We just finished a great year for family films, with a diverse slate of offerings for families of all ages and tastes.
2025 is shaping up to be another great one, and it will start with an unusually strong winter lineup of family-friendly movies.
Here are the family movies to get excited about in 2025.
‘The Colors Within’
A favorite in the Japanese festival circuit, “The Colors Within” is finally set to arrive on American shores. The story is about a girl who sees people as colors, and the animation has been particularly praised.
How to watch: “The Colors Within” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Jan. 24, 2025.
‘Dog Man’
At my kids’ school’s library there are three book series that are so popular you can’t check out more than one part of the series at a time. “Dog Man” is at the top of the list. Kids love the brash, wacky world created by Dav Pilkey.
How to watch: “Dog Man” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Jan. 31, 2025.
‘Paddington in Peru’
Paddington, the very polite bear, is the face of one of the most reliably charming franchises for family entertainment. His newest adventure sees him taking his new family to rescue his aunt back home.
How to watch: “Paddington in Peru” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Feb. 14, 2025.
‘The Unbreakable Boy’
The newest faith-based film from Lionsgate sees Zachary Levi as a father of a son with brittle-bone disease and autism. Through parenthood, Levi’s character learns how to embrace life.
How to watch: “Unbreakable Boy” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Feb. 21, 2025.
‘The Legend of Ochi’
“The Legend of Ochi” is a low-budget fantasy adventure about the mysterious and scary Ochi, as well as the girl who rescues an orphaned baby Ochi to return it to its family.
This movie appears to follow in the tradition of “The NeverEnding Story,” “Willow,” and “The Dark Crystal.”
How to watch: “The Legend of Ochi” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Feb. 28, 2025.
‘The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie’
The first ever “Looney Tunes” feature film had a limited opening in 2024, and it currently boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. It follows Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as they stop aliens from a psychic takeover of Earth.
How to watch: “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” is scheduled to be released more widely in theaters on Feb. 28, 2025.
‘Night of the Zoopocalypse’
What if a zombie movie was a bunch of animated zoo animals? This zany concept from horror maestro Clive Barker is being brought to life by animation vets Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro, who are behind hits like “The Iron Giant,” “The Book of Life” and “Rio 2.”
How to watch: “Night of the Zoopocalypse” is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 7, 2025.
‘Snow White’
The upcoming “Snow White” is yet another Disney live-action remake.
How to watch: “Snow White” is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 21, 2025.
‘Kayara’
Kayara wants to join the Chasquis, a group of speedy Incan messengers. To prove her worth, she must embark on a dangerous quest.
Kayara looks set to join the ranks of the great animated heroines.
How to watch: “Kayara” is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 30, 2025.
‘A Minecraft Movie’
Could a construction video game make for a good movie? Given that Minecraft is the top-selling game of all time, someone was going to try.
Jack Black adds his manic energy to this project to try and get it to all make sense.
How to watch: “A Minecraft Movie” is scheduled to be released in theaters on April 4, 2025.
‘The King of Kings’
Charles Dickens tries to connect with his son by telling him stories about Jesus Christ. Early stills show a striking, beautiful animation style. The standout cast includes Mark Hamill, Ben Kingsley, Oscar Isaac, Kenneth Branagh and Pierce Brosnan.
How to watch: “The King of Kings” is scheduled to be released in theaters on April 11, 2025.
‘Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight’
Netflix brought the Japanese hit “Ultraman” to families across the world. In 2025, it will attempt to do the same with the French comic “Asterix.”
The fearless title hero will, as always, be squaring off against the Romans with the help of a bit of magic.
How to watch: “Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight” is scheduled to be released on Netflix in the spring of 2025.
‘Lilo & Stitch’
Disney has two live-action remakes set for 2025. “Lilo & Stitch” is the more anticipated, since it’s a recreation of Disney’s unlikely hit about the lovable, roguish alien and his new Hawaiian family.
How to watch: “Lilo & Stitch” is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 23, 2025.
‘In Your Dreams’
A couple of Pixar vets have headed to Netflix to make their feature debut. The initial looks are stunning, showing two siblings search for the Sandman.
But “In Your Dreams” is set to deal with divorce, which is perhaps a red flag after Netflix’ disastrous approach to the subject in this year’s “Spellbound.”
How to watch: “In Your Dreams” is scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2025.
‘Karate Kid: Legends’
It’s been 15 years since a “Karate Kid” film hit big screens. This one appears to build off of the smash hit TV show “Cobra Kai,” and bring back characters from the 2010 spinoff.
How to watch: “Karate Kid: Legends” is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 30, 2025.
‘The Twits’
The beloved British novel about a pair of unpleasant, retired circus trainers is becoming a film. In the way only Roald Dahl can, the pair gets exactly what’s coming to them.
How to watch: “The Twits” is scheduled to be released on Netflix on June 13, 2025.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’
Why should Disney have all the fun with live-action remakes? DreamWorks decided to jump in with their most epic film series, “How to Train Your Dragon.” The movie is about growing up, fathers and sons, trying new things, and friendships.
How to watch: “How to Train Your Dragon” is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 13, 2025.
‘Elio’
Pixar’s newest original follows an eccentric 11-year-old who aliens mistakenly believe is the ambassador of Earth.
As with all Pixar films, this one seems to be more about who we truly are, and how we can navigate the big decisions in life, than the basic plot.
How to watch: “Elio” is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 13, 2025.
‘The Smurfs Movie’
Despite several attempts, the beloved Smurfs have never had a particularly successful film franchise. But the minds behind this movie are trying again. This attempt will be a musical with Rihanna as the lead.
How to watch: “The Smurfs Movie” is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 18, 2025.
‘Plankton: The Movie’
The first of two SpongeBob SquarePants movies coming in 2025, this film follows Plankton after his unsuccessful attempt to take over the world. Will his rivalry with Mr. Krabs be enough to satisfy his villainous ambitions?
How to watch: “Plankton: The Movie” is scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2025.
‘The Bad Guys 2′
Dreamworks’ surprise hit is coming back for Round 2.
With our five protagonists choosing to forgo the life of crime in the first film, they have to be lured back in for one last heist. The creative team behind the first film is back.
How to watch: “The Bad Guys 2″ is scheduled to be released in theaters on Aug. 1, 2025.
‘Freakier Friday’
The midtier body swap film from the early aughts has built enough of a fan base that Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are coming back for an unexpected throwback sequel. This time, Lohan’s character has a daughter and stepdaughter of her own.
How to watch: “Freakier Friday” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Aug. 8, 2025.
‘Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie’
The Netflix megahit “Gabby’s Dollhouse” is getting the big screen treatment.
Gabby likes to imagine time in her dollhouse, but it has been taken, and she has to recover it.
How to watch: “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Sept. 26, 2025.
‘Frozen: The Musical Movie’
Disney+ is hoping for a repeat of “Hamilton” when they release a filmed version of the stage musical “Frozen.” The stage adaptation takes on a more adult tone, and includes several new musical numbers.
How to watch: “Frozen: The Musical Movie” is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2025.
‘David’
Angel Studios has predicted that “David” will become the top-grossing animated film of all time. But the film about the biblical giant slayer remains mostly under wraps, with few details released.
How to watch: “David” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Nov. 21, 2025.
‘Zootopia 2′
“Zootopia” saw Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde become a top investigation team, setting up potentially unlimited new mysteries and adventures for them to solve. Will the formula work? Disney took nine years to come up with their first answer.
How to watch: “Zootopia 2″ is scheduled to be released in theaters on Nov. 26, 2025.
‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’
This is the fourth main film in the “SpongeBob SquarePants” franchise. This time, SpongeBob is set to square off against the pirate ghost The Flying Dutchman, who is set to be voiced by Mark Hamill.
How to watch: “The Spongebob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Dec. 19, 2025.