2017 Family Friendly Movies

It's time for my favorite post of the year: my annual list of family-friendly movie releases! Every year, I take a couple hours and put together a list of all the family-friendly movies that will be coming out for the year (you can check out past lists here). This really is my favorite post because I truly love going to the movies with my family. There is no shortage of kid-friendly movies coming out in 2017!  I have 20 on the list! I think it's the most I have ever posted! This year we have everything from the return of Lightning McQueen to the much-anticipated live-action Beauty and the Beast and more minions. 2017 is jam-packed of kid-friendly movie fun!!

This movie release list is posted by month with release dates as of 01/03/2017. Remember, release dates are subject to change and I will update my list accordingly! This list includes movies with a G and PG rating. Let's get the fun started:

JANUARY

Monster Trucks  01/13/2017

Looking for any way to get away from the life and town he was born into, Tripp (Lucas Till), a high school senior, builds a monster truck from bits and pieces of scrapped cars. After an accident at a nearby oil-drilling site displaces a strange and subterranean creature with a taste and a talent for speed, Tripp may have just found the key to getting out of town with a most unlikely friend.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQrj2M-2Uiw

A Dog's Purpose  01/22/2017

A devoted dog (Josh Gad) discovers the meaning of its own existence by showing humans how to laugh and love over the course of several lifetimes.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jLOOCADTGs

FEBRUARY

The LEGO Batman Movie, 02/10/2017

There are big changes brewing in Gotham, but if Batman (Will Arnett) wants to save the city from the Joker's hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omq74wC1erg


Rock Dog, 02/24/2017

A mastiff (Luke Wilson) leaves his Tibetan village to pursue his dream of becoming a rock 'n' roll star.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGsUHbq3yUY


MARCH

Beauty and the Beast, 03/17/2017    

I AM SUPER EXCITED FOR THIS MOVIE!!!!

Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast (Dan Stevens) in its castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast's hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omEtQlhhM64

Power Rangers, 03/24/2017

Five teens (Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler) utilize their special powers to save the world from an alien threat.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPl-afeXTS8

Boss Baby, 03/31/2017

A wildly imaginative 7-year-old (Miles Bakshi) clashes with his demanding newborn brother (Alec Baldwin).

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxNnbilJ2ts

APRIL

Smurfs, The Lost Village,   04/07/2017

With the evil wizard Gargamel (Rainn Wilson) hot on their trail, Smurfette (Demi Lovato), Brainy (Danny Pudi), Clumsy (Jack McBrayer) and Hefty (Joe Manganiello) embark on a journey through the Forbidden Forest to find a mysterious village.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x6LiTq8Vik

MAY

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul,  05/19/2017

A family road trip to grandma's 90th birthday celebration takes a wrong turn when a boy (Jason Ian Drucker) hatches his latest scheme to become famous.

Official Trailer: Not Available Yet

JUNE

Captain Underpants, 06/02/2017

A principal (Ed Helms) transforms into the superhero Captain Underpants after two children hypnotize him.

Official Trailer: Not available yet

Cars 3, 06/16/2017

Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) enlists his new friend as a technician to help him compete against a new generation of racers.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suv-5HOi6pc

Despicable Me 3, 06/30/2017

Gru (Steve Carell) and his wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) must stop former '80s child star Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker) from achieving world domination.

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DBi41reeF0

AUGUST

The Emoji Movie, 08/04/2017

The Emoji Movie is an upcoming 2017 American 3D computer-animated film directed by Tony Leondis and written by Leondis, Eric Siegel and Mike White. 

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_8cbx_jOmw

Nut Job 2, 08/18/2017

Surly (Will Arnett) the squirrel and his animal friends spring into action when the evil mayor (Bobby Moynihan) of Oakton plans to bulldoze the park that they live in.

Official Trailer: not available yet

BLAZING SAMURAI, 08/25/2017

Blazing Samurai is an upcoming American computer-animated action comedy film directed by Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier and written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.

Official Trailer: not available yet

SEPTEMBER 

The LEGO Ninjago Movie

Ninjas, samurais, and sensei fight side-by-side against dragons, armies of snake men, and a once-banished warlord who is now seeking to return to power

Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1PJ_OCYIN8

NOVEMBER

COCO, 11/22/2017

Coco follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who sets off a chain of events relating to a century-old mystery, leading to an extraordinary family reunion.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC1vUdr9q0U

Paddington 2, 11/24/2017

Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

Official Trailer: not available yet

DECEMBER

Jumanji, 12/22/2017

In a brand new Jumanji adventure, the tables are turned as four teenagers are sucked into Jumanji's world - pitted against rhinos, black mambas and an endless variety of jungle traps and puzzles. To survive, they'll play as characters from the game: meek Spencer becomes a brave explorer (Dwayne Johnson); hulky jock Fridge becomes a tiny genius (Kevin Hart); It-girl Bethany becomes a bookworm professor (Jack Black); and unathletic Martha becomes an amazonian warrior (Karen Gillan). To beat the game and return to the real world with their lives, they'll have to start seeing things in an entirely different way.

Official Trailer: not available yet

FERDINAND, 12/22/2017

Ferdinand, a little bull, prefers sitting quietly under a cork tree just smelling the flowers versus jumping around, snorting, and butting heads with other bulls. As Ferdinand grows big and strong, his temperament remains mellow, but one day five men come to choose the “biggest, fastest, roughest bull” for the bullfights in Madrid and Ferdinand is mistakenly chosen. 

Official Trailer: not available yet

WHEW!!! That's A LOT of movies to keep us entertained this year! We, as a family, are really looking forward to watching them all!!


***This list will be updated with new trailers and release dates accordingly. I create this list and have no affiliation with any theater, movie company or production studio. This is just for the love of movies!***

2016 Family Friendly Movie List

It's time for my favorite post of the year: my comprehensive list of 2016 family friendly movies! As you know, we try to watch every single one of the movies on this list at the theaters, as a family. We are BIG movie buffs and this list helps me plan out our movie-watching experiences. This list is geared towards families with older kids, tweens and even teens. You can view previous reviews here: 2015, 2014 and 2013.

January:

Kung Fu Panda 3




March 4, 2016

Zootopia




April 15, 2016

The Jungle Book




April 29, 2016

Ratchet & Clank




May 6, 2016

Captain America Civil War




May 20, 2016

Angry Birds



May 27, 2016

X-Men Apocalypse




May 27, 2016

Alice Through The Looking Glass




June 3, 2016

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2



June 17, 2016

Finding Dory




July 1, 2016

The BFG



July 8, 2016

The Secret Life of Pets



July 22, 2016

Ice Age 5: Collision Course



August 12, 2016

Pete's Dragon



September 23, 2016

Storks



November 4, 2016

Trolls



November 18, 2016

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them



November 23, 2016

Moana

 

Release Date: TBA

Animal Crackers




Hope this list helps with your movie planning!! If there are updated trailers released or movies announced, I will update the list!!

Have fun at the movies!! I know we will!

Fall 2015 Family Friendly Movies & a $100 Fandango GC Giveaway

Disclosure: I am a Fandango Family blogger and I was compensated for this post. However, all opinions are mine alone!

As we slowly adjust to our crazy school schedules, it's a little harder to find time to spend together just hanging out. Thankfully, there are lots of movies being released into theaters this Fall that should allow us some fun family time! We love going to the movies and try to see every movie as it released. It's our thing and we are really looking forward to seeing all of these! 

Up first is Hotel Transylvania 2. We saw this over the weekend and we LOVED it. The whole gang is back in this perfect sequel to Hotel Transylvania! It is funny, goofy and I know your whole family will enjoy it!

PAN, October 9, 2015

This looks like it's going to be amazing. I mean, the trailer is breathtaking, I can't even imagine seeing this in IMAX 3D! PAN is the story of a young Peter Pan, a dashing Captain Hook and Blackbeard the Pirate (played by the incredible Hugh Jackman) and their adventures in Neverland!



Goosebumps October 16, 2015

I have a feeling that they are gong to do right by R.L. Stine with this movie adaptation of the Goosebumps books. I read these books as a kid, my kids are reading them now and really enjoy them. It doesn't seem scary. It seems like the perfect movie for kids this Halloween!



The Peanuts Movie, November 6, 2015

This is the highly anticipated big screen debut of the Peanuts gang! I have been seeing this and other trailers for this movie for months and we are all super excited to watch the movie. My kids have only ever seen, It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown but I grew up with the Peanuts gang and nostalgia definitely kicks in every time I see the trailer!



The Good Dinosaur, November 25, 2015

We have been waiting for this movie for a while now since the release date kept getting pushed back but thankfully this Thanksgiving weekend, we will finally get to watch The Good Dinosaur. This movie is about friendship and loyalty and you know it will be a tearjerker!

WOW! That's a lot of movies to check out! Going to the movies can get expensive so I want to help you out! Thanks to the amazing folks at Fandango, one of you lucky readers can win a $100 gift card to go watch any movie you want! Enter below for your chance to win!

Entry-Form

Have you checked out the Fandango Family site lately? They have all sorts of fun stuff just for families such as trailers, crafts, recipes,  momREEL kids and the new MOVIECLIPS series! Check it out today!


Tell me: Which movie or movies are you and your family most excited to go watch this fall?

Printable Inside Out Bingo Game

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutEmotions #CollectiveBias

Have you seen Inside Out? We saw it on Father's Day and my kids are obsessed. I'm glad there is finally a movie that talks about emotions in a way children understand. My kids are in the "tween" stage and it's not easy. They are all over the place when it comes to their emotions, especially Amberly. Well ever since we saw the movie, she is all about talking to us about how she feels, which I am completely OK with. I would rather talk about emotions all day than have a child who is confused and feels like she has no one to talk to. I started thinking about how else we could incorporate talking about our emotions as a family and then it dawned on me, a game. We love playing games together. We have family game night once a week and believe me, we go through a range of emotions from joy that we are playing a game to anger because someone cheated to sadness because not everyone can win every game. Since the movie just came out, I haven't found any board games at the stores, so I created my own: Inside Out Bingo!!

Who doesn't love Bingo? It's a fun game for all ages, especially for tweens! I tried to incorporate as many aspects of the movie as I could from the characters to the train of thought to ice skating, it's all there!! It's easy to print out too. Download the game cards, tokens and call-outs below. Cut out the tokens and call-outs and you are ready to play!!

The cards are sized 5 x 7inches. Print them out on cardstock or photo paper, whichever you have handy!!

              

           

                        

  

                    

         


My kids have loved playing this Bingo game. We have played often and just as I expected, there was a range of emotions displayed throughout the game. The kids even play with their favorite Inside Out plush toys. As we play, I ask them which emotion they are feeling and they grab the respective toy if they are feeling angry, sad, joy, etc. I then take the opportunity to ask Why? and they actually answer me. They feel better once they can put into words exactly how they feel and family game night has gone by a lot smoother!

Aren't those plush toys cute? They are available exclusively at Walmart in the toy aisles!

What interesting things have you come up with to get your kids to talk to you about their emotions? Games? Crafts? Please share!!

Inspired by Mi Familia (My Family)

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign with DiMe Media and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. However, all opinions expressed are my own. #McFarlandUSA #MiFamilia

Love? Support? Fun? Encouragement? I get all of these from my family (mi familia) on a daily basis. Family is the most important to me. I am all about family. I am with these four people as much as I possibly can. We are a blended family, two sub-units that work very hard to blend as one.  We are there for one another and work hard (together) towards our goals. My family inspires me to work hard. They inspire me to chase my dreams and in turn, I serve as a role model for them to follow their dreams. 

Professional Athlete? Actor? Teacher? Claro, que si! My kids can grow up to be whatever they want. Pursue your passions. Don't settle. Know that you can take a leap of faith and succeed! Believe in yourselves and in each other. Giving up is not an option! We support each other's passions as a family. Adrian has a game? We are there cheering him on. One of Amberly's paintings is up at a gallery? I'm there and talking to everyone there about how amazing it is. Gian Carlo wants to watch the latest musical or learn a new dance? You know I am online looking for tickets or on YouTube looking for a tutorial. Support! Support! Support!

Sometimes, I know they get tired of me talking about supporting each other so we will watch a TV show or movie about family. The latest was Disney's McFarland USA. Champions can come from anywhere!!

Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from predominantly Mexican-American McFarland High School, in McFarland, California, the film stars Kevin Costner as Jim White, the school's coach, who leads the team to win a state championship. The common themes from the movie are inspiration and family and how these two combine to motivate these unlikely athletes to a fantastic victory. The story is not only about a personal sports victory, but how a community was inspired to keep pursuing their dreams in a new country as well. 

Now available for the first time on Blu-ray Comb Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere! 

We loved this movie and I know your family will also. Enter below for your chance to win a copy of McFarland USA on Blu-Ray/DVD! Giveaway ends 06/10/2015!

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Tell me: How does your familia inspire you to follow your dreams?

Follow McFarlandUSA on Facebook for more fun!

A video posted by Ida Arias (@scggirl) on Jun 4, 2015 at 7:59am PDT

DIY Captain America String Art

Disclosure: I am a Fandango Family blogger. I have been compensated for this post however, all opinions are mine alone.

Guys, we are getting closer and closer to the release of Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron and here at Casa Second Chances Girl we are super excited for the release! In anticipation of the movie's release on Friday May 1st, we have been working on different Avengers themed crafts and today I want to share Adrian's favorite: a DIY Captain America String Art. This project was easy and fun to make and only took under an hour to complete. This is the perfect project for the Avengers fan in your life!!

For this string art, all you need is a sqaure board (we chose a 12in x 12in board), thread (blue, red and white), blue paint, paintbrush, small nails (we used 16 gauge, 1-1/4 nails) and a hammer.

First step is to paint the board. I only did one coat so it looks a little distressed. Then lightly trace the shield pattern on the board and start hammering the nails on the traced lines. Space the nails about 1/4 inch apart. 

Now comes the fun part: adding the string! Start with the outer row of the shield. Make a small knot at one end of the string and string around one nail. Now, string from nail to nail, in any geometrical pattern you want (that's the fun part about string art) all the way around until you are back at the nail with the knotted end. I suggest you add at least two layers of string per section.

Now move on to the star. Use your white string, do your knot, and string from point to point of the star. Then go back and fill in the star. End with a knot.

Now go back to the red string on the circle around the star. Remember, the Captain America shield pattern of colors is red, white, red,blue and then white.

We didn't add the blue string since our board is painted blue. I love how it came out and Adrian is proudly displaying it in his room! Now we just need to create a string art for Hulk, Iron-Man and Thor!!

Tomorrow is the big day! Make sure to check out Fandango for movie trailers, tickets and insider fun for Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron!

As you know, I am a member of the fandango Family and over on their site, there is some amazing Avengers content and there are also other bloggers sharing incredible Avengers themed DIY's like DIY Hero Sandwiches and an Avengers party! Make sure to go check them out!

Oh and here's a  SPECIAL OFFER: 

Now thru May 11th, Fandango VIPs (our free membership program) will get a free Digital Comic Download with their ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ ticket purchase. Offer is valid through May 11th, while supplies last.

DIY Avengers Masks

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AvengersUnite #CollectiveBias

It's almost here! The movie my family and I have been waiting patiently for for the last three years for: MARVEL's The Avengers: Age of Ultron!!! As you know, we are HUGE Marvel fans in our home and we are ready for the movie's release on Friday, May 1st. Actually, we will be watching the movie on our cruise!! While we have been waiting for the second movie, we have been playing with our action figures, watching and re-watching The Avengers and creating fun crafts like these DIY Avengers Masks!

I first made these masks for Adrian's 6th birthday party and decided that they needed a reboot now that The Avengers: Age of Ultron is about to come out. This is an easy craft and so fun to make. You just need a couple items, kids and imagination.

DIY Avengers Masks

Per mask:

2 sheets of felt 

(royal blue and white for Captain America, red and yellow for Iron-Man and dark green and black for Hulk)

Scissors

Patterns (download here)

Glue Gun

Elastic

Let's start with Captain America! Place your pattern over the felt and trace with a sharpie. Cut around your tracing. 

NOTE: These patterns are sized for 7-8 year olds.

Download Captain America pattern here

Cut out an A from the white felt and glue to the middle of the Captain America mask.  To measure the elastic: grab the elastic and wrap around the back of your child's head from temple to temple. Cut about 1/2 inch shorter than what you measured. (All kid's head sizes are different so I suggest you measure each child.)

Flip the mask around and glue the elastic to the edges right by the eye holes and VOILA! you have your mask! Told you it was easy!

Each mask is going to have different features. The Hulk mask is going to need a strip of black felt on top for hair and 2 smaller strips for eyebrows.

Download Hulk pattern here

Iron Man is two separate patterns that need to be traced and cut out. Glue the yellow felt on top of the red felt.

Download Iron Man pattern here

Here are my Avengers in action sporting their new masks! Yes, even JC gets in on the fun!

I am loving all the new merchandise available in store. While I was at Walmart the other day, I picked up Avengers t-shirts for the boys and the Hulk and Iron-Man hands. 

They also had the Avengers on the kids favorite treats. Of course, I bought them and they have been included in daily lunchbox packing!!

I have my very own Hulk and Iron-Man!

Of course, you can't buy giant hands and make superhero masks and not expect this:

I purchased all the supplies for the masks, the treats, shirts and giant hands at Walmart! Be on the lookout, The Avengers are all over the store!!

Oh and one more goody for you: While you are waiting for the movie's release on Friday, May 1st, be sure to check out the new app: Super Heroes Assemble available on iTunes and Google Play!

About the APP: Avengers fans, it's time to Assemble again. With Super Heroes Assemble, turn your phone into a portal to exclusive Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron content. Keep up to date with the latest movie and behind-the-scenes action. Plus, scan Avengers displays at Walmart and Walmart.com to become your favorite Avenger, explore a Hulkbuster training facility in a cool 360 degree interactive space and to bring Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron characters to life with augmented reality.

So tell me, are you excited to see Marvel's The Avenger: Age of Ultron?