Kids' Entertainment

Winnie the Pooh & More Family-Friendly Movies To Get You In The Mood For Spring

Spring forward into a new season with some fun movies!

by Casey Suglia and Jamie Kenney
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

At last! Warmer weather, sunnier skies, and longer days are finally upon us. Sure, it might be a little while before we can fully admire blooming flowers and spot baby birds in their nests, you can certainly celebrate the season with your family by watching one of the many fun and heartwarming spring movies for kids available to stream right now.

On this list, you’ll find movies set in the springtime like Charlotte’s Web and the 1934 Disney film Silly Symphony the Goddess of Spring. There are also some films that simply celebrate all of the beautiful things about the season (check out 2018’s Peter Rabbit). You’ll also find some movies about Easter — which falls on April 9 in 2023 — like the 2011 live-action flick Hop and the sweet animated film Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo. Other options on this lists just give you that good “feels like spring” feeling that will surely put you and your little ones in a happier mood.

Whichever movie you choose to watch, there’s something on this list for everyone in the family to enjoy. So crack open a window, embrace those short sleeves, and curl up on the couch for a spring-themed movie night.

Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo

It's Springtime in the Hundred Acre Wood and Roo, Tigger, Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore are off to Rabbit's house to celebrate Easter (because, come on: of course the rabbit hosts Easter). But instead of eggs and baskets full of sweets, they find fussy old Rabbit has organized a "Spring Cleaning" Day instead. And when his friends deviate from his tidying plans, he becomes angry and decides never to have another Easter ever again. But why? Rabbit used to love being "The Easter Bunny!" It's up to his friends (and the Narrator) to remind him what he's missing out on...

Watch Winnie the Poo: Springtime with Roo, rated G, on Disney+.

A Bug’s Life

For years, the ant colony — run by the good Queen and her daughter and heir, Princess Atta — have worked to provide food for the vicious, lazy, and greedy grasshoppers. One ant, a creative, independent thinker named Flick, questions the status quo, and goes to Bug City to find “warrior bugs” to help his colony fight for its rights and train to strike back at the grasshoppers when they return at the end of summer for their tithe. But it turns out these “warriors” are actually circus performers! If this plot sounds an awful lot like Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai," that's because it (unapologetically) is.

Watch A Bug’s Life, rated G, on Disney+.

Babe

At the annual county fair, Arthur Hoggett wins a piglet named Babe to bring back home to his quaint, vibrant little farm. There, a lonely Babe forms a bond with Fly, the sheep-herding border collie, who becomes a adoptive mother to him. (Fly’s mate, Rex, isn’t so sure about the little guy.) When Babe unwittingly escapes becoming Christmas dinner, Hoggett decides that he's going to show Babe at the next county fair. But when he discovers the big has inherited Fly's knack for rounding up animals, he decides to enter Babe as a sheepherder... but will this unusual move make Hoggett a laughing stock? And will Babe ever truly find his place on the farm?

Rent Babe, rated G, on YouTube or Amazon Prime.

Bambi

When Bambi is born, he is declared the Young Prince of the Forest, and grows up in a (mostly) idyllic woodland paradise with his friends, a rabbit named Thumper and a skunk named Flower. But there are dangers. Open fields, for one and, of course, hunters. (We don't think it's a spoiler to say #RIPBambisMom, considering the movie is 80 years old.) Nevertheless, Bambi learns the ways of the forest, the joys and the sorrows, and grows into a fine young buck. Exploring this beautiful world shows nature in all its beauty in every season, but especially in Spring.

Watch Bambi, rated G, on Disney+.

Curious George Swings Into Spring

PBS Kids

When the doorman who works in George’s building in the city is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, the Man in the Yellow Hat offers to watch Hundley, the doorman’s dignified dachshund, by bringing him to the country for a few days. At the Man and George’s country house, Hundley learns all about the beauty of springtime in the country. Complete with dreamy vernal scenery and toe-tapping songs, this is sure to be a new spring movie favorite.

Watch Curious George Swings Into Spring, rated G, on PBS Kids.

Bee Movie

Barry the Bee is a starry-eyed new college graduate, and isn't terribly inspired by the idea of making honey for a living for the rest of his life. But, ever the free thinker, he decides to fly outside the hive and break the first rule of the bees: he talks to humans. It's in this conversation that he learns a terrible truth: humans have been stealing and eating honey for centuries! The honey they work oh-so-hard to make! He soon realizes that his true calling isn't to make the honey: it's to sue the humans for stealing it!

Watch Bee Movie, rated PG, on Peacock.

Bigfoot Family

After living on the periphery of humanity for so long, Bigfoot has decided to go public. But in just two months, the attention is getting to be a lot, especially for Bigfoot's half-human son, Adam. So he decides to use his fame to effect positive change by protecting a large wildlife reserve from an unscrupulous oil company in Alaska, which makes him an instant celebrity among environmental activists. But when his dad mysteriously goes missing, Adam and his mother Shelley (aka Mrs. Bigfoot) must journey to rescue him. Fortunately they have the help of Bigfoot's vast network of animal friends!

Watch Bigfoot Family, rated TV-Y7, on Netflix.

Charlotte’s Web

Wilbur is the runt of the litter, and Fern’s farmer father knows what must be done with runts (hint, it involves an ax). But sentimental Fern pleads with her dad to be allowed to hand-raise the pig and soon, Wilbur is thriving. He’s so healthy, in fact, that he’s sent to live on Uncle Homer Zuckerman’s farm... and, soon, he learns his fate may only have been delayed: Zuckerman plans to eat him! But with the help of a clever spider named Charlotte, a crafty rat named Templeton, and all the other animals on the farm, Wilbur may just escape the plate and achieve greatness.

Watch Charlotte’s Web, rated G, on Amazon Prime.

The Wizard of Oz

When farm girl Dorothy Gale finds herself in the magical land of Oz, she quickly comes in possession of the powerful ruby slippers and several new friends. Together, they journey to the Emerald City to find the wizard who will help her get back home to Kansas.

There’s lots of reasons we think this movie is perfect for Spring, from the fact that it’s often been aired around Easter to the vibrant color palate, to that scene where Dorothy and her friends fall asleep in a field full of poppies, it has distinct vernal vibes!

Watch The Wizard of Oz, rated G, on Max.

Hop

In addition to being home to megalithic Moai statues, Easter Island is the primary residence of the Easter Bunny (come on, where else was he going to live?) and his massive, subterranean candy factory (how else is he going to get all that candy for children around the world)? But he's getting ready to retire and pass the torch to his son, E.B. But E.B. isn't especially interested in the gig and runs to Los Angeles to be a drummer! There he meets unemployed slacker Fred O'Hare. Feigning injury, E.B. tricks Fred into giving him shelter... that is until he learned that an oversized chick is planning an overthrow of his dad!

Watch Hop, rated PG, on Peacock.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

“At the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows, and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows, and no birds ever sing excepting old crows, is the Street of the Lifted Lorax. But who was the Lorax and why was it there? And when was it lifted and taken somewhere?” Well, that’s the story of this film, which is an adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss children’s book. In addition to getting a vibrant dose of spring via the Truffula Trees and the Bar-ba-loots (frisking about in their Bar-ba-loot suits!), but your kiddo will get their first lesson in the importance of environmental stewardship and activism.

Watch Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, rated PG, on Netflix.

The Secret Garden

Mary Lennox is a sour, unloved little girl who comes to live with her mysterious uncle in the north of England after her parents die in India. But when Mary discovers a key to an overgrown garden, she learns to love not only nature, but herself. As the garden begins to come back to life, she feels a sense of loving kindness in her own heart, which inspires her to help her chronically ill cousin, Colin.

We know you have your choice of Secret Garden adaptations, but this one is our favorite.

Watch The Secret Garden, rated PG, on Amazon Prime.

Peter Rabbit

Peter Rabbit and his three sisters — Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail — love spending their days playing and raiding Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden. Oh, McGregor doesn’t like it, but the rabbits know how to deal with him well enough. Besides, their friend Bea, a surrogate mother, is around to help them out when they need it. But when McGregor’s great-nephew Thomas suddenly moves in, they find themselves matched against a new and formidable foe, especially when Thomas and Bea seem to be developing feelings for each other! Who will prevail in this cheeky battle of wits: human or hare?

Rent Peter Rabbit, rated PG, on Amazon Prime.

The Secret Life of Pets 2

Max is a city dog, used to living alone with his owner, Katie. When she has a little boy named Liam, Max is wary at first, but soon becomes not only fond of the boy but overprotective to the point of neurosis. Fortunately, Katie and her family are taking a trip to the country, where they stay on a relative’s farm. Farm life is strange, and the gruff Welsh sheep dog, Rooster, isn’t exactly the nurturing type. But when one of the sheep go missing, Max may just learn how to let go of his neuroses without letting go of his protective nature.

Stream The Secret Life of Pets 2, rated PG, on Amazon Prime

Silly Symphony: The Goddess of Spring

The goddess of spring, Proserpina, is kidnapped by Pluto and brings about the winter season in this somewhat operatic 1934 Disney animated short. In addition to having some excellent spring time energy (would you expect anything less of a goddess?), this Silly Symphony was one of the company’s first attempts at more realistic looking animation (though there’s certainly a mix of “realism” and the so-called “rubber hose” style), serving as a kind of training ground for animators to ultimately create the first animated feature ever, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Watch Silly Symphony the Goddess of Spring, rated TV-Y7, on Disney+.

The Sound Of Music

Maria doesn’t quite fit in at the convent. In an attempt to help her try to find purpose in her calling, Mother Superior sends Maria to the palatial home of Captain Von Trapp, a widower with seven unruly children who have already scared off several nannies. But Maria is a breath of fresh air, and her free spirit is a welcomed change from Captain Von Trapp's military-style discipline. It isn't long before the plucky Maria wins the hearts of her young charges... and, despite some initial clashes and the machinations of a scheming Baroness, the good Captain. But when the Nazis occupy their beloved homeland, everything is threatened...

Watch The Sound of Music, rated G, on Disney+.

Storks

Everyone knows where babies come from, right? So you've heard of the stork! Yes, storks deliver babies. At least they used to. Nowadays they deliver packages for an Internet retail giant and Junior is the company's top delivery stork. But he finds himself in hot water when the Baby Factory produces an adorable but unauthorized little girl. Desperate to deliver this precious bundle of cuteness and trouble, Junior and his friend Tulip – the only human on Stork Mountain – must race against time to make this very special delivery before the big boss finds out!

Watch Storks, rated PG, on Netflix.

Tangled

Long ago, a kindly king and queen were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. When the queen fell ill, only a magic flower could save her... unfortunately, that magic flower belonged to an evil witch named Mother Gothel, who soon discovered that all the powers of the flower had been transferred into the newborn Princess Rapunzel. The witch kidnaps the baby and holds her in a distant tower, but, as time goes on, the now teenaged girl wants to know what lies beyond her tower. Rapunzel enlists the help of the kingdom’s most wanted bandit and the duo set off for a scenic adventure in this gorgeous film that will have you embracing spring.

Watch Tangled, rated PG, on Disney+.

A League Of Their Own

World War II has claimed many of America’s most athletic men overseas, but the country is still hungry for a good baseball season. As a result, an all-female league pops up in the Midwest, funded by a publicity-hungry candy maker. Sisters Dottie and Kit join the Rockford Peaches, which is led by grumpy and cynical Jimmy Dugan. The only thing the sisters love more than the game is competition. Based on the true life story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which played from 1943 to 1954, this classic movie is perfect for the start of baseball season!

Watch A League of Their Own, rated PG-13, on Peacock.

The Prom

An ensemble of washed-up Broadway actors descend on a small town in Indiana to help Emma, a teenager girl whose school PTA has cancelled prom to prevent her from attending with her girlfriend, the still-closeted Alyssa (whose mother is the president of the PTA and the reason prom was cancelled in the first place – plot twist!). Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, this dazzling, flashy, and fun movie features a star-studded cast – including Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, and Keegan-Michael Key – and calls to mind our favorite (or at least most well-known) springtime traditions.

Watch Prom, rated PG-13, on Netflix.

Spring is finally here and while that means a much-needed deep clean is likely on the books, especially if you’re considering adding an adorable chicken coop into your home, it’s nice to have a family-friendly movie to relax to after it’s all said and done.

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