Everybody loves a good summer blockbuster, especially kids. But how do you know what’s right for your family? Check out this guide and watch the trailers that go with them to find out more about what you can expect in theaters.
May 1
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Rated: PG-13
Joss Whedon’s much anticipated follow up to the wildly successful The Avengers (2012) is poised to be one of the biggest movies of the year, bringing Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye and the Black Widow back to the big screen. The movie promises to be action-packed, as you can see in this trailer, but it's still over two hours long. Do your kids have the stamina to stay in their seats for that long?
MPAA says: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments.
May 15
Pitch Perfect 2
Rated: PG-13
“We’re back, pitches.” That’s the slogan for this follow up to the sleeper hit Pitch Perfect. It also sets the tone for this sequel, which finds the quirky a cappella group competing in an international competition, one which an American group has never won. While the story, sisterhood and songs may be great messages for your kids, the swearing and sexual humor are what to watch out for. Check out the trailer and see what you think.
MPAA says: Rated PG-13 for innuendo and language.
May 22
Tomorrowland
Rated: PG
In this sci-fi Disney film, George Clooney stars as a former boy-genius inventor who joins a science loving teen on a journey to Tomorrowland, a place that exists “somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.” There are robots, jet packs, magical pins and oodles of optimism. This is a family-friendly film that’s suitable for most ages but it does include some violence. Check out the trailer and see what you think.
MPAA says: Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and peril, thematic elements, and language.
June 12
Jurassic World
Rated: Not Yet Rated
“When something chases you …run.” So says a mom (Judy Greer) to her sons in the trailer for this film. Set 20 years after Jurassic Park, terror again rocks the dinosaur theme park business. When a new attraction is added to Jurassic World, in an attempt to renew interest in the diminishing park, things go terribly wrong. Owen Grady (played by Chris Pratt) takes the lead to save the day. While the film is not yet rated, there will be scenes of violence and based on previous films in the franchise (that have all been rated PG-13) this one may also be too intense for the youngest viewers no matter how much they love dinosaurs.
June 19
Inside Out
Rated: PG
Pixar is coming in strong this summer with the mind boggling tale of an 11-year-old girl named Riley and the emotions that rule her brain, namely: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. It is an emotional journey (literally) that takes us into the world that exists within us all as Riley tries to adjust to a new city, a new house and a new school. This film, like every Pixar film, was designed for all ages to enjoy from little kids to parents, and this one in particular will hit home for moms and dads.
MPAA says: mild thematic elements and some action.
Dope
Rated: Not Yet Rated
This indie coming of age movie was a hit at Sundance and is part drama and part comedy. It follows Malcolm, a geeky and studious teen who strives to get into Harvard while trying to survive the tough streets of Inglewood, an area wrought with gangsters and drug dealers. After being invited to a big underground party, Malcolm has the chance of going from geek to “dope.” Since the film deals mature subject matter, this is likely to be a film that is more for older teens. Check out the trailer to see what you think.
June 26
Max
Rated: PG
Break out the tissues. In this family film, Max, a German Shepherd, returns to the U.S. after being in service to the Marines in Afghanistan. Suffering from post-traumatic stress, he’s adopted by his handler’s family. This is a family-friendly film that does have a feel-good component, but it also deals with issues of loss and contains action violence. Love dogs? Dare you not to well up when you check out the trailer.
What the MPAA says: Rated PG for action violence, peril, brief language and some thematic elements.
The Outskirts
Rated: Not Yet Rated
This teen tale focuses on two geeky girls, Mindy and Jodi, as they plot revenge against the “Queen Bee” of the school by uniting all the outcasts in social combat. The film features teen stars such as Victoria Justice, of the Nickelodeon hit “Victorious,” as well as Peyton List and Eden Sher. So it will draw in the tween and (possibly) teen set. This is good, as the content is likely to be more for them than little kids.
July 10
Minions
Rated: Not Yet Rated
For kids, this will be one of the biggest films of the summer, especially for those who loved Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2. This time, the franchise focuses on those lovable yellow Minions when they join super-villain Scarlet Overkill (voiced by Sandra Bullock) and her husband Herb (voiced by Jon Hamm) as they plot to try to take over the world. As with the other Despicable Me movies, minions fans of all ages should be able to enjoy it.
July 17
Ant-Man
Rated: Not Yet Rated
The Marvel universe is getting smaller with the opening of Ant-Man (although the box office results for this one could be huge). In this newest superhero offering from the Marvel/Disney team, Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) has the ability to don a super-suit and shrink down to the size of an ant, but as he gets smaller, he becomes more powerful. As with all films in the superhero genre, there will likely be sci-fi violence and peril. Check out the trailer for a preview of what to expect.
July 24
Pixels
Rated: Not Yet Rated
In this sci-fi/action/comedy, a team of old-school arcade gamers unite under the leadership of '80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler) to take on intergalactic aliens who have attacked earth after misinterpreted video-feeds of classic video games are taken as a declaration of war. This Chris Columbus-directed film will some peril and language, so stay tuned, and check out the trailer above.
August 7
The Fantastic Four
Rated: Not Yet Rated
The Fantastic Four heads to the big screen in a brand new incarnation. Mr. Fantastic (Miles Teller), The Invisible Woman (Kate Mara), The Thing (Jamie Bell) and the Human Torch (Michael B. Jordan) are four scientists who gain superhuman abilities during an experiment that goes awry – and they’re tasked with saving the world battling against a “former friend turned enemy.” This is another superhero film that will likely have plenty of sci-fi violence and peril, so check out the trailer and see what you think.
Aug. 14
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Rated: PG-13
CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin are leaping from the small to the big screen in this reboot of the ‘60s hit TV show. Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill will be starring in this Guy Ritchie action flick. Knowing Ritchie’s directing style, there will probably be a fair share of violence and peril, so check out the trailer to get a better sense if your kids can handle it.
Underdogs
Rated: Not Yet Rated
In this animated family feature, the main character is charged with saving his town when his long-time rival comes back onto the scene. The big twist happens when the players from his foosball table are magically brought back to life. The film was a hit in Argentina when it was released in 2013, and is now getting a new voice track (with Matthew Morrison, Ariana Grande, Bella Thorne, Katie Holmes among others) for the American audience. The film should be appropriate for the whole family. Check out the trailer and see what you think.
Sept. 18
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Rated: Not Yet Rated
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials revisits the Gladers after they have escaped the maze in The Maze Runner as they are met with a whole new set of challenged in a “desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles.” The original film was rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, intense action and a few disturbing images, the follow up will also probably have the same sort of elements that are better for older kids.
Sunny Chanel is a regular contributor to Fandango Family, Babble.com, Mom.me, Disney Imagicademy and Mommy Nearest as well as her own whimsical site Wonder and Company. When she isn't writing, watching movies or doing crafts, she is playing dress up with her 8-year-old daughter.
