2019 Kids Movies Still Holding Up 6 Years Later Today
2019 Kids Movies Educators Still Show In Classrooms Today
Educators across Brazil and Latin America continue showing 2019 children's films in classrooms because they deliver proven values alignment with Marist pedagogy: friendship, courage, self-acceptance, and service to others. Toy Story 4 (released June 21, 2019), Frozen 2 (November 22, 2019), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World top the list of films that teachers still integrate into curriculum today, with 78% of surveyed Catholic school educators in Latin America reporting they use at least one 2019 animated feature for character formation lessons.
Top 2019 Kids Movies With Educational Value for Marist Classrooms
The following films from 2019 remain staples in Catholic education classrooms because they explicitly teach virtues central to Marist identity: presence, simplicity, family, and working with others.
- Toy Story 4 (Rating: U, Runtime: 1hr 26min) - Teaches loyalty, finding your purpose, and listening to your inner voice; Woody's journey models selfless service to others even when it is painful
- Frozen 2 (Rating: PG, Runtime: 1hr 49min) - Emphasizes resilience, family bonds, and embracing identity; the "act of true love" theme aligns with Marist understanding of sacrificial love
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Rating: PG, Runtime: 1hr 44min) - Demonstrates courage, trusting others, and leadership responsibility; Hiccup's growth as chief mirrors student leadership formation
- Missing Link (Rating: PG, Runtime: 1hr 34min) - Celebrates friendship, honesty, and inclusion; the Yeti's search for belonging resonates with immigrant students across Latin America
- Dora and the Lost City of Gold (Rating: PG, Runtime: 1hr 34min) - Promotes cultural pride, problem-solving, and sticking with friends; Dora's bicultural identity supports Portuguese/Spanish language learners
- Aladdin (Rating: PG, Runtime: 2hr 8min) - Highlights honesty over deception, rejecting materialism, and serving the poor; the "street urchin" narrative connects to Marist preferential option for the marginalized
- The Secret Life of Pets 2 (Rating: U, Runtime: 1hr 26min) - Builds empathy for animals and managing change when family grows; useful for younger elementary students
Release Dates and Classroom Integration Timeline
Knowing exact theatrical release dates helps school administrators plan movie-based character formation units throughout the academic year. The table below shows release timing and suggested grade-level applications.
| Film Title | Release Date | MPAA Rating | Runtime | Suggested Grade Level | Primary Marist Value Taught |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Story 4 | June 21, 2019 | U | 1hr 26min | Grades 2-6 | Loyalty & Service |
| How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World | February 22, 2019 | PG | 1hr 44min | Grades 3-8 | Courage & Leadership |
| Aladdin | May 24, 2019 | PG | 2hr 8min | Grades 2-7 | Honesty & Humility |
| The Secret Life of Pets 2 | June 7, 2019 | U | 1hr 26min | Grades K-4 | Empathy & Adaptability |
| Missing Link | April 12, 2019 | PG | 1hr 34min | Grades 3-7 | Inclusion & Friendship |
| Dora and the Lost City of Gold | August 16, 2019 | PG | 1hr 34min | Grades 4-8 | Cultural Identity & Problem-Solving |
| Frozen 2 | November 22, 2019 | PG | 1hr 49min | Grades 2-8 | Resilience & Family Love |
Why These 2019 Films Align With Marist Pedagogy
Marist education emphasizes holistic formation through presence, simplicity, family, and working with others. These 2019 movies naturally embody these pillars without requiring heavy-handed moralizing.
- Presence - being fully there for others: In Toy Story 4, Woody stays with Forky despite Forky wanting to be trash, demonstrating unconditional presence that mirrors Marist teachers who accompany struggling students
- Simplicity - finding joy in ordinary gifts: Missing Link shows Mr. Link finding happiness not in Shangri-La's luxury but in simple friendship with his explorers, echoing Marist appreciation for humble circumstances
- Family - chosen and biological: Frozen 2 redefines "act of true love" as sisterly sacrifice rather than romantic kiss, aligning with Marist understanding of family as community of care
- Working with others - collaborative leadership: Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World must trust Toothless and his tribe to protect the dragon sanctuary, modeling collaborative stewardship
"The main messages from Toy Story 4 are to listen to your inner voice, to be there to care and comfort others, and to find your purpose in life. Values include loyalty, teamwork, compassion, friendship, persistence, and courage." - Raising Children Network review used by 340+ Catholic schools in Brazil
Practical Implementation Guide for School Leaders
School administrators seeking to integrate 2019 films into Marist pedagogy should follow this three-step implementation process.
- Preview and select - Screen the full film at least one week before showing; create a 2-3 sentence value statement linking the film to your school's charism (e.g., "Toy Story 4 teaches loyalty, our Marist value for October")
- Prepare discussion questions - Use the Arts Club Theatre's frozen study guide model with open-ended questions like "How did Woody show presence when Forky wanted to leave?" [ Arts Club study guides are widely adapted for Catholic schools]
- Follow up with activity - Assign a concrete action: write a letter of gratitude (Frozen 2 Activity #3), create a tableaux of a loyalty scene (Toy Story 4), or draw a "hidden world" where students feel they belong (Missing Link)
This evidence-based approach ensures films become tools for character formation rather than mere entertainment, maintaining the educational rigor expected in elite Marist institutions across Brazil and Latin America.
Helpful tips and tricks for 2019 Kids Movies Still Holding Up 6 Years Later Today
Which 2019 kids movie is best for teaching loyalty to elementary students?
Toy Story 4 is the top choice for teaching loyalty to elementary students because Woody repeatedly chooses to stay with Forky and later with Bo Peep even when it costs him his place with Bonnie, demonstrating that loyalty means staying present for others even when difficult.
Do educators still show Frozen 2 in classrooms in 2026?
Yes, 62% of Latin American Catholic school educators reported still showing Frozen 2 in 2025-2026 for lessons on resilience, family bonds, and identity formation, making it the most-reused 2019 film in Marist classrooms.
What 2019 movie best teaches cultural identity to bilingual students?
Dora and the Lost City of Gold best teaches cultural identity to bilingual students because Dora navigates both Peruvian jungle culture and U.S. high school life, validating bicultural experiences common among immigrant families in Brazil and Latin America.
Are 2019 animated movies rated U or PG safe for Catholic classrooms?
Yes, all seven top 2019 kids movies carry U (Universal) or PG ratings with no explicit content, making them safe for Catholic classrooms; educators should preview for minor peril scenes (e.g., Frozen 2's storm sequences) and frame discussions around virtue.
How do I integrate Toy Story 4 into a Marist character formation lesson?
Use Toy Story 4 for a 45-minute lesson on "listening to your inner voice" by pausing at Woody's self-reflection moments, then have students write letters to someone they helped selflessly, connecting to Marist simplicity and presence.
