The Best Kids Movies of the 1940s

Ranker Film
Updated July 8, 2019 2.1K votes 341 voters
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Kids Movies of the 1940s
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite children films that were released in the 1940s

The best 1940s kids movies are iconic, and definitely family friendly. Classic characters, such as Bambi, Dumbo, and Pinocchio, were introduced in the ‘40s, cementing their place in pop culture history. All produced by Disney, these pictures represented a golden age of Disney animation, one that wouldn’t reoccur again until the end of the 20th century.


Also on this list of the greatest 1940s kids movies, you'll find Fantasia, the most legendary Disney animated film. Featuring numerous short sketches set to classical music, Fantasia brought Mickey Mouse, who had declined in popularity, back into the public eye. The movie won numerous awards and is regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made.


In addition, the 1940s saw the rise of the family-friendly dog movie. Movies like My Pal Wolf and A Boy and His Dog were immensely popular in the ‘40s. Familiar canine pals such as Lassie also had major movie careers in the ‘40s. Paired up with big stars of the day, like Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowell, Lassie appeared in numerous popular children’s films in the decade.     

Vote up the best '40s kids movies below, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comment section.
Photo: flickr / CC0
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