One of my favorite little things about the new year is new movies. Given that I work with children, I like to see what family films are coming out. Typically family movies seem to stay in the realm of animation, but I have included a couple of live action films as well. You may notice that there are some prominent titles missing from this list. That is because I personally do not have much interest in those movies (ie Cars 3). It should also be noted that some of these films are for families with older children. Here are 10 family(ish) I’ll be anticipating this year:
1. The Resurrection of Gavin Stone
"I have had the ... passion of the Christ for a couple years now."
JAN 20
Christian films do not seem cranked out with the frequency of secular films, and they often have a bit of a Hallmark movie vibe, but Hallmark movies typically make me feel good and we need more Christian films.
2. The Lego Batman Movie
“What?! I hate everything you just said.”
FEB 10
The Lego movie was awesome and I expect nothing less from the Lego Batman movie. In addition to the Will Arnett brilliantly voicing Batman, Michael Cera will join as Robin.
3. Beauty and the Beast
"Look at her. What if she is the one, the one who will break the spell?"
MAR 17
Growing up, I watched the animated version of this film often. Belle was one of my favorite Disney princesses. She loved reading, she was French, and she wasn’t blonde (no shade). Fun fact: In my kindergarten school play, I was cast as Mrs. Potts, which was not Belle, as I had wished for, but did give me the chance to sing the classic title song in our play. While I want the live action version to honor the original film, but I also want it to provide us with something new, rather than a live replica of the story. Give us a twist!
4. Power Rangers
"That's not a piece of cake!"
MAR 24
I have very vague memories of watching the Power Rangers when I was very little. I am not a hardcore fan like some 90s babies, but seeing it brought back still makes me feel nostalgic. I’m curious to see what Lionsgate does with this movie.
5. The Boss Baby
"Behold our mortal enemy . . . puppies."
MAR 31
This is one of the movies I am most excited to see. It just looks so adorable! And I love the choice of Alec Baldwin to voice the Boss Baby.
6. Smurfs: The Lost Village
"I'm really freaking out you guys!"
APR 7
This is another movie that interests me strictly for its cute factor. Fun fact: Smurfette, who was voiced by Katy Perry in the first Smurfs movie, will be voiced by Demi Lovato this time around.
7. Gifted
"He's a good person. He wanted me before I was smart."
APR 12
As I was spending way too much time looking through trailers on YouTube, I clicked this one, because I saw Chris Evans. You would too. There are a few other faces that I was glad to see as well, like Octavia Spencer & Jenny Slate. Plus, the little girl in this movie is so cute. That lisp had better be real. Familiar and cute faces aside, this looks like a heartwarming story.
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
"Come on out and get wimpy in 2017."
MAY 19
I have rather enjoyed this strange little series up to this point. The books are actually quite funny, and the movies have provided some good laughs as well. I loved the cast and I thought that they really embodied the characters from the book, so I am pretty disappointed to see a new cast (although I totally understand that the old cast has outgrown the series). I hope this new cast does well.
9. Despicable Me 3
"Wait, that's not a monster. That's a man wearing shoulder pads."
JUN 30
This movie is definitely my favorite one on this list. The previous Despicable Me movies speak for themselves, and this trailer says everything there is to say about the next one. I can’t wait.
10. Justice League
"You said that like it explains why there's a total stranger sitting in the dark in my second favorite chair."
NOV 17
I am not a fan of many DC comic heroes, excepting Batman (especially as portrayed by Christian Bale). However, something about this golden assembly here just peaked my interest. Superhero movies tend to be fun for the whole family. Hopefully, they'll keep it relatively clean, so that even younger children can enjoy it.