Thanksgiving is almost here and with it comes a four day weekend off school. After you’ve seen the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and eaten that last piece of delicious pie, entertain your kiddos with movie outings the whole family can enjoy. Looking for even more recommendations? Read up on the best kids' movies in theaters right now.
New Wide Releases
Coco
The December holidays might be right around the corner, but the latest Pixar movie is all about the festive Mexican celebration of Día de Los Muertos. This winning tale about a boy who dreams of becoming a guitar player takes a magical turn when he ventures into the Land of the Dead to meet his ancestors. The movie is a hit with children and critics alike. PG. Open now at local theaters.
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Here the story behind one of Christmas's most famous narratives, A Christmas Carol, is brought to life as Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) embarks in a whirlwind writing spree to complete the iconic novella in just 6 weeks. Characters he meets by chance on the streets of Victorian London become the characters we all know and love, and there's plenty of tidings of joy and good cheer to go around. PG. Opens Nov 22 in local theaters.
The Star
If your family cannot wait to dust off the nativity scene and start singing Christmas carols, this retelling of the birth of Jesus from Sony Picture Animation might just be perfect for you. A donkey, a sheep and three camels go on a wacky and heartfelt adventure as they follow a star that leads them to the manger where a messiah was said to be born. PG. Open now at local theaters.
Thor: Ragnorak
Though admittedly not for littles, this superhero flick is a favorite among the tweens. Over-the-top action shots, big jokes, and zany antics make this Thor installment one of Marvel’s most enjoyable movies yet. The violence veers cartoonish, but during more serious moments it remains bloodless. PG-13. Open now at local theaters.
New Limited Releases
The Breadwinner
Based on Deborah Ellis’s children’s novel, this new animated feature centers around a brave young girl named Parvana living in Afghanistan in the 1990s. She dresses as a boy to escape attention from the Taliban as she works to help make money for her struggling family. As a way of coping with her harsh life she concocts an elaborate fairytale. The very real themes addressed in this movie make it best for older kids and teens. PG-13. Open now at IFC Center or Landmark at 57th St.
Special Screenings
A Christmas Story
Whether your whole brood can quote every line or you’ve been holding off showing the next generation this holiday classic about a boy’s quest for a Red Ryder B.B. gun in the 1940s, head to Nitehawk on Saturday or Sunday morning for a brunch-time viewing. PG. Tickets and showtimes available here. Ages 6 and up, three children maximum per one adult.
Ernest & Celestine
This charming Oscar-nominated animated tale about the unlikely friendship between a gentle bear and a plucky mouse, debuted in France in 2012. Check it out, dubbed in English, at the BAMkids Movie Matinees on Sunday afternoon. PG. Tickets and showtime available here.
My Fair Lady
Couldn’t score tickets to a Broadway show this weekend? Then why not enjoy an enduring musical, with an all-star cast (Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison) for a fraction of the cost at Film Forum. G. Tickets and showtimes available here.
The Great Muppet Caper
When Miss Piggy is falsely accused of stealing valuable diamonds, it’s up to intrepid reporters Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo to clear her name. Released originally in 1981, this Muppets’ movie—the second full length feature film for the lovable puppets—still holds up. It’s showing at the Museum of the Moving Friday through Sunday. G. Tickets and showtimes available here.
Ratatouille
After working so hard on your Thanksgiving feast you may think you’re done with cooking, but this cute cartoon rat might just change your mind. The Academy Award-winning Pixar film is showing at The Museum of the Moving Image Friday through Sunday. G. Tickets and showtimes available here.
That Darn Cat!
Pint-sized sleuths will love trying to get to the bottom of the mystery at the heart of this 1965 live-action Disney comedy at the Metrograph’s screening on Saturday and Sunday. The Parent Trap’s Hayley Mills stars. PG. Tickets and showtimes available here.
Sign up to receive great Time Out New York Kids deals in your inbox each day.