I Watched 27 New Movies With My Kids In 2025. I Made A List Of Their Favorites

by

I really enjoy my job, and one of the best parts is getting to watch movies with my kids. We’ve seen over twenty films scheduled for release in 2025 – whether at special previews, in theaters on weekends, or at home – and they definitely have strong opinions about everything we watch!

We definitely had some movie nights that didn’t go so well, but thankfully, my kids enjoyed quite a few films this year. From the huge Netflix hit of 2025 to a video game adaptation they’ve rewatched endlessly, and even a big sequel with animal villains, here are their top picks for 2025…

KPop Demon Hunters

To be honest, my kids had already watched KPop Demon Hunters several times before I finally joined them this summer. Although I’ve only seen it once, my five-year-old daughter has watched her favorite parts – Huntrix performing “Takedown” and Saja Boys singing “Soda Pop” – more than anything else this year.

Okay, so this animated movie is everywhere – my kids are obsessed, and honestly, so am I! I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. The animation is just fantastic, the songs get stuck in your head (in a good way!), and it’s got a surprisingly thoughtful story about finding your own way, embracing who you are, and even second chances. It’s a really great film, and I totally get why everyone’s talking about it.

A Minecraft Movie

I didn’t expect much when I went to see A Minecraft Movie in 2025, but it turned out to be one of my favorite films of the year! Jack Black is fantastic in this surprisingly funny video game adaptation. My 8-year-old son, who’s a huge Minecraft fan, predictably loved it and couldn’t stop talking about “Chicken Jockeys,” but I was really surprised by how much my daughters enjoyed it too.

For a while after A Minecraft Movie became available on HBO Max, it seemed to be playing everywhere in my house – on TVs, phones, and even our kitchen’s beat-up Google Hub (which still works despite a drop and some old cereal!). Now, everyone’s eager for a follow-up movie.

The Legend Of Ochi

If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that my kids would absolutely love The Legend of Ochi, I wouldn’t have believed them! But that’s exactly what happened one night last summer. My wife was out, and my kids and I were trying to find a movie to watch. I’m so happy we stumbled upon it.

I recently saw this amazing movie from A24, and it completely captivated me! It’s about a young girl who lives on an island in the Black Sea, and she discovers the sweetest creature while exploring the woods. It reminded me a lot of E.T., but with a really cool, almost mythical, Scandinavian vibe. Honestly, it’s beautiful to watch – a total treat for your eyes and ears. Just be warned, there’s one scene with…well, let’s just say it involves boogers, and it’s a bit much!

Lilo & Stitch

I wasn’t initially excited about the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. But my kids were really eager to see it, so I agreed, and we watched it over the summer. Honestly, I’m not sure who loved it more – them or me!

Director Dean Fleischer Camp did an amazing job bringing this animated movie from 2002 to life. It was funny, touching, and we all enjoyed it so much that we immediately watched it again. It was easily one of the most heartwarming and memorable family movie nights we’ve had all year.

Dog Man

My son loves the Dog Man books, and he actually taught himself to read so he could enjoy them! He was thrilled when he heard they were making a movie, and he insisted we go see it. We all had a great time!

I initially worried my daughters wouldn’t enjoy this cartoon, but I was completely surprised. The whole family loved Dog Man and his adventures trying to protect Ohkay City – it was a very pleasant surprise!

The Bad Guys 2

I took my three kids to see The Bad Guys 2 early Saturday morning, and we all really enjoyed it – even my constant sneezing couldn’t spoil the fun! The animated sequel tackles some surprisingly serious themes, but it was so good that my kids are still talking about it months later.

This movie had a lot of genuinely funny moments, and my kids were especially obsessed with a hilarious joke about farts in space – I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet, but that’s the gist!

In Your Dreams

My kids loved two big movies on Netflix this year: KPop Demon Hunters and In Your Dreams. In Your Dreams, which came out in November, was especially great – a funny and heartwarming story about siblings who have to team up to help their parents. It really hit all the right notes with its emotional moments, exciting action, and memorable characters.

They’ve watched this a few times since its debut, and I don’t think they’re quite done yet.

The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

I’ve been trying to get my kids to appreciate classic animation for ages, and I finally cracked the code earlier this year with The Day the Earth Blew Up! It’s a Looney Tunes adventure starring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, and it’s just a blast – they start by trying to save their own backyard, then end up saving the whole world. Honestly, it kept us all entertained from beginning to end.

If I were to make a list of the most unexpectedly delightful movie characters of 2025, Farmer Jim would definitely be number one. Everyone absolutely loved Daffy and Porky’s foster father.

Elio

I saw Elio with my kids back in June, and as a lifelong Carl Sagan fan, I really enjoyed it. While the movie didn’t do well in theaters, it’s actually very good. This Pixar film kept my kids completely engaged from beginning to end, which is rare!

My kids have rewatched it several times using our Disney+ account, but they still aren’t interested in Carl Sagan. It looks like we’ll have to postpone watching Cosmos for now.

Paddington In Peru

I saw Paddington in Peru with my nine-year-old daughter, and I had to include it on this list. It’s a charming movie, and I have a feeling I’ll always remember when she recognized an Indiana Jones reference – it was a really special moment during this fun, family film.

This is just a small glimpse into the many movies my kids and I enjoyed this year – we discovered and revisited so many great films! Before I finish, let me offer a little parenting tip: make time to watch movies with your kids. It’s a wonderful experience for everyone.

Read More

2025-12-29 19:10