When it comes to children’s movies, there’s something captivating about bugs.
Whether it’s their tiny size, unique features, or fascinating behaviors, bugs make for great movie characters that can teach kids valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork, and perseverance.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best bug movies for kids that are sure to entertain and educate.
From ants to butterflies, get ready to explore the fascinating world of insects through the magic of cinema.
So grab some popcorn and get ready for a bug-tastic adventure!
1. A Bug’s Life (1998 – G)
“A Bug’s Life” is a computer-animated comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios.
The story follows Flik, a misfit ant who is not like the other ants in his colony. When a group of grasshoppers threatens to invade the ant colony and steal all of their food, Flik decides to leave the colony of ants and embark on a special trip to find the warrior bugs who can help fight the greedy grasshoppers.
However, he accidentally recruits a group of circus bugs instead. Together, Flik and the circus bugs come up with a plan to save the ant colony. An all star cast brings this movie to life, with Kevin Spacey as Hopper and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Princess Atta.
“A Bug’s Life” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “The Time of Your Life” by Randy Newman at the 1999 ceremony
Kids will love “A Bug’s Life” because it’s an epic adventure that takes place in a miniature world filled with colorful and unique characters. The ants and the other bugs in the movie have distinct personalities and quirks that make them lovable and relatable.
The movie also teaches valuable lessons about standing up for yourself, accepting others for who they are, and the importance of teamwork. Additionally, the movie has plenty of humor that both kids and adults can appreciate.
2. Antz (1998 – PG)
“Antz” is a computer-animated adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation. The movie follows the main character, Z-4195, a worker ant who is tired of his monotonous life and seeks adventure.
When he meets Princess Bala, Z-4195 becomes enamored with her and switches places with his soldier ant friend, Weaver, to attend a parade where he can see her. However, Z-4195 ends up getting in trouble and must team up with a band of rogue insects to save the ant colony from destruction.
Throughout the movie, Z and the other ants are shown performing hard labor, such as digging tunnels and gathering food, to sustain their colony. The movie also explores themes of individualism, self-discovery, and standing up to authority.
Kids would love “Antz” because it’s a fun and exciting adventure that takes place in a miniature world filled with interesting and quirky characters. The movie features an all-star voice cast, including Woody Allen as the protagonist, Z-4195, and Sharon Stone as Princess Bala, and Sylvester Stallone as Weaver, a soldier ant.
The movie also teaches valuable lessons about individuality, bravery, and standing up for what’s right. Additionally, the movie has plenty of humor and action that both kids and adults can enjoy.
3. Bee Movie (2007 – PG)
“Bee Movie” is an animated bug movie produced by DreamWorks Animation. The movie follows the story of Barry B. Benson, who is “just an ordinary bee” in a hive located in Sheep Meadow, Central Park in New York City. He has just graduated from college and is about to embark on his first job in the honey industry.
However, Barry is disillusioned with the idea of working for the rest of his life, producing honey. He decides to venture outside the hive, where he meets a human named Vanessa. As Barry and Vanessa become friends, they discover that humans have been stealing honey from bees for centuries. Barry decides to take legal action against the humans and their honey industry, leading to a daring courtroom showdown.
This movie is worth watching, especially for a kid who loves bugs. Barry’s life proves to be a fun and wacky adventure. The movie features a hilarious premise and plenty of jokes that will keep kids entertained. It also teaches valuable lessons about friendship, following your dreams, and standing up for what you believe in. The movie’s visual style is also very appealing, with bright colors and imaginative designs that create a vibrant and engaging world.
“Bee Movie” features an all-star voice cast, including Jerry Seinfeld as Barry B. Benson and Renée Zellweger as Vanessa Bloome.
4. Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants (2013 – Not Rated)
“Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants” is a French-Belgian animated adventure film about a young ladybug who befriends a group of ants and helps them defend their sugar cube from a group of red ants. The movie showcases the world of bugs from their perspective, highlighting the miniature scale of their surroundings and the challenges they face as small creatures.
Kids would love “Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants” because it’s an exciting and visually stunning movie that brings the world of bugs to life. The movie features a cast of charming and quirky bug characters who work together to overcome obstacles and defend their home. Kids will enjoy watching the ladybug and the group of bugs work together to outsmart their enemies and save the day.
The movie features an all-bug cast, with no major stars providing voices. Instead, the movie relies on the expressive animation and physical humor to convey the characters’ personalities and emotions. The movie is a unique and entertaining adventure that showcases the beauty and complexity of the world at the size of an ant.
5. The Ant Bully (2006 – PG)
“The Ant Bully” is a computer-animated film that tells the story of a young boy named Lucas Nickle who is picked on by a small town neighborhood bully. Lucas takes out his frustration on an ant colony in his front yard by flooding it with his water gun. The ants, seeking revenge, use a magic potion to shrink Lucas down to their size so he can learn the error of his ways.
As Lucas spends time with the ants, he learns about their way of life and becomes friends with them. Together, they work to protect the colony from the threat of extermination by the exterminator, who is a giant to them.
Kids would enjoy “The Ant Bully” because it features a cast of fun and quirky bug characters, and the animation brings the world of the ants to life in a unique and imaginative way. The movie also has a great message about empathy and understanding, as Lucas learns to see the world from the ants’ perspective and work with them to overcome their challenges.
The movie features an impressive voice cast, including Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, and Paul Giamatti. Kids will love the exciting action scenes and the humor that comes with seeing the world from the perspective of the tiny ants.
6. James and the Giant Peach (1996 – PG)
“James and the Giant Peach” is a 1996 live-action/stop-motion animated film based on the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl. The story follows a young orphan boy named James who lives with his cruel aunts. One day, a mysterious old man gives James a bag of magic crocodile tongues, which he accidentally drops at the base of a peach tree.
The next day, a peach on the tree grows to an enormous size, and James discovers a tunnel inside it. He crawls inside and meets a group of human-sized insects who live inside the peach, including a ladybug, a spider, a grasshopper, a centipede, a glowworm, and an earthworm. They decide to embark on a journey to New York City, rolling the peach across the ocean with the help of a flock of seagulls.
Kids would enjoy “James and the Giant Peach” because it’s a fun and whimsical adventure story with a unique cast of characters. The stop-motion animation gives the film a magical and surreal feel, and the colorful and creative design of the insects and the giant peach is sure to capture children’s imaginations.
The film was directed by Henry Selick, who also directed the stop-motion classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It features a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Richard Dreyfuss as the Centipede, Susan Sarandon as the Spider, David Thewlis as the Earthworm, and Simon Callow as the Grasshopper. The live-action segments of the film feature actors such as Joanna Lumley and Miriam Margolyes as James’ aunts.
7. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008 – PG)
“The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a 2008 fantasy adventure film based on the book series of the same name by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. The movie follows the Grace family – Jared, Simon, and Mallory – who move into the Spiderwick Estate, a decrepit mansion owned by their great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick.
The children soon discover a hidden world of fairies, trolls, and other magical creatures that are threatened by an evil ogre named Mulgarath. The Grace children must band together to protect this magical realm and the secrets that lie within it.
Kids would enjoy “The Spiderwick Chronicles” because of its fantastical creatures, thrilling adventure, and relatable characters. The movie also emphasizes the importance of family, teamwork, and bravery, making it an engaging and inspiring story for children.
The movie was directed by Mark Waters and produced by Nickelodeon Movies and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It stars Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, and Joan Plowright, among others. The film received positive reviews for its visual effects, music, and cast performances, and was a box office success, grossing over $162 million worldwide.
8. Turbo (2013 – PG)
“Turbo” is a 2013 computer-animated sports comedy movie produced by DreamWorks Animation.
The story revolves around an everyday garden snail named Theo, who dreams of becoming the world’s fastest snail. After a freak accident involving a street race and a car engine, Theo gains incredible speed and the ability to race like a car. He then embarks on a journey to achieve his dream of racing in the Indy 500.
Kids might enjoy the movie because it is a fun and lighthearted story with colorful and endearing characters. It teaches the lesson that with determination and hard work, you can achieve your dreams. It also has a positive message about the importance of friendship, teamwork, and believing in oneself.
The movie also features a star-studded cast of actors and comedians, including Ryan Reynolds as Theo/Turbo, Paul Giamatti as Chet (Turbo’s brother), Michael Peña as Tito (a human who discovers Turbo’s racing ability), and Samuel L. Jackson as Whiplash (the leader of a racing snail crew).
9. Pinnochio (2022 – PG)
“Pinocchio” is a classic Disney animated film released in 1940 that tells the story of a wooden puppet named Pinocchio who is brought to life by a fairy. Pinocchio is given the opportunity to become a real boy if he proves himself brave, truthful, and unselfish.
In the movie, Jiminy Cricket is introduced as Pinocchio’s conscience and guide. He is a small, anthropomorphic cricket who acts as a mentor to Pinocchio, teaching him right from wrong and helping him to navigate the many dangers he encounters on his journey to becoming a real boy.
For bug-loving kids, Jiminy Cricket is a lovable and relatable character. He is small and often underestimated, yet he has a big heart and a strong moral compass. His role as Pinocchio’s conscience and guide demonstrates the importance of listening to your conscience and doing the right thing, which is a valuable lesson for kids of all ages.
The voice of Jiminy Cricket was provided by the legendary voice actor, Cliff Edwards. His portrayal of the character earned him critical acclaim and helped to solidify Jiminy Cricket as one of the most beloved characters in Disney’s history.
A newer version of Pinnochio was recently made, too.
10. Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989 – PG)
“Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” is a 1989 American science fiction comedy film directed by Joe Johnston. The movie follows the story of Wayne Szalinski, a scientist and inventor who accidentally shrinks his own and his neighbor’s children to a tiny size with his experimental shrinking machine. They’re so small that you can barely see them even with a magnifying glass.
Throughout their adventures in the backyard, the shrunken kids encounter various giant bugs and insects, including giant ants, a honey bee, and a scorpion, among others. These bugs appear larger than life from the perspective of the shrunken children, which can be exciting and intriguing for bug-loving kids.
The film features a mix of adventure, comedy, and science fiction elements that can appeal to a broad range of kids, and the portrayal of the giant bugs adds an extra layer of excitement to the movie. The special effects used to bring the bugs to life are also noteworthy, as they were groundbreaking for their time and still hold up well today.
The movie starred Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski and featured a cast of child actors, including Thomas Wilson Brown, Jared Rushton, and Amy O’Neill. The film was a commercial success and spawned several sequels, including “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” and “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves”.
From the classic tale of James and the Giant Peach to the modern animation of A Bug’s Life and The Ant Bully, these family films offer great storytelling, lovable characters, and exciting adventures that will captivate kids of all ages.
Whether it’s learning about teamwork, perseverance, or the importance of preserving nature, these movies have valuable lessons for children. So the next time your kids are in the mood for a fun and educational movie, consider one of these 10 best bug movies for kids.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
