December can be hectic for families. It’s the festive season and while we’re all trying to ‘Fa La La La La’ our way through it, all the shopping, events and celebrations can be exhausting. It’s nice, then, to be able to take a break from all the chaos and just chill out with the kids watching a movie. There are plenty of new release family movies coming to the cinemas this Christmas season, but December is also a big month for the streaming services, with some of the best family movies coming to the small screen this Christmas.
Best family movies coming to the small screen
In between the festive treats and eats, it can be nice to put your feet up and watch a movie. You’ll find a whole host of family-friendly and fun on the streaming services this month.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Out Now on Disney+)
This all-new Diary of a Wimpy Kid film hit Disney+ on December 2. It’s an animated film based on the second novel of Jeff Kinney’s popular book series. This movie focuses on main character Greg Heffley’s relationship with his brother, Roderick. Roderick is a lazy high school student who loves to torment Greg, but the two ultimately need each other more than they realise.
DC League of Super-Pets (Out Now on Google Play, Apple TV and Prime Video)
Appearing on … DC League of Super-Pets was originally released as a feature film in cinemas in September. This action-adventure features the duo Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. The story follows Super-Dog Kypto as he tries to rescue Superman and the rest of the League.
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (Out Now on Google Play, YouTube, Apple TV, Prime Video and Fetch TV)
If mightn’t have got the best reviews when it opened in cinemas earlier this year, but Paw of Fury: The Legend of Hank is a comedy offering kids will likely enjoy during the festive season. Michael Cera voices hard-on-his-luck hound, Hank. Hank finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them against a ruthless villain’s evil plot to wipe their village of the map. With the assistance of a reluctant teacher, Hank trains as a samurai and teams up with the villagers to save the day. Other voices in this animated film include Samuel L Jackson, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks, George Takei and Michelle Yeoh.
Night At The Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again (December 9, Disney+)
Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again is a 2022 animated film directed by Matt Danner and written by Ray DeLaurentis and William Schifrin. A sequel to Secret of the Tomb, it is the first animated film in the Night at the Museumfilm series and the fourth installment overall. The film follows Nick Daley, the son of Larry Daley, as he becomes night guard at the Museum of Natural History the film will include Kahmunrah, the antagonist of the second film.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (December 9, Netflix)
Guillermo del Toro is a frontrunner in the Oscar race for animated feature thanks to his long-in-the-works passion project, Pinocchio. From Variety’s review: “After Disney’s dismal remake earlier this year there may be little collective appetite for another Pinocchio film, but del Toro’s version, set in Fascist Italy, is eccentric and imaginative enough to make us hungry again. Aesthetically and narratively, this is a ‘Pinocchio’ that credits its young audience with eminently grownup taste and intelligence … This is a rare children’s entertainment that isn’t afraid to perplex kids as much as it enchants them.” The voice cast includes Ewan McGregor, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton.
Matilda: The Musical (December 25, Netflix)
A new, musical version of the beloved Roald Dahl novel is coming to Netflix this Christmas. Alisha Weir stars as Matilda Wormwood, a brilliant little girl who has been oppressed by both her unloving parents and the principal of her school. Emma Thompson plays the cruel headmaster, Miss Trunchbull, who makes it her personal goal to terrorize Matilda. Luckily, the extraordinary child is able to overcome her unfortunate circumstances with the help of her kind teacher, Miss Honey. The musical also features 13 original songs.
What streaming services do you use? Will you be watching any of these family movies?
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