Big animated franchises are great — until you realize the fourth one your kid is watching is actually the spin-off of a prequel of the second one. Where to start an animated franchise is a real question with a real answer, and it is usually simpler than the streaming menu makes it look. Here is a practical primer for four of the biggest franchises, including the right entry point, the skip-if-you-must titles, and the age fit.
Does it matter which movie you start with?
Usually yes, but less than you fear. Most animated franchises are built so each entry stands alone — the studio needs new viewers, not homework. Per common studio franchise design, a sequel assumes you know the characters but not the previous plot. The bigger risk is emotional, not narrative: start with the wrong film and your child bonds with a side character or misses an in-joke layer that makes the series click. The rule of thumb that works: begin with the first theatrically released film of the core series, and only use alternate entry points when the first film is genuinely uneven.
How to Train Your Dragon: start at the very beginning?
Yes — and in this case the first film is also the best. DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon (2010, rated PG per the MPA) is a complete, satisfying story about Hiccup and Toothless, and its two sequels (2014, 2019, both PG) build directly on its ending in ways that pay off emotionally. Watching them out of order genuinely spoils the arc. Runtime is family-friendly too: 98, 102, and 104 minutes respectively per DreamWorks. Ages 6 and up is the sweet spot, with the third film's themes landing best for 8+. A 2025 live-action remake exists; treat it as a rewatch for fans, not an entry point.
Toy Story: can you skip straight to the new ones?
You can, but do not. Pixar's Toy Story (1995) established the entire rules of the toy world — what happens when humans enter the room, why Andy matters — and all four films are rated G per the MPA, a rarity today. The 81-minute original is also the shortest, making it the easiest first franchise film for younger kids. The honest ranking most families converge on: 1 and 3 are the peaks, 2 is underrated, 4 is the most skippable for newcomers. With Toy Story 5 dated June 19, 2026 per Disney, there is a natural reason to run the originals this year.
- Starter: Toy Story (1995, G, 81 min)
- Then: Toy Story 2 (1999, G, 92 min)
- Essential: Toy Story 3 (2010, G, 103 min)
- Optional: Toy Story 4 (2019, G, 100 min)
Shrek: where does a new kid begin?
Start with Shrek (2001, rated PG per the MPA). It is the funniest film, the cleanest story, and the one that established the fairy-tale-satire tone everything else imitates. Shrek 2 (2004, PG) is the consensus-best sequel and safe as a double feature. The third and fourth entries are noticeably weaker — fine for a franchise completist, skippable for a first-timer. The spin-off Puss in Boots (2011, PG) and its acclaimed 2022 sequel The Last Wish (PG) work fully standalone, and The Last Wish is arguably the best film in the entire saga; it is a legitimate alternate entry point for kids 8+. With Shrek 5 dated December 23, 2026 per Universal, the swamp is about to get crowded again.
Despicable Me and Minions: what order makes sense?
This is the franchise where strict order matters least — and where a curated order works best. Start with Despicable Me (2010, PG per the MPA), which introduces Gru, the girls, and the Minions in their original proportions. Then Despicable Me 2 (2013, PG) and Despicable Me 3 (2017, PG). The Minions spin-offs (2015 and 2022, both PG) are prequels set decades earlier; watch them anytime as dessert rather than part of the main course. Minions 3, dated July 1, 2026 per Universal, will slot somewhere in that same flexible middle. Ages 5 and up handles the series fine; the humor is physical, fast, and mostly innocent.
What is the fastest way to test a franchise fit?
Run a two-film trial. Watch the first core film, then the entry most fans consider the best (Dragon 2, Toy Story 3, Shrek 2). If your kid is still asking for more after that, commit to the rest; if not, you have saved yourself six movies of half-watching. Keep a simple table on the fridge:
| Franchise | Start with | Best sequel | Skippable | Age fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How to Train Your Dragon | HTTYD (2010, PG) | The Hidden World | None | 6+ |
| Toy Story | Toy Story (1995, G) | Toy Story 3 | #4 for newcomers | 4+ |
| Shrek | Shrek (2001, PG) | Shrek 2 | #3 and #4 | 6+ |
| Despicable Me | Despicable Me (2010, PG) | DM2 | Minions spin-offs | 5+ |
One last tip: franchise-hop rather than binge. Two entries in a weekend beats five in a row — the stories breathe, and you get to be the hero who says there is still more to watch next month.
For more context, read 2026 Family Movie Release Calendar: Every Animated and Kids' Film Dated So Far.
For more context, read family film trilogies.
For more context, read Book to Film Adaptations: A Read-First Family Guide.