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Movies

A mom's look at recent kid flicks

Does "Rio 2" soar like the original? Will "Frozen" leave preschoolers cold? Is "Maleficent" as scary as its trailers? Here's one parent's guide to more than 50 recent children's films.

/ 57 PHOTOS

'Planes: Fire and Rescue'

Image:

'How to Train Your Dragon 2'

This image released by DreamWorks Animation shows the character Astrid, voiced by America Ferrera, in a scene from \"How To Train Your Dragon 2.\" (AP Photo/DreamWorks Animation)
Dreamworks Animation / DreamWorks Animation
Image: Angelina Jolie

'Maleficent'

Frank Connor / Disney
Image:

'Godzilla'

GODZILLA, 2014. ©Warner Bross. Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Warner Bros. Picture

'Bears'

'Rio 2'

Image:

'Muppets Most Wanted'

This image released by Disney shows muppet characters, from left, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Kermit, Floyd Walter and Scooter in a scene from \"Muppets Most Wanted.\" (AP Photo/Disney Enterprises, Inc., Jay Maidment)
Jay Maidment / Disney
Image: Mr Peabody & Sherman

'Mr Peabody & Sherman'

This image released by DreamWorks Animation shows Mr. Peabody, voiced by Ty Burell, from left, Penny, voiced by Ariel Winter, and Sherman, voiced by Max Charles, in a scene from \"Mr Peabody & Sherman.\" (AP Photo/ DreamWorks Animation)
DreamWorks Animation

'Island of Lemurs: Madagascar'

Image:

'Frozen'

This image released by Disney shows , from left, Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad, and Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff in a scene from the animated feature \"Frozen.\" (AP Photo/Disney)
Mgortz / Disney

'Planes'

'Smurfs 2'

Image:

'Turbo'

This film publicity image released by DreamWorks Animation shows, from left, Smoove Move voiced by Snoop Dogg, Burn voiced by Maya Rudolph, Turbo voiced by Ryan Reynolds, Skidmark voiced by Ben Schwartz, and Whiplash voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, in a scene from the animated movie \"Turbo.\" (AP Photo/DreamWorks Animation)
Dreamworks Animation / DreamWorks Animation

'Monsters University'

'Despicable Me 2'

'Epic'

Image:

'Oz the Great and Powerful'

This film image released by Disney Enterprises shows the character China Girl, voiced by Joey King, left, and James Franco, as Oz, in a scene from \"Oz the Great and Powerful.\" (AP Photo/Disney Enterprises)

'Wreck-it Ralph'

'Rise of the Guardians'

'Frankenweenie'

'Hotel Transylvania'

'Brave'

Pixar
IA4-114 (l to r) FOREGROUND - Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary), Sid (John Leguizamo), Granny (Wanda Sykes), Shira (Jennifer Lopez). (l to r) BACKGROUND - Silas (Alain Chabat), Raz (Rebel Wilson), Flynn (Nick Frost), Badger- (the flag) (Kunal Gupta), Gutt (Peter Dinklage), Squint (Aziz Ansari) and Dobson (no voice). Photo credit: Blue Sky Studios

'Ice Age 4: Continental Drift'

IA4-114 (l to r) FOREGROUND - Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary), Sid (John Leguizamo), Granny (Wanda Sykes), Shira (Jennifer Lopez). (l to r) BACKGROUND - Silas (Alain Chabat), Raz (Rebel Wilson), Flynn (Nick Frost), Badger- (the flag) (Kunal Gupta), Gutt (Peter Dinklage), Squint (Aziz Ansari) and Dobson (no voice). Photo credit: Blue Sky Studios
Blue Sky Studios

'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted'

CHIMPANZEE

'Chimpanzee'

Photo: Mark Linfield
Image: Film Title: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

'The Lorax'

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Image:

'Secret World of Arrietty'

Left to right: Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and Tintin (Jamie Bell) in THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, from Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures in association with Hemisphere Media Capital. Photo credit: WETA Digital Ltd. (c) 2011 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

'Adventures of Tintin'

Left to right: Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) and Tintin (Jamie Bell) in THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, from Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures in association with Hemisphere Media Capital. Photo credit: WETA Digital Ltd. (c) 2011 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become 'chipwrecked' on a remote island. As the 'Munks and Chipettes try various schemes to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.

'Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked'

The vacationing Chipmunks and Chipettes are turning a luxury cruise liner into their personal playground, until they become 'chipwrecked' on a remote island. As the 'Munks and Chipettes try various schemes to find their way home, they accidentally discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.
THE MUPPETS - © The Muppets Studio, LLC (L-R) Kermit the Frog, Jason Segel and Miss Piggy

'The Muppets'

THE MUPPETS - © The Muppets Studio, LLC (L-R) Kermit the Frog, Jason Segel and Miss Piggy
Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy) in ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, an animated film produced by Aardman Animations for Sony Pictures Animation.

'Arthur Christmas'

Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy) in ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, an animated film produced by Aardman Animations for Sony Pictures Animation.

'Happy Feet Two'

Puss in Boots (voice by Antonio Banderas) stars in DreamWorks Animation's PUSS IN BOOTS.

'Puss in Boots'

Puss in Boots (voice by Antonio Banderas) stars in DreamWorks Animation's PUSS IN BOOTS.
Neil Patrick Harris in Columbia Pictures' The Smurfs - 2011

'The Smurfs'

Neil Patrick Harris in Columbia Pictures' The Smurfs - 2011
Image:

'Winnie the Pooh'

\"WINNIE THE POOH\" Film Frame (L-R) Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
\"CARS 2\"
(L-R) Finn McMissile (voice by Michael Caine), Mater (voice by Larry the Cable Guy), Lightning McQueen (voice by Owen Wilson)

©Disney/Pixar.  All Rights Reserved.

'Cars 2'

\"CARS 2\" (L-R) Finn McMissile (voice by Michael Caine), Mater (voice by Larry the Cable Guy), Lightning McQueen (voice by Owen Wilson) ©Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Film Title: Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer

'Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer'

Image:

'Kung Fu Panda 2'

Image: \"Hoodwinked Too\"

'Hoodwinked Too'

Image: \"African Cats\"

'African Cats'

Image: \"Born To Be Wild\"

'Born To Be Wild'

Drew Fellman
Image:

'Rio'

Rio

'Hop'

'Mars Needs Moms'

Rango (2011) Rango is a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet facing a major identity crisis. After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt -- a lawless outpost populated by the desert's most wily and whimsical creatures -- the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt... until he starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be.

'Rango'

Rango (2011) Rango is a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet facing a major identity crisis. After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt -- a lawless outpost populated by the desert's most wily and whimsical creatures -- the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt... until he starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be.
\"GNOMEO AND JULIET\"

(L-R) Shroom, Juliet, Gnomeo, Featherstone

©Miramax Film NY, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.

'Gnomeo and Juliet'

\"GNOMEO AND JULIET\" (L-R) Shroom, Juliet, Gnomeo, Featherstone ©Miramax Film NY, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
\"TANGLED\"

(L-R) Rapunzel, Flynn

©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

'Tangled'

\"TANGLED\" (L-R) Rapunzel, Flynn ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TOY STORY 3

(L-R) Bullseye, Mr. Potato Head, Mrs. Potato Head, Jessie, Hamm, Barbie, Woody, Rex, Slinky Dog, Buzz Lightyear,  Aliens
 
©Disney/Pixar.  All Rights Reserved.

'Toy Story 3'

TOY STORY 3 (L-R) Bullseye, Mr. Potato Head, Mrs. Potato Head, Jessie, Hamm, Barbie, Woody, Rex, Slinky Dog, Buzz Lightyear, Aliens ©Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Despicable Me (2010)

'Despicable Me'

Despicable Me (2010)

'Megamind'

'Yogi Bear'

Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) reads out the will of Dumbledore and distributes his belongings to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1'

Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) reads out the will of Dumbledore and distributes his belongings to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
Selena Gomez (top) and Joey King portray sisters in Ramona & Beezus.

'Ramona and Beezus'

Selena Gomez (top) and Joey King portray sisters in Ramona & Beezus.

'Shrek Forever After'

How to Train Your Dragon

'How to Train Your Dragon'

How to Train Your Dragon
Jaden Smith as \"Dre\" on the Great Wall of China in Columbia Pictures' KARATE KID.

'The Karate Kid'

Jaden Smith as \"Dre\" on the Great Wall of China in Columbia Pictures' KARATE KID.
Jasin Boland
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