Grab the popcorn and mark your calendars! These top movies for kids are shaping up to be a magical mix of new adventures, lovable characters and family-friendly fun in 2025. Whether your little ones are into animated animals, laugh-out-loud stories or heartwarming tales, the lineup has something for everyone. From long-awaited sequels to fresh new favourites.
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for family-friendly films. With a mix of live-action remakes, sequels to beloved franchises and original stories, there’s something for every young moviegoer to look forward to. Let’s dive into the exciting releases that are set to delight children and families alike.
New Releases
Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action)
Released Date: May 23, 2025
Overview: Disney brings back the heartwarming tale of a young Hawaiian girl and her mischievous alien friend in a live-action format. The film emphasises authentic Hawaiian representation, featuring native Hawaiian talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Notable Cast: Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Agudong as Nani, and Zach Galifianakis in a supporting role.
How to Train Your Dragon (Live-Action)
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Overview: This live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film aims to bring the story of Hiccup and Toothless to a new generation with enriched narratives and immersive visuals. Director Dean DeBlois has expressed confidence in the film’s quality, acknowledging the challenges of remaking a cherished classic.
Notable Cast: Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler returning as Stoick.
Elio
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Overview: Pixar introduces Elio, an 11-year-old boy who becomes Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy after being mistaken for a leader by aliens. The film promises a cosmic adventure filled with humour and heart.
Notable Cast: Yonas Kibreab as Elio, with voices by America Ferrera and Jameela Jamil.
Smurfs
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Overview: The beloved blue characters return in a new animated adventure, bringing their whimsical world to life for a new generation. Rihanna is contributing original songs to the film.
Notable Cast: Details about the voice cast are yet to be announced.
The Bad Guys 2
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Overview: The reformed criminal animals are back for another heist-filled adventure, promising more laughs and action-packed sequences.
Notable Cast: Returning voices include Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, and Awkwafina.
Freakier Friday
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Overview: A sequel to the classic body-swap comedy, this film sees the mother-daughter duo navigating new challenges and unexpected swaps.
Notable Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprise their roles, joined by a new ensemble cast.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Overview: Based on the popular children’s series, Gabby embarks on a magical adventure that brings her dollhouse to life in unexpected ways.
Notable Cast: Laila Lockhart Kraner returns as Gabby, with additional voices by Tucker Chandler and Juliet Donenfeld.
Wicked: For Good
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Overview: The second part of the Wicked saga continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and destiny.
Notable Cast: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda
Zootropolis 2
Release Date: November 26, 2025
Overview: Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return to solve a new mystery in the bustling city of Zootropolis, introducing new characters and locales.
Notable Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprise their roles, joined by Ke Huy Quan as a new character.
The Twits
Release Date: 2025 (Exact date TBA)
Overview: An animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale, following the mischievous Mr. and Mrs. Twit in their outrageous antics.
Notable Cast: Voices by Natalie Portman, Emilia Clarke, and Johnny Vegas
Sneaks
Released Date: April 18, 2025
Overview: A unique animated film about a designer sneaker named Ty who embarks on an adventure in New York City to rescue his sister, encountering various footwear characters along the way.
Notable Cast: Voices by Anthony Mackie, Laurence Fishburne, and Martin Lawrence.
On a final note
With a diverse lineup of family-friendly films set to release in 2025, moviegoers have much to anticipate. From live-action remakes like Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon to original stories such as Elio and Sneaks, the upcoming year promises a rich tapestry of cinematic experiences for audiences of all ages.
As the year progresses, films like Zootropolis 2, Wicked: For Good, and The Twits are poised to continue this momentum, offering stories that blend nostalgia with fresh perspectives. These releases not only entertain but also reflect evolving storytelling approaches that resonate with contemporary audiences.
In summary, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for family cinema, with a slate of films that celebrate imagination, diversity, and the enduring appeal of storytelling.
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