10 Best Family Movies Premiering in 2016
Want to place bets on which adorable creatures and magical worlds will be entrancing your kids next year? Check out our list of the top 10 upcoming family films we have on our radar. — Mehera Bonner
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- DirectorJames BobinStarsMia WasikowskaJohnny DeppHelena Bonham CarterAlice is appointed to save her beloved Mad Hatter from deadly grief by travelling back to the past, but this means fatally harming Time himself, the noble clockwork man with the device needed to save the Hatter's family from the Red Queen.The highly-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland won't hit theaters until May 27, 2016, but it's already topping IMDb's MOVIEmeter for next year's family films. Burton produces, and James Bobin directs as Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp reprise their roles in a magical and completely surreal adventure through Wonderland. The best part? The ever-original Sacha Baron Cohen in the role of the villain.
- DirectorAndrew StantonAngus MacLaneStarsEllen DeGeneresAlbert BrooksEd O'NeillFriendly but forgetful blue tang Dory begins a search for her long-lost parents and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.Let's be honest: Dory is the best character from Finding Nemo. Fans will be thrilled to know that their favorite flustered fish is returning for the film's sequel on June 17, 2016, and she's taking on a starring role. Dory's story takes place six months after her quest to find Nemo and will focus primarily on her quest to find her own family. Guess who comes along for the ride? Yep, both Marlin and Nemo join the adventure. Summer can't come soon enough.
- DirectorAlessandro CarloniJennifer Yuh NelsonStarsJack BlackBryan CranstonDustin HoffmanContinuing his "legendary adventures of awesomeness", Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to home.Kung Fu Panda and sequel Kung Fu Panda 2 were such huge successes with kids and parents alike that DreamWorks is giving fans a third installment. This time, Po reunites with his Panda family in panda Paradise (umm, sounds like heaven on earth) and has to teach them the art of Kung Fu. Let the hijinks begin on Jan. 29, 2016.
- DirectorByron HowardRich MooreJared BushStarsGinnifer GoodwinJason BatemanIdris ElbaIn a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.Did you and the kids love Wreck-It Ralph? Then you might want to book some early tickets to Zootopia when it comes out March 4, 2016. The film, co-directed by Rich Moore, is about a bunny named Officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), who moves to a city full of animals. Judy makes an unlikely friend in a conniving Fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who helps her solve a mystery. Oh, and special bonus: Shakira has an original song in the movie, which, based on the animation, looks like it might be the cutest film of all time.
- DirectorChris RenaudStarsLouis C.K.Eric StonestreetKevin HartThe quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes.No wait, this is the cutest film of all time. Just watch the trailer, and try to say it isn't. The film's premise is simple: What do pets do when their humans leave home for the day? Engage in turf wars, apparently. The furry animated film has some sure-to-be stellar voice performances from favorites like grumpy dad Louis C.K., who voices Max, the original favorite pet in the family, and Eric Stonestreet, the voice of Duke, the big sloppy mongrel who turns Max's world upside down.
- DirectorMichael ThurmeierGalen T. ChuStarsRay RomanoDenis LearyJohn LeguizamoWhen Scrat's acorn sends an asteroid to Earth, the Herd must find a way to stop the asteroid from hitting Earth with the help of a returning friend.Yet another Ice Age movie is joining the franchise family, which means Denis Leary, Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, and John Leguizamo are back for more prehistoric fun. There's a reason this is the fifth Ice Age film to hit theaters: The movies are packed with humor adults will appreciate and teach great values about friendship and family. Plus, there's that adorable little saber-toothed squirrel.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerDon HallStarsAuli'i CravalhoDwayne JohnsonRachel HouseIn ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out Maui to set things right.Get ready to buy out the Disney store, because there's a new princess in the lineup. Meet Moana, a spunky teen who sets sail on the high seas to fulfill her ancestors' ancient quest. Along the way, she meets a demi-god named Maui, and together they have the adventure of a lifetime. Moana already seems like a great (and super-empowered) role model for little girls and will be voiced by Auli'i Cravalho. Suffice it to say the movie will make a huge splash when it hits theaters Nov. 23, 2016.
- DirectorDavid LoweryStarsBryce Dallas HowardRobert RedfordOakes FegleyThe adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who happens to be a dragon.Remember Walt Disney's 1977 version of Pete's Dragon, about a live-action boy and his animated dragon buddy? Well, it's being rebooted for an Aug. 12, 2016, release date, and some pretty famous faces are getting on board. We're talking the likes of Robert Redford, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Wes Bentley, who are joining forces to put a new, non-musical spin on the beloved childhood classic. And yes, Elliot the Dragon is CGI.
- DirectorTony BancroftScott Christian SavaJaime MaestroStarsEmily BluntDanny DeVitoJohn KrasinskiA family must use a magical box of Animal Crackers to save a run-down circus from being taken over by their evil uncle Horatio P. Huntington.Husband and wife duo John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are teaming up alongside Raven-Symoné, Sir Ian McKellen, and Sylvester Stallone (oh, and Danny DeVito!) to bring you this film about a mysterious box of Animal Crackers that turn people into the animal they've eaten. What could go wrong? With an all-star cast including a knight, it's safe to assume this movie will be a joy for kids and parents alike. It will also give everyone cravings for crackers with tails.
- DirectorTrevor WallLisa OrtizStarsRob SchneiderHeather GrahamKen JeongWhen a real estate development invades his Arctic home, Norm and his three lemming friends head to New York City, where Norm becomes the mascot of the corporation in an attempt to bring it down from the inside and protect his homeland.There's nothing more fun than movies where fleets of animals accidentally end up roving big cities, and Norm is getting in on the action. This polar bear ends up in NYC with his lemming buddies and finds out that there's more to the company he's working for than meets the eye. Will Norm save the day? Well, this is a children's film about a polar bear. So, you draw your conclusions. Norm of the North hits theaters sooner than later, with a release date of Jan. 15, 2016.