Excited to celebrate the new year in support of Asian communities? Immerse in culture, history, and filmography with this list of the best Lunar New Year Movies for Kids, a list of family friendly films inspired by Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year, curated by a Korean mom and movie lover! May contain commissioned links.
Best Lunar New Year Movies for Kids | List of Family Friendly Chinese New Year & Lunar New Year Inspired Films to Celebrate
“Dragon, DRA-GON! I don’t do that tongue thing!”
Happy Lunar New Year! Being Asian has its perks, like celebrating the new year twice!
It’s the Year of the Blue Dragon in Korean culture – celebrating a rare 60 year occurrence of an auspicious, powerful, strong and courageous spirit animal bringing extraordinary good fortune and hope. That’s something to celebrate! Whether you’re an experienced Lunar New Year lover, a slower starter like me, or new to the celebration, now is the perfect time to immerse your family into the spirit of this beautiful Asian holiday and start a new tradition – like a family friendly Lunar New Year themed movie night! (Don’t forget to make your own DIY Fire Breathing Dragon craft!)
Looking to expand our Lunar New Year traditions as a Korean adoptee mom, I’ve created a list of the best family friendly Lunar New Year Movies for Kids – inspired by Chinese New Year, Korean New Year, and Asian culture, history, and tradition. Grab your popcorn, your kids, your neighbors, family, and friends and honor this amazing holiday along with our family!
12. Wish Dragon (2021)
The Year of the Blue Dragon wouldn’t be appropriate without a dragon feature. This animated comedy film from Sony Pictures is about a teen boy who meets a wish-granting dragon, produced by Jackie Chan and features an all-star Asian voice cast including Constance Wu (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Natasha Liu Bordizzo (“Ahsoka”), John Cho (“Star Trek”), and Ronny Chieng (“Joy Ride”).
Wish Dragon is available to watch on Netflix.
11. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Oh yes, I couldn’t resist another dragon movie. Featuring first Disney animated film insoired Southeast Asian culture and the second Asian Disney Princess (13th official Disney Princess), Raya and the Last Dragon is breaking all sorts of barriers and records in the entertainment industry – winning multiple awards including Best Animated Film. Raya and the Last Dragon is voiced by an all-star Asian cast, and is one of the few animated films where the more slender, snake-like dragon is depicted from Asian mythology.
Grab your free printable Raya and the Last Dragon activity sheets for family movie night!
Raya and the Last Dragon is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon.
10. Kung Fu Panda
An animated film franchise that has inspired the creation of 4 films, 3 television series, and a dedicated DreamWorks theme park area, you can’t go wrong watching either Kung Fu Panda (2008), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), or Kung Fu Panda 4 (to be released in theaters on March 8, 2024). The lovable Panda Po (played by Jack Black) continues to make families laugh and receive high praise, winning Best Animated Feature along with being the 3rd highest grossing DreamWorks Animation franchise.
Make your own adorable Panda Cupcakes for a Kung Fu Panda movie night!
Kung Fu Panda is available to watch on Amazon and Netflix.
9. Ne Zha (2019)
This Chinese animated adventure fantasy film is inspired by the popular Chinese mythology character Nezha, with the plot loosely based on a 16th century Chinese novel, Investiture of the Gods. Setting multiple box-office records including highest grossing Chinese animated film, 2nd highest grossing non-U.S. animated film, and China’s 4th highest grossing film, Ne Zha is critically acclaimed and is historically the first Chinese-produced animated film released in IMAX format.
Ne Zha is available to watch for free on Tubi.
8. Elemental (2023)
I’ll admit that finding a kid-friendly movie with Korean characters was harder than I thought. There’s not that many around and/or available. Pixar’s Elemental is the closest to the Korean experience. Not only is the director Peter Sohn Korean American, but the story itself is an homage to his Korean immigrant parents and their story. And while the characters do not “look” Asian, there are plenty of Korean and Asian cultural integration in this film including lead Leah Lewis (who is a Chinese adoptee!) who plays Ember – making Elemental my choice for Korean Lunar New Year inspiration. Cue the Waterworks!
Grab your free Elemental coloring pages and games for your next Elemental family movie night!
Elemental is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon.
7. Shanghai Noon (2000)
Jackie Chan (“Rush Hour”), Owen Wilson (“Wonder”), and Lucy Liu (“Charlie’s Angels”) star in this PG-13 rated action western featuring martial arts. A commercial success spurring a sequel (spurring, get it?), this light, comedic action movie is one of Jackie Chan’s signature films in his hey-day and brings the U.S. historical event of Chinese immigrants building the transcontinental railroad in the late 1800’s to light.
Shanghai Noon is available to watch on Apple TV and Vudu.
6. Over the Moon (2020)
This Netflix original musical animated film produced by Pearl Studios features an all-star Asian voice cast including Ken Jeong (“The Hangover”) Margaret Cho (“Drop Dead Diva”), and Sandra Oh (“Quiz Lady”). The story follows a little girl who builds a rocket ship to meet a mythical goddess on the moon. Nominated for multiple awards including Best Animated Feature.
Make this easy moon paper plate craft for your Over the Moon family movie night!
Over the Moon is available to watch on Netflix.
5. Turning Red (2022)
I never met no movie – like you! From Disney Pixar, this Red Panda inspired movie is nominated for Best Animated Feature and is the first Pixar movie to be directed by a woman (and a Chinese-Canadian woman, at that). Critically acclaimed and criticized for a Chinese-Canadian coming of age story discussing taboo topics like “period talk,” Turning Red features Chinese culture, mythology, and is a love letter to teen girls growing up in the early 2000’s. (The Turning Red Easter Eggs are fun to look for too!)
Grab your FREE printable Turning Red Coloring Sheets & Games to complete your fun movie night!
Turning Red is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon.
4. Abominable (2019)
This adorable animated adventure from DreamWorks and Pearl Studios features a young girl and a fluffy young Yeti named Everest on a journey to get him home. Musically inspired, light and comical, this critically acclaimed and controversial film has positive messaging and box office success, inspiring a TV series as well.
Grab all of these fun DIY Abominable Party Ideas for a fun family night in!
Abominable is available to watch on Amazon and Apple TV.
3. Rush Hour (1998)
Rush Hour is PG-13 rated action comedy premiere of iconic comedic duo of Jackie Chan (“Shanghai Noon”) and Chris Tucker (“Silver Linings Playbook”). A huge box office success and an award-winning film (including Best Comedy Duo at the MTV Movie Awards) leading to two sequels, Rush Hour also is credited with the inspiration of the creation of the movie review aggregation site, Rotten Tomatoes.
Rush Hour is available to watch on Amazon and Apple TV.
2. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
The first Asian superhero. Done and done. Simu Liu (“Barbie”), Awkwafina (“Migration”) and Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) star in this PG-13 rated Marvel superhero film, inspired by the comic book character. The 25th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this Marvel film is praised for Asian representation and culture, with high box office grossing, high critic praise (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), and earning multiple awards. A sequel is in the works.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon.
1. Mulan
You know that I had to. She’s my favorite Disney Princess – the one who started it all. We could argue over whether to watch the classic 1998 animated movie or the more recent 2020 live action remake this Lunar New Year, but I think that we can all agree that Mulan should always be a part of the Best Lunar New Year Movies for Kids list. Inspired by an epic Chinese poem that grew into a legend, Mulan is a love letter to Chinese history, culture, and it’s people – female empowerment to the nth degree. And to no surprise, Mulan is #1 on my list of Best Lunar New Year movies. Your travel sized dragon will thank you.
Upcycle your toilet paper roll into a Mushu Fire Breathing Dragon with this easy DIY Mulan craft idea! Or grab these Mulan Party Ideas!
Mulan is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon.
I hope that this list of the Best Lunar New Year films inspire your family to have an Asian inspired family movie night! Immersing your kids in Asian culture, history, entertainment, and representation is a great way to celebrate a diverse and inclusive new year! Happy Seollal!
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Which of these Best Lunar New Year Movies for Kids is your favorite? Is there a film you would add to this list?
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