Who doesn’t love watching our little ones learn and explore new things? Especially when it comes to teaching them about the ocean. There are so many fun and age-appropriate ocean movies for kids that can help in providing an entertaining, yet educational experience.
These movies for preschoolers are not only exciting for our little ones, but they also help them learn about marine life, the ocean’s ecosystem, and how it affects our planet’s overall health. By getting them engaged in ocean-themed movies, we can inspire our kids to develop an early love for marine biology and conservation.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ocean-themed movies that we’ve carefully picked out for your preschoolers. Dive in and explore the wonders of the ocean with these fun and informative films!
Did you know that the ocean covers more than 70% of our planet’s surface? It’s incredibly vast with an estimated 230,000 marine species living in it. That means your preschoolers have a lot to learn about!
These movies will allow them to dive deep into the mysteries of the ocean – from the creatures that live in it to the impact it has on our environment.
Benefits of Ocean-Themed Movies for Preschoolers
Ocean-themed movies can have various cognitive and emotional benefits for preschoolers. For instance, these movies can help develop a preschooler’s attention span and memory recall as they try to remember new names and concepts related to the ocean.
Ocean-themed movies can also evoke various emotions in preschool children, such as empathy, excitement, and awe. This can lead to increased interest and fascination with marine life and the ocean’s beauty.
Additionally, watching these movies can stimulate preschoolers’ imagination and creativity by introducing them to new worlds and creatures they may not have encountered in their daily lives.
Ocean Movies for Kids
Let’s give our preschoolers a chance to discover the wonders of the ocean world. Sit back, relax, and let these ocean-themed movies take you on an educational and entertaining journey. Don’t forget the popcorn!
Sharkbait
Sharkbait (2007)Length: 1 hour 17 minutes
Plot: Sharkbait is a heartwarming tale about a young fish named Pi who is separated from his family after a vicious shark attack. Determined to reunite with his loved ones, Pi embarks on an unforgettable adventure to find his way back home.
Wild Kratts: Creatures of the Deep Sea (2011)Length: 50 minutesPlot: Aboard Aviva's newly designed Deep Sea Explorer, the Wild Kratts team ventures to the last creature frontier -the Deep Sea. The challenges of the deep are many, and when ultimately they are forced to make a decision, the Wild Kratts must decide what is truly important.
Izzies Way Home (2016)Length: 1h 17 minPlot: A constantly picked-on aquarium fish escapes her home, unaware of the dangers that await her in the open ocean. With the help of other sea creatures, she learns how to be brave.
Disneynature Ocean (2010)Length: 1h 24 mPlot: Dive into OCEANS from Disneynature, the studio that brought you EARTH, for a spectacular story about remarkable creatures under the sea. Stunning images await as you journey into the depths of a wonderland filled with mystery, beauty and power.
The Reef 2 (2012)Length: 1h 20mPlot: Trained in the skills of sea power, Pi the fish can fight a shark, sink a squid or batter any random predator that ever threatens his friends and neighbors on the reef. Unfortunately, being the only hero in town can take its toll, especially when a group of sharks declares that the end of the reef is soon at hand.
Finding Nemo (2003)Length: 1h 40 mPlot: Nemo, a young clownfish is captured and taken to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to Marlin, his father, and Dory, a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish, to make the epic journey to bring Nemo home from Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Enchantimals Ocean Kingdom (2022)Length: 40mPlot: Bree Bunny, Felicity Fox and Danessa Deer travel to the Enchanted Ocean Kingdom with Maura Mermaid for Caring Coral Day, but when Felicity accidentally removes the heart of the kingdom, things begin to go awry! Together the girls must figure out how to fix it!
Ocean Commotion (2017)Length: 46mPlot: Nature Cat and his pals go on an aquatic adventure to save Hal’s favorite chew toy. Along the way, they learn that all waterways are interconnected and meet up with a new special friend named Nature Dog who helps them navigate the oceans.
Little Mermaid (1989)Length: 1h 22mPlot: Ariel, the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father's order to stay away from the world above the sea, she strikes a bargain with a devious sea witch to trade her beautiful voice for legs. But can she also win a prince's heart?
Deep (2017)Length: 1h 32mPlot: To keep his colony safe, a mischievous octopus takes a sassy shrimp and nervous anglerfish on an epic undersea odyssey to find help—and a little fun, too.
Shark Tale (2004)Length: 1h 18mPlot: A young fish's false reputation as a 'shark slayer' earns him fame…and gets him fitted for cement fins in this animated tale.
Seahorses (2019)Length: 1h 21mPlot: When a baby sea horse named Trigger gets lost during an ocean storm it's up to two little friendly fish to get her safely back home!
Moana (2016)Length: 1h 47mPlot: Moana sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she meets the once mighty demigod Maui–together they cross the ocean on a fun-filled, action-packed voyage.
We hope you and your little ones enjoy this list of ocean-themed movies that are perfect for preschoolers.
Do you have any other favorite ocean-themed movies that you think should be added to our list? Please share them in the comments section below.
If you enjoyed this list, please share it with other parents or teachers. Let’s spread the love for the ocean and the importance of marine life conservation one movie at a time.
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
Hoping to show one of the movies next week during ocean week