The holiday season is upon us and your kids have already seen “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” enough times to burn the lyrics of ‘Peaches’ into your brain. Fortunately, there are plenty of new family movies to watch – and endlessly re-watch – in the coming months, many of which adults should enjoy as well.
“Trolls Band Together” (November 17)
We kid you not: the ‘Trolls’ franchise is coming back in November — and it’s bringing back NSYNC with it. The latest episode of the animated series sees Poppy (Anna Kendrick) discover that Branch (Justin Timberlake) was in a boy band with his brothers. One of these brothers is soon kidnapped, leading Branch and Poppy on an adventure to rescue him. Fittingly, the film features a new song from Timberlake’s boyband NSYNC, their first in more than 20 years. Try to enjoy the track before your kids get completely sick of you, à la “Let It Go.”
“Leo” (November 21)
Get ready to experience the secret life of (class) pets. In this Netflix movie, Adam Sandler voices Leo, an aging lizard and classroom pet at an elementary school. But when a student takes him home, he “plans to escape to live life abroad,” according to the Netflix synopsis — and the student can understand Leo when he talks. Sandler co-wrote the film with Robert Smigel, creator of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” fame. Nothing brings kids and parents together like Sandman.
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“Wish” (November 22)
For those hoping that Disney can change the style of animation art, your wish was their command. From the directors behind “Frozen,” “Wish” is set in a country whose ruler, voiced by Chris Pine, decides whose wishes to grant. But when a young woman, voiced by Ariana DeBose, makes a wish on a star, a star comes to life and grants it. The film is being billed as a general celebration of Disney given its release for the company’s 100th anniversary and will feature several original songs. Do the thing, DeBose!
“Good Burger 2” (Nov. 22)
Can they take your order? Nickelodeon’s 1997 comedy “Good Burger,” a spinoff of an “All That” sketch, has a long-awaited sequel coming to Paramount+ in November. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell return as Dexter and Ed, who are reunited more than 20 years later. New cast additions include Lil Rel Howery and Jillian Bell, while the film also stars “All That” stars Josh Server and Lori Beth Denberg. All we need now is a bag of chips.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever” (December 8)
The “Wimpy Kid” expanded universe returns to Disney+ for the holidays. The latest animated episode, a follow-up to last year’s “Rodrick Rules,” is holiday-themed as follows Greg Heffley during a stressful Christmas season as he and his family are snowed in at home. It is based on the 2011 book by Jeff Kinney, who also wrote the screenplay. Families can unwrap his gift to Disney+ subscribers on December 8.
“Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” (December 15)
The time has come. In this sequel to Aardman’s 2000 stop-motion film, Ginger, who has a daughter with Rocky, now lives in a bird sanctuary. But when Mrs. Tweedy—who ran the farm in the first film—returns, Ginger and the gang must break into her compound. Much of the original cast has been replaced, with Thandiwe Newton now voicing Ginger and Zachary Levi voicing Rocky. “The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey also voices their daughter. The film is a Netflix original, so the streamer’s long-awaited first Best Picture win is definitely on the horizon.
“Immigration” (December 22)
Illumination already destroyed it this year with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” but the animation studio behind “Minions” isn’t done yet. Their latest project is the potential start of a new franchise: “Migration,” which follows a family of ducks who migrate south but get more than they bargained for after being out of their element in New York. Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks and Awkwafina lead a stacked voice cast. The latest trailer offered the first look at Taylor Swift’s re-recording of “Out of the Woods,” so prepare for viewings that will be split evenly between jaded families and energetic Swifties.
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