The Best New Family-Friendly Movies

If it’s a family weekend and movie lovers are looking for something to do with the kids in 2024, AMC Theatres has that covered with several family friendly movies that will be coming to the big screen soon. From KUNG FU PANDA 4 to the latest in the GHOSTBUSTERS franchise, this is what movie lovers can expect in 2024.

Kung Fu Panda 4

KUNG FU PANDA 4 is an absolute must-mention for a list like this. After a trilogy of films regarding Po becoming the next Dragon Warrior, fans of the DreamWorks Animation franchise get to see the next story, where Po has a new job – to become the spiritual leader in the Valley of Peace.

However, in order to do so, Po must train a new Dragon Warrior, but at the same time, a new villain who can shapeshift into former villains threatens not only his position, but the people he cares and loves.

Jack Black returns to voice Po once again, along with previous actors from other films, such as Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston and more. Also joining the franchise will be Key Huy Quan as a new character named Han, a Den of Thieves leader, Viola Davis as the Chameleon, the new villain, and Awkwafina, who plays Zhen, the new Dragon Warrior.

KUNG FU PANDA 4 opens March 8

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Get ready to bust some ghosts. GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE is coming to AMC Theatres on March 22.

The next installment of the franchise follows the Spengler family returning to New York City where Ghostbusters Incorporated began, but when an artifact unleashes an unbearable cold that freezes over New York City due to an evil force, the new and old Ghostbusters must work together to stop it.

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE is directed by Gil Kenan, and stars McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Logan Kim, Celeste O’Connor, Annie Potts, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Patton Oswalt and Paul Rudd.

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE opens March 22

IF

Imagine if the imaginary friends that children have were actually real – that’s what IF is all about. In IF, the audience follows a little girl who has the power to see any imaginary friend out there, and takes it upon herself (with the help of some friends) to reunite long-lost IF’s (imaginary friends) with the kids who created them.

Directed by John Krasinski (A QUIET PLACE), IF stars Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell, among many other voice actors

IF opens May 17

The Garfield Movie

If you adore that lasagna-loving cat, then THE GARFIELD MOVIE is the one to watch. This adaptation of the famous comic strip character follows Garfield as he meets his birth father, a cat named Vic who grew up on the streets. But instead of the loving family reunion he hoped it to be, he and his dog companion, Odie, are thrown into a crazy heist that not only will make Garfield late for dinner but turn their lives upside down forever.

Chris Pratt voices Garfield in THE GARFIELD MOVIE, and additional stars include Samuel L. Jackson as Vic, as well as Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, and Hannah Waddingham.

THE GARFIELD MOVIE opens May 24

Inside Out 2

Pixar asked the question in 2015, "What if feelings had feelings?" And now, INSIDE OUT 2 will expand on that with new emotions in the brand new sequel.

In INSIDE OUT 2, based on the teaser, we’ll see Riley growing into her teenage years, and with that comes new changes with new emotions, and now, Joy, Sadness, and the other existing emotions in Riley’s mind must adapt and learn how to live with them – including Anxiety.

INSIDE OUT 2 stars a wildly talented cast, including Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear and Liza Lapira as Disgust. Also joining the movie is Maya Hawke as Anxiety.

INSIDE OUT 2 opens June 14

Despicable Me 4

It was once good to be bad, and now it’s good to be bad-ish, at least in this Illumination world. DESPICABLE ME 4 is coming, minion lovers, after seven years.

The details of the plot have been kept under wraps, but Steve Carell revealed in an interview with Digital Spy that it will be family-focused and a "continuation of the story" following Gru, his wife, Lucy, and his adoptive family, and how they fit into the Anti-Villain League.

Deadline confirmed that Carell will return as Gru, as well as Kristen Wiig as Lucy Wilde, Pierre Coffin as Mel and the other Minions, Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, and Steve Coogan as Sila Ramsbottom. Not much other cast information is known at this time.

DESPICABLE ME 4 opens July 3

Wicked: Part One

Are movie fans ready to defy gravity? Because Elphaba sure is. The first part in the WICKED duology releases in November 2024. This movie is the first part in the adaptation of the Tony Award winning musical “Wicked,” and follows a young witch named Elphaba who meets Glinda, a popular young woman, and the two form a friendship that is unlike any other.

But prejudice, society, and more set them on different paths, and it just might change who they become in more ways than one.

WICKED: PART ONE stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and has an impressive supporting cast with actors such as Michelle Yeoh, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and. Marissa Bode

Get Tickets WICKED: PART ONE opens November 24

Sonic The Hedgehog 3

For all the video game fans out there, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 is happening. While information on the anticipated sequel is limited, Deadline did confirm in that Shadow, a long-anticipated character from the "Sonic The Hedgehog" franchise, would appear in the third film, and since he is an antagonist in the video games, one can assume that he might be an antagonist in the film as well.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 opens December 20

With so many family-friendly movies coming out, 2024 looks to be a great time to head to a local AMC Theatre with the kids. Be sure to check out your local listings for a movie time near you.