Car chases, evil villains, and cool gadgets make an interesting spy movie that anyone wants to watch. But, to be realistic, not all age groups can watch James Bond movies' riveting and somewhat adult content. Luckily, there are some really good spy movies for kids to choose from.
The only difference is that these spy movies for kids have a lot more fun and lighthearted comedy. Parents will even find themselves watching along and might find their children pretending to be the ultimate secret agent.
Updated on July 11th, 2022, by Shawn S. Lealos: A new Spy Kids movie is coming to Netflix, and it has the original movie's director Robert Rodriguez writing and directing it. This is great news for kids and families alike, as with all the different spy movies released in recent years, from James Bond and Hanna, there are not as many spy movies for kids. However, looking back over the years, there are several movies that could fit into this category, giving young audiences something to prepare them for growing up as lovers of espionage where they can then discover the joys of the long history of the genre's best. From live-action spy movies for kids to animated spy movies, there is something out there for all ages.
Harriet the Spy (1996)
- Available to stream now on Starz, Roku, and Spectrum on Demand.
In 1996, a very young Michelle Trachtenberg starred in the Nickelodeon movie based on the classic children's novel Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Trachtenberg is sixth-grader Harriet, a young girl who takes her journal everywhere and is always recording suspicious activity because she knows she is meant to be a spy and a writer.
This is a coming-of-age story that has someone find her journal and reveal to all her friends and classmates what she has written about them, turning everyone on her. When Harriet angrily exposes secrets about everyone in her class, she finds that her life is suddenly falling apart as she loses everyone she cares about and has no idea how to fix it.
Cars 2 (2011)
- Available to stream now on Disney+.
When critics are ranking their favorite Pixar movies from the acclaimed animation studio, Disney Pixar movie that deserves more attention.
Cars 2 saw Lightning heading out to compete in a major race only to find himself in the middle of a tale of espionage and intrigue. Imagine if James Bond was a car, and you are on your way to what to expect from Cars 2.
G-Force (2009)
- Available to stream now on Disney+.
Disney made the animated spy movie G-Force in 2009, a release that came in between the very successful 1990s and the next generation of successful movies that started with Frozen. That might make this a little less known for a lot of kids, but it is still a quality Disney movie.
G-Force is also different because it is a live-action-animated hybrid, with real actors working alongside the animated rodents. When the government shuts down their operation and sends them to a pet shop, they have to find a way to escape and stop a billionaire from taking over the world.
Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
- Available to stream now on Netflix.
For fans who loved the DreamWorks Penguins of Madagascar is actually a quality animated spy movie for kids. The movie doesn't feature the main characters from the original franchise but instead has the breakout characters of the Penguins in action.
As the group always played the role of spies in the main movies, in their own movie, they really go all out. Seeing themselves as elite spies, they team up with an undercover organization called the North Wind to stop a villain from destroying the world.
The Pacifier (2005)
- Available to stream now on Disney+.
Vin Diesel had made his name as a tough guy in movies like xXx, and in 2005, he did something completely different. In The Pacifier, Diesel starred as Shane Wolf, a Navy SEAL with intense military training. The problem is that he has to use it to babysit five kids.
The babysitting comedy actually has him protecting the children from an enemy of their recently deceased dad, a government scientist who hid his last experiment at the house where his kids live. This spy movie for kids allows Diesel to parody the tough guy characters he mastered in a comedy that will capture most young ones' attention.
The Spy Next Door (2010)
- Available to stream now on Prime Video.
Jackie Chan took on a different type of action-packed role in the 2010 movie The Spy Next Door. Fans of the action star will even get a good kick out of the storyline. In true Jackie Chan fashion, this spy movie for kids has Chan performing all of his death-defying stunt work.
Chan plays the role of Bob Ho. Bob is an undercover CIA operative who retires after putting away a Russian terrorist. His dreams of having a normal life and marrying his longtime girlfriend get tricky; when his girlfriend has to leave urgently, he's tasked with babysitting his future stepchildren. It's not easy as they don't take kindly to Bob and to add more drama, the Russian terrorist comes after him and the secret formula for an oil-eating bacteria.
Get Smart (2008)
- Available to stream now on HBO Max.
Get Smart gained traction for its unique Hollywood cast of well-known actors. Steven Carrell starred as Maxwell Smart alongside Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson. The movie is a good spy romp for young audiences and is even liked by some adults.
Max is an analyst at a secret government agency. His dream is to become an agent in the field, but he is denied due to his importance as an analyst. When the agency is attacked by a terrorist, the secret identities of its agents are revealed. Max is their only shot and is promoted to become an agent and stop a terrorist.
Cats & Dogs (2001)
- Available to stream now on Kanopy.
Cats & Dogs will have child viewers looking at their beloved furry pet a little differently. The 2001 animated spy movie's main characters are cats and dogs who have a long-standing rivalry in espionage. The adorable furry characters combined with the use of a spy storyline will enthrall audiences.
The storyline is comical but full of drama as the cats and dogs of the neighborhood work in secret against each other. The main cat character hopes to stop the creation of a new vaccine that will rid humans of dog allergies. It's up to a Beagle and his comrades to stop the Cats from executing their plan.
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker (2006)
- Available to stream now on Roku, Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Redbox, Pluto TV, Plex, and Freevee.
For adult audiences who grew up in the early 2000s, Alex Rider: Stormbreaker might jog some memories. It's a perfect spy movie for kids. The movie is based on the character and storyline of Anthony Horowitz's novel series, Alex Rider. Alex Rider (Alex Pettyfer) lived a normal teenage life until his uncle is killed.
Ryder soon learns that his uncle's life was a cover for his real occupation as an MI6 secret agent. MI6 recruits Ryder, as his uncle was secretly training him for years. Ryder is sent to gather intel on an advanced computer system being given away to schools across Britain called Stormbreaker. The movie and novel's character was rebooted into a series in 2020.
The Sleepover (2020)
- Available to stream now on Netflix.
The Sleepover is a new addition to the action-comedy genre on Netflix that debuted in 2020. The movie has some familiar Hollywood actors like Joe Manganiello and Ken Marino. This isn't the run-of-the-mill spy movie for kids, seeing as there's no secret spy agency, but it follows all the markers of a spy movie.
Clancy Finch's (Sadie Stanley) brother witnesses their mother and father being abducted during his sleepover. After warning his sister and friends, they learn from United States Marshals Agent Henry Gibbs (Erik Griffin) that their mother is in Witness Protection. Their mother was the crime boss of a crime syndicate, and it's up to the children to follow her clues and save their parents.
