After feasting on an early-afternoon holiday meal, I like to save the dishes for later and head to the movies with my family. We're excited for some of our favorite books making their way to the silver screen [1] this season, but there are some exciting new tales coming out too. Here's a list of family films opening from mid-November through Christmas. You can watch the trailers, then start making your holiday movie list!
— Additional reporting by Shannon Vestal Robson and Alessia Santoro
Wonder
- What it's about: Based on the incredibly popular and well-loved chapter book [3], the film chronicles Auggie (played by Jacob Tremblay, from Room), a boy with Treacher Collins syndrome who's taking on mainstream school for the first time.
- Who's in it: Julia Roberts [4], Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson [5]
- Release date: Nov. 17
- Good for: Tweens
- Watch the trailer [6].
Coco
- What it's about: A young boy gets accidentally stuck in the Land of the Dead in this Disney/Pixar creation featuring an all-Latinx voice cast. The movie will likely feature ghosts, skeletons, and elements of the supernatural, which could be scary for younger children.
- Who's in it: Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal
- Release date: Nov. 22
- Good for: School-age kids
- Watch the trailer [7].
The Man Who Invented Christmas
- What it's about: A charming look at how Charles Dickens first got the idea for his iconic book A Christmas Carol back in 1843.
- Who's in it: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer
- Good for: Ages 8 and up
- Release date: Nov. 22
- Watch the trailer [8].
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- What it's about: We finally get to see what Rey confronts Luke about, watch Carrie Fisher's final scenes in the franchise, and learn who exactly the last Jedi is supposed to be.
- Who's in it: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill
- Good for: Tweens and up
- Release date: Dec. 15
- Watch the trailer [9].
Ferdinand
- What it's about: Based on the classic children's book The Story of Ferdinand, the movie follows the adventure of the gentle flower-smelling bull as he makes his way back home after being selected to fight in the bullring.
- Who's in it: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodrigue, and Anthony Anderson
- Good for: Ages 5 through 10
- Release date: Dec. 15
- Watch the trailer [10].
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- What it's about: Rather than a reboot, this story of the mysterious game is set after the original 1995 film starring Robin Williams [11]. The plot will feature four teens who must play as characters in the game through an endless variety of jungle traps and puzzles to return back to the real world.
- Who's in it: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black [12], Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan
- Good for: Tweens and up
- Release date: Dec. 20
- Watch the trailer [13].