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    Home/Browse/1940s Movies/1940s Family Movies

    1940s Family Movies

    The 40 most popular 1940s family movies, ranked. Click any film for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.

    40films
    1rated by members
    Top ratedIt's a Wonderful Life5.0
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    It's a Wonderful Life
    TMDB4.1
    FF5.0

    It's a Wonderful Life

    1946 · 2h 11m

    country: United States

    George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.

    Pinocchio
    TMDB3.6

    Pinocchio

    1940 · 1h 28m

    country: United States

    When the gentle woodcarver Geppetto builds a marionette to be his substitute son, a benevolent fairy brings the toy to life. The puppet, named Pinocchio, is not yet a human boy. He must earn the right to be real by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish.

    Dumbo
    TMDB3.5

    Dumbo

    1941 · 1h 4m

    country: United States

    Dumbo is a baby elephant born with over-sized ears and a supreme lack of confidence. But thanks to his even more diminutive buddy Timothy the Mouse, the pint-sized pachyderm learns to surmount all obstacles.

    Bambi
    TMDB3.5

    Bambi

    1942 · 1h 10m

    country: United States

    Bambi's tale unfolds from season to season as the young prince of the forest learns about life, love, and friends.

    Fantasia
    TMDB3.7

    Fantasia

    1940 · 2h 4m

    country: United States

    Walt Disney's timeless masterpiece is an extravaganza of sight and sound! See the music come to life, hear the pictures burst into song and experience the excitement that is Fantasia over and over again.

    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
    TMDB3.3

    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

    1949 · 1h 8m

    country: United States

    The Wind in the Willows: Concise version of Kenneth Grahame's story of the same name. J. Thaddeus Toad, owner of Toad Hall, is prone to fads, such as the newfangled motor car. This desire for the very latest lands him in much trouble with the wrong crowd, and it is up to his friends, Mole, Rat and Badger to save him from himself. - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Retelling of Washington Irving's story set in a tiny New England town. Ichabod Crane, the new schoolmaster, falls for the town beauty, Katrina Van Tassel, and the town Bully Brom Bones decides that he is a little too successful and needs "convincing" that Katrina is not for him.

    Fun and Fancy Free
    TMDB3.1

    Fun and Fancy Free

    1947 · 1h 13m

    country: United States

    Jiminy Cricket hosts two Disney animated shorts: Bongo about a circus bear escaping to the wild, and Mickey and the Beanstalk, a take on the famous fairy tale.

    Miracle on 34th Street
    TMDB3.7

    Miracle on 34th Street

    1947 · 1h 36m

    country: United States

    Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.

    Little Women
    TMDB3.7

    Little Women

    1949 · 2h 1m

    country: United States

    Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.

    The Three Caballeros
    TMDB3.1

    The Three Caballeros

    1944 · 1h 11m

    country: United States

    For Donald's birthday he receives a box with three gifts inside. The gifts, a movie projector, a pop-up book, and a pinata, each take Donald on wild adventures through Mexico and South America.

    Meet Me in St. Louis
    TMDB3.5

    Meet Me in St. Louis

    1944 · 1h 54m

    country: United States

    A year in the life of a turn-of-the-century middle class family, leading up to the opening of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.

    Song of the South
    TMDB3.2

    Song of the South

    1946 · 1h 34m

    country: United States

    Uncle Remus draws upon his tales of Br'er Rabbit to help little Johnny deal with his confusion over his parents' separation as well as his new life on the plantation.

    Melody Time
    TMDB3.0

    Melody Time

    1948 · 1h 15m

    country: United States

    In the grand tradition of Disney's great musical classics, Melody Time features seven timeless stories, each enhanced with high-spirited music and unforgettable characters. You'll be sure to tap your toes and clap your hands in this witty feast for the eyes and ears.

    National Velvet
    TMDB3.6

    National Velvet

    1945 · 2h 3m

    country: United States

    Mi Taylor is a young wanderer and opportunist who finds himself in the quiet English countryside home of the Brown family. The youngest daughter, Velvet, has a passion for horses and when she wins the spirited steed Pie in a town lottery, Mi is encouraged to train the horse.

    So Dear to My Heart
    TMDB3.3

    So Dear to My Heart

    1948 · 1h 22m

    country: United States

    The tale of Jeremiah Kincaid and his quest to raise his 'champion' lamb, Danny. Jeremiah's dream of showing Danny at the Pike County Fair must overcome the obstinate objections of his loving, yet strict, grandmother Granny. Jeremiah's confidant, Uncle Hiram, is the boy's steady ally.

    Make Mine Music
    TMDB2.9

    Make Mine Music

    1946 · 1h 15m

    country: United States

    In the tradition of Fantasia, Make Mine Music is a glorious collection of musically charged animated shorts featuring such fun-filled favorites as "Peter and the Wolf", narrated by the beloved voice behind Winnie the Pooh. In addition you'll enjoy such classic cartoon hits as "Casey at the Bat," "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met" and "Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet."

    The Reluctant Dragon
    TMDB3.3

    The Reluctant Dragon

    1941 · 1h 14m

    country: United States

    Humorist Robert Benchley attempts to find Walt Disney to ask him to adapt a short story about a gentle dragon who would rather recite poetry than be ferocious. Along the way, he is given a tour of Walt Disney Studios, and learns about the animation process.

    The Pride of the Yankees
    TMDB3.7

    The Pride of the Yankees

    1942 · 2h 8m

    country: United States

    The story of the life and career of the baseball hall of famer, Lou Gehrig.

    Life with Father
    TMDB3.3

    Life with Father

    1947 · 1h 58m

    country: United States

    A straitlaced turn-of-the-century father presides over a family of boys and the mother who really rules the roost.

    Mickey and the Beanstalk
    TMDB3.4

    Mickey and the Beanstalk

    1947 · 29m

    country: United States

    A mysterious thief has stolen the prosperous Happy Valley's most prized possession: the musical Singing Harp. Can Mickey, Donald, and Goofy find the answer in the irritable Willie the Giant's magnificent castle up in the blue sky?

    Courage of Lassie
    TMDB2.9

    Courage of Lassie

    1946 · 1h 32m

    country: United States

    Bill's separated from his litter, making friends with the wild creatures until he's found and adopted by young Kathie. An accident separates him from her, and he's drafted into K-9 duty in the trenches until battle fatigue takes its toll and he turns vicious. And even though he finds his way back home, he may be condemned as a killer.

    The Boy with Green Hair
    TMDB3.1

    The Boy with Green Hair

    1948 · 1h 22m

    country: United States

    Peter, an orphaned boy, is adopted by Gramp Frye after his parents are killed in Europe while doing war relief work. The boy feels safe with his new caretaker, but when he is taunted for being an orphan, he gets demoralized. The next day Peter wakes up with green hair. Embarrassed and further ridiculed, Peter seeks solace in a nearby forest. To his surprise, he finds other orphans in the woods, who encourage him to spread news of the injustices of war.

    The Secret Garden
    TMDB3.5

    The Secret Garden

    1949 · 1h 32m

    country: United States

    When Cholera takes the parents of Mary Lennox, she is shipped from India to England to live with her Uncle Craven. Mary changes the lives of those she encounters at her Uncle's remote estate.

    Lassie Come Home
    TMDB3.4

    Lassie Come Home

    1943 · 1h 28m

    country: United States

    Hard times come for the Carraclough family and they are forced to sell their dog, Lassie, to the rich Duke of Rudling. Lassie, however, is unwilling to remain apart from young Carraclough son Joe and sets out on a long and dangerous journey to rejoin him.

    I Remember Mama
    TMDB3.6

    I Remember Mama

    1948 · 2h 14m

    country: United States

    Norwegian immigrant Marta Hanson keeps a firm but loving hand on her household of four children, a devoted husband and a highly-educated lodger who reads great literature to the family every evening. Through financial crises, illnesses and the small triumphs of everyday life, Marta maintains her optimism and sense of humor, traits she passes on to her aspiring-author daughter, Katrin.

    The Yearling
    TMDB3.3

    The Yearling

    1946 · 2h 8m

    country: United States

    Jody convinces his parents to allow him to adopt a young deer, but what will happen if the deer misbehaves?

    Jungle Book
    TMDB3.2

    Jungle Book

    1942 · 1h 46m

    country: United States

    Mowgli, lost in the jungle when a toddler, raised by wolves, years later happens upon his human village and reconnects with its inhabitants, including his widowed mother. Continuing to maintain a relationship with the jungle, adventures follow.

    Adventures of Captain Marvel
    TMDB3.2

    Adventures of Captain Marvel

    1941 · 3h 36m

    country: United States

    On a scientific expedition to Siam young Billy Batson is given the ability to change himself into the super-powered Captain Marvel by the wizard Shazam, who tells him his powers will last only as long as the Golden Scorpion idol is threatened. Finding the idol, the scientists realize it could be the most powerful weapon in the world and remove the lenses that energize it, distributing them among themselves so that no one would be able to use the idol by himself. Back in the US, Billy Batson, as Captain Marvel, wages a battle against an evil, hooded figure, the Scorpion, who hopes to accumulate all five lenses, thereby gaining control of the super-powerful weapon

    The Night Before Christmas
    TMDB3.7

    The Night Before Christmas

    1941 · 9m

    country: United States

    It's snowy and cold outside, and warm inside where Jerry squeezes past a mousetrap to cavort under a present-laden Christmas tree. Mistaking the sleeping Tom for a plush toy, Jerry wakes him and a mad chase ensues.

    How to Fish
    TMDB3.2

    How to Fish

    1942 · 7m

    country: United States

    Goofy's demonstration of fishing is fouled up by his clumsy casting and fly fishing, and problems with his boat.

    How to Play Baseball
    TMDB3.5

    How to Play Baseball

    1942 · 8m

    country: United States

    Goofy shows us the national pastime. After a brief overview, we have a demonstration of the many possible pitches. On to the World Series, where we go through an eventful inning, culminating in a baseball that disintegrates when being hit.

    Road to Utopia
    TMDB3.4

    Road to Utopia

    1946 · 1h 30m

    country: United States

    While on a ship to Skagway, Alaska, Duke and Chester find a map to a secret gold mine, which had been 'stolen' by thugs. In Alaska to recover her father's map, Sal Van Hoyden falls in with Ace Larson, who secretly wants to steal the gold mine for himself. Duke, Chester, the thugs, Ace and his henchman chase each other all over the countryside—for the map.

    Lend a Paw
    TMDB3.4

    Lend a Paw

    1941 · 8m

    country: United States

    Jealous over Mickey's attention to a kitten, Pluto's devil-self argues with his angel-self over whether or not to rescue the kitten when it falls into a well. The angel-self wins, and Pluto is treated like a hero. In the end, he and the kitten become friends.

    Destruction Inc.
    TMDB3.2

    Destruction Inc.

    1942 · 9m

    country: United States

    Superman has to thwart wartime saboteurs tampering with things at the Metropolis Munitions Plant...who have captured Lois Lane and loaded her into a torpedo!

    Japoteurs
    TMDB3.0

    Japoteurs

    1942 · 9m

    country: United States

    Superman vs. Japanese spies hijacking a new super-bomber.

    Superman
    TMDB3.5

    Superman

    1941 · 10m

    country: United States

    After The Daily Planet receives a letter from a mad scientist threatening to wreak destruction with his Electrothanasia Ray, Lois Lane heads out in the hopes of getting more information for a news story.

    Mr. Bug Goes to Town
    TMDB3.1

    Mr. Bug Goes to Town

    1941 · 1h 18m

    country: United States

    The happy tranquility of Bugville is shattered when the populace learns that a colossal skyscraper is to be built over their tiny town.

    The Blue Bird
    TMDB2.9

    The Blue Bird

    1940 · 1h 28m

    country: United States

    Peasant children Mytyl and Tyltyl are led on a magical quest for the fabulous Blue Bird of Happiness by the fairy Berylune. On their journey, they're accompanied by the anthropomorphized presences of a Dog, a Cat, Light, Fire, and Bread, among other entities.

    Polar Pest
    TMDB3.4

    Polar Pest

    1944 · 6m

    country: United States

    Barney just wants to hibernate for the winter, but his nephew, just in from the North Pole, has other plans.

    The Mechanical Monsters
    TMDB3.5

    The Mechanical Monsters

    1941 · 10m

    country: United States

    Superman battles a criminal mastermind and his robot army.

    About 1940s Family Movies

    The 1940s

    1940s cinema is split by the war: propaganda and home-front melodrama, then the darker, more cynical film noir that followed. Italian neorealism emerged from the rubble at the decade's end.

    Family

    Family films are made to work for two audiences at once, which is a harder brief than it sounds. The enduring ones layer real emotional stakes under the accessibility.

    In this list

    Best reviewed
    It's a Wonderful Life (8.3)
    Often also
    Animation, Drama, Fantasy

    Common questions

    What are the best 1940s family movies?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are It's a Wonderful Life, Pinocchio, and Dumbo. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any movie for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    1940s family movies are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these movies?
    Every movie page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

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