New and Upcoming Family Friendly Films

Back in our day video game adaptations were few and far between and often not very good. But Hollywood has finally cracked the code, and Minecraft fans are ready to reap the rewards. This spring, the beloved blocky sandbox game will finally get its big screen debut more than 10 years in the making. Jack Black stars as Steve in this origin story of sorts that follows four misfits (Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen, and Emma Myers) as they master mining, crafting, and the magic of imagination. However, the story may be secondary for some crafters who are more interested in seeing director Jared Hess’ interpretation of beloved characters like Minecraft’s unique animals, monsters, and those darn sneaky creepers. Don your enchanted armor and grab your diamond pickaxe, this movie looks more fun than punching a tree with a pork chop!

In theaters

Director Isaiah Saxon has revived that special style of '80s fantasy filmmaking with his first feature, The Legend of Ochi. Shot on location in the Carpathian mountains, the movie preaches the importance of harmony with nature through a simple story of a girl on a journey to reunite a baby creature called an ochi with its family. Every frame truly is a painting as Yuri (played by the darling Helena Zengel) travels through woods, caves, snow, and water in defiance of her father (Willem Dafoe), whose fear of the ochi has led him to create an army of boys (Finn Wolfhard, et al.) to hunt the animals. But while the performances, sets, and locations are all wonderful, it’s the little animal at the center of the story that you’ll find most impressive. Saxon worked with Jonathan Nolan Studios to bring the ochi to intricate, articulate life through fully practical puppet effects, and the results are predictably heart-melting.

In theaters

Maybe fans aren't always against Disney animated movies getting live-action remakes. Lilo & Stitch currently is the second most-viewed Disney trailer of all time, which bodes well for the return of Experiment 626. The story will get zhuzhed a bit, though fans have been delighted to know both Chris Sanders and Tia Carrere have come home to participate in the remake. Sanders, who directed the original movie, will once again reprise his role as the voice of Stitch, while Carrere, who originally voiced Lilo’s older sister, Nani, lends her talents to the character Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker assigned to Lilo and Nani’s case. And if you saw the incredibly affecting movie Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, know that Dean Fleischer, who directed the Oscar-nominated mocumentary-drama, is holding the reins for this ride.

In theaters May 23, 2025

Few franchises have had as successful a rebirth as The Karate Kid. First released as a standalone coming-of-age flick in 1984, the film spawned three follow-ups throughout the ‘80s and early ‘90s before going dormant for more than 10 years. Then came “Cobra Kai.” The Netflix legacy series took streaming by storm and launched original star Ralph Macchio back into the limelight. Now, as the successful TV show wraps up its final season, audiences can look forward to the sixth film, which sees Macchio join forces with Jackie Chan to help a new student reach his full potential. Ben Wang steps into the karateka role as a boy looking for his place in a new city, while Joshua Jackson, Ming-Na Wen, and Sadie Standley provide main support.

In theaters May 30, 2025

We’re not surprised DreamWorks’ first foray into live-action remakes has gotten moviegoers excited. The story of a young Viking boy who shirks tradition to befriend a dragon has remained a family favorite in the 15 years since the animated film’s release. But there’s a lot more to look forward to here than just another trip to the Isle of Berk. Original writer-director Dean DeBlois and composer John Powell have returned to give the movie a similar look and feel as the original trilogy, while Gerard Butler will reprise his role as Stoick the Vast, this time in front of the camera. We’re excited to see Mason Thames (The Black Phone) and Nico Parker (“The Last of Us”) lead up the cast alongside fellow talented young actors like Ruth Codd (“The Midnight Society”) and Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople). Oh, and Toothless? He’s looking just as cute and cuddly as always, thank Odin!

In theaters June 13, 2025

Pixar beams one up for all of us lonely kids who look to the skies at night, in what will be the animation studio’s sole movie release of 2025. The project brings together Coco filmmaker Alfred Molina with co-directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, who all worked together on Turning Red. The movie will face serious competition with the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake, which is being released one week prior. And we’d love to know how much the band The Postal Service made from letting their 20+ year old song “Such Great Heights” be used in the trailer.

In theaters June 20, 2025

Only Roald Dahl would have written a children’s story inspired by his hatred of beards. And when moviemakers get a Dahl adaptation right – Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – the results are as subversive and enduring as their source material. So we have the highest of hopes for The Twits, a childhood staple of ours that has somehow never been adapted previously. A highly experienced team of animation vets that includes director Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Internet) are shepherding the movie at Netflix, which takes some liberties with the original story, and will feature the voices of Natalie Portman, Emilia Clarke, Margo Martindale, and beloved UK actor/comedian Johnny Vegas.

Expected June 2025

With Rihanna's involvement as both star and producer, plus her creation of new music for the soundtrack, the Smurfs reboot looks to be firmly embracing its musical genre roots. The story follows Smurfette (Rihanna), as she leads her fellow Smurfs on an adventure to the human world (and Paris!) to rescue Papa Smurf from evil wizards. Nick Offerman, Kurt Russell, Sandra Oh, and Natasha Lyonne join the star-studded cast. The film also introduces several new characters to the Smurfs universe, including Papa Smurf's brother Ben and his niece Moxie, Gargamel's brother Razamel, and two new Smurfs: Influencer and No Name Smurf. This looks like it's going to be a fun one!

In theaters July 18, 2025

When we spoke to Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan at D23, they insisted Freakier Friday will be funnier AND freakier than the 2003 film, Freaky Friday. Considering a majority of the original cast is set to return — including Chad Michael Murray, complete with motorcycle — we are inclined to believe them. The sequel catches up with Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) years after the original movie, where Anna now has a daughter (Julia Butters) and a soon-to-be stepdaughter (Sophia Hammons). The first teaser reveals some major switching happens right off the bat, and with new original music from Pink Slip in tow, it would be hard for this one NOT to be a smash hit.

In theaters Aug. 8, 2025

There’s nothing like popular, critical, and financial success to drown out negativity. Millions of people are breathlessly anticipating Wicked’s second act, which touches down almost exactly one year from the first movie. We know there will be two brand-new songs in the movie. But will there be new story twists? Will Alisha Weir from Abigail play Dorothy Gale? Unconfirmed, but, come on – we’re thinking “yes” is the answer to both questions, along with an assuredly unhinged press tour that will surpass the viral and wildly emotional moments from when Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande gave us all respite from the wickedness of the real world.

In theaters Nov. 21, 2025

We can't believe it's been almost a decade since Zootopia took 2016 by storm, becoming one of the biggest hits of the year with more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office. In Zootopia 2, beloved duo Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) return for another adventure, this time investigating a mysterious reptilian newcomer who throws their mammalian metropolis into chaos. In addition to Shakira reprising her role as the Zootopian popstar Gazelle, comedian Fortune Feimster and Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan join the cast.

In theaters Nov. 26, 2025

There’s good news and bad news. The good news? Pixar confirmed they are making a fifth Toy Story movie. The bad: The movie won't be released until June 2026. Long-time Pixar creator Andrew Stanton will pen the script and fill the director’s seat for this installment, which will likely see both Tim Allen and Tom Hanks reprise their beloved starring roles.

Expected June 2026

We were as surprised as you when we learned the Shrek franchise would be returning to the big screen after a 15-year hiatus. The long-desired follow-up film has been an on-again-off-again project that dates back to 2004 with the success of Shrek 2, then shelved in 2009, then hinted at again in 2014 by then DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. But now Shrek 5 is confirmed, and while we don’t have any details on the plot, we do know a little bit about the cast thanks to a meta announcement video that acknowledged Gen Z’s obsession with the green giant. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz will all return to their iconic lead roles, while Zendaya will join the family as Shrek and Fiona’s teen daughter.

Expected Dec. 2026

Expected Sept. 17, 2027

The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made Disney what it is today, and just like any revered movie, fans want to protect it. As with most remakes – especially Disney's live-action updates of animated classics - the Snow White trailer ruffled the feathers of uncharitable viewers who always appear when someone attempts something new, but let's not let that noise drown out the voices of fans who deserve to see West Side Story star Rachel Zegler portray the Disney Princess. Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen, Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer and the first two Andrew Garfield Spider-Man movies) directs, and early critics in wicked stepmom mode also have much to say about the visual effects seen in the trailers. May this contemporary take on the story and Zegler's performance turn the movie's detractors into adorable, fluffy forest animals.

In theaters