11 family-friendly films to watch in the cinema this summer

Family life

With the school summer holidays in sight, there’s a whole host of family-favourite films ready to hit our cinema screens. Here’s a round-up of what to expect in July and August, plus a few newly released films still showing.

I’m really looking forward to the release of The Lion King live action film – it looks amazing from the trailers and having loved Aladdin recently, I’m sure this will be just as impressive. We’ve also not yet seen Toy Story 4. I’ve heard it’s emotional so I’ll definitely be taking my tissues along to that one! My children are also looking forward to the Horrible Histories Rotten Romans film. They love the books and TV shows, not to mention the Romans.

Please check your local cinema for full listings. Showings of older films may be limited.

Are you planning on seeing any of these? Any you have already seen and would recommend to other families? Let me know in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or you can tweet me on @cardiffmummy

Aladdin (PG)

Released 24 May

Disney’s live action remake of the classic animation features all the much-loved songs from the original, as well as new musical numbers too. Street boy Aladdin finds a mysterious magic lamp within the Cave of Wonders, and unleashes the Genie (played by Will Smith), who will grant him three wishes. As Aladdin sets out to win the heart of the beautiful Princess Jasmine, the scheming Jafar trues to thwart him so he can get the lamp and the Genie’s wishes for himself.

 

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (U)

Released 24 May

The second instalment in The Secret Life of Pets franchise sees what favourite characters Max, Duke, Snowball, Gidget and Chloe get up to when their owners are out at work. Terrier Max is struggling to cope when his owner gets married and has a baby. But when the family takes a trip to the countryside, gruff farm dog Rooster tries to cure him of his neuroses.

 

Men in Black International (12A)

Released 14 June

The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organisation. To keep everyone safe, decorated Agent H and determined rookie M join forces – an unlikely pairing that just might work. When aliens that can take the form of any human arrive on Earth, H and M embark on a globe-trotting adventure to save the agency – and ultimately the world – from their mischievous plans.

 

Toy Story 4

Released 21 June

 

Woody has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky, declares himself as ‘trash’ and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour…

 

 

 

The Queen’s Corgi (PG)

Released 5 July

Rex lives a life of luxury at Buckingham Palace. The queen’s Top dog, his arrogance is irritating for his three fellow corgis. However, when he causes a diplomatic incident during an official dinner with the President of the United States, he falls into disgrace. Betrayed by one of his peers, Rex becomes a stray dog in the streets of London. Can he redeem himself and save himself from great danger?

 

Spider-Man: Far From Home (12A)

Released 3 July

Peter Parker is back in the sequel to 2017’s Homecoming. Parker joins his best friends Ned, MJ and the gang on a trip to Europe. However, his plans to leave his super heroics behind are quickly scrapped when Spider-Man must uncover the mystery of several extra-dimensional attacks and battle the Elementals.

 

The Lion King (PG)

Released 19 July

The latest of Disney’s live action remakes journeys to the African savanna where the future king of the jungle, Simba, is born as heir to King Mufasa. However, not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Simba’s uncle Scar, formerly next in line to the throne, plots to betray Mufqasa and take over the pride lands, forcing Simba into exile. However with the help of new friends Timon and Pumbaa he rebuilds himself to take what is rightfully his.

 

Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (PG)

Release date 26 July

Based on the popular books by Terry Deary and subsequent TV series, this film delves into all that is rotten about the Romans. Atti, a Roman teenager with brains but no muscle, is always coming up with schemes, but one of these upsets Emperor Nero. For his punishment, he is sent to cold wet Britain on the fringe of the Roman Empire. Here, he is captured by Orla, a feisty Celt with dreams of becoming a warrior like Boudiccia. They eventually come to an understanding, but to Atti’s horror, when he is returned to his regiment, he finds himself pitted against Orla and her tribe at the Battle of Watling Street.[2]

 

Playmobil the Movie (U)

Released August 9

One of the world’s most successful toy brands – over 2.9 billion figurines sold in more than 100 countries – are following hot on Lego’s heels with an animated adventure film. When her younger brother Charlie (Gabriel Bateman) unexpectedly disappears into the magical, animated universe of Playmobil, unprepared Marla (Anya Taylor-Joy) must go on the quest of a lifetime to bring him home. The film stars Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, as dashing secret agent Rex Dasher and Meghan Trainor as an extravagant fairy godmother.

 

Dora and The City of Gold (PG)

Released 16 August

The cartoon favourite gets her own live action movie. Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle, nothing could prepare Dora (Isabela Moner) for her most dangerous adventure yet — high school. Accompanied by a ragtag group of teens and Boots the monkey, Dora embarks on a quest to save her parents while trying to solve the seemingly impossible mystery behind a lost Incan civilization.

 

UglyDolls (U)

Released 16 August

Based on the cult toy brand, UglyDolls is a computer animated musical comedy featuring the voices of Kelly Clarkson and Nick Jonas. In UglyVille live the rejects of the toy world, including optimistic doll Moxy (Clarkson) who dreams of the ‘Big World’ and getting chosen to be with a child. She and her friends cross to the other side of the mountain where they discover the village of Perfection where they are shocked to be treated like freaks because of their looks. They soon show the inhabitants of Perfection that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.

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