If you’re anything like me, your sons and daughters are probably asking non-stop about when Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Dog Man, Minecraft, and other upcoming kids movies are going to hit the big screen. Seriously, it’s a question that comes up all the time, and after going through the 2024 movie schedule and all those upcoming 2025 movies and making notes, I decided to go ahead and put them all together in one place.
Below is the full rundown of all the new family-friendly movies that will soon find their way to the big screen and when we’ll be able to watch them. From upcoming video game movies to anticipated book-to-screen adaptations to in-the-works live-action Disney remakes and so much more, there’s a lot to keep the young, and young at heart, happy for the foreseeable future.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - November 8, 2024
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Cast: Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Lauren Graham
The holiday movie season will get started on November 8, 2024, with the release of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Based on Barbara Robinson’s 1972 novel of the same name, Dallas Jenkins’ upcoming movie will follow a family (led by Judy Greer and Pete Holmes) as they plan out their church’s big Christmas show, which becomes a difficult task when a family of hellions joins the cast.
Red One - November 15, 2024
Director: Jake Kasden
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons
A Christmas movie starring two of the biggest action stars of the past decade? Well, that’s what we’ll be getting when Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans team up to save Santa in Jake Kasdan’s Red One. Though this movie is rated PG-13, it won’t be too extreme for the whole family when it opens on November 15, 2024, and you won’t have to worry about being a level-four naughty lister if you watch it.
Spellbound - November 22, 2024
Director: Vicky Jenson
Cast: Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Javier Bardem
There are quite a few upcoming Netflix movies on the way, and one of those is Spellbound, a new animated feature film about a princess who embarks upon a journey to save her parents after they've been turned into monsters. Directed by Vicky Jensen, and featuring music and songs from the folks behind Beauty and the Beast and Tangled, the movie starring Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, and more premieres November 22, 2024
Moana 2 - November 27, 2024
Director: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Auli’i Cravalho, Alan Tudyk
Perhaps the biggest upcoming Disney movie on the calendar, Moana 2 will take audiences on another grand adventure with Auliʻi Cravalho’s titular character as she teams up with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) once again to save the world on November 27, 2024.
That Christmas - December 6, 2024
Director: Simon Otto
Cast: Bill Nighy, Brian Cox, Guz Khan
Richard Curtis has written some of the best romantic comedies of all time like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, and Notting Hill, but now he's taking a spin at the animated holiday movie genre. Directed by Simon Otto of How to Train Your Dragon fame, That Christmas will hit Netflix on December 6, 2024, and feature multiple intertwined heartwarming stories set over the holidays.
Mufasa: The Lion King - December 20, 2024
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen
On December 20, 2024, Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King, will go back to the very beginning for the ill-fated king of the Pride Lands and tell the story of how Simba’s father went from an abandoned cub to one of the most beloved Disney characters. If you’re a fan of live-action Disney remakes, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - December 20, 2024
Director: Jeff Fowler
Cast: Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves
The Blue Blur and some of his closest friends will return to the big screen for the next set of adventures in Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Set to open on December 20, 2024, the highly anticipated movie will see Sonic (Ben Schwartz) take on longtime nemesis Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and a new foe, Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves).
Paddington In Peru - January 17, 2025
Director: Dougal Wilson
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas
When Paddington in Peru opens on January 17, 2025, it will kick off both a new year at the theater and a new adventure for everyone’s favorite marmalade-obsessed bear. Once again voiced by Ben Whishaw, Paddington will set off to find his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) deep in the Amazon rainforest
Dog Man - January 31, 2024
Have a fan of the Dog Man graphic novels in your house? If so, you’re in for a real treat as the upcoming adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s cherished book series about a cop that’s half dog and half man is set to open in theaters on January 31, 2024.
The Unbreakable Boy - February 21, 2025
Director: Jon Gunn
Cast: Zachary Levi, Jacob Laval, Meghann Fahy
On February 21, 2025, Jon Gunn will bring The Unbreakable Boy to life and tell the story of Austin LeRette (Jacob Laval), a young boy trying to live life despite suffering from brittle bone disease. This heartwarming story will also see Zachary Levi play the boy’s supportive father
Snow White - March 21, 2025
Director: Marc Webb
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap
One of the biggest upcoming Disney live-action remakes hitting the big screen, Marc Webb’s Snow White will see Rachel Zegler play the iconic titular character as she stumbles upon a group of lively dwarfs deep in the forest. Gal Gadot will step in as the Evil Queen when the film opens on March 21, 2025.
A Minecraft Movie - April 4, 2025
The Minecraft movie is something we’ve been hearing about for years, but on April 4, 2025, we’ll finally get to see what all the fuss is about. The star-studded video game movie will see the likes of Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Danielle Brooks jump into the popular sandbox game.
Lilo & Stitch - May 23, 2025
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Cast: Sydney Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Billy Magnussen
The live-action Lilo & Stitch movie is something that Disney fans have been looking forward to for a very long time, and on May 23, 2025, it’ll all pay off. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, who co-created Marcel the Shell with Shoes On with Jenny Slate, will sit in the director’s chair of this big-screen adventure that stars Sydney Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Billy Magnussen, and many others.
Elio - June 13, 2025
Director: Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, Adrian Molina
Cast: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Jameela Jamil
Pixar’s Elio, another movie we’ve been talking about for years, will finally hit the big screen on June 13, 2025. This one will follow Yonas Kibreab’s titular character as he embarks upon an intergalactic journey after being mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe.
How To Train Your Dragon - June 13, 2025
Director: Dean DeBlois
Cast: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler
Fans of the How to Train Your Dragon animated franchise will be happy to hear that the long-awaited live-action remake is slated to open on June 14, 2025. Though Jay Baruchel won’t be showing up as Hiccup Haddock III, Gerard Butler will be reprising his role.
The Smurfs Movie - July 18, 2025
Those iconic blue creatures will be making a comeback when The Smurfs hits the big screen on February 14, 2025. Not a lot is known about Chris Miller’s adaptation, but the cast is stacked with the likes of Rihanna, Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Hannah Waddingham, and so many others.
The Bad Guys 2 - August 1, 2025
Director: Pietter Perifel, JP Sans
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz
If you loved The Bad Guys and couldn’t get enough of its talented cast, wild animation, or wonderful story, you’re in for a treat, as The Bad Guys 2 is slated to open on August 1, 2025. And best of all, Deadline has reported that the creative team and cast, including Sam Rockwell, will be back.
Freakier Friday - August 8, 2025
Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie - September 26, 2025
Director: Ryan Crego
Cast: Laila Lockhard Kraner
Parents of children of a certain age will be excited (or terrified) to learn that Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie has a September 26, 2025 release date. Based on one of the most popular Netflix shows, this live-action/CGI hybrid will certainly have something for its diehard fans.
Zootopia 2 - November 26, 2025
Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard
Cast: Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ke Huy Quan
Nearly a decade after the release of its predecessor, Zootopia 2 will waltz into theaters on November 26, 2025. Not a lot is known about the project at this time, but Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman will be back as Judy and Nick, respectively, while Ke Huy Quan will show up as a new character named Gary.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search For Squarepants - December 19, 2025
Director: Derek Drymon
Cast: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Mark Hamill
The fourth film in the franchise, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants will hit theaters on December 19, 2025, more than 25 years after the show debuted on Nickelodeon.
Super Mario Bros. 2 - April 3, 2026
Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Cast: TBA
The Super Mario Bros. 2 movie was a sure thing as soon as its 2023 predecessor dominated at the box office. We’re still a couple of years out from its April 3, 2026 release, so be on the lookout for more information soon.
Toy Story 5 - June 19, 2026
Director: Andrew Stanton
Cast: TBA
Not a whole lot has been announced about the upcoming Toy Story 5 at this time, but it will surely be one of the biggest movies of the year when it opens on June 19, 2026. And while it has yet to be confirmed if franchise mainstays like Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will be reprising their famous roles, we should know more soon.
Shrek 5 - July 1, 2026
Director: Walt Dohrn
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
More than a decade-and-a-half after we last saw Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy’s iconic characters on their last adventure, Walt Dohrn’s Shrek 5 will bring that titular ogre and his trusty donkey back to the big screen with a new adventure on July 1, 2026. Expect to hear a lot more about this one in the coming months.
Moana (Live-Action) - July 10, 2026
Director: Thomas Kail
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Catherine Laka’aia, John Tui
Disney’s live-action Moana film is something moviegoers of all ages will be able to enjoy when it lands on July 10, 2026, smack-dab in the middle of what’s shaping up to be a busy summer blockbuster season. A remake of the 2016 animated hit of the same name, this should be a lot of fun.
Frozen 3 - November 24, 2027
Director: Jennifer Lee
Cast: Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff
One of the most popular (and successful) Disney franchises of all time will get a little bigger in the next few years when the highly anticipated Frozen 3 hits the big screen. Not much is known about the threequel at this time, but it is slated to open on November 24, 2027.
We’ll make sure to include updates as more family-friendly movies are announced in the coming weeks and months. But until then, check out some of the best kids movies the whole family will love.
