The need for entertainment is real. From new albums by artists like Ed Sheeran to the emerging slot sites of 2025, this year is shaping up to be an exciting one across a wide range of media that adults appreciate and consume. But for parents and caregivers, finding quality children’s entertainment can feel like a lifesaver.
After endless questions, boundless energy, and the untold mental load that comes with taking care of them, let’s admit it: we need a break. Sometimes, all we need the kids to do is to sit still, and few things can engage a child quite like a good movie. Fortunately, there are quite a few highly anticipated family movies coming out in 2025 that should do just that.
Already, we’ve seen the release and success of many well-loved franchises, with some new contenders as well. In January, Wallace and Gromit finally returned, grossing $192.7 million with Vengeance Most Fowl. Popular book series Dogman, at the time of this writing, sits at number two in the box office, just under Captain America: Brave New World. There is a hunger for quality content for young ages, and the rest of the year is shaping up to be just as promising as the first couple of months have been. Let’s see what’s on the radar.
Snow White
The next major release to watch for is Disney’s real-life adaptation of Snow White, directed by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man). It is set to hit theatres on March 21. Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) play the leading roles in this updated take on the beloved classic. Gal’s evil queen seems perfectly suited to remind us of the original, while Rachel’s Snow White promises to give us more depth, more curiosity, and more fight. Truly, it looks like Snow White is finally getting the version she deserves.
A Minecraft Movie
On April 4, it will be impossible to ignore the release of A Minecraft Movie, starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. The hugely successful video game is finally making it to the big screen and is sure to continue the franchise’s record-breaking trend. The story follows four people who must learn to master the cubic and strange Overworld to escape from it. Director Jared Hess seems to have a penchant for quirky story lines and odd characters (Napoleon Dynamite, Thelma the Unicorn, Nacho Libre) and Minecraft promises to be just as fun and captivating.
Karate Kid: Legends
Parents of the 80’s will enjoy the nostalgia that comes with the next release, while current fans of Cobra Kai (Netflix) will enjoy another instalment in the popular series’ storyline when Karate Kid: Legends hits theatres on May 25. Ralph Macchio continues his role, Jackie Chan returns to the franchise, and Ben Wang (Mean Girls) lands a major role playing the young martial arts enthusiast these “legends” will train. The trailer for this movie asks us to ponder the following question: “Is it worth fighting for?” The old battle of good vs. evil somehow feels fresh and meaningful each time this franchise tells a story. Certainly, this latest instalment is one to look forward to.
How to Train Your Dragon
June 13 will bring us How to Train Your Dragon, a greatly anticipated live-action adaptation from Universal Pictures. The animated version of this movie, and its offshoots, are popular with kids and adults alike, and this new movie looks to be a brilliant addition to the franchise. Mason Thames (The Black Phone, Monster Summer) is perfectly cast as Hiccup, the Viking who befriends his dragon, Toothless. Their friendship will change the future of both of their species, as they face the battle of a generation. Gerard Butler (300, Den of Thieves) also stars in this powerful rendition of the story as Hiccup’s father. In a brilliant move by the producers, Dean DeBlois will take the reins as director. Not ringing a bell? He previously directed the animated version of How to Train Your Dragon, its sequels, and other box-office hits like The Wild Robot and Lilo & Stitch.
Why Are Children’s Movies So Appealing?
Children’s movies can’t just appeal to a narrow demographic—after all, we parents have to sit through them, too. The joy on a child’s face when they watch a beloved movie can certainly be heartwarming for a parent or caregiver, but that only goes so far. When it comes to kids’ entertainment, it also needs to have something for adults.
The brilliance of modern children’s movies is in their ability to level up and down, often simultaneously, for whoever is watching. It would be easy to assume kids’ movies have a narrow appeal. But give them a proper viewing, and you’ll be remarking on the things that have been put there just for the adults in the room: be it a joke, a bit of pop culture, or the soundtrack. Maybe we recognize one of the character’s voices as one of our favourite actors, appreciate the musical choices, or find beauty in the artful animation. Perhaps the movie even reminds us of one we watched when we were younger, gives us hope for the future, or teaches us something new.
