The 10 Best Dinosaur Movies For Kids (And Where To Watch Them)

A charming, old-school Disney adventure, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend is a nostalgic trip for parents and a great introduction to the world of dinosaurs for kids. This fantasy adventure film follows paleontologists Dr. Susan Matthews Loomis and George Loomis on an expedition to find an urban legend monster that closely resembles a dinosaur. They succeed; however, their discovery threatens the safety of the dinosaurs, sending the couple on a journey to protect the creatures from human threats. The blend of live-action acting with animatronics and practical effects gives the film a classic, hands-on feel compared to modern-day CGI. While it isn’t scientifically rigorous by today’s standards, it introduces kids to the world of dinosaurs and their behaviours in a fun and accessible manner. The pacing is slower and more dialogue-heavy, making it a suitable choice for kids between the ages of 7 and 12, who can follow the plot and appreciate the moral lessons of teamwork, compassion, and respect for nature that are central to the story. Overall, the movie does a good job of balancing fun and adventure with educational learnings.

The perfect movie for curious young minds, Dino Dana: The Movie follows Dana, a young paleontologist, as she discovers a time-traveling dinosaur egg and uses it to travel back to the Jurassic era, where she meets different dinosaurs and learns about their ways while trying her hardest to save them from extinction. The movie is an extension of the hit sci-fi TV series Dino Dana, which itself is a spin-off of Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures. The film blends live-action footage with CGI dinosaurs in a way that’s engaging but not frightening. Educationally, it’s a winner—kids learn about dinosaurs, their environments, and basic paleontology concepts, all woven into an easy-to-follow story. The movie moves at a lively pace with plenty of interactive problem-solving moments, making it an ideal pick for kids aged 5 to 10 years. More educational than purely entertaining, Dino Dana: The Movie is a solid pick for parents who want to be more intentional with their children’s screen time.

Don’t let the simple, prehistoric animation style stop you from watching The Land Before Time. This 1980s film is a classic for any dinosaur-obsessed child. It follows a young, orphaned dinosaur named Littlefoot as he journeys through famine and upheaval in search of the Great Valley, a place of safety, far from all the destruction and devastation. While the story can be a little emotionally heavy, the film thoughtfully explores themes like prejudice between different species, survival, and friendship. The hand-drawn animation style and gentle storytelling make it a solid pick for children aged 5 to 10 years old. Though there are moments of mild peril, there’s nothing overtly frightening, making it a safe and meaningful choice for movie night, especially if you want to expose your kids to films from past decades. The Land Before Time is more story-driven than educational, so if you’re looking for something more educational, Dino Dana: The Movie might be a better choice. 

Disney’s attempt at a CGI live-action film brings the grandeur and wonder of a world with dinosaurs to children without the scares of Jurassic Park. Dinosaur follows Aladar, a kind and curious Iguanodon raised by a family of lemurs, who is forced to migrate to the mainland and integrate with other dinosaurs. The movie explores themes of survival, cooperation, and compassion as Aladar challenges the survival-of-the-fittest mentality of the herd.While it’s not particularly educational, it is a fun, colourful, adventure-driven experience with breathtaking visuals that really comes to life with the live-action CGI, making Dinosaur an ideal scare-free choice for parents who want a break from animated movies, but still want to satisfy their kids' curiosity about dinosaurs. There are some tense prey-versus-predator interactions, natural disasters, and territorial disputes between dinosaurs, but nothing too graphic or frightening, making it a safe pick for kids aged five and up.

If you’re looking for a well-rounded, funny adventure film the whole family can enjoy together, you can’t go wrong with Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. The third film in the series, Dawn of the Dinosaurs follows Manny, Diego, and Ellie as they venture to a mysterious underground world inhabited by dinosaurs and danger to rescue their friend Sid, who’s been taken by a T.rex after accidentally adopting her eggs. While low on factual and educational value, considering dinosaurs didn’t co-exist with animals of the Ice Age, the film scores high on fun and entertainment thanks to its playful humour, adventurous set-pieces, and beloved characters. While Shinchan and Doraemon appeal more to kids with their light-hearted, slapstick humour, Ice Age strikes a balance that makes it just as enjoyable for adults. You don’t have to have seen the first two films to enjoy this one, as it provides enough context to stand out on its own. That being said, watching the earlier Ice Age films will give you a deeper understanding of the characters, and make the jokes hit a little harder. 

Produced by BBC Earth, Walking with Dinosaurs is loosely based on a 1999 TV series of the same name. The movie follows a young dinosaur named Patchi, who is forced to overcome his shyness to one day become the leader of his pack. Set in the late Cretaceous era, the production features CGI dinosaurs in live-action settings, creating a visually immersive prehistoric world. Given its more recent release, the live-action animation in Walking With Dinosaurs is noticeably more impressive than Disney’s 2000 film Dinosaur. The film gives a sense of scale and authenticity that makes kids feel like they’re actually witnessing a world inhabited by dinosaurs. While the movie relies more on adventure than factual content, its straightforward storyline and plenty of action make Walking with Dinosaurs a must-watch for kids obsessed with dinosaurs. Although there are no jump scares or brutal death scenes, the film includes tense moments such as predator hunts, environmental changes, and Patchi’s run-ins with danger, making it a more suitable choice for slightly older children aged 7 to 12.

Cute, quirky, and full of laughs, Crayon Shin-Chan: Our Dinosaur Diary follows Shin-chan and his family as they visit a theme park that brings extinct dinosaurs back to life. As always, trouble follows Shin-chan wherever he goes. At the park, their family dog, Shiro, befriends a small dinosaur, which disrupts the balance of the park and kickstarts a mischievous adventure, just as you’d expect from Shin-chan. What this film lacks in educational value it more than makes up for with its laugh-out-loud humour. The bright and playful crayon-style animation, combined with Shin-chan’s classic exaggerated expressions and silly antics, makes this film a perfect pick for a laid-back movie night with young children. Fans of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Doraemon: Nobita’s New Dinosaur will feel right at home with this pick. Honestly, even if the little ones don’t fully understand the story, the colourful animation and wacky antics are something even your toddler can enjoy. 

One of the most foolproof ways to introduce your kids to the world of dinosaurs is through cartoons they already know and love. That said, you don’t have to be a Doraemon fan to enjoy this movie. Doraemon: Nobita’s New Dinosaur follows Nobita and the gang as they travel back to the Cretaceous period to return a pair of twin dinosaurs to where they came from. The film introduces children to various species of dinosaurs, touches upon the concept of different time periods, and explores core themes of compassion, teamwork, and respect for the natural world.The story moves at a gentle, easy-to-follow pace, making it ideal for younger kids. The colourful animation, simple story, and familiar characters make it a great entryway into the world of dinosaurs for kids ages four and up, while the light adventure elements, themes of teamwork, and dinosaur facts make it appealing even to kids up to the age of ten. If you’re looking for an animated dinosaur movie that’s equally as entertaining for adults as it is for kids, check out The Good Dinosaur and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

Set in an alternate universe where dinosaurs never went extinct, The Good Dinosaur is an endearing Pixar film that tracks the unlikely friendship between Arlo, a lost dinosaur, and Spot, a Neanderthal boy who helps him find his way back home. Breathtaking animation, heartfelt emotion, and a story that’s both adventurous and touching, The Good Dinosaur has everything you’re looking for from a Pixar movie. The Danna Brothers’ score gives the movie a sweeping, cinematic feel, underscoring both the grandeur of the landscapes and the intimate, heartfelt interactions between Spot and Arlo, without ever feeling overwhelming. The Good Dinosaur is, of course, a great pick for kids of all ages, but even as an adult, I found myself getting swept up in the beautiful landscapes, rooting for Arlo, and laughing at Spot’s antics. All in all, The Good Dinosaur does exactly what the title promises by delivering a truly good dinosaur film.

If you’re looking for educational dinosaur movies, Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island is the perfect place to start. Created by the Jim Henson Company, the makers of the popular Dinosaur Train series, this movie is a fun and creative extension of the series, following the Pteranodon family as they travel to a dinosaur-themed park. Their adventure takes a turn when an unexpected earthquake hits the island, separating them and putting their knowledge and teamwork to the test. The movie turns learning into an adventure: the bright, colourful, and engaging animation keeps younger children hooked, while the facts about species, habitats, and behaviour make it immersive for slightly older dino-obsessed kids as well. This one earns the top spot on our list for being fun, intellectually rewarding, and endlessly watchable, sparking a lifelong interest in dinosaurs. Plus, if the movie leaves kids wanting more, the original Dinosaur Train TV series is always there to continue the adventure, letting them explore new dinosaurs, environments, and lessons, episode by episode.