Best International Films for Kids

If your kids are old enough to read subtitles, then they're ready to be introduced to some of our favorite international films, from anime classics (some of which have dubs available) to masterpieces of European cinema. Exposing your kids to cultures other than their own is also a great way to challenge prejudices and cultural stereotypes. You might even be able to inspire your kids to learn another language after viewing these films!

Filter by:
Kiki's Delivery Service Poster Image
MOVIE

Kiki's Delivery Service

age 5+

A mystical, positive take on girl's coming of age.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1990)
Knight Rusty Poster Image
MOVIE

Knight Rusty

age 5+

German animated knight quest is fun for kids of all ages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)
My Neighbor Totoro Poster Image
MOVIE

My Neighbor Totoro

age 5+

Beautifully animated fantasy about friendship fit for all.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1988)
The Red Balloon Poster Image
MOVIE

The Red Balloon

age 7+

Imaginative story told entirely through vivid visuals.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1957)
A Cat's Life Movie Poster: A kitten is pictured on a white background, with the words "A Cat's Life" in blue above
MOVIE

A Cat's Life

age 8+

Cat lovers will purr for French film; minor peril, language.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)
Howl's Moving Castle Poster Image
MOVIE

Howl's Moving Castle

age 8+

Charming Miyazaki fairy tale with surreal villains.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
Spirited Away Poster Image
MOVIE

Spirited Away

age 9+

Magnificent movie with scary creatures and a strong heroine.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2002)
Wadjda Poster Image
MOVIE

Wadjda

age 9+

Beautiful, nuanced tale of an independent Saudi girl.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2013)
Belle and Sebastian Poster Image
MOVIE

Belle and Sebastian

age 10+

Beautiful film about WWII has intense themes, drinking.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
Chicken for Linda! Movie Poster: Linda sits, while her shocked mother, Paulette, stares at a flying chicken
MOVIE

Chicken for Linda!

age 10+

Offbeat animated comedy has language, intense moments.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)
Ta Ra Rum Pum Poster Image
MOVIE

Ta Ra Rum Pum

age 10+

Fanciful Bollywood dramedy fine for tweens and up.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)
My Life as a Dog Poster Image
MOVIE

My Life as a Dog

age 11+

Sensitive subtitled coming-of-age movie for older kids.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1987)
The Wind Rises Movie Poster: Two characters kiss under an umbrella
MOVIE

The Wind Rises

age 10+

Lovely, contemplative tale of famed aeronautical engineer.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Poster Image
MOVIE

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

age 12+

Magical, award-winning martial arts fairy tale.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)
Dancing in Jaffa Poster Image
MOVIE

Dancing in Jaffa

age 12+

Uplifting docu promotes religious tolerance via dance.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)
Dangal Poster Image
MOVIE

Dangal

age 12+

Tough father trains unwilling daughters to be champions.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
L'immensità movie poster: Luana Giuliani sits on steps, eating an ice cream, beside Penelope Cruz
MOVIE

L'immensità

age 12+

Italian drama has language, sexual threat, domestic abuse.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Perfect Days movie poster: Koji Yakusho smiles as he looks up to the sky
MOVIE

Perfect Days

age 12+

Heartwarming Japanese drama has partial nudity, smoking.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2024)
A Bag of Marbles Poster Image
MOVIE

A Bag of Marbles

age 13+

Powerful story of boys' WWII survival has peril, violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2018)
Broker movie poster: Five South Korean adults of varying ages stand by a van, a middle-aged man holds a baby
MOVIE

Broker

age 13+

Korean trafficking comedy-drama evokes kindness and empathy.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)