15 Dec Movie Guide for families these school holidays
Looking for some movies for those rainy days? Or perhaps the summer heat is too much?
Here are a few of our suggested new family movies. You can find reviews on these movies from people with child development expertise at Children and Media Australia.
~ Strange World
102 mins | Rated PG | Adventure/Comedy
The Clades are a family of explorers who must set aside their differences to take on their most important and most crucial mission into uncharted and treacherous territory.
~ Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
100 mins | Rated PG | Adventure/Comedy
Released: 26 December 2022
For the first time in more than a decade, DreamWorks Animation presents a new adventure in the Shrek universe as daring outlaw Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for peril and disregard for safety have taken their toll. Puss has burned through eight of his nine lives, though he lost count along the way. Getting those lives back will send Puss in Boots on his grandest quest yet.
Academy Award® nominee Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the notorious PiB as he embarks on an epic journey into the Black Forest to find the mythical Wishing Star and restore his lost lives. But with only one life left, Puss will have to humble himself and ask for help from his former partner and nemesis: the captivating Kitty Soft Paws (Oscar® nominee Salma Hayek).
In their quest, Puss and Kitty will be aided—against their better judgment—by a ratty, chatty, relentlessly cheerful mutt, Perro (Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows). Together, our trio of heroes will have to stay one step ahead of Goldilocks (Oscar® nominee Florence Pugh, Black Widow) and the Three Bears Crime Family, “Big” Jack Horner (Emmy winner John Mulaney, Big Mouth) and terrifying bounty hunter, The Big Bad Wolf (Wagner Moura, Narcos).
~ Matilda: The Musical
117 mins | Rated PG | Fantasy Musical
~ Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Many families will already be familiar with Bernard Waber’s book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and the story of the Primm family and the singing crocodile in their attic. This movie brings the beloved character to life in a live action and CGI musical comedy, which will appeal to the littlies in the family as well as older kids, with pop sensation Shawn Mendes voicing Lyle the crocodile.
Trailer here. Released 8 December 2022
~ Tad, The Lost Explorer & The Emerald Tablet
90 mins | Rated PG | Adventure/Comedy/Animation
Trailer: Tad, TheExplorer Released 19 January 2023
- For the older kids, opening New Year’s Day is Blueback, an Australian feature film based on Tim Winton’s novel of the same name. A young woman, Abbey, befriends a blue groper while diving and becomes a passionate activist for saving the reef. The movie stars Mia Wasikowska, Rahda Mitchell, Erik Thomson and Eric Bana.
- And for an all-audience favourite, Avatar: The Way of Water will equally be a hit with any age group. Best seen in 3D, this highly anticipated sequel to the highest grossing movie of all time received nearly one hundred and fifty million views on its teaser trailer in the first twenty-four hours. Be prepared to be blown out of the water by this epic sequel following the Sully family and the battles and tragedies they endure.
Looking for other enjoyable and age-appropriate screen content for children?
Then check out Children and Media Australia’s reviews of newly released cinema movies as well as many movies available via free-to-air and streaming services.
And see here for some suggested titles.
