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Best musicals for kids
Musicals suit children who like to sing and to follow a story with songs. These film or stage shows are well-liked by families. Ratings are US MPA ratings where a film exists.
Chosen from Common Sense Media and theatre-for-young-audiences lists; facts checked on Wikipedia, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Rodgers and Hammerstein · Ages 5-14
A governess, seven children, and the songs 'Do-Re-Mi' and 'Edelweiss'; rated G.
Watch for: Set during the Nazi takeover of Austria.
Buy: Amazon
Mary Poppins (1964)
Sherman Brothers · Ages 4-12
Songs about a spoonful of sugar and chimney sweeps; rated G.
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The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg · Ages 5-12
Songs include 'Over the Rainbow'; rated G.
Watch for: The witch and flying monkeys scare some young children.
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Matilda the Musical
Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly · Ages 7-14
A stage hit and a 2022 film; rated PG.
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Annie
Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin · Ages 6-12
An orphan in 1930s New York; several film versions.
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Oliver!
Lionel Bart · Ages 8-14
Based on Dickens's Oliver Twist; the 1968 film is rated G.
Watch for: Includes a murder; the film is grim in places.
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The Lion King
Elton John and Tim Rice · Ages 5-14
The Broadway version is a spectacle with puppets; the songs are the same as the film.
Watch for: Mufasa's death.
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Beauty and the Beast
Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice · Ages 4-12
Stage version of the film with extra songs.
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Seussical
Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens · Ages 5-12
Dr. Seuss characters sing in a stage show often staged by schools.
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Willy Wonka (the 1971 film)
Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Ages 6-12
Songs include 'Pure Imagination'; rated G.
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Newsies
Alan Menken and Jack Feldman · Ages 8-14
Newsboys strike in 1899; the 1992 film is rated PG.
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Into the Woods
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine · Ages 10-14
Fairy tales are twisted; the second act is dark.
Watch for: Death and moral gray areas in Act 2.
Buy: Amazon
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