20+ Kids Movies On HBO Max That Will Bring Back Your Childhood!

Okay but, kids’ movies on HBO Max are meant for adults too. Period. If you’re an adult, like me, who has had to hide away your love for kids’ movies or risk being judged by the society for your preference, let me tell you something–contrary to the popular belief, it’s completely okay to watch AND enjoy kids’ movies! 

You will never come across a kids’ movie with an unhappy ending. In fact, they have unrealistic happy endings that may help you in coping with your stressful adult life–they can act as a form of escapism. Kids’ movies can deliver some crucial life lessons in the simplest of forms. Take Stuart Little (1999), for example, the titular character Stuart teaches us how not to let your anatomy come in between your path to great achievements. We learn bravery from an anthropogenic mouse.  

Now, isn’t all this cool? 

Also, Read | 25+ Wholesome Family Movies On HBO Max | Watch These NOW! 

Here Are Some Kids’ Movies On HBO Max To Make You Nostalgic! 

The bewitching charm of best kids movies on HBO Max is undeniable, inescapable. It will bring back your childhood to you. These movies will make you relish your childhood again. 

But if you’re still a kid at heart, here are some kids’ movies on HBO Max to honor your inner childishness!

1# Stuart Little (1999)

Stuart Little (1999) is an animated comedy film inspired by the 1945 novel Stuart Little by E.B. White.

The film revolves around the Littles who wish to adopt a sibling for George. They come across Stuart, a charming anthropogenic mouse, at an orphanage and bring him home. However, their son George doesn’t accept Stuart like a brother citing that Stuart is just a mouse. Snowbell, the house cat, doesn’t like Stuart either and wished to eat him.

Several events transpire, and Stuart manages to win over both George and Snowbell. It takes longer to bond with Snowbell though. And, in the meantime, Snowbell has already planned a great scheme of things to get rid of Stuart. Trouble ensues, will the littlest member of the Littles survive it all and reunite with his loving family?

• Release Date: December 17, 1999
• Running Time: 84 m
• Director: Rob Minkoff
• Production by: Columbia Pictures, Franklin/Waterman Productions
• Cast: Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki, Jeffrey Jones, Connie Ray, Allyce Beasely
• IMDb Rating: 6/10

2# Like Mike (2002)

Like Mike (2002) revolves around the story of Calvin Cambridge and his two best friends who live in an orphanage. The trio is forced to sell chocolates by night for Stan Bittleman, the orphanage’s director.

On one such night, he comes across Los Angeles Knights basketball team’s coach and charms him with his wide knowledge of the game. As a result, Calvin and his friends win a ticket to the next match. On a stormy night, Calvin comes across a pair of old shoes with the initials MJ written on them. The sneakers are thrown onto an overhead powerline by a jealous bully. While retrieving the shoes, Calvin gets struck by lightning and acquires extraordinary basketball powers.

It changes everything for the young boy. Overnight, 13-year-old Calvin becomes a basketball star and gets a chance to play for the NBA.

• Release Date: July 3, 2002
• Running Time: 95m
• Director: John Schultz
• Production by: NBA Entertainment, Heller Highwater Productions, Josephson Entertainment
• Cast: Lil’ Bow Wow, Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki, Robert Forster, Crispin Glover, Eugene Levy
• IMDb Rating: 5.3/10

3# Madeline (1998)

Madeline (1998) is a comedy movie based on the four plots of the 1939 book Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans.

Set in 1956 Paris, France, the film follows a young orphan girl called Madeline as she attends a Catholic Boarding School. The school is taught by a firm but loving nun Miss Clavel. Adventurous little Madeline has a talent for getting into trouble. But she’s equally good at finding a way out of trouble as well.

The real trouble strikes when the unmoving Lord Covington, the school board trustees member decides to sell the school after the demise of his wife. Lady Covington had attended the boarding school in her youth and cared for it deeply. That’s why the school was painful for Lord Covington. But if the school is sold, Madeline will have nowhere to go. Will mischievous Madeline be successful in saving the boarding school, her only home?

• Release Date: July 10, 1998
• Running Time: 88m
• Director: Daisy von Scherler Mayer
• Production By: TriStar Pictures
• Cast: Frances McDormand, Nigel Hawthorne, Hatty Jones
• IMDb Rating: 5.9/10

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4# Ella Enchanted (2004)

Ella Enchanted (2004) is a fairy tale comedy film inspired by the 1997 book Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

The story of Ella Enchanted revolves around Ella, who upon birth is blessed with the “power” of obedience. She can never deny doing anything that she’s been told to do. On her deathbed, Ella’s mother warns her to never disclose her blessing to anyone to avoid being exploited. After the death of his wife, Ella’s father marries a socialite Dame Olga who has two mean daughters. So, Ella must not, at any cost, let her stepfamily find out about her “blessing”. At the same time, she falls in love with prince Char who is going to be the next king—if he manages to survive his paternal uncle Edgar’s schemes to kill him.

Ella sets out on a quest to find the fairy who did this spell and can undo it. Ella alone can save herself and Prince Char. What makes this fairy tale different from the others is that not every day one comes across the princess doing the saving part—it’s usually the prince’s domain.

• Release Date: April 9, 2004
• Running Time: 96m
• Director: Tommy O’Haver
• Production By: Blessington Film Productions, Jane Startz Productions
• Cast: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Vivica A. Fox, Joanna Lumley, Minnie Driver, Jimi Mistry
• IMDb Rating: 6.3/10

5# Where The Wild Things Are (2009)

Where The Wild Things Are (2009) is a fantasy-drama film adapted from the 1963 children’s book Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

The film follows a lonely young boy, Max, who has a hyperactive imagination and divorced parents. His sister Claire doesn’t care for him much. He is upset by her mother not visiting a fort that he built in his bedroom. So, he dresses up as a wolf and breaks havoc in the house, eventually biting her mother. Scared, he runs away from home.

He gets on a boat and sails to an island. The island is inhabited by seven large monsters: Carol, Ira, Judith, Alexander, Douglas, the Bull, and KW. Together, they are called the Wild Things. The seven beasts take Max for their king who has the power to bring harmony among the group. But what will happen when they find out that Max is just an ordinary boy? Will Max ever be able to return home, safely?

• Release Date: 13 October 2009
• Running Time: 101m
• Director: Spike Zone
• Production By: Legendary Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Wild Things Productions
• Cast: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, Catherine O’Hara
• IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

6# The Secret Garden (2020)

Set in 1947 England, The Secret Garden (2020) is the fourth film based on the 1911 novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The Secret Garden focuses on Mary Lennox, an unpleasant 10-year-old girl who has recently lost her parents to Cholera in British India. Newly orphaned, Mary is sent to live with her strict and grief-struck uncle Lord Craven in Yorkshire, England. Upon arriving there, she meets the stern housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock who forbids her from wandering around the house. She may explore the estates and the woods nearby though. She comes across the secret garden there.

Not paying attention to the housekeeper’s instructions, she explores the house too and finds her hunchback cousin Colin, who cannot walk. But Mary and her new friend Dickon manage to take Colin to the secret garden in his wheelchair. Their escapades are instrumental in Colin’s recovery. When Lord Carven finds the three children playing in the secret garden, he’s astonished to see his sick son walking. For the first time in many years, Lord Carven is happy.

• Release Date: 7 August 2020
• Running Time: 100m
• Director: Marc Munden
• Production By: StudioCanal, Heyday Films
• Cast: Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Dixie Egerickx, Edan Hayhurst, Amir Wilson
• IMDb Rating: 5.5/10

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7# We Bought A Zoo (2011)

We Bought A Zoo (2011) is a comedy-drama film inspired by the 2008 memoir We Bought A Zoo by Benjamin Mee.

The movie revolves around widower Benjamin Mee, his 14-year-old son Dylan, who has recently been expelled from school, and his 7-year-old daughter Rosie. In search of a fresh start, Benjamin starts looking for a new house. After rejecting many houses, he comes across a large house with a dilapidated zoo that comes along with the property.

However, a strict USDA inspector pays a surprise visit to the zoo, he lists out some expensive repairs that must be made before its opening. With Benjamin being unable to pay, a rumor circulates among the zoo will be sold again. Will the staff along with Benjamin restore the lost glory of the zoo, pass the inspection and have visitors again?

• Release Date: December 23, 2011
• Running Time: 124m
• Director: Cameron Crowe
• Production By: Vinyl Films, LBI Entertainment, Dune Entertainment
• Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning
• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

8# Elf (2003)

Elf (2003) is a Christmas comedy film that follows Buddy, a human brought up by Santa’s elves as an oversized elf, as he travels from the North Pole to New York to meet his father upon learning about the truth of his birth. ‘

Buddy’s Papa Elf explains that he was put in an orphanage prior to his mother Susan Wall’s demise. Santa tells him that his father, Walter Hobbs has been on Santa’s naughty list for being a heartless jerk but allows him to visit his father and help him redeem himself.

Buddy arrives in New York and is bewitched by the charm of the New York City in a way that only an elf can be. He finds his father at the bookstore where he works. His father takes him for a DNA test to confirm that Buddy is his son. With a positive test result, he takes Buddy to his new wife and son. Soon, Buddy accidentally messes up his father’s job. But, it leads to Walter reassessing his priorities.

• Release Date: November 7, 2003
• Running Time: 97m
• Director: Jon Favreau
• Production By: New Line Cinema, Guy Walks Into a Bar Productions
• Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart
• IMDb Rating: 7/10

Here Are Some More HBO Max Kids’ Movies! Watch Them NOW!

To give you more options to choose from, I have curated a list of some timeless and some new kids’ movies on HBO Max. I hope you like them!

Also, Read | 10 Worthwhile PG 13 Movies On HBO MAX | Stream To Your Hearts Content!  

Final Words

Alright, folks! These were some kids’ movies on HBO Max! I hope these movies help pacify your inner child!

Happy watching!!