7 family films to watch in the cinema for Christmas 2018

Is a family cinema trip on your agenda this festive season? It’s one of our annual traditions every Christmas; a chance to escape from the busy-ness of this time of year and enjoy some quality family time. This year I’m so excited to watch Mary Poppins Returns – the sequel to a childhood favourite, which has also become one of my children’s favourites too. But there’s a few others on the list I’d like to check out too,

Are you planning on seeing any of these film? Do let me know in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or you can tweet me on @cardiffmummy  And if you’ve already watched any of them I’d love to know your verdict. 

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG)

Released 2 November

Keira Knightley is the Sugar Plum Fairy, Morgan Freeman is Drosselmeyer and Mackenzie Foy is Clara star in Disney’s magically dark adventure inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale of The Nutcracker. A magical key transports Clara into a strange and mysterious parallel world where she encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers and the Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.

The Grinch (U)

Released 9 November

Based on Dr Seuss’s classic book The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, this new animated adaptation sees the cynical grump try to ruin plans for the Whoville’s Christmas celebration by stealing all the town’s decorations and gifts. However, his heart is changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit as he realises that there’s more to Christmas than what can be bought in a store.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (12A)

Released 16 November

The fantasy film written by JK Rowling is the second instalment in the Fantastic Beasts film series and the 10th overall in the Wizarding World franchise which began with the Harry Potty film series. The Crimes of Grindelwald follows Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore as they attempt to take down the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald while facing new threats in a more

Nativity Rocks (U)

Releases 23 November

The fourth instalment in the successful British film franchise takes us back to St Bernadette’s Primary School where staff and students alike are auditioning for a coveted place in a spectacular rock musical competition. It’s not going to be easy to land the part everyone wants, and it’ll take some doing to get everyone’s voices into shape. Stars Celia Imrie, Hugh Dennis and Craig Revel Horwood as the ruthless director of the show.

Ralph Breaks The Internet – Wreck It Ralph 2 (PG)

Released 30 November

Ralph Breaks The Internet is the sequel to Disney’s 2012 hit Wreck It Ralph and follows Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz on their latest adventure after their arcade gets connected to the World Wide Web. Unlike anything they’ve seen before they find themselves off a journey of discovery on a quest to save Vanellope’s game.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (PG)

Released 12 December

The masked superhero crosses parallel dimensions and teams up with the Spider-Men of those dimensions to stop a threat to all reality. Teenage student Miles Morales must juggle his school life with his status and responsibilities as a superhero, but he’s not the only Spider-Man in this world, and things are about to get complicated… Enter a new universe where more than one person can wear the mantle and mask of Spider-Man on their journey towards becoming a hero.

Mary Poppins Returns (PG)

Release date 21 December

The much-anticipate sequel comes 54 years after the 1964 original, and stars Emily Blunt as the magical nanny. Set two decades after the first film, beloved Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Montimer) are all grown up with children of their own. After Michael suffers a personal loss, Mary Poppins re-enters their lives, helping the children rediscover the joy and wonder that is missing in their lives.

Thumbelina: CBeebies Christmas Show

Saturday 15 December, check individual cinemas for times

Vue, Odeon, Showcase, Tramshed in Cardiff, see full national listings here

Not quite a film, but a chance to see the much anticipated annual CBeebies Christmas Show on the big screen. This CBeebies Christmas Show recreates on the big screen the live Thumbelina performance and includes an exclusive, additional show made for cinema audiences only starring the much-loved Justin Fletcher (Something Special) in Justin’s Countdown to Christmas. This holiday season, laugh and sing along with your favourite CBeebies Stars and be part of a fabulous interactive show for all the family.