Peterson Sorenson
Puppet movies are full of artistry and great storytelling that attracts kids and even adults. These films create magical worlds of adventure and wonder. Here are 15 fantastic puppet films that’ll entertain your whole family and maybe inspire the little ones to create their own puppets at home.
The Neverending Story (1984)
In this film, children will love following Atreyu on his quest through the fantastical world of Fantasia. He is aided by Falkor, the Luck Dragon, who steals the show with his lovable puppet design. The movie’s message about the power of imagination will motivate young viewers to dream big and believe in themselves.
Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinth is a puppet film where Sarah’s little brother gets nabbed by the Goblin King, so she has to tackle a crazy maze to get him back. This flick has some of the wackiest puppets ever. The children might just start working on their own magical mazes.
The Muppet Movie (1979)
In this charming road film, Kermit the Frog leads a cross-country trip to Hollywood. Along the way, he meets familiar faces like Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear. The Muppet Movie combines clever jokes, the songs that can get stuck in your head, and heartwarming moments.
The Muppets (2011)
This one is a more recent Muppet adventure. Walter, a puppet who’s always felt out of place, teams up with his human brother to reunite the Muppets and save their old theater. The film wisely portrays that the Muppets have been out of the spotlight, with some hilarious, self-aware humor.
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird (1985)
The film brings the educational charm of Sesame Street to the big screen in a fun way! When Big Bird is sent to live with a family of dodos in Illinois, he decides to walk back to Sesame Street. His first feature film is a road trip adventure worth watching!
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Time for some spooky-sweet fun with Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece. Jack Skellington gets it in his skull to bring Christmas to Halloween Town, and boy, does chaos ensue. The gothic look is so cool, and Danny Elfman’s songs will have you humming for days. Your kids will love all the wonderful characters.
Pinocchio (1940)
Let’s go way back with Disney’s take on the little wooden boy who dreams of being real. Sure, it’s animated, but Pinocchio himself is a puppet! The animation still looks amazing after all these years, and the story has some great lessons on telling the truth. It’s a timeless classic your whole family can enjoy together.
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999)
Elmo fans, rejoice! Your favorite red fuzzball goes on a big-screen adventure to get his blanket back. If the kids loved Sesame Street, they’d go nuts for this movie. It’s got all the fun of the show, plus some catchy new songs and a good message about sharing. Perfect for the younger crowd!
Strings (2004)
Here’s a unique one from Denmark. In this world, the puppet strings aren’t just for show—they’re literally keeping everyone alive! The story is about a prince on a revenge spree, and things get pretty deep. Older kids and adults will dig into how the movie plays with ideas of destiny and free will.
Bear in the Big Blue House (1997-2006)
The Jim Henson Company worked magic here, creating lovable characters like Tutter the Mouse and the bear cub Ojo. Bear, a big, friendly puppet, welcomes kids into his colorful house for adventures and learning. The show’s gentle pace and focus on emotional intelligence make it ideal for preschoolers.
The Tale of the Bunny Picnic (1986)
In this film, a young bunny saves his warren from the threat of a scary dog. The puppet bunnies are adorable, and the story teaches kids about courage and understanding others. This lesser-known gem is sure to become a new family favorite with its gentle humor and cute characters.
The Tale of the Fox (1930)
Ladislas Starevich was doing amazing things with puppet animation way back in 1930. The Tale of the Fox brings the old fables of a crafty fox to life. The detail on the animal puppets is mind-blowing; any budding animation fans in your family will relish this history lesson.
Chicken Run (2000)
The folks at Aardman brought us Wallace and Gromit, and now they’re serving up some chicken-flavored fun. These plucky birds plan a jailbreak from their farm. The movie’s got British humor, thrilling escapes, and so many chicken puns. Your kids will crack up, and you’ll catch all the hints to classic prison break movies.
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
It’s a silent film and is the oldest animated feature still kicking around. Lotte Reiniger used super detailed shadow puppets to bring Arabian Nights stories to life. The visuals are admirable, even by today’s standards. You can show your little ones how creative movies were made way back in the day.
Thunderbolt Fantasy (2016)
Older kids and teens will be wowed by the costumes and action scenes in this unique East-meets-West production. Thunderbolt Fantasy is a Taiwanese series that takes traditional glove puppetry and adds a heap of modern special effects. The result is some of the coolest puppet sword fights you’ll ever see.
