17 Fun Fish Movies for Kids + FREE Word Search
Published:
July 18, 2025
Contributor:
Sarah Shelton
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We love binge watching movies over summer break with our family. Summer is the perfect time to dive into the wonders of the ocean with these family-friendly fish movies for kids and ocean-themed films. Be sure to grab our FREE fish coloring page and word search pages below to keep kids learning and entertained after the movie.
17 Fish Movies for Kids
This list includes both animated films and live action films as well as educational documentaries perfect for the whole family. You will find lots of choices from Disney movies, movies from Pixar Animation Studios, exciting ocean themed movies, and even documentaries featuring humpback whales and lots of beautiful fish.
Animated Fish Movies for Kids
These timeless favorites are full of lovable characters and colorful underwater worlds your kids will want to watch again and again. These animated movies are a must watch in our home and are often on repeat because they are so cute and memorable. If your kids love animated ocean adventures, these are some of the best kids movies about fish ever made.
1. The Little Mermaid (1989) G – This classic Disney movie tells the story of Ariel, a curious teenage mermaid who dreams of life in human form. She is surrounded by her fish friends who help her visit the land which was forbidden by her father King Triton. She makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula to become human by trading her beautiful voice, and the King makes the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.
2. Finding Nemo (2003) G – This was my son’s favorite movie and he watched it on a weekly basis when we first got it on DVD. Finding Nemo is about a little clownfish on a journey through the open ocean to find his son Nemo. There are beautiful fish, many different sea creatures and a totally awesome sea turtle in this sweet movie about the value of family and friends.
3. Finding Dory (2016) PG – Dory, the lovable blue tang with short term memory from Finding Nemo, goes on a journey to find her parents in this emotional and funny sequel. It includes lots of fish, more ocean animals and sea creatures. This movie is a great way to talk about friendship, family and perseverance.
4. Shark Tale (2004) PG – Another favorite movie in our house, starring Will Smith, this hilarious movie is packed with music, mischief, and mobster style fish. It even has classic mobster actors like Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in fish form.
5. Kingdom Under the Sea: The Red Tide (2008) Not Rated – This is a cute faith based animated story where characters face trials and uncover truth beneath the waves. It weaves in biblical themes while exploring the wonders of the ocean.
Live Action Fish Movies and Ocean Adventures
Real animals, inspiring true stories, and exciting adventures bring the ocean to life in these movies perfect for family movie night. These live action films bring the magic of the sea to life with real people, real animals, and powerful adventure stories. They are perfect if you are searching for ocean movies for kids that mix real animals with amazing stories. There are heartwarming rescues and magical transformations, perfect for family movie night full of excitement and emotion.
6. Dolphin Tale (2011) PG – Based on a true story, this live action film tells the inspiring tale of a rescued dolphin named Winter who gets a prosthetic tail to learn how to swim again. This movie is full of hope and determination and also stars young children that are homeschooled in the movie and in real life.
7. Free Willy (1993) PG – This classic 90s movie follows a young boy who forms a bond with an orca and helps him return to the open water. It is a perfect movie for families who love ocean animals and stories about unlikely lifelong friends.
8. Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove (2010) PG – Set in a new location, this sequel introduces a little girl played by Bindi Irwin, and her connection with a stranded orca whale. This is such a fun summer movie that is a bit softer and more playful than the original.
9. The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) G In this classic comedy, a man magically turns into a beautiful fish and helps the Navy during WWII. Starring Don Knotts, this sea movie is a fun pick for fans of vintage animated fish movies with a splash of live action and human form adventure.
Underwater Animal and Ocean Movies for Kids
These ocean themed films feature adventurous sea creatures, magical moments, and heartfelt lessons. If your kids are into underwater movies for kids that mix imagination with big feelings, start here.
10. A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (2012) – Follow Sammy the sea turtle on a journey through the open ocean as he encounters other ocean animals and survives threats like a shark attack. It has themes of friendship and courage, and is a great way to discuss ocean conservation and sea life.
11. Sharkbait (2007) Not Rated – An underdog story featuring a small fish battling a bully shark to win the heart of his true love. It is full of bright, colorful animation in a coral reef setting.
12. Ponyo (2009) – This animated film from Studio Ghibli follows a goldfish who wishes to become a human little girl. It is full of magic, family themes and the wonders of the ocean in a gentle and dreamy way that is full of imagination.
13. Luca (2021) PG – A fun Disney Pixar movie about two sea monsters who are boys exploring life on land. Set along the Italian Riviera, it is a colorful aquatic adventure filled with friendship, discovery, and lots of pasta.
Educational Fish Documentaries for Kids
If your family loves learning while watching, these educational fish movies and ocean documentaries are a fantastic way to explore the sea. They combine science, storytelling, and the beauty of the ocean into a family movie night.
14. Oceans (2010) G – Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, this is a beautiful DisneyNature documentary. It will take your family on a visual tour of the amazing natural world under the sea.
15. Blue Planet II (2017) TV G – Narrated by David Attenborough, this series captures the real life drama of sea life across the world. It is full of amazing footage of the open ocean and is one of the most stunning ocean themed movies for homeschool enrichment.
16. Big Miracle (2012) G – Starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, this live action film tells the true story of rescuing gray whales trapped in Arctic ice. It is a great way to connect your kids to real world stories of heroism and the power of community and compassion for animals.
17. Ocean with David Attenborough (2025) NR The legendary David Attenborough takes you on a powerful journey through the world’s oceans. It shows the beauty and the fragility of marine life, with a message to protect and restore our oceans.
Springboard Learning Ideas
Want to take these fish movies for kids to the next level? Turn movie night into a fun learning adventure with these easy activity options:
- Create an Ocean Animal Journal – After watching Finding Nemo or Oceans, have your kids draw their favorite sea creature and jot down three cool facts about it.
- Fish Math Fun – Use goldfish crackers for hands on math. Practice addition, subtraction, or make simple patterns. Snack time plus math equals fun.
- DIY Ocean in a Bottle – Fill a clear bottle with water, blue food coloring, glitter, and a little oil for your own mini ocean.
- Under the Sea Vocabulary Hunt – During a documentary like Blue Planet II, write down five ocean words you hear and look them up together.
- Underwater Art Challenge – Inspired by The Little Mermaid or Luca. Grab crayons or watercolors and create your own ocean masterpiece.
Print & Go Giveaways: Under the Sea Pages
We created a couple FREE Print & Go Under the Sea pages to use with these fish movies for kids. Print once, grab some pencils, and you are ready for an easy screen time follow up in your homeschool or family night.
Bring the star of Finding Nemo to life with this cute clownfish coloring page. Perfect for younger kids, it features a smiling clownfish tucked into its anemone home and includes a fun ocean fact: “Clownfish do not get stung by anemones. The anemone’s tentacles scare other fish away, so the clownfish stays safe.” Pair this with a Finding Nemo or Finding Dory movie night for an easy activity that mixes art and learning.
This fun printable challenges kids to find 16 ocean creatures hidden in a grid. Words like seahorse, octopus, clownfish, and manta ray make it a perfect companion to our fish movie list. It’s great for quiet time, spelling practice, or as an extra activity during your ocean unit study. The page also includes a few simple fish and anemone illustrations to make it visually engaging for kids. Answer key included.
Make Any Movie Educational
If your family loves using movies as a learning tool, check out our Movie Response Template Pack. It includes creative worksheets and discussion prompts that work with any movie. Grab it in our shop today!
Fish Movie FAQs for Families
What are the best fish movies for kids?
It depends on your family’s preference. Finding Nemo and Finding Dory are always popular picks. For something educational, Oceans is a great choice.
Are there educational fish movies for kids?
Yes. Blue Planet II, Oceans, and Big Miracle are excellent options that combine science and real stories with stunning ocean footage.
What ocean movies are good for family movie night?
Dolphin Tale and Free Willy are favorites because they blend adventure with heartwarming animal rescue stories.
How can I use these fish movies for homeschool?
These movies make great learning tools! Use our Springboard Learning Ideas to spark discussions and activities, or try our Movie Response Template Pack for fun writing and comprehension pages that fit any film.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are planning an ocean unit study or just looking for fun family friendly fish movies for kids, this list has something for everyone. Add a few activities, print your free pack, and enjoy some summer screen time that sparks curiosity about the sea.
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Sarah Shelton
Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (two homeschool graduates) She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 20 years. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and gardens. She can only do it by the Grace of God, coffee and green juice!
