Hellobee Boards

My son is 7 and has always been *extremely* sensitive to movies. We haven’t seen any Disney movies that he can watch without freaking out. He’s seen most of Frozen, Kung Fu Panda and Moana, but literally hides during the scary parts. We’ve tried other things like Ratatouille, Cars, Planes, Finding Dory, etc., but he freaks out, even at parts that aren’t scary. We watched My Neighbor Totoro over the weekend for the 2nd or 3rd time and he doesn’t freak out with that one. Also, Mary Poppins is “safe”.

My almost 5 year old sometimes freaks out at Sesame Street so we haven't shown her any movies yet. Someday!

@Tanjowen: The only one we have watched is Frozen but I had to fast forward through the more intense parts.

@Tanjowen: the vilain in King Fu Panda is scary, but we talked about how goofy/funny the Panda is while we were watching it. He wouldn’t watch scenes with the vilain, but managed to watch most of the rest of it.

@looch: I agree. If you look at Common Sense Media, most of the movies recommended above are suggested for ages 5 or 6 and up. Obviously some kids can handle it, and its up to a parent to make the decision about whats best for their kid.

My husband worries our daughter will feel left out because she hasn't seen any of these movies that her friends are obsessed with (Frozen, for example). He occasionally will suggest a movie to get her to watch in hopes of "desensitizing her." I doubt she will be twelve and hiding behind the couch when an animal gets lost on Sesame Street, so I don't feel like there is a rush. If she starts to feel peer pressure to watch them, then we can try (but she will likely be closer to 6 by the time that happens!)

That said, I tend to rush books, so I understand the desire to share something with your child that you have fond memories of. We have been reading and re-reading some of the Little House books. She loves them, but probably would have gotten even more out of them if I'd waited until age 6.

Does it have to be Disney?
Curious George movies are really age appropriate and no really scary parts.
Also Sing is good with no specific scary or sad parts.

My son isn’t overly sensitive but my husband also looks at Common Sense Media and he really discourages him watching anything that isn’t age appropriate. He doesn’t forbid it but he prefers we steer him in another direction. Doesn’t always work though and it’s fine.

We can do (not even sure if these are all Disney or not) Moana, Frozen, the incredibles, bolt, meet the Robinsons (although last time she got teary when the baby was being dropped on the stoop bc she didn't want the baby to be alone), the emoji movie, the toy story movies, lilo and stitch, chicken little, tangled.....

Lady and the Tramp and Jungle Book were both okay with my sensitive one. She really liked Sing too because "it's nice that there's no villain."

@helloperidot: Inside Out isn’t super sad? I havem’t seen it because the previews looked so depressing, so I haven’t shown my previously sensitive daughter.

@Tanjowen: You might just wait a year. My dd was a wreck last year and could only watch Winnie the Pooh and Cinderella. Over time, she’s added in more and more. I think it also helps to talk during the movie to kind of shape how the kid reacts? For example, she wasn’t scared of the lava monster in Moana because I talked every time about how it was Tafiti and she just wanted her heart back. Made her empathic to the lava monster rather than afraid.

@SweetiePie: we love Sing too! I’m not a huge fan of the mouse’s plot line, but I think most of it goes over dd’s head.

@Tanjowen: we couldn’t even get through toy story with my 4 yo because she didn’t like Buzz Lightyear . We have had success with Curious George movies, Winnie the Pooh movies and the million Mickey Mouse movies that are on demand.