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20 Surprisingly Insightful Quotes From Children’s Movies

For many of us, some of our best and earliest memories are related to the movies we watched in childhood. Long before we could read, we were transported to enchanting and magical realms filled with relatable heroes, sinister villains, and thrilling adventures through cinema.

Those films were more than just entertainment; they were a foundational part of our youth, offering valuable life lessons in our most formative years. As adults, we may find ourselves revisiting those childhood favorites for their nostalgic comfort and timeless wisdom.

Rather than fading with time, the impact of our most cherished childhood movies continues to resonate with us, prompting us to share them and the lessons they contain with the children in our lives. Here are 20 poignant and profound quotes from beloved children’s films whose messages remain relevant, no matter our age.

Always let your conscience be your guide.
The Blue Fairy (Evelyn Venable) in “Pinocchio,” 1940

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Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.
Rafiki (Robert Guillaume) in “The Lion King,” 1994

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Love is putting someone else’s needs before yours.
Olaf (Josh Gad) in “Frozen,” 2013

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When life gets you down, you know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming.
Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) in “Finding Nemo,” 2003

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Knowledge and wisdom is the real power.
Arthur (Rickie Sorensen) in “The Sword in the Stone,” 1963

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The world keeps spinning, and the tales keep turning, and people come and people go, but they’re never forgotten.
Le Muerte (Kate del Castillo) in “The Book of Life,” 2014

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Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface.
Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) in “Moana,” 2016

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You are who you choose to be.
Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal) in “The Iron Giant,” 1999

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It’s easy to harden your heart. But to open it — that’s the toughest thing you can do.
Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt) in “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” 2019

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There are those who say fate is something beyond our command, that our destiny is not our own. But I know better. Our fate lives within us; you only have to be brave enough to see it.
Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) in “Brave,” 2012

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It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.
Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris) in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” 2001

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Try to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself and recognize that change starts with you.
Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) in “Zootopia,” 2016

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In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and SNAP! The job’s a game.
Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) in “Mary Poppins,” 1964

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The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.
The Emperor (Pat Morita) in “Mulan,” 1998

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Nothing is more important than family.
Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) in “Coco,” 2017

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Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.
Cinderella (Ilene Woods) in “Cinderella,” 1950

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Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean I can’t believe it.
Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) in “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” 1993

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If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.
Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) in “The Wizard of Oz,” 1939

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Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind — or forgotten.
Stitch (Chris Sanders) in “Lilo & Stitch,” 2002

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You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul … Only the fearless can be great.
Gusteau (Brad Garrett) in “Ratatouille,” 2007

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Featured image credit: Entertainment Pictures/ Alamy Stock Photo

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About the Author
Kristina Wright
Kristina is a coffee-fueled writer living happily ever after with her family in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia.
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