The Best Valentine’s Day Movies for Kids That the Whole Family Will Actually Enjoy
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s a great excuse to curl up with your kids and watch some feel-good movies about love, friendship, and kindness. If you’re looking for animated classics or live-action favorites, there are plenty of Valentine’s Day movies for kids that celebrate all kinds of love without being too mushy or boring. We’ve rounded up the best options that work for different age groups, from preschoolers to tweens. These movies focus on themes like friendship, family bonds, and being kind to others and they are perfect for teaching kids what Valentine’s Day is really about beyond just candy and cards.
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Lady and the Tramp (1955)
The Plot: Lady is a pampered Cocker Spaniel living the good life with her owners until a baby arrives and everything changes. When she ends up on the streets, she meets Tramp, a streetwise mutt who shows her a whole new world. The two dogs fall in love while sharing spaghetti and meatballs in one of Disney’s most iconic scenes.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Lady and the Tramp is the ultimate romantic movie for kids. The spaghetti kiss scene is adorable and totally age-appropriate. Plus, it teaches kids about looking past first impressions and finding love in unexpected places. The 2019 live-action remake is also great if your kids prefer real dogs over animation.
Best for: Ages 4 and up
WALL-E (2008)
The Plot: WALL-E is a lonely robot left on Earth to clean up trash while humanity lives in space. When a sleek robot named EVE arrives on a mission, WALL-E falls head over wheels for her and follows her into space on an adventure that could save humanity.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: WALL-E might be one of the sweetest love stories ever told, and it barely uses any dialogue. Kids will love the adorable robot romance, and parents will appreciate the deeper themes about taking care of our planet and each other. The “Define Dancing” scene is pure magic.
Best for: Ages 5 and up
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Plot: A grandfather reads his sick grandson (Fred Savage as a kid!) a fairy tale about Westley and Buttercup, two lovers separated by presumed death, evil princes, and impossible obstacles. There are sword fights, poison, giants, revenge plots, and one of the most quotable scripts in movie history.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: True love conquers all in The Princess Bride, but it’s packed with enough adventure and humor that kids won’t get bored. The story of the grandfather reading to his grandson adds an extra layer of family love. Fair warning: some kids might find a few scenes scary (the Rodents of Unusual Size, anyone?), but most handle it fine.
Best for: Ages 8 and up
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
The Plot: Two garden gnomes from feuding yards, Gnomeo from the Blue garden and Juliet from the Red garden, fall in love despite their families’ rivalry. It’s Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet reimagined with garden gnomes, a happier ending, and a soundtrack full of Elton John songs.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Gnomeo and Juliet is a fun, lighthearted take on the classic love story without the tragic ending. The gnome puns are silly, the animation is colorful, and the message about love overcoming differences is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Plus, kids get introduced to Shakespeare without even realizing it.
Best for: Ages 5 and up
The Muppet Movie (1979)
The Plot: Kermit the Frog leaves his swamp to pursue his dreams in Hollywood, picking up friends like Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and Miss Piggy along the way while being chased by a guy who wants him to star in frog leg commercials.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: The Muppet Movie shows that Miss Piggy’s over-the-top love for Kermit is hilarious and sweet. The movie is really about friendship and following your dreams, but the Kermit and Piggy romance adds that Valentine’s Day flavor. “The Rainbow Connection” will have everyone in their feelings.
Best for: Ages 4 and up
Up (2009)
The Plot: Carl Fredricksen is a grumpy widower who ties thousands of balloons to his house to fly to South America and fulfill a promise to his late wife, Ellie. Russell, an overeager Wilderness Explorer, accidentally comes along for the ride and the two learn about each other and themselves while on an epic adventure.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: The opening montage of Up, showing Carl and Ellie’s entire married life together, is one of the most beautiful love stories ever put on film. Yes, you will cry. Your kids might cry too. But it’s a wonderful way to talk about lasting love and keeping promises to the people we care about. The rest of the movie is a fun adventure.
Best for: Ages 6 and up (be prepared for emotional conversations)
Shrek (2001)
The Plot: Shrek is an ogre who just wants to be left alone in his swamp. When Lord Farquaad exiles a bunch of fairy tale creatures to his land, Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower in exchange for getting his swamp back. Things don’t go as planned when he actually starts to like Fiona.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Shrek flips every fairy tale trope on its head and proves that real love isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being yourself. The relationship between Shrek and Fiona is hilarious and surprisingly touching. Plus, Donkey and Dragon’s romance is adorable. Kids will enjoy the humor while noticing the message about inner beauty.
Best for: Ages 6 and up
The Lion King (1994)
The Plot: Simba is a young lion prince whose evil uncle Scar murders his father and convinces Simba it’s his fault. Simba runs away and grows up with Timon and Pumbaa, carefree outcasts who teach him “Hakuna Matata.” Eventually, Simba must return home to face his past and claim his rightful place as king.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: The love story between Simba and Nala is sweet, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is one of the most romantic Disney songs ever. But this movie is really about all types of love—parental love (Mufasa and Simba), friendship (Timon and Pumbaa), and romantic love. Just have tissues ready for Mufasa’s death scene.
Best for: Ages 5 and up
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
The Plot: Po is a clumsy panda who works in his dad’s noodle shop but dreams of becoming a kung fu master. Through a series of accidents, he’s chosen as the Dragon Warrior and has to train with the Furious Five to defeat the evil Tai Lung.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Kung Fu Panda is all about the love and belief others have in us, and learning to love ourselves. Master Shifu’s journey from skeptic to believer in Po is touching, and the relationship between Po and his dad (both his adoptive goose dad and later his biological panda dad in the sequels) is heartwarming. It’s a great reminder that Valentine’s Day can celebrate the people who believe in us.
Best for: Ages 5 and up
The Croods (2013)
The Plot: The Croods are a prehistoric family who live by one rule: never leave the cave because everything outside wants to kill you. When their world literally falls apart, they meet Guy, a more evolved human who has crazy ideas like fire and shoes. Eep, the teenage daughter, falls for Guy and his forward-thinking ways.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Croods has a sweet romance between Eep and Guy, but it’s really about family love and learning to let go. The relationship between Eep and her overprotective dad Grug is the emotional core. It’s perfect for showing kids that love sometimes means trusting the people you care about to make their own choices.
Best for: Ages 6 and up
Ratatouille (2007)
The Plot: Remy is a rat with refined taste and dreams of becoming a chef. When he ends up in Paris, he forms an unlikely partnership with Linguini, a garbage boy who can’t cook. Together they create culinary magic, though Remy has to hide his rat identity from everyone.
Why It’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Food is love, and this movie proves it. Remy’s passion for cooking and the way he uses food to bring people together is heartwarming. The relationship between Remy and Linguini shows how love and trust can form between the most unlikely friends. Plus, watching this will make everyone hungry for a nice Valentine’s dinner.
Best for: Ages 6 and up
When you’re choosing Valentine’s Day movies for kids, consider what your family needs right now. If you want something lighthearted and fun, go for The Muppet Movie or Gnomeo & Juliet. If you’re ready for some tears and deep conversations, Up will deliver. And if you want laugh-out-loud humor with heart, Shrek or Kung Fu Panda are solid choices.
So grab some popcorn, maybe some heart-shaped cookies, and settle in for a movie marathon that celebrates love in all the ways that matter. Your kids might roll their eyes at first, but they’ll probably end up enjoying it. And who knows? You might start a new Valentine’s Day tradition.
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