Joy is certainly a complex idea and feeling when you think about it—but when you feel it—it’s really simple and easy. With the nature of children’s movies being more about explaining complex ideas in a more simple nature, it is easy to find the theme of living with more joy in them!

Here are 5 Children’s Movies about living with more joy in life—see if any resonate with you to watch with a child in your life or on your own!

#1: The Little Prince

I was first introduced to The Little Prince via a suggestion from a friend, and I honestly loved it within the first few minutes of it. Based off the book of the same name (which I want to read!), this movie is truly such a powerful and meaningful one!

Following one little girl’s journey from feeling confined by society’s expectations and ideas of “what life is about” to making a dear friend in her next door neighbor, an elderly man, who helps her to see all the joy that life is really about!

In addition to such a sweet storyline, this movie also has some really terrific and impactful quotes all about living with more joy!

#2: The Greatest Showman

I wrote about how much I enjoy The Greatest Showman in my post on 25 Children’s Songs About Joy, but to reiterate- there is something so joyful about this movie which resonates with me a lot!

I love the plotline of one man deciding to go after his dreams and live in his joy, all the bumps in the road he encounters and his ultimate coming back to living his dream authentically. I also adore the music. The lyrics of the songs are so powerful and seem to encapsulate the joy of living your dream so well!

All of it combines to make this one of my all-time favorite movies—it truly is a movie all about joy and reminds you that life really is, “the greatest show”!

#3: Soul

Another sweet movie, Soul , follows one man as he starts stepping into living in his joy, and then accidentally dies and enters the afterlife. While he is there, he tries desperately to get back to living again, but first must teach one lost soul why life is worth living.

Ultimately, he sees that not only did the lost soul need the lesson on why life is such a joy to experience, but that he too needed it as well!

#4: Mary Poppins

A classic, Mary Poppins, much like the other movies, is all about a coming home to feeling your own inner joy.

Following the Banks family, the movie depicts a family who is much disconnected from really enjoying life- especially Mr. Banks. Along comes Mary Poppins, whose magic intrigues the children as she becomes their nanny. Through several experiences, Mary Poppins helps the entire family come back to feeling a sense of joy and wonder at life, encapsulating with one one of my favorite songs, “Let’s Go Fly A Kite”!

#5: Moana

Moana was a hit when it came out, and upon watching it, I understood why!

When Moana’s village is in need of help that can only be found outside the comfort of their island, Moana takes the leap of faith to embark on the challenge. Throughout the movie, you can witness the journey of Moana in stepping into the unknown, following her own inner joy and all that follows!

Are there any movies you would add to this list? Comment below!