The Movies4Kids Winter Preview
Want to know what movies to take the kids to this winter? Here’s the Movies4Kids pick of the blockbusters, kids movies and family films to catch before the end of 2017…
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Thor: Ragnarok (12A)
UK release: October 24, US release: November 3
The third Thor movie has our favourite muscular god (Chris Hemsworth) teaming up with Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk to take on the all-powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett) in a battle to save civilisation. Taika Waititi, who made the fantastic Hunt For The Wilderpeople, directs a cast that also includes Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange and Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster.
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Pokemon The Movie: I Choose You (U)
UK release: November 5 and 6 only
Fans of Pokemon in the UK and Europe have just two days to catch this animated movie in cinemas that tells the story of how Ash and Pikachu met. There are bonuses if you catch it in cinemas, too – if you see the film in a UK cinema, you’ll be given a QR code to unlock Ash’s Pikachu in the upcoming Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon games (launched on November 17), though please do note there are limited numbers. Moviegoers will also receive a special movie-themed mini issue of the Official Pokemon Magazine.
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Paddington 2 (U)
UK release: November 10, US release January 12, 2018
The marmalade-loving bear from Peru is back to create more havoc in the lives of the Brown family in this adventure. This time, Paddington is on the trail of a thief but ends up imprisoned himself alongside Brendan Gleeson’s Knuckles McGinty. Hugh Grant is sure to provide many of the laughs as caddish actor Phoenix Buchanan, and is joined by returning cast members Peter Capaldi, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington.
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Justice League (12A)
UK & US release: November 17
While Batman V Superman was a dull disappointment, the terrific Wonder Woman movie from the summer makes this DC Comics adventure much more appealing. The warrior princess (Gal Gadot) and Batman (Ben Affleck) team up to face an enemy threatening the planet, and enlist the help of superheroes Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) for the final battle.
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The Star (U)
UK release: November 24, US release: November 17
An animated movie telling the story of the first Christmas from the point of view of a donkey named Bo. He teams up with a sheep called Ruth and Dave the dove to go on an adventure that leads them to meet three camels and some stable animals, before they end up becoming accidental heroes in the famous story of the birth of Jesus. Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez voice Joseph and Mary, while Christopher Plummer, Oprah Winfrey, Ving Rhames, Steven Yeun and Kelly Clarkson also provide vocal talent.
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Olaf's Frozen Adventure (U)
UK release: November 25th
Not a movie release as such, but a 21-minute mini adventure for Frozen fans. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, featuring four new songs, follows snowman Olaf as he teams up with Sven to find the best parts of Christmas to celebrate with his friends Elsa and Anna. In the UK, it will be shown at screenings of the re-released Frozen over the weekend of November 25th and 26th only.
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The Man Who Invented Christmas (PG)
UK release: December 1, US release: November 22
Dan Stevens stars as Charles Dickens in this comedy drama about how the author came to write A Christmas Carol. Desperate for money after two of his novels flop and cursed with writer’s block, Charles takes inspiration from the people around him and imagines Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer) come to life as he creates the story of the world’s most famous miser.
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Wonder (PG)
UK release: December 1, US release: November 17
Have the tissues handy for this drama based on the children’s book of the same name. It’s the story of Auggie, a 10-year-old boy with a facial deformity, who decides he wants to go to school in the hope he will be treated like everyone else. Jacob Tremblay (who was so marvellous in Room) stars as Auggie, alongside Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts as his parents.
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The Muppet Christmas Carol (U)
UK re-release: December 6
Made 25 years ago, this remains the most fun adaptation of Dickens’ classic Christmas story and it is getting a welcome seasonal re-release in UK cinemas. The Great Gonzo stars as the author, while Kermit the Frog is Bob Crachit, Miss Piggy is his wife, Fozzie Bear is Fozziewig and, best of all, Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. Packed with jokes and songs, this really is the best family Christmas movie of all time.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG)
UK release: December 14, US release: December 15
The follow-up to 2015’s The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi (aka Episode VIII) picks up the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley), who we last saw on a mountainside having found reclusive Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Adam Driver (as Kylo Ren, aka the man who killed Han Solo), John Boyega (former stormtrooper Finn), and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) also return, alongside the greatly missed Carrie Fisher, in her final performance as Princess Leia.
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Ferdinand (U)
UK release: December 16, US release: December 15
Based on the children’s book The Story of Ferdinand, this animated comedy drama tells the story of gentle bull Ferdinand and his adventures when he is captured and forced to be in a bullfight. John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez and David Tennant are among those providing the voices.
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Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (PG)
UK & US release: December 20
An update of the Jumanji story, this adventure has four teenagers uncovering an old videogame and then finding themselves transported into it, appearing as the quirky avatars they have chosen. Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan star.
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The Greatest Showman (PG)
UK release: January 1, 2018, US release: December 25
Step right up folks, for the spectacular story of PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman), and how he founded the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. Zac Efron costars, alongside Michelle Williams as PT’s wife Charity, Rebecca Ferguson as opera singer Jenny Lind and Zendaya as performer Anne Wheeler.