Family Movies

The family movie set is always lighter than either the action or comedy sets, but each month features at least one or two gems for the younger set. In the past, that was good for parental wallets, because matinees are typically cheaper, but now many family movies are being released in 3D or IMAX, which can rack up quite the bill. Read this guide and plan your family movie days carefully!

Alice in Wonderland – March 5
This PG-rated version of the classic features a 19-year-old Alice returning to Wonderland to end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. Watch the previews and decide for yourself if Tim Burton’s over-the-top imagination is too much for your wee ones. It will be released in 3D and IMAX 3D as well as traditional film. And just in case you were planning to read the book to your kids first – don’t bother. The book is just a “starting point” for the plot.

How to Train Your Dragon – March 26
Yet another movie in 3D and IMAX 3D. The studio that brought you Shrek is back with this story about a young Viking who wants to become a dragon fighter. When he discovers that fearsome dragons are more like puppies that breathe fire, he sets out to change his village’s attitude toward the scaly creatures. Since it’s Dreamworks, expect everyone to be a wiseacre, but in the best way possible.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – April 2
A real kid living in the real world is actually starring in a movie! If your kids are near middle school age, they’ll want to check out this film based on the popular book series featuring the trials and tribulations of a sixth-grader who hasn’t hit his growth spurt yet.

The Last Song – April 2
Miley Cyrus returns to the big screen playing someone other than Hannah Montana. Based on a book by Nicholas Sparks, it’s a coming-of-age film. A rebellious piano prodigy, she’s sent to Tybee Island for the summer where she reconnects with her estranged dad through music. Of course, it wouldn’t be a teen film without a teen romance. Save this one for your older girls. This may not interest your teen and tween boys.

Oceans – April 22
This is the follow-up to Disneynature’s Earth. Like the first film, it reveals the mysteries of the deep using new underwater video technology. April 22 is Earth Day, which makes it a great day to teach your kids a little more about our little planet.

Furry Vengeance – April 30
Brendan Fraser stars as a real estate developer with plans to knock down a whole forest to make way for more houses and a shopping mall. The local animals disagree with this plan. Working together, they wreak havoc on his life. It’s not yet rated, but look for gross-out jokes and sight gags in between gags featuring raccoons driving cars.

Shrek Forever After - May 21
Shrek returns to the big screen in the fourth installment of this fun franchise. As is the trend now, this movie will be available in traditional format and IMAX 3D. In this one, Shrek is miserable family man and ogre-about-town until he makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin and winds up in an alternate universe where he’s not so happy after all. The same cast as always returns, and we’re sure it will be fun for the whole family.

With a bunch of promising kid-friendly flicks and some beloved children’s books coming to the big screen, it’s a great time to take your whole family out to the movies!