movie?  This list of movies with books to study has over 95 options of books that have been turned into films. 

As students learn, it is easy to jump from topic to topic without gaining meaningful and lasting knowledge. Extending a topic or book study with a movie will help ensure that your child’s knowledge base will continue to grow both deeper and wider. 

The Importance of Cross-Curriculum Movies

Many children’s movies combine a variety of topics for a more interesting and engaging plot line. Using movies for homeschooling lessons helps keep kids interested in different topics across different curriculums.

For example, instead of watching experiments that a scientist such as Thomas Edison completed by themselves, putting in part of his life story makes the movie more engaging. History and science are often paired when students learn about the topics. Watching historical movies for kids can help kids have a better understanding of where the scientific topics they have been learning about originated from. 

Using Movies for Themed Lessons and Holidays

When planning homeschool lessons, using a theme to guide your lessons can be a helpful starting point. As you are planning different science movies for your kids to watch, keep in mind that there are other themes you can add as well when planning. Using movies during the holidays is a great tool to keep kids learning and focused. 

Movies are a great way for families to bond and spend time together. Halloween is always an exciting time of year that kids look forward to and watching movies is an extra fun part of the holiday. This comprehensive list of Halloween movies for kids to watch is a great resource to help you choose movies to watch together as a family. 

Many students look forward to the holiday season and enjoy when their lessons are holiday themed. During the holiday season, a fun activity can be to start a Christmas movie countdown that gets your kids excited and incorporates entertaining movies along the way. There are even some movies that incorporate content ideas like science embedded within holiday movies. 

Recap of the Best Science Movies for Kids 

When preparing to have your child watch the best science movies, remember that an interactive science notebook can help them keep track of their learning as well as be a starting point for meaningful discussions both during and after the film. Combining movies and books together will help expand their knowledge base even further. Once you watch a few science movies, your kids will be hooked and become science experts before you know it. 

Don’t miss our recent guide on the Best Summer Movies for Kids!