The holiday season is upon us and your kids have already watched The Super Mario Bros. Movie” enough times to drive the lyrics to “Peaches” into your brain. Fortunately, there are plenty of new family movies to watch – and re-watch endlessly – in the coming months, many of which adults should also enjoy.
Trolls Band Together (November 17)
We kid you not: The Trolls franchise is back in November — and it’s bringing back NSYNC with it. In the latest installment of the animated series, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) discovers that Branch (Justin Timberlake) was in a boy band with his brothers. One of these brothers is soon kidnapped, leading Branch and Poppy on an adventure to rescue him. Fittingly, the film features a new song from Timberlake’s boy band, NSYNC, their first in more than 20 years. Try to enjoy the song before your kids completely bore you with it, a la “Let It Go.”
Leo (November 21)
Get ready to experience the secret life of (class) pets. In this Netflix movie, Adam Sandler voices Leo, an aging lizard and elementary school class favorite. But when a student takes him home, “he plans to run away to try life outside,” according to the Netflix synopsis — and the student can understand Leo when he’s talking. Sandler co-wrote the film with Robert Smigle, creator of Late Night with Conan O’Brien’s Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Nothing brings children and parents together like The Sandman.
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“Desire” (November 22)
For those hoping that Disney might change their animation art style, your wish was their command. From the filmmakers behind Frozen, Wish is set in a land whose ruler, voiced by Chris Pine, decides whose wishes to grant. But when a young woman, voiced by Ariana DeBose, makes a wish on a star, she comes to life and makes it happen. The film is being billed as an all-out celebration of Disney given its release for the company’s 100th anniversary, and will feature numerous original songs. Do something, DeBose!
“Good Burger 2” (November 22)
Can they accept your order? Nickelodeon’s 1997 comedy Good Burger, a spinoff of the sketch comedy All That, is getting a long-awaited sequel, heading to Paramount+ in November. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell return as Dexter and Ed, who reunite more than 20 years later. New additions to the cast include Lil Rel Howery and Jillian Bell, and the film also stars “All That” stars Josh Sarver and Lori Beth Denberg. All we need now is a bag of chips.
“Diary of a Christmas Kid: Christmas Fever” (Dec. 8)
The Wimpy Kid Expanded Universe is coming to Disney+ for the holidays. The latest animated installment, a follow-up to last year’s Rodrick Rules, is holiday-themed as follows Greg Heffley during the hectic Christmas season when he and his family are snowed in at their home. It is based on the 2011 book by Jeff Kinney, who also wrote the screenplay. Families can unwrap his gift for Disney+ subscribers on December 8.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (December 15)
It’s ticking time. In this sequel to Aardman’s 2000 stop-motion film, Ginger, who has a daughter from Rocky, now lives in a bird sanctuary. But when Mrs. Tweedy – who ran the farm in the first film – returns, Ginger and the gang must break into her compound. Much of the original cast has been replaced, with Thandie Newton now voicing Ginger and Zachary Levy voicing Rocky. “The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsay also voices their daughter. The film is a Netflix original, so the streamer’s long-awaited first Best Picture win is certainly on the cards.
“Migration” (December 22)
Illumination already crushed it this year with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” but the animation studio behind “Minions” isn’t done yet. Their latest project is the possible start of a new franchise: “Migration,” which follows a family of ducks who migrate south, but get more than they bargained for when they find themselves out of their element in New York. Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks and Awkwafina lead stacked voices. The latest trailer offered the first look at Taylor Swift’s re-recording of “Out of the Woods,” so brace yourself for screenings that will be split equally between jaded families and energetic Swifties.