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The best low-stimulation movies for calming toddlers

Make sure movie time does keep your toddler awake

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Screen time isn’t always a bad thing for toddlers. Sometimes, when your little one isn’t feeling well, watching a soothing movie is a perfect pick. Low-stimulation movies for toddlers offer better quality screen time than movies that are loud and packed with action. Sure, those are fun and can be super exciting for kids, but the impact on their cognitive development is often negative. Those overstimulating movies can be too much for toddlers, leading to tantrums, meltdowns, and an inability to fall asleep.

Think about how difficult it is to fall asleep after watching a horror or suspense movie right before going to bed. Your mind is going in different directions, making it hard to relax and drift off to sleep. Well, it’s the same for toddlers. So, what are the best low-stimulation movies for toddlers to watch and what exactly are they?

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Best low-stimulation movies for toddlers

Disney+ on a phone
AFM Visuals / Shutterstock

If your toddler is only watching something for an hour a day, you want to make sure it’s quality programming. Low-stimulation movies are the perfect pick to avoid sensory overload. Think about how little ones react when watching a movie in a big theater. Most toddlers don’t enjoy the experience because of the loud sounds and the bold colors on the big screen. It’s overwhelming and overstimulating. So, when you’re looking for low-stimulation movies to stream for your toddler, put these on the list.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
74m
Genre
Animation, Family, Adventure
Stars
Sterling Holloway, John Fiedler, Junius Matthews
Directed by
John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman
Watch on disney+
Nothing says calm and soothing like Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a great movie to watch with your toddler on a sick day or any day.

The Little Bear Movie (2001)

The Little Bear Movie
75m
Genre
Animation, Family
Stars
Kristin Fairlie, Dan Hennessey, Janet-Laine Green
Directed by
Raymond Jafelice
Watch on amazon prime video
Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear books are ideal ones to read to toddlers and preschoolers. The show is wonderful, too, as is the movie. Little Bear the Movie is the ideal low-stimulation movie the whole family can enjoy. It’s also available for free on Tubi.

Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure (2006)

Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure
80m
Genre
Animation, Family, Fantasy, Comedy
Stars
Louise Cheka, Kevin Sommier, Ariane Aggiage
Directed by
Dominique Monfery
Watch on peacock
Another book series that spawned a television series and a movie, Franklin the Turtle is beloved by toddlers and preschoolers. Many of us can probably hum the theme song from our childhood. Both the Franklin series and the animated movie are wonderful picks for low-stimulation watches for toddlers. Franklin the Turtle Lake Treasure is also available to watch on Tubi for free.

Charlotte's Web (1973)

Charlotte's Web
94m
Genre
Family, Music, Animation
Stars
Debbie Reynolds, Henry Gibson, Danny Bonaduce
Directed by
Charles August Nichols, Iwao Takamoto
Watch on amazon prime video
This movie is a classic and will have everyone humming about Zuckerman’s favorite pig. The animated Charlotte’s Web movie is a wonderful choice for a family movie night or some parent-and-toddler cuddle time.

An American Tail (1986)

An American Tail
80m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Drama, Family
Stars
Phillip Glasser, Erica Yohn, Nehemiah Persoff
Directed by
Don Bluth
Watch on apple tv+
You might remember this classic film from your childhood. It’s been a kid favorite for ages. This tale about a Russian mouse trying to find his way in a new place is a great family film.

Disney movies

A boy pointing to which Disney movie he wants to watch on TV
Ivan Marc / Shutterstock

Who doesn’t love Disney movies? They are the best, and kids love them because they love animals. How many times have yours watched Frozen? The thing with Disney movies is that they can be overstimulating. Think about that stampede scene in The Lion King or when the wolves are after Belle in the woods in Beauty and the Beast.

If you’re looking to share a Disney movie with your toddler, you might want to try older titles like the Tinkerbell movies, Robin Hood, or The Aristocats. You’ll find them all on Disney+. The best way to see if a particular Disney movie will be too overstimulating for your toddler is to check it out first. Watch the trailer and see if it will be too much for your toddler.

What are low-stimulation movies?

Family on couch watching TV
fizkes / Shutterstock

Low-stimulation movies are exactly what they sound like. They’re movies with calming colors, quieter sounds, softer music, and less dramatic scene changes. This doesn’t mean the movie is without fun or not entertaining for toddlers. Low-stimulation movies are like comfort shows for adults. Instead of loud, dramatic movies and big, bold colors, low-stimulation films emphasize educational and emotionally appropriate content.

The Mayo Clinic recommends screen time for children ages 2 to 5 should be limited to an hour a day of quality programming. Using that hour for low-stimulation movies does have its benefits. It can help reduce stress and improve sleep and focus while giving your toddler a better screen time balance. So, how do you know if your child is overstimulated?

What does overstimulation look like?

Toddler girl crying.
Marcel Jancovic / Shutterstock

Did you have a sibling who ran around like crazy trying to karate kick everything after watching Power Rangers or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? That’s an easy example of overstimulation after watching something. Other signs of overstimulation in toddlers include irritability, crying, uncooperativeness, and tiredness. If you find these symptoms popping up more and more after your toddler’s screen time, it could be what’s on the device that’s leading to a meltdown.

When it comes to screen time, toddlers shouldn’t be having a lot. Sometimes, though, watching a movie together is a great way for both of you to unwind. Low-stimulation movies for toddlers are a better choice than those loud, action-packed, fast-moving kids’ films. A better option is soothing movies that have a calming effect on toddlers. Little ones also like to rewatch movies. So, keep these low-stimulation movies on demand because chances are they will want to see them again.

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