Diverse Movies for Kids and Families

Alexandra F.:  We went through a phase where this movie was on pretty much every day in our house - and it is so good, I didn’t even mind it! Great music, great story, great characters.

Kelly R:  This family movie (and the book that inspired it) have been revisited many times in my house, and I'm glad for all of the opportunities to talk about kindness and acceptance.

Amanda Banta:  I love this movie! It's a great story, great cast (including a young Ryan Gosling!) and great music.

Kelly R:  Big Hero 6 is a funny, action-packed super hero story centering around a teenage genius and his diverse group of friends, but it's much more than that. The main character deals with profound loss at the beginning (as is true of so many of the best Disney movies), and the themes of dealing with grief, emotional wellness and forgiveness are really central to the story.

Shila:  This family movie on Netflix is based on the amazingly powerful novel by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. An innovative young boy in Malawi engineers the prototype to building a full-size wind turbine that helps his village thrive. Also based on a true story, this inspiring movie touches on world-known hardships and environmental sustainability.

Kelly R:  The inspiring true story of how three brilliant black women played pivotal roles at NASA during the Space Race, while enduring racial and gender prejudice. The depiction of institutionalized segregation and discrimination provides a good opportunity for kids to learn about black history and race relations in the US.

Amy S.:  Jim Parsons is brilliant as the voice of Oh, and my kids get up and dance when Rihanna’s “Dancing in the Dark” comes on. This movie is irresistible.

Kelly R:  Mexican culture and traditions are at the forefront of this emotional and visually stunning gem, featuring an all-Latino voice cast that brings Pixar's previous lack of diverse movies for kids a step in the right direction. Taking place during Dia de Los Muertos, a musical young boy makes an accidental journey to the Land of the Dead, where he discovers his ancestors and his family's true history.

Kelly R:  Showcasing a mostly-black cast with inspiring female role models, Black Panther is a groundbreaking diverse movie from the Marvel superhero franchise that is a whole lot of fun to watch. The story is set in an isolated and technologically-advanced African nation of Wakanda. When Wakanda's new king finds his power threatened, he must rally his allies to protect his nation and the world. Given that it's quite violent, you might want to consider this movie for tweens and older.

Kelly R:  This animated installment of the Spider-Man story shows that all types of individuals can wear the mask. Brooklyn teen Miles Morales is at the forefront of a diverse cast of characters, as a Spider-Man who teams up with Spider counterparts from other dimensions.

It's funny, smart, and features cool animation that makes you feel like you're inside a comic book. A great family movie night film that everyone will enjoy, whether or not you're typically into superhero stories.

Kelly R:  My family loved this movie, which is based on the true story of a disgraced football coach who starts a high school cross country team at the only place that will take him, a mainly Latino school in California's Central Valley. This one flew under the radar for us, and we highly recommend you check it out if you haven't seen it yet! It's one of the best family sports movies we've seen in a while.

Shila:  An enthusiastic young teenager successfully auditions for a mega-hit television dance show. Her rising status as a teen sensation empowers her fight for racial integration, and ultimately inspires the producers of the program to enact drastic changes to the show's casting. Hairspray shines a stark light onto some of many racial and in-your-face inequities of the 60's. This award-winning film features some of Broadway's best songs, dance routines, and star-studded acting; including a progressive performance by male actor, John Travolta, cast to play in a female character role.

Kelly R:  While she may spend much of the movie in a frog's body, The Princess and the Frog presents the first black Disney princess. Tiana dreams of opening her own restaurant in Jazz Age New Orleans, but her plans are sidetracked when she kisses a magical frog and becomes one herself. Tiana's entrepreneurial spirit is inspiring, and communicates the importance of hard work and following your dreams.

Kelly R:  Akeelah is an 11-year-old black girl from south central Los Angeles with a gift for spelling...and for getting in trouble at school. She has a goal to make it to the National Spelling Bee despite the obstacles presented by her circumstances. Help comes in the form of a coach (Laurence Fishburne) who not only guides her to develop her spelling skills, but also teaches her that she doesn't have to hide her talent to fit in.

Kristy Pepping:  This is a real-life story about the first African American ballerina that made the American Ballet Theater. Misty Copeland had to overcome a lot including several injuries and a fractured family life. It's an inspirational story about persevering that will resonate with all family members. Plus, it's a great lesson in accepting yourself for who you are and following your dreams no matter what stands in your way.