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The 100+ Best PG Movies For the Entire Family

Welcome to our curated list of the best PG movies, a treasure trove of family-friendly entertainment that's been ranked by movie lovers just like you! This list isn't just a random assortment of titles; it's a carefully crafted guide to the top PG movies for kids and families, shaped by the opinions of those who appreciate good family movies.

Our aim is to simplify your search for the next great movie to enjoy with your loved ones. Finding a film that's engaging for the whole family and also carries the PG film rating can sometimes be a challenge. That's why we've compiled this list of the best PG family movies, ensuring they're suitable for a wide age range.

What makes this list unique is its interactive nature. It's a dynamic, crowd-ranked compilation where your votes play a crucial role. If you think a movie deserves to be higher up on the list, your vote can make that happen. This interactive approach makes our list a reliable and constantly evolving resource for discovering the top rated PG movies .

In addition to the rankings, you'll find essential details for each movie, including the director, release year, and cast. This information is invaluable in helping you choose the right PG movies for kids and the whole family.

Whether you're looking for a heartwarming tale, a comedy that will have everyone laughing, or an adventure to spark the imagination, this list has it all. With streaming services like Netflix offering a vast selection of PG family movies on Netflix, your options are endless. Dive into our list, explore the best PG movies out there, and don't forget to vote for your favorites to help others find the top PG family movies for their next movie night!

Home Alone Franchise

The Home Alone  franchise brings into the spotlight Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, as an ingenious boy who defends himself and his home from intruders during the holiday season. These PG-rated movies are comedic gold mines with heartwarming undertones, making them a must-watch for enjoyable family films.

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• # 11 of 34 on The Funniest Comedy Film Franchises Of All Time

Back to the Future Franchise

Within the realm of the Back to the Future  franchise, viewers are swept away on a thrilling journey through time. Starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, these PG-rated films never fail to engage and entertain audiences of all ages as they take a DeLorean time machine for a spin, altering the course of history in peculiar ways.

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• # 42 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

How to Train Your Dragon Franchise

The How to Train Your Dragon  franchise, a captivating animated series, immerses viewers in the world of dragons and Vikings. These enthralling films showcase stunning animation and heartfelt themes, following the adventures of Hiccup, voiced by Jay Baruchel, and his loyal dragon, Toothless.

Jumanji , led by the exceptional talents of Robin Williams, is a thrilling, action-packed adventure movie. This captivating film follows the story of four individuals as they navigate the untamed jungles of the mystical board game Jumanji and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to survive.

• Dig Deeper... Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'Jumanji' That Made Us Want To Watch It Again
• # 20 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 17 of 50 on What's The Most Famous Movie Set In Every State?

Up , an animated, heartwarming story, follows the journey of Carl, an elderly widower (voiced by Ed Asner), and his newfound friend Russell, a young, enthusiastic Wilderness Explorer. This movie takes the audience on an extraordinary adventure filled with laughter, life lessons, and memorable moments that invigorate the spirit.

• # 4 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
• # 134 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 32 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars

The Incredibles

The Incredibles , a widely cherished animated film, introduces viewers to a family of superheroes (voiced by Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Spencer Fox) as they navigate their secret identities and save the world from evil. Rated PG, this action-packed movie brings together thrilling adventures and heartwarming relationships for an unforgettable experience.

• Dig Deeper... 13 Fan Theories About 'The Incredibles'
• # 5 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
• # 55 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Night at the Museum Franchise

The Night at the Museum franchise features Ben Stiller as the night security guard Larry Daley, watching in awe as the exhibits come to life after the sun sets. With an intriguing blend of comedy, adventure, and history, these family-friendly PG-rated films guarantee laughter and fun for all ages.

• # 52 of 155 on The 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies
• # 58 of 188 on The 180+ Top Kids Movies
• # 15 of 34 on The Funniest Comedy Film Franchises Of All Time

The Karate Kid Franchise

The ever-popular Karate Kid  franchise showcases how the power of friendship and dedication can unlock incredible potential. Watch as young Daniel (Ralph Macchio) trains under Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), learning valuable life lessons together while navigating challenges, all wrapped in a PG-rated film series suitable for family consumption.

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• # 47 of 104 on The Best Film Franchises, Ranked

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride , a whimsical tale brimming with romance, adventure, and dynamic characters, is a good PG-rated film for families to share. This classic movie stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and Mandy Patinkin, as it weaves a story filled with love, bravery, friendship, and laughter in the fantasy realm of Florin.

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• # 32 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Elf , a delightful and heartwarming comedy, introduces audiences to Buddy, a human raised among elves at the North Pole. Will Ferrell magnificently immerses viewers into a world where innocence, love, and the holiday spirit join forces to create a unique viewing experience for the entire family.

• # 63 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 3 of 126 on The Best Christmas Movies Of All Time
• # 7 of 155 on The 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies

Holes , a compelling story of friendship, mystery, and adventure, follows a group of boys at a detention camp who unravel a hidden secret. Starring Shia LaBeouf as Stanley Yelnats, this PG-rated film offers a unique and thrilling journey that leaves a lasting impression on both young and old audiences.

• Dig Deeper... The Desert Hellscape Of 'Holes' Really Represents Purgatory
• And Deeper... What Happened To Everyone In The ‘Holes’ Cast?
• # 36 of 155 on The 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies

The Sandlot

The Sandlot , an unforgettable coming-of-age story, centers around a group of friends who love baseball and their adventures during one summer. This much-loved film resonates with values such as teamwork, problem-solving, and camaraderie while entertaining viewers with nostalgic joy.

• Dig Deeper... These Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'The Sandlot' Are Just As Wholesome As The Film Itself
• And Deeper... What Ever Happened To All The Kids From The Sandlot?
• # 80 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a great film by Steven Spielberg that transports audiences into the enchanting world of a young boy, Elliott, as he befriends a lost alien, E.T. Throughout this PG-rated film, their moving tale of friendship touches the hearts of all ages, proving family isn't always bound by blood.

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• And Deeper... Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'
• # 91 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Indiana Jones Franchise

Dive into the daring world of the Indiana Jones franchise, a collection of action-packed movies that started out with two PG-rated films that follow the extraordinary archaeological adventures of Dr. Henry Jones Jr., played by the renowned Harrison Ford. These exhilarating movies combine history, excitement, and witty humor, capturing the imaginations of families everywhere.

The Goonies

The Goonies , a thrilling adventure film, revolves around a group of friends who stumble upon a mysterious map leading to a hidden treasure. This movie showcases themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance, making it a compelling family choice with a nostalgia-inducing cast.

• Dig Deeper... Things You Have To Ignore In Order To Enjoy Watching 'The Goonies'
• # 26 of 116 on The 100+ Best Movies About High School
• # 16 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Shrek Franchise

The Shrek franchise brings to life an unconventional yet endearing tale of friendship, love, and triumph. These animated films, starring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, have enchanted audiences, providing a humorous twist on classic fairy tales.

• Dig Deeper... Small But Interesting Details From 'Shrek' That Prove It's Worth A Rewatch
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• # 14 of 104 on The Best Film Franchises, Ranked

Space Jam , a classic comedy, features basketball legend Michael Jordan teaming up with iconic Looney Tunes characters in a one-of-a-kind basketball game. With a lively pace and playful animation, this PG-rated movie offers entertainment and laughter for the whole family.

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• # 92 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies

Ice Age Franchise

The Ice Age franchise, filled with lovable characters, takes viewers on a thrilling prehistoric adventure in a series of animated, action-packed, and heartwarming films. These family-friendly, PG-rated movies captivate with their engaging storytelling, amusing dialogue, and memorable scenes that will keep audiences entertained every step of the journey.

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• # 36 of 104 on The Best Film Franchises, Ranked
• # 41 of 188 on The 180+ Top Kids Movies

Harry Potter Franchise

The Harry Potter franchise, consisting of eight magical films based on J.K. Rowling's bestselling books, offers a fantastical escape into a mystical world. With an ensemble of talented actors, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, the first four PG-rated films enchant viewers and families with their spellbinding journey.

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• And Deeper... Things You Didn't Know About 'The Chamber of Secrets' If You've Only Seen The Movie
• # 14 of 375 on The Best Movies Based On Books

Moana , a heartwarming animated film, tells the tale of a courageous Polynesian girl on a quest to restore her island's prosperity. Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) embarks on an extraordinary journey with a demigod named Maui (Dwayne Johnson).  Moana boasts spectacular animation, endearing characters, and an inspiring message of self-discovery.

• Dig Deeper... Every Song in Moana, Ranked by Singability
• And Deeper... How 'Moana' Gets Female Protagonists Right Better Than Any Other Movie
• # 17 of 204 on Musical Movies With The Best Songs

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)

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• # 100 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies

Madagascar Franchise

The Madagascar  franchise, a collection of lively and comical animated films, follows a group of unique zoo animals as they embark on adventures in the wild. These energetic and delightful movies engage viewers of all ages with their humor, vibrant animation, and important friendship lessons.

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• # 40 of 104 on The Best Film Franchises, Ranked

Coco , a vivid and touching animated film, centers around Miguel, a young boy with a passion for music. This film weaves an impactful story revolving around the Mexican holiday, Día de Muertos, where family connections and love are celebrated, leaving viewers with a meaningful experience.

• Dig Deeper... 10 Facinating Facts Most People Don't Know About The Dog Breed From Disney's 'Coco'
• # 47 of 204 on Musical Movies With The Best Songs
• # 22 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies

The Chronicles of Narnia Franchise

The Chronicles of Narnia franchise, an extraordinary fantasy series based on C.S. Lewis's beloved books, invites viewers to immerse themselves in a magical and adventurous world. These thrilling, PG-rated adaptations bring vibrant worlds to life and leave lasting lessons about courage, faith, and friendship.

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• # 57 of 155 on The 150+ Best Classic Tween Movies

Cool Runnings

Cool Runnings , an inspirational comedy, recounts the improbable yet inspiring story of the first Jamaican bobsled team competing in the Winter Olympics. Starring John Candy, this heartwarming and fun-filled PG-rated film highlights the importance of determination and perseverance, creating a memorable experience for any family movie night.

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• # 24 of 207 on The Best Sports Movies Ever Made

The Santa Clause Franchise

The Santa Clause franchise, a set of heartwarming holiday comedies, stars Tim Allen as he unexpectedly becomes the new Santa Claus. Each of these delightful films offers laughter and Christmas cheer, while also subtly exploring themes like family, love, and the importance of believing.

Tangled , a wonderful reimagination of the story of Rapunzel, stars Mandy Moore as the voice of the charming, golden-haired princess. This visually stunning, animated film offers laughter, adventure, and excitement, creating a delightful experience for families of all ages.

• Dig Deeper... Every Song in Tangled, Ranked by Singability
• # 29 of 204 on Musical Movies With The Best Songs
• # 13 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies

The Parent Trap

The Parent Trap , a beloved family comedy, stars Lindsay Lohan as identical twins separated at birth , who later reunite at summer camp and decide to switch lives. This endearing PG-rated film delivers both laughter and poignant messages about family bonding.

• Dig Deeper... 18 Reasons The Parent Trap Is Actually Really Messed Up
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• # 326 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Uncle Buck , a heartwarming and amusing film, stars John Candy as an unconventional caretaker for his brother's children. This delightful and memorable PG-rated movie offers laughter and emotional depth while exploring the importance of family connection and understanding.

• # 106 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 35 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 23 of 703 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films

Beethoven , a warm and entertaining family film, revolves around a lovable yet mischievous St. Bernard who finds his way into the lives of the Newton family. This delightful movie offers plenty of laughter and touching moments while showcasing the powerful bond between humans and their four-legged companions.

• Dig Deeper... 18 Grim Facts About The Life Of Beethoven You Never Learned As A Kid
• # 98 of 104 on The Best Film Franchises, Ranked
• # 7 of 19 on The Best Movies About Thanksgiving, Ranked
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67 best pg movies to watch - a good movie to watch, most audience members assume that pg rating automatically indicates a show for kids, but you'd be surprised at how many excellent series can be enjoyed by the whole family, across generations. here are the very best pg-rated tv shows to stream now, whether alone or with the kids according to the mpaa standard..

Perfect Days (2023)

Paddington (2014)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

A Letter to Momo (2012)

The Illusionist (2010)

The Farewell (2019)

The Deepest Breath (2023)

The Remains of the Day (1993)

Howards End (1992)

Leave No Trace (2018)

The Legend of Hei (2019)

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The 20 best PG movies on Netflix to stream now

From animated fare to magical musicals, here's a watchlist the whole family can enjoy.

Everett Collection (3)

Family night is a breeze on Netflix , where you'll find lots of kid-friendly PG movies. There are superhero epics and adventure films, fairy tale heroines and lots of talking animals that move into people's homes. The streamer has numerous possibilities for family-friendly entertainment, including classics like Annie (1982) and newer favorites like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). The only problem is deciding which film to start with. 

Here's your guide to the best PG movies on Netflix.

The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

Ready, aim, fire! The Angry Birds have launched themselves out of their popular phone app and onto the big screen. On an island of high-flyers, Red ( Jason Sudeikis ) is known for his bad temper and furious outbursts, but when a crew of green pigs suddenly appears and seems to be interested in the colony's eggs, Red is the only one who recognizes the porcine threat. EW's critic writes that the movie "delivers a mildly diverting mix of winky meta-jokes and moral lessons, cannily aimed at both the next generation of tiny consumers and their more sophisticated parents." — Danny Horn

Where to watch The Angry Birds Movie : Netflix

EW grade: B ( read the review )

Directors: Clay Kaytis , Fergal Reilly

Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad , Danny McBride , Maya Rudolph

Related content: The Angry Birds Movie : Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader exclaim angry words — exclusive

Annie (1982)

Courtesy Everett Collection

For a more classic pick, it's hard to go wrong with this first movie adaptation of the musical Annie . Annie (Aileen Quinn) is an orphaned girl whisked away from a hard-knock life in the orphanage by billionaire Daddy Warbucks (Albert Finney), who is looking to improve his public image. Longing to be reunited with her parents, Warbucks tries to use his influence to help Annie, but the search proves surprisingly difficult. With charming performances by Finney and Carol Burnett (as the wicked orphanage manager Miss Hannigan) and indelible songs, it's solid throwback entertainment for musical lovers. — Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Annie : Netflix

Director: John Huston

Cast: Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters , Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Geoffrey Holder, Edward Herrmann

Related content: Carol Burnett reflects on her most iconic roles

The Boxtrolls (2014)

Eggs ( Isaac Hempstead Wright ) is an orphaned 10-year-old taken in by box-wearing trolls in this lively animated film from LAIKA . While humans fear the Boxtrolls, they are a peaceful group who raise Eggs with care. After a pest exterminator strikes a deal with the town council to eliminate the Boxtrolls for good, Eggs is spurred to defend his family. Artfully crafted with stop-motion animation, The Boxtrolls is a delightfully quirky adventure offering something darker than the typical Disney/Pixar fare. — K.J.

Where to watch  The Boxtrolls : Netflix

Directors:  Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi

Cast:   Ben Kingsley , Isaac Hempstead Wright,  Elle Fanning , Dee Bradley Baker, Steve Blum,  Toni Collette ,  Jared Harris ,  Nick Frost ,  Richard Ayoade ,  Tracy Morgan ,  Simon Pegg

Related content:   The Boxtrolls  brings stop-motion animation back into the light

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)

In Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie , fourth-grade pranksters George ( Kevin Hart ) and Harold ( Thomas Middleditch ) are at risk of being put in separate classes, so they hypnotize their grouchy principal ( Ed Helms ) into thinking that he's the tighty-whitied superhero Captain Underpants. It's not a subtle film by any measure — the villain is named Professor Pee-Pee Diarrheastein Poopypants Esquire. But EW's critic writes that the movie works "because it never tries to be more or less than what it is: A breezily surreal story about two best friends who love pranks and tree houses and drawing superheroes who wear their Underoos on the outside." — D.H.

Where to watch Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie : Netflix

EW grade: B+ ( read the review )

Director: David Soren

Cast: Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Thomas Middleditch, Nick Kroll

Related content: Kevin Hart creates wacky superhero in Captain Underpants movie trailer

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)

Everett Collection

In this claymation sequel to Aardman Animations' 2000 hit Chicken Run , the valiant fowls Rocky ( Zachary Levi ) and Ginger ( Thandiwe Newton ) are living peacefully after escaping from Mrs. Tweedy's farm. But soon a new threat arises: a modernized poultry processing plant is built nearby, which uses electric collars to subdue the chickens and make them into tasty nuggets. When Rocky and Ginger's daughter, Molly ( Bella Ramsey ), is unwittingly trapped in the factory, it's up to the feathered fighters to mount a rescue. Typical for an Aardman production, the film is full of clever visual gags that punctuate a heartfelt adventure story. — D.H.

Where to watch Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget : Netflix

Director: Sam Fell

Cast: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey, Miranda Richardson

Related content: 'No one in the U.S. would understand it': Inside the making of Chicken Run

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

"It's a story you may think you know," says the cricket ( Ewan McGregor ), "but you don't." Indeed, Guillermo del Toro 's new stop-motion animated version of Pinocchio is something we've never seen before — a dark but joyous story about the virtue of disobedience set in Italy during Mussolini's fascist regime. Fashioned by a woodcarver (David Bradley) grieving over the loss of his child, the little wooden puppet (Gregory Mann) is a rambunctious, willful lad who refuses to be caged or silenced. His adventures take him to the circus, the Army, the depths of the sea, and the afterlife in this impressive Oscar-winning masterpiece. — D.H.

Where to watch Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio : Netflix

Director: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson

Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Christoph Waltz

Related content: Guillermo del Toro explains why his Pinocchio has so much fascism in it

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

If you never expected to see Javier Bardem singing and dancing with a giant crocodile — and, really, who saw that coming? — then Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile will come as a delightful surprise. The film concerns young Josh (Winslow Fegley), who moves to New York City and discovers an amiable croc in the attic with the voice of Shawn Mendes . Naturally, the family finds it difficult to appreciate a reptile housemate at first, but when Lyle reunites with his old performing partner Hector (Bardem), they can't deny the magic that their new friend brings to their lives. (If only the neighbors agreed…) — D.H.

Where to watch Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile : Netflix

Directors: Will Speck, Josh Gordon

Cast: Javier Bardem, Constance Wu , Shawn Mendes, Winslow Fegley

Related content: Javier Bardem is singing and dancing with a reptile, and loving it

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022)

Marcel is a little shell with a big personality in this charming indie comedy. Based on the series of shorts released in the early-2010s, the film centers on the walking, talking seashell as a documentary (er, mockumentary) filmmaker captures his everyday life. After the filmmaker posts videos of Marcel on the internet, he becomes a viral star, inspiring him to go on a quest to reunite with his family. Heartfelt with just the right sprinkling of wicked wit, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On deservedly earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. — K.J.

Where to watch  Marcel the Shell With Shoes On : Netflix

Director:  Dean Fleischer Camp

Cast:   Jenny Slate , Isabella Rossellini ,  Rosa Salazar ,  Thomas Mann , Dean Fleischer Camp, Lesley Stahl, Jesse Cilio

Related content:   How Lesley Stahl wound up interviewing her tiniest subject in  Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

The Monkey King (2023)

Loosely based on a classic 16th-century novel, The Monkey King offers a modern spin on Chinese mythology. A self-proclaimed hero and candidate for immortality, a bold young chimp ( Jimmy O. Yang ) declares himself King of the Monkeys and decides to fight 100 demons to become a god. He's silly and arrogant, but also a fierce fighter, stealing a magic staff from the Dragon King ( Bowen Yang ) that the monster would very much like to have back. A pleasing mix of comedy, adventure, and mysticism, The Monkey King highlights a folk tradition often overlooked in kids' movies. — D.H.

Where to watch The Monkey King : Netflix

Director: Anthony Stacchi

Cast: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy

Related content: How  American Born Chinese  remixes the mythology of the Monkey King

Nimona (2023)

A futuristic fairy tale for everyone who feels out of place, Nimona stars Chloë Grace Moretz as a willful shapeshifter who insists on becoming the sidekick to a knight ( Riz Ahmed ) unfairly accused of murdering the queen. Able to turn into anything as long as it's pink, Nimona glories in the freedom of defining her own identity, but risks being labeled a monster. As EW's critic observes , "The story admiringly delves into how such monsters are in fact created by a society that refuses to accept their differences." — D.H.

Where to watch Nimona : Netflix

Directors: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy

Related content: The story of Nimona , the groundbreaking animated film that refused to die

Paddington (2014)

In Paddington , a talking bear shows up at a London train station looking for a British explorer who was once nice to his family in Peru. The marmalade-lover is taken in by the kindly Brown clan, but Paddington soon finds himself imperiled when a sinister museum taxidermist plots to stuff and display him. The gentle character from author Michael Bond's book series is brought to convincing life in this adorable adaptation. EW’s critic perhaps says it best , writing, "In honoring a beloved child-lit figure, writer-director Paul King has taken to heart the instructions hanging from Paddington's neck: 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.' Mission accomplished." — D.H.

Where to watch Paddington : Netflix

EW grade : A– ( read the review )

Director: Paul King

Cast: Ben Whishaw , Hugh Bonneville , Sally Hawkins , Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Related content: Paddington credited with bump in sales of marmalade-making supplies

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

The titular swashbuckling tabby cat ( Antonio Banderas ) — a fan favorite from the Shrek franchise — discovers that his heroic adventures have already cost him eight of his nine lives. Suddenly faced with mortality for the first time, the effervescent Puss has to learn how precious his time really is. It's a more sincere and reflective take on the character, but the film is still filled with humor, adventure, and an adorable new addition: Puss' relentlessly upbeat puppy sidekick, Perrito ( Harvey Guillén ). The animation is also top-notch, with a warm, painterly fairy-tale style that makes the Shrek universe look better than ever before. — D.H.

Where to watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish : Netflix through May 9

Director: Joel Crawford

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek , Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh

Related content: Harvey Guillén reveals how Puss in Boots: The Last Wish changed his life

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (2022)

Precocious student Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir) leads a spirited uprising against the status quo in this lively adaptation of the book and stage musical Matilda . The girl's disdainful parents, unimpressed with her intelligence and independent spirit, decide to send her to Crunchem Hall, where the ruthless headmistress ( Emma Thompson ) specializes in bringing troublemaking tykes into line. Weir's fierce performance anchors the magical elements of the plot as she fearlessly stands her ground. The film features catchy tunes with impressively athletic choreography, and the revolutionary anthem "Revolting Children" is especially rousing. — D.H.

Where to watch Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical : Netflix

Director: Matthew Warchus

Cast: Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch , Stephen Graham

Related content: Nominated for nothing: Matilda the Musical 's grade A take on a classic Roald Dahl story deserved more love

The Sea Beast (2022)

In a world where enormous sea creatures threaten anyone who ventures out onto the ocean, it's up to brave heroes like the legendary Jacob Holland ( Karl Urban ) to hunt them down. But an orphan girl named Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) stows away on what could be Jacob's final voyage and discovers that the beasts may not be as fearsome as they appear. Jacob and his protégée must face off against the monsters — both marine and human — in this tale of bravery and heart, which snagged a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 2023 Oscars and became Netflix's most successful original animated film. — D.H.

Where to watch The Sea Beast : Netflix

Director: Chris Williams

Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris

Related content: The 20 best animated movies on Netflix

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a standout in the crowded field of recent superhero blockbusters and an imaginative, stunning sequel to 2018's Into the Spider-Verse. Miles Morales ( Shameik Moore ), a teenage Spider-Man of Black and Puerto Rican descent, is drawn back into the kaleidoscopic multiverse where he meets endless iterations of alternate Spider-People — and discovers a devastating truth that threatens his family. EW's critic says the movie "totally exceeds expectations when it comes to visual aesthetic and character development." (But be prepared for a cliffhanger ending that leads directly into a third film currently in production.) — D.H.

Where to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse : Netflix

Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson

Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld , Brian Tyree Henry , Jake Johnson

Related content: How Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk became the coolest character in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023)

The fifth film in the Spy Kids franchise, Armageddon reboots the series after a more than 10-year absence from the screen. When two married spies (Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez ) go missing, young Tony (Connor Esterson) and Patty (Everly Carganilla) discover their parents' safe house and learn how to become secret agents themselves. The villain is a game developer who's taken control of all technology, so naturally, the kids' familiarity with videogames is a major asset in the world-saving department. There aren't a lot of surprises if you've seen the previous installments, but newcomers will enjoy it. — D.H.

Where to watch Spy Kids: Armageddon : Netflix

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Connor Esterson, Everly Carganilla

Related content: Here's a first look at Netflix's Spy Kids reboot with Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi

Trolls (2016)

If the kids are having a down day, Trolls is guaranteed to pick them up with a dazzling Day-Glo rainbow of cheer. The high-coiffed Trolls spend their time partying in a foam-and-fleece forest where everyone loves fun, especially the peppy Princess Poppy ( Anna Kendrick ). When their community is assailed by the goblin-like Bergens, Poppy has to team up with Branch ( Justin Timberlake , who also co-wrote the film's Grammy-winning original song "Can't Stop the Feeling"), the only gloomy Troll. EW's critic writes that "the movie’s serotonin pumps like a fire hose. It’s almost impossible not to surrender to the bliss." — D.H.

Where to watch Trolls : Netflix

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel , Gwen Stefani , James Corden

Related content: Trolls : How Justin Timberlake, Miyazaki inspired the directors

Vivo (2021)

In addition to composing its songs, Lin-Manuel Miranda stars in Vivo , the story of a singing kinkajou who embarks on a dangerous but inspiring quest from Havana to Miami. When his street performer partner dies, Vivo is charged with delivering a romantic song to the man's lost love, a successful singer ( Gloria Estefan ) who's about to retire. Vivo is accompanied by Gabi (Ynairaly Simo), an irritating 10-year-old girl with a gift for music. EW's critic writes that the movie "sort of delivers as an energetic caper, moving from one colorful locale to another," and Miranda's melodies make the journey worthwhile. — D.H.

Where to watch Vivo : Netflix

Director: Kirk DeMicco

Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldaña , Juan de Marcos, Gloria Estefan

The Willoughbys (2020)

Stuck with a mother and father who neglect and abuse them, the four young Willoughbys come up with a fiendish plot, sending their parents off on a vacation to dangerous places and hoping that they get killed. It's a grim premise, but the appealing characters and vibrant animation make The Willoughbys more uplifting than you'd expect, as the kids determine what kind of family they really want. The voice cast includes comedy powerhouses Will Forte as eldest son Tim, Maya Rudolph as the children's quirky nanny, and Ricky Gervais as the cat who narrates the film. — D.H.

Where to watch The Willoughbys : Netflix

Director: Kris Pearn

Cast: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Ricky Gervais, Alessia Cara

Related content: Why Netflix's The Willoughbys are the perfect quarantine companions

Yes Day (2021)

Stressed parents Allison ( Jennifer Garner ) and Carlos ( Edgar Ramirez ) learn about the liberating power of "yes" in this winning family comedy. Allison's tired of her three kids calling her the "fun killer," so she and Carlos agree to observe Yes Day, a 24-hour period where they must agree to any crazy requests their children make. The kids, led by a pre- Wednesday Jenna Ortega , get their parents to dress in funny clothes, go through a carwash with the windows down, and take a trip to an amusement park, which turns unexpectedly chaotic. — D.H.

Where to watch Yes Day : Netflix

Director: Miguel Arteta

Cast: Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramirez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner

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10 best PG-rated movies streaming right now

When G-rated movies are too tame and R-rated flicks are too much, PG-rated films end up being the perfect choice for movie nights the entire family can enjoy. These movies span a wide variety of genres and are categorized by the Motion Picture Association’s film rating system, which states that they require “parental guidance” due to more mature themes.

Back to the Future (1985)

Your name (2016), rocky (1976), groundhog day (1993), raiders of the lost ark (1981), casablanca (1943), spider-man: across the spider-verse (2023), star wars: a new hope (1977), spirited away (2001).

From sci-fi classics like Star Wars to visually stunning animated films like Spirited Away , the best PG-rated movies streaming right now also happen to be influential genre-defining works that showcase the power of cinema. They offer wholesome entertainment with just the right amount of thrill and intrigue. This diverse selection of the top PG movies ensures that there’s something for every kind of viewer.

Director Robert Zemeckis’ 1980s sci-fi classic follows teenager Marty McFly’s (Michael J. Fox) exciting journey through time after an experiment gone awry. Thanks to Doc Brown’s (Christopher Lloyd) time-traveling DeLorean, Marty is transported back to 1955, where he accidentally ruins his parents’ budding romance, threatening his own existence in the process. As he tries to figure out how to get back to 1985, Marty also has to fix his mistakes to avoid altering the course of history.

• 10 best time travel movies of all time, ranked

Back to the Future is a family-friendly flick that also happens to be one of the greatest time-travel movies ever made . Marty and Doc Brown have become iconic and beloved characters who have gone on to appear in the 1985 movie’s two sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990). Some of its visual effects may be dated, but its heartwarming story and Marty’s entertaining misadventure lend the original film a timeless appeal.

Back to the Future is streaming on Peacock .

Your Name is a tear-jerking anime movie directed by Makoto Shinkai. It’s centered on the bizarre experiences of two teenagers, Taki Tachibana (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and Mitsuha Miyamizu (Mone Kamishiraishi), who mysteriously begin swapping bodies. As they begin to improve each other’s lives, the duo forms a deep bond despite never meeting in person. Unfortunately, their connection is soon threatened by an unavoidable larger cosmic phenomenon.

It’s impossible to talk about the time-travel aspect of the award-winning Japanese film without spoiling its mind-bending twist. All viewers need to know is that it’s a romance unlike any other, proving that love can transcend all sorts of boundaries. Set against the vibrant landscapes of rural Japan and the bustling cityscape of Tokyo, Your Name is also a visually stunning entry in the genre and a great starting point for anime beginners.

Your Name is streaming on The Criterion Channel .

Sylvester Stallone stars as the legendary Rocky Balboa in the 1976 sports drama directed by John G. Avildsen. The film follows the small-time boxer and debt collector as he gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he is chosen to fight heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in a highly publicized match. As Rocky trains rigorously under the guidance of his coach Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), he grapples with personal issues and self-doubt.

Rocky is the quintessential underdog movie that would become the blueprint for future films in the genre. It popularized the rags-to-riches story that’s now a staple in sports films, with the protagonist’s inspiring journey becoming an important part of pop culture in the 1970s. Rocky would also spawn a thriving franchise  and remains an influential fan favorite that’s still referenced and discussed today.

Rocky  is streaming on Max .

Groundhog Day is an important comedy film that depicts weatherman Phil Connors’s (Bill Murray) bizarre story. Assigned to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Phil finds himself inexplicably trapped in a time loop, and is forced to relive the same day over and over again. As he slowly realizes the absurdity of his predicament, Phil goes through an emotional roller coaster while he tries to find a way out.

Directed by Harold Ramis, Groundhog Day was a crucial work that showed how well comedy and fantasy elements could be combined on the big screen. Add an existential message on top of that and it creates a fun, yet insightful movie that reminds viewers to appreciate the small things in life. The 1993 film also highlighted Murray’s serious acting chops, which would later open doors for the actor to get the chance to work on less comedic roles.

Groundhog Day is streaming on Fubo .

A Pixar classic that can infamously drive audiences to tears in its first 10 minutes, Up is an adventure film that revolves around 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner). Determined to fulfill his and his late wife’s lifelong dream, Carl ties thousands of balloons to his house and travels to Paradise Falls in South America. Everything seems to be going to plan until he realizes that young Wilderness Explorer Russell (Jordan Nagai) and a talking dog named Dug (Bob Peterson) have tagged along.

Up starts with a hard-hitting opening sequence that shows how Carl loses his wife to an illness. This heartbreaking experience affects his personality and choices for the rest of his life, but his unexpected bond with Russell and Dug soon gives him a new sense of purpose. Up is one of the best Pixar and Disney collaboration , and it showcases some of the studio’s best visuals to date in support of a poignant story with incredible emotional depth.

Up  is streaming on Disney+ .

The Indiana Jones franchise has seen better days, with its more recent movies clearly trying to capture the magic of its glory days (and not succeeding). For many, it’s the film that started it all that’s still the best, as Raiders of the Lost Ark is an irreplaceable cultural touchstone that’s impossible to duplicate. The 1981 action-adventure film introduced Harrison Ford as the globe-trotting archaeologist Indiana Jones, who’s tasked with recovering the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can harness its power for their own nefarious purposes.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark became a blockbuster that impressed audiences and critics alike with its larger-than-life set pieces and ambitious stunts. It soars thanks to Ford’s charismatic performance as the heroic protagonist who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Ford would reprise his role as Indiana Jones in four more films, including the most recent entry in the series, 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny .

Raiders of the Lost Ark  is streaming on Disney+ and Paramount+ .

“Here’s looking at you kid.” Director Michael Curtiz’s Casablanca spawned numerous legendary moments and lines in the process of telling its romantic tale set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Second World War. The critically acclaimed drama film follows American expatriate Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), who’s shocked by an encounter with his former lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). When she explains that her husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), is in a risky situation, Rick is forced to confront his own past and make difficult choices.

Originally intended to be a mainstream war movie, Casablanca became an unexpected slow-burn success that would be hailed by many critics and publications as one of the greatest movies ever made. With its wartime story blending patriotism and romance alongside mesmerizing chemistry between Bergman and Bogart, the 1942 classic would be remembered as a standout from that era and an enduring cinematic masterpiece.

Casablanca  is streaming on Max .

Miles Morales’ (Shameik Moore) story is expanded through the Multiverse in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , where the friendly neighborhood superhero learns there are many others like him in parallel worlds. Alongside his friend Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and a few familiar faces, they must work together against a new threat that threatens the stability of the entire Multiverse. Miles also learns some shocking truths about himself along the way.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had the challenging job of being the follow-up to the massively popular 2018 animated superhero film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , which breathed new life into the saturated genre. Thankfully, the 2023 movie managed to be bigger and bolder, exceeding its predecessor through both its frenetic, yet gorgeous visuals and complex emotional story. Fans will have to wait and see if Sony can stick the landing with the third and final installment in the trilogy, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse , which is currently in development.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse  is streaming on Netflix .

Star Wars is a film that needs no introduction. Directed by George Lucas, the epic space opera is the first entry in a franchise that’s still thriving today. Later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope , the movie transports viewers to a galaxy far, far away, where a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) goes on an epic journey to save the galaxy from the oppressive rule of the tyrannical Empire. He meets some allies along the way, including the wise Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) and the daring smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford).

Star Wars catapulted viewers into space, where an incredible Western would unfold. The surprise blockbuster hit would become a cultural phenomenon that loyal fans would keep coming back to over the years, with the 1977 movie enjoying a legacy as one of the greatest sci-fi adventures of all time . With Luke’s heroic journey only having just begun, there would be more thrilling action sequences, incredible space battles, and heartfelt moments in store after this significant moment in film history.

Star Wars: A New Hope is streaming on Disney+ and Fubo .

In what is still widely considered director Hayao Miyazaki’s best movie , a young girl named Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) finds herself trapped in a world ruled by gods and monsters. To save her parents, who have been transformed into pigs, and escape this daunting spirit world, Chihiro must be courageous and face the various creatures and their challenges. She does this all with the support of a new friend she meets, the mysterious boy Haku (Miyu Irino).

Spirited Away is a visually striking adventure that has become synonymous with Studio Ghibli. The movie also showcases most of Miyazaki’s well-known trademarks. The 2001 animated film gained international attention for its unique animation style, impressive worldbuilding, and fantastical story. At its core, though, what makes Spirited Away so special is the beautiful coming-of-age story it tells, with Chihiro’s transformative arc highlighting the value of bravery and believing in one’s own abilities.

Spirited Away  is streaming on Max .

Editors' Recommendations

• 10 best R-rated movies streaming right now

Twenty-three years ago, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks created Band of Brothers, the groundbreaking war series that followed East Company on the Western Front of World War II. Nine years later, The Pacific depicted the WWII exploits of several Marines in the Pacific Theater. In 2024, the action heads to the sky in Masters of the Air, the Apple TV+ limited series about the brave soldiers in the 100th Bomb Group during World War II.

Masters of the Air is visually stunning, backed by sensational production design and thrilling battle sequences. During the virtual production, Masters of the Air utilized cutting-edge technology and thousands of visual effects shots to film the immersive aerial sequences. Two talented craftsmen who worked on Masters of the Air were VFX supervisor Xavier Bernasconi and virtual production executive Steve Jelley.

It's Rivalry Week in MLS, which means time for another edition of "Hell is Real," as the Columbus Crew host FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field. Though the rivalry isn't necessarily an old one, this showdown between the league's two Ohio-based clubs has quickly morphed into one of the game's most heated and entertaining matchups.

The match is starting soon, at 7:45 p.m. ET, so pick a streaming service quickly. It will be televised nationally on Fox Sports 1, but if you're looking to watch MLS action live online without cable, we've found several different ways you can watch a live stream of tonight's "Hell is Real" Derby for free. Is There a Free Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati Live Stream?

This Sunday, May 12, is Mother's Day, making it the perfect time to look back and reflect on the mothers in our lives. It's a special day for anyone whose parents are still with them, or even an occasion to celebrate between spouses and partners with children of their own. However you choose to mark the event, Max has shared a list of its top movies and TV shows for Mother's Day.

Topping the list of Feel Good Comedies is Baby Mama, the 2008 film starring Saturday Night Live legends Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as a woman, Kate Holbrook, and her freewheeling surrogate, Angie Ostrowski, respectively. Almost all of the selections on that list deal with motherhood in some way. The only list here with only slight connections to the shared theme is Coming of Age Movies and TV. But look at that list this way: They're just suggestions that you can watch with your mothers or your partners. It's entirely up to you.

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

• Blog: Culture , Movies

Plugged In Movie Awards 2020: Best Movies for Adults

• January 23, 2020

We’ve hit the third day of our four-day swing through our Plugged In Movie Awards nominations, and we’ve come to the category that engenders the most passionate discussion amongst Plugged In staff members. It is, in many respects, the hardest and the most fun category to fill.

Why? Elementary, my dear reader. In choosing movies for kids and teens, the content in our selections is typically age-appropriate and, at least for many families, navigable. But when moms and dads are selecting movies for themselves … well, that’s a different matter, isn’t it? We must balance the need for wise discernment with the reality that great messages can sometimes be found in difficult movies. And that dynamic always makes this an exciting category to talk about.

Our list this year includes some Oscar nominees and some films (with all due respect to the Academy) that should’ve been. And as always, we want to hear what you think, too. Vote for your favorite nominee (right here on the blog, or on Facebook and/or Instagram), and we’ll unveil your selections, along with our own, during our Feb. 6 podcast at thepluggedinshow.com . (We’ll follow that up with a blog as well.) And if you don’t see your favorite on our list of nominees, tell us what you would’ve chosen instead. (All movie capsules written by Paul Asay, Emily Clark, Adam Holz, Bob Hoose and Kristin Smith.)

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" After " opens with some narration about how certain moments in life seem to define a person, and from there, the clichés pretty much don't stop. If there's a defining moment in the life of Tessa Young ( Josephine Langford ), it's either meeting, initially being annoyed by, falling in love with, being heart-broken by, or reuniting with Hardin Scott ( Hero Fiennes Tiffin ).

She's a naïve, inexperienced young woman from the suburbs. He's a guy with a bad-boy attitude and image, who's really just a wounded softy beneath his declarations that love doesn't exist, his occasional outbursts of violence, and a body that's covered in some—let's say—eclectic tattoos. There's a row of what appear to be guinea pigs wearing sunglasses on his forearm. Yes, the romance between these two characters is such that it's all too easy to be distracted by a tattoo.

The movie is adapted from the first book in Anna Todd's series of novels, which might explain why nothing here seems to be on the life-defining level promised by the opening voice-over. Like the most recently popular series of such movie adaptations, there isn't so much an isolated story as there are about three major events, culminating in a final promise that future installments will provide us with something more.

Unlike a couple of the more popular examples of such wheel-spinning romances, there are neither supernatural creatures nor any scenes of kinky sex. The most we get here is a lot of sleepy actors, who perhaps could be mistaken for the undead in certain scenes, and some very polite foreplay.

The story has Tessa going off to college, accompanied by her mother Carol ( Selma Blair ) and her still-in-high-school boyfriend Noah ( Dylan Arnold ), who behaves more like a brother to Tessa, until he gives her a quick peck on the lips as a most underwhelming farewell. When that's the most a soon-to-be-dumped boyfriend can offer, the muted sensuality of her romance with Hardin does seem like a big step up.

Those two, by the way, meet when he's sitting in Tessa's dorm room, refusing to leave, after she gets out of the shower. They later get into a debate about Pride and Prejudice , in which their bickering is supposed to remind us of the famous couple from that novel. We know this because Susan McMartin's screenplay is explicit about the comparison, which is—let's say—a rather bold association.

The two eventually bond over their shared love of fiction books, with Tessa, running away from the prospect of kissing him during a game of Truth or Dare, being shocked to discover a copy of Wuthering Heights in Hardin's bedroom. They almost kiss then and there, but instead, their faces simply hover right next to each other. One probably could chart the progress of their relationship in terms of his face hovering over different parts of her body.

Things do escalate, or maybe they don't. It's difficult to tell if director Jenny Gage is simply restrained by the expectations of a young-adult romance, in which all of the sexy bits are implied, or if we're meant to take the scenes of sensuality at face value, in which case the couple basically undresses a little more with each encounter before cuddling. They do have sex, after the love-skeptical Hardin asks Tessa to move in with him, and there's an inevitable snag in the relationship shortly after, having to do with a couple of Hardin's drama-hungry friends. Much pouting follows.

If a good number of these observations seem to focus on the sex (or the probable lack thereof), it's only because nothing else in the movie rises to a similar level of interest—and definitely not to a level of such confused intrigue (save for some strange, plot-mandated choices on the part of a couple of side players, such as Tessa's mother all but disowning her daughter upon discovering the relationship). Tessa is left mostly as a blank slate, to move with the whims of the story and to react to Hardin's evolving outlook on her as a romantic interest. The performances are consistently monotone, and the dialogue is alternately treacly, in terms of romantic statements, and on-the-nose, in terms of giving Hardin a back story to explain his rebel act.

There's one moment in "After" when the two inevitable lovers dive underwater, and we're left with only the stillness and quiet of a lake. "It's beautiful, the silence," Hardin says upon emerging. You have no idea, kid.

Mark Dujsik

Mark Dujsik has been writing about film since 2001. He is the sole writer, editor, and publisher of Mark Reviews Movies. Mark was a staff writer/co-critic at UR Chicago Magazine from 2007 until the end of its print edition in 2008, has written reviews for various online publications, and currently contributes to Magill’s Cinema Annual.

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Film credits.

After (2019)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some college partying.

106 minutes

Josephine Langford as Tessa Young

Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Hardin Scott

Selma Blair as Carol Young

Jennifer Beals as Karen Gibson

Peter Gallagher as Ken Scott

Writer (novel)

• Susan McMartin

Cinematographer

• Tom Betterton
• Adam Silver
• Michelle Harrison
• Justin Caine Burnett

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Review: Hail, Caesar

The latest installment in an excellent series finds mythology turning into power.

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ | Anatomy of a Scene

The director wes ball narrates a sequence from his film..

I’m Wes Ball, director of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” This is a little sequence in the very beginning of the movie after our trio of apes here, Noa, Soona and Anaya, have just had a little adventure and they’re on their way back to their village, where we get to meet the life of Eagle Clan and where Noa and his family reside, this little isolated existence. And we get to see the way the apes live in this world with their eagles. And and how this ritual of collecting their egg, which they’re going to raise as companions, which is part of the way the Eagle Clan kind of works in their culture. And the goal was really just to set up a world that was wonderful, that was ultimately going to be forever changed when the course of events leads to Noa’s village being attacked for the most part, everything you see here was actually shot with the actors. We shoot it twice, we shoot it once with the actors and all of their little performance things and the camera movement and everything. So we are shooting a regular movie. It just happens to be that these guys are wearing these kind of strange suits along with the cameras and the dots on their face that captures all the performance. And then I have to go in and then re- duplicate those shots without the apes, which is where I choose. Whatever performance I choose now gets dropped into the scene itself. So this isn’t something where we just kind of animate the characters after the fact. We’re actually on location and they’re there in their digital costumes, essentially, acting out everything you see on camera, with the exception of, say, background action, there’s a group of apes in the background playing what we called monkey ball, and just we did that all on stage. So that’s kind of the beauty of the power of this process, is that we can populate this whole scene with hundreds of apes. But we only needed a handful of apes on set. This is Dar, Noa’s mother, who’s a fantastic character, played by Sara Wiseman, who did a great job. “I knew you would climb well.” “He waits.” And this character of Noa here, you kind start to see this relationship that he has with his father, which is an interesting kind of relationship that I imagine a lot of people could relate to. They don’t know quite how to communicate with each other, but there’s obviously still love there. It’s an interesting process where I can take all these different little elements and layer them all together and stack them into this — what you see is the end result here, this little idyllic community.

By Alissa Wilkinson

For a series with a goofy premise — what if talking apes overthrew humanity — the “Planet of the Apes” universe is uncommonly thoughtful, even insightful. If science fiction situates us in a universe that’s just different enough to slip daring questions past our mental barriers, then the “Apes” movies are among the best examples. That very premise, launched with talking actors in ape costumes in the 1968 film, has given storytellers a lot to chew on, contemplating racism, authoritarianism, police brutality and, in later installments, the upending of human society by a brutal, fast-moving virus. (Oops.)

Those later virus-ridden installments, a trilogy released between 2011 and 2017, are among the series’ best, and well worth revisiting. The newest film, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” picks up exactly where that trilogy left off: with the death of Caesar, the ultrasmart chimpanzee who has led the apes away from what’s left of humanity and into a paradise. (The scene was a direct quotation of the story of Moses leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, but dying before he could set foot there.) The apes honor his memory and vow to keep his teachings, especially the first dictum — “ape not kill ape.” Caesar preached a gospel of peacefulness, loyalty, generosity, nonaggression and care for the earth; unlike the humans, they intend to live in harmony.

The teachings of peaceful prophets, however, tend to be twisted by power-seekers, and apparently this isn’t just a human problem. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” directed by Wes Ball from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, leaps forward almost immediately by “many generations” (years matter less in this post-human world), and the inevitable has happened. The apes have fractured into tribes, while Caesar has passed from historical figure to mythic one, a figure venerated by some and forgotten by most.

That there even was a Caesar is unknown to Noa (Owen Teague), a young chimpanzee whose father, Koro (Neil Sandilands) is leader of his clan and an avid breeder of birds. That clan has its own laws, mostly having to do with how to treat birds’ nests, and that’s all that Noa and his friends Anaya (Travis Jeffery) and Soona (Lydia Peckham) have known.

But then one day tragedy strikes, in the form of an attack on the clan by the soldiers of Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), the leader of a clan of coastal apes. Noa finds himself alone, searching for his clan, who have been carted away. On his journey Noa meets a human (Freya Allen) who, like the other humans, doesn’t speak.

At this point in the evolution of the virus, mutations have rendered any surviving humanity speechless and dull-witted, living in roving bands and running from predators; to the apes it’s as preposterous to imagine a talking human as a talking ape is to us. But he also meets Raka (Peter Macon), who believes himself to be the last of the faithful followers of Caesar’s peaceful teachings, even wearing Caesar’s diamond-shaped symbol around his neck. (Eagle-eyed viewers will recall that the symbol echoes the shape of the window in the room in which Caesar was raised as a baby.) Noa learns from Raka. And when he finds what he’s looking for, he realizes he has an important job to do.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is not quite as transporting as the previous trilogy, perhaps because the apes now act so much like humans that the fruitful dissonance in our minds has mostly been mitigated. It’s simpler to imagine the apes as just stand-in humans when they’re all talking, and thus easier to just imagine you’re watching, say, “The Lion King” or something.

But there’s still a tremendous amount to mull over here, like Proximus Caesar, who borrows the idea of Caesar to prop up his own version of leadership. The real Caesar was undoubtedly strong and brave, but Proximus Caesar has mutated this into swagger and shows of force, an aggression designed to keep his apes in line. He is not brutal, exactly; He is simply insistently powerful and more than a bit of a fascist. Every morning, he greets his subjects by proclaiming that it is a “wonderful day,” and that he is Caesar’s rightful heir, and that they must all work together as one to build their civilization ever stronger.

Visual cues indicate that Proximus Caesar’s kingdom is modeled partly on the Roman Empire, with its colonizing influence and its intention to sweep the riches of the ancient human world — its history, its labor, its technology — into its own coffers. By telling his version of Caesar’s legacy, Proximus Caesar makes the apes believe they are part of some mighty, unstoppable force of history.

But of course, history has a habit of repeating itself, whether it’s ancient Rome or Egypt, and in Proximus Caesar’s proclamations one detects a bit of Ozymandias : Look on his works, ye mighty, and despair! “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is set in the future, but like a lot of science fiction — “Dune,” for instance, or “Battlestar Galactica,” or Walter Miller’s “A Canticle for Leibowitz” — there’s a knowing sense that all this has happened before, and all this will happen again.

That’s what makes “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” powerful, in the end. It probes how the act of co-opting idealisms and converting them to dogmas has occurred many times over. What’s more, it points directly at the immense danger of romanticizing the past, imagining that if we could only reclaim and reframe and resurrect history, our present problems would be solved. Golden ages were rarely actually golden, but history is littered with leaders who tried to make people believe they were anyhow. It’s a great way to make people do their bidding.

There are some hints near the end of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” of what might be next for the franchise, should it be fated to continue. But the uneasy fun of the series is we already know what happens, eventually; it was right there in the first movie, and the warning it poses remains bleak.

At the start of the 1968 film, the star Charlton Heston explains, “I can’t help thinking somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man.” You might have expected, from a movie like this, that “better” species would be these apes. But it turns out we might have to keep looking.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Rated PG-13, for scenes of peril and woe and a couple of funny, mild swear words. Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes. In theaters.

Alissa Wilkinson is a Times movie critic. She’s been writing about movies since 2005. More about Alissa Wilkinson

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Review: The Franchise Essentially Reboots with a Tale of Survival Set — At Last — in the Ape-Ruled Future

With Owen Teague as a young ape trapped in a cult kingdom, it may be the first film in the series to connect with the spirit of 'Planet of the Apes.'

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

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“ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ” opens with Caesar lying in state, surrounding by a horde of mourning chimps, as his dead body is covered in flowers and ritually set on fire. The movie then cuts to the jungle, where a title informs us that it’s “many generations later.” In other words, the tale we’ve been watching in the last three “Apes” films — “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011), “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014), and “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017) — is now ancient franchise history. I’m in the minority of viewers who would greet that news by saying, “Thank God.”

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“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is, in effect, a reboot of its own franchise. I’m not sure that the film is going to be any more successful than the previous three installments (or even as successful). It’s essentially a two-and-a-half-hour chimp-in-the-wilderness adventure movie, directed by Wes Ball (the “Maze Runner” films) in the deliberately paced “classical” style of an episodic Hollywood saga from 50 years ago. It doesn’t have a cast of big-name stars. Yet the actors are abetted by the astonishingly organic facial expressions made possible by cutting-edge motion capture, and though the film is too long, I was more than gratified to sink into its relatively old-fashioned dramatic restraint.

Cut loose from his village, Noa meets a wise old orangutan named Raka (Peter Macon), with impish small eyes and a funny way of pursing his lips; he’s a relic who still believes in the teachings of Caesar. Noa also meets a human wild child (Freya Allan) who’s less innocent than she looks. As Noa, the gifted actor Owen Teague makes his presence felt. He displays not just cleverness and nobility but raw fear, an exciting quality to see in a hero.

The three characters team up, but Noa is eventually dragged to the ape kingdom, presided over by a fearsome cult leader named Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), who has stolen the authority — but not the morality — of his namesake. Proximus takes a special interest in Noa, who is essentially a prison-camp inmate, reunited with his mother and friends, who must defeat the empire from within. Here and there, we’re shown signs of the human civilization that’s been destroyed: the carcasses of buildings, escalators, and elevated train tracks, overgrown with shrubbery. Yet human technology is still the holy grail. The ape kingdom is built around a silo, with a closed vault of a door, that contains many wonders within (like weapons). That vault is Pandora’s Box, and Proximus wants to unlock it so desperately that he’ll sacrifice a handful of his apes every day to electroshock the door open.

Kevin Durand’s performance as Proximus, the leering bonobo monarch, is a piece of insinuating theater — he’s a leader who’s made the mistake of thinking everything is about him. And the rest of the cast makes its mark, from Sarah Wiseman as Noa’s heartstrong mother to Peter Macon as the whimsical seen-it-all Raka to William H. Macy as a scavenger who has carved out a place for himself in the ape kingdom like Dennis Hopper’s photographer in “Apocalypse Now.” “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” invites us to embrace the drama of apes fighting apes. By the end, though, in what is in effect a teaser for the next sequel, it looks as if the franchise’s blowhard version of the human race will be back after all. That could be enough to make you want to escape from the planet of the apes.

Reviewed at AMC 34th St., New York, May 7, 2024. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 145 MIN.

• Production: A 20th Century Studios release of a Jason T. Reed Productions, Oddball Entertainment production. Producers: Wes Ball, Joe Hartwick, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Jason Reed. Executive producers: Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping.
• Crew: Director: Wes Ball. Screenplay: Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Patrick Aison. Camera: Gyula Pados. Editor: Dan Zimmerman. Music: John Paesano.
• With: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, William H. Macy, Travis Jeffery, Lydia Peckham, Neil Sandilands.

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Movie Review: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ finds a new hero and will blow your mind

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Noa, played by Owen Teague, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Proximus Caesar, played by Kevin Durand, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Raka, played by Peter Macon, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Soona, played by Lydia Peckham, left and Noa, played by Owen Teague, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Noa, played by Owen Teague, from left, Freya Allan as Nova, and Raka, played by Peter Macon, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Freya Allan in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

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Fans of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise may still be mourning the 2017 death of Caesar, the first smart chimp and the charismatic ape leader. Not to worry: He haunts the next episode, the thrilling, visually stunning “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

We actually start with Caesar’s funeral, his body decorated with flowers and then set alight like a Viking, before fast-forwarding “many generations later.” All apes talk now and most humans don’t, reduced to caveman loin cloths and running wide-eyed and scared, evolution in reverse.

Our new hero is the young ape Noa (Owen Teague ) who is like all young adult chimps — seeking his father’s approval (even chimp dads just don’t understand) and testing his bravery. He is part of a clan that raises pet eagles, smokes fish and lives peacefully.

That all changes when his village is attacked not by humans but by fellow apes — masked soldiers from a nasty kingdom led by the crown-wearing Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand, playing it to the hilt). He has taken Caesar’s name but twisted his words to become a tyrannical strongman — sorry, strongape.

Unlike the last movie which dealt with man’s inhumanity to animals — concentration camps included — ape-on-ape violence is in the cards for this one, including capturing an entire clan as prisoners. Proximus Caesar’s goons use makeshift cattle prods on fellow apes and force them to work while declaring “For Caesar!”

Screenwriter Josh Friedman has cleverly created a movie that examines how ancient stories can be hijacked and manipulated, like how Caesar’s non-violent message gets twisted by bad actors. There’s also a lot of “Avatar” primitive naivete, and that makes sense since the reboot was shaped by several of that blue alien movie’s makers.

The movie poses some uncomfortable questions about collaborationists. William H. Macy plays a human who has become a sort of teacher-prisoner to Proximus Caesar — reading Kurt Vonnegut to him — and won’t fight back. “It is already their world,” he rationalizes.

Along for the heroic ride is a human young woman (Freya Allan, a budding star) who is hiding an agenda but offers Noa help along the way. Peter Macon plays a kindly, book-loving orangutan who adds a jolt of gleeful electricity to the movie and is missed when he goes.

The effects are just jaw-dropping, from the ability to see individual hairs on the back of a monkey to the way leaves fall and the crack of tree limbs echoing in the forest. The sight of apes on horseback, which seemed glitchy just seven years ago, are now seamless. There are also inside jokes, like the use of the name Nova again this time.

Director Wes Ball nicely handles all the thrilling sequences — though the two-and-a-half hour runtime is somewhat taxing — and some really cool ones, like the sight of apes on horseback on a beach, a nod to the original 1968 movie. And like when the apes look through some old illustrated kids’ books and see themselves depicted in zoo cages. That makes for some awkward human-ape interaction. “What is next for apes? Should we go back to silence?” our hero asks.

The movie races to a complex face-off between good and bad apes and good and bad humans outside a hulking silo that holds promise to each group. Can apes and humans live in peace, as Caesar hoped? “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” doesn’t answer that but it does open up plenty more to ponder. Starting with the potentially crippling proposition of a key death, this franchise has somehow found new vibrancy.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” a 20th Century Studios release that is exclusively in theaters May 10, is rated PG-13 for “intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.” Running time: 145 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

MPAA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Online: https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

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Funny animated adventure is just ducky; some peril, threats.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

The plot calls attention to how birds migrate duri

Trips and vacations create moments of family bondi

Mother bird Pam leans into adventure and is a lovi

Main characters are all animated birds; some are v

The ducks are often on the run from predators, som

A juvenile duck has a crush, which another charact

Language includes insults like "chump," "crazy," "

Parents need to know that Migration is a charming animated adventure that follows a family of four ducks, led by parents Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani) and Pam (Elizabeth Banks) Mallard, as they set out on a migration adventure. Mack is an overprotective parent, terrified of something happening to his…

Educational Value

The plot calls attention to how birds migrate during the winter, as well as some of the challenge they might encounter in the process. Jamaica's bioluminescent bay is featured, although no explanation is given as to why the water glows at night.

Positive Messages

Trips and vacations create moments of family bonding, and it's worth taking some risks to experience adventure and try new things. For kids to grow, parents need to allow them to "spread their wings." When all seems hopeless, you have to stay optimistic.

Positive Role Models

Mother bird Pam leans into adventure and is a loving and supportive wife and mother. Father bird Mack is cautious and overprotective, but that comes from the love he has for his family, and he learns to be more open to change and new experiences. Son Dax is brave and shows leadership during a family crisis. When one group of birds meets another group of birds, it might initially seem worrisome, but they look out for and protect each other.

Diverse Representations

Main characters are all animated birds; some are voiced by White actors and others by actors of color, including Pakistani American actor Kumail Nanjiani, Chinese/Korean American actor Awkwafina, and mixed-race American actor Keegan-Michael Key, who adopts a Jamaican accent to play a captive parrot longing for home. Mom duck Pam is brave and determined, a leader in her family. Very few humans are featured, but the two who are seen the most are villains/negatively depicted, and they're White.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

The ducks are often on the run from predators, some animal, some human; they dodge fire, vehicles, people, etc. The frequent peril creates scares that are generally mild and comical, although some visuals can be intense, especially on a big screen. A mean chef is relentless in pursuing the ducks, wielding a knife and eager to capture them to use as ingredients. Family members are separated from each other, with some trapped and in danger. A bird's wings are hurt, making flight difficult. Herons are portrayed as scary -- in a story, they squish ducklings, and one who takes the family in seems very creepy/predatory, even holding a knife. A bird is smacked by a bus and a scooter; characters are hit with a shovel. A caged bird is sad and lonely, far from home. A duck bites a human on the nose. Arguing.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A juvenile duck has a crush, which another character calls attention to on several occasions. Parent ducks are affectionate and dance together.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes insults like "chump," "crazy," "bumpkins," "psycho killer," "stupid," and "trashy vermin." The phrase "bustin' your bills" is used.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Migration is a charming animated adventure that follows a family of four ducks, led by parents Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani ) and Pam ( Elizabeth Banks ) Mallard, as they set out on a migration adventure. Mack is an overprotective parent, terrified of something happening to his ducklings in a world full of predators. He's not wrong: Larger birds and knife-wielding chefs do see the ducks as dinner, and they're frequently trying to escape. But the peril is always balanced with comedy, and the ultimate message is that fully experiencing life is worth taking some risks. One notably creepy sequence involving a heron is shot like a horror movie, and little kids will likely feel the tension even more when the movie is viewed on the big screen. Still, the Mallards get through it, and so will most kids. Language is limited to insults like "chump," "psycho killer," "stupid," and "trashy vermin," and the phrase "bustin' your bills" is used. ( Note: In theaters, the Minions short "Mooned" screens ahead of Migration. It contains comic peril, a Minion who drinks a martini, and a short-fused, silly villain who uses the words "stupid," "dork," and "poop.") To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Based on 47 parent reviews

Good funny kids movie.

Family friendly fun (no agenda), what's the story.

Every winter, overprotective father duck Mack Mallard (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani ) and his family opt out of flying south and brave the elements in their New England pond because it's familiar and safe. But when a gaggle of geese invite the Mallards to join their MIGRATION to Jamaica, he reluctantly agrees to pack the family up and join the adventure.

Is It Any Good?

With little iffy content and plenty of humor, this Mike White co-written comedy is a charming choice for all ages to watch together. Migration is best suited for the big screen: The swooping action and in-your-face visuals put viewers in flight alongside the Mallards. But, with snappy action and dialogue, it's just as entertaining on a small screen -- and, given the fact that the Mallard family's flight is somewhat terrifying to them, little ones may be less likely to feel their fright outside the cineplex.

Like an interesting bird sitting outside your window, the movie is diverting -- and likely to leave viewers young and old in a good mood. The voice cast is talented, and there are nice messages about staying optimistic when all seems hopeless and parents letting their kids spread their wings (literally, in this case) as they grow.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the danger and peril in Migration . Did you ever feel scared or worried for the Mallards' safety? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

The Mallards see their migration as a vacation. Have you ever been on a family trip? How did it compare to the ducks'?

Why do birds fly south for the winter? What are some real-life threats they might face on the way?

How does Dax demonstrate bravery? Why is courage an important character trait?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 22, 2023
• On DVD or streaming : January 23, 2024
• Cast : Kumail Nanjiani , Elizabeth Banks , Awkwafina
• Director : Benjamin Renner
• Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian actors, Female actors, Asian actors, Bisexual writers
• Studio : Universal Pictures
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Wild Animals
• Run time : 83 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : action/peril and mild rude humor
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : April 27, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Our editors recommend.

Rally Road Racers

Make Way for Ducklings

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Travel movies, related topics.

• Brothers and Sisters
• Wild Animals

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

'Tarot' Review: A Surprisingly Scary But Ultimately Forgettable PG-13 Horror

It's still worth going to see this movie just for a certain clown scene alone.

The Big Picture

• Tarot delivers brutal and frightening kill scenes, standing out in the PG-13 horror genre.
• The film falters due to one-dimensional characters and a basic script lacking character growth.
• Olwen Fouéré shines in her role, adding depth and tension to the movie with her performance.

We live in a world where your star sign is considered a stronger indication of who you are than say… your actual interests. Standing tall beside other personal details like what you do, your age, and your height is your horoscope on most dating apps. Want to find out if your crush and you are a perfect match? Don’t bother going for a drink and getting to know them, put both your birthdays and birth times into a zodiac compatibility chart! Even though the ideology of the zodiac dates back to around 400 BC, modern culture has made way for our birthdays to define our personality traits, how we approach love and relationships, and how much we cry.

This obsession with the stars and how they affect us from the second we’re born is a perfect stage for a horror movie . Our fascination with forces beyond our control, and the fact that not everyone buys into them, makes way for a compelling story of fate, destiny, and whether we can change it. Enter Tarot , which was unfortunately renamed from its original title, the much more inventive and clever Horrorscope . Similar to 2015’s Ouija , it surrounds a group of friends, ( Ouija followed naive teenagers, here we have older college kids) who play with dark magic and get more than they bargained for.

Tarot (2024)

When a group of friends recklessly violates the sacred rule of Tarot readings they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death.

What Is 'Tarot' About?

Tarot follows the friend group led by final girl Haley ( Harriet Slater ) who is going through a recent and painful breakup with Grant ( Adain Bradley ), as their communication styles (he’s a Leo, she’s an Aquarius) have led to a breakdown in their relationship. Then we have the comedic sidekick Paxton (Spider-Man’s Jacob Batalon ), madly in love couple Elisa and Page ( Larsen Thompson and Mean Girls ’ Avantika ), and friends who won’t admit they’re into each other, Madelyn and Lucas ( Humberly González and Wolfgang Novogratz). The friends are staying in an AirBnB straight out of a Mike Flanagan Netflix joint and stumble across a wooden box with the zodiac wheel on it.

Inside is a deck of old, hand-painted tarot cards.

While astrology enthusiast Haley is reluctant to play with a deck that does not belong to her as this is seemingly an unwritten rule when it comes to tarot cards, her friends (mainly Elise) pressure her into doing all of their readings . They all seem pretty content with what Haley predicts and they each get a card with a terrifying figure on it — the fool (Paxton), the magician (Page), the devil (Grant), Death (Haley), etc. — but they all go back to college unphased. Then the classic horror trope of “the group gets killed off one by one” — but with a twist. Their deaths connect to their tarot reading and the figure stalking them is the same as the one that appeared on their card. The surviving members must then figure out how to stop the curse of the cards before they all succumb to their… horrorscope!

'Tarot' Is One of the Scariest PG-13 Horror Movies of the Past Few Years

Every month or so we’ll get a horror release that almost always follows a similar formula: a decent budget (by horror standards), backed by a big studio, and a PG-13 rating. And almost always these fail to scare, relying on empty jump scares, obnoxious CGI, and no blood or gore. Tarot feels quite formulaic in its setup — one-dimensional characters who are defined by one trait with the final girl who has to overcome her grief and trauma, and a curse that picks them off one by one. And yes, the dialogue is pretty stilted, rather shameless in its expositional approach, and doesn't really care that the characters sometimes sound like Siri rather than actual 21-year-olds. However, those thoughts are soon dashed when the first kill scene happens .

It’s unexpectedly brutal, with lots of shadowplay, a dark figure rushing at the camera, and a brutal, elongated death. There isn't much gore or blood (in this scene and throughout the film) but it still feels violent and relentless . Seeing such visceral violence and actually creepy attacks have become few and far between in PG-13 horror . Last year’s The Boogeyman didn't go past a few jumps and many of Blumhouse’s recent frights are as scary as a dark Spongebob Squarepants episode. Tarot strikes a solid balance between using audience expectations to scare themselves while still delivering actual horrific imagery.

‘Tarot’: Everything You Need to Know About the Horoscope Horror Movie

Some of the monster designs are pretty straightforward, but there is one that could easily leave you with nightmares . Clowns have become a dubious creature to use in horror as two maniacs have taken up all the space on the podium — Pennywise from the It movies and Terrifier ’s Art the Clown . But Tarot deserves props for its use of a funnyman in a truly terrifying way. It comes when it's Paxton’s turn to face down his demon, and his card shows “The Fool.” As he walks home alone at night, he hears a laugh not quite as bone-chilling as Heath Ledger ’s but one that may play in your head as soon as you turn off the lights.

The sequence then descends into full-blown terror and I found myself watching the screen through my fingers as the clown steps out of the shadows and into full view. Insidious ’s influence is very much felt throughout the film with tall, ghostly figures in Victorian-era clothing with dark eyes rushing at the screen — and a few decent jump scares. While Tarot is by no means at the standard of James Wan and Leigh Whannell ’s modern masterpiece , this stylistic flourish of making its monsters meaner and more humane ensures Tarot stand out from the sea of movies that don't bother to attempt to have their creatures go beyond their CGI design.

'Tarot's Pitfalls Are Its Characters and Script

Tarot ’s major downfalls come in its characters and the script . While slashers and most horror movies concerning teenagers and young adults aren't known for their dynamic characters, the best ones are . It matters if Sidney Prescott survives, you want to see best friend Randy make it out alive so he can reel off another set of rules for surviving a horror movie. While Ouija quickly disappeared from horror lovers’ minds, Olivia Cooke 's lead performance as Laine added a large dose of urgency, making the fairly uninspiring plot feel somewhat tense.

Because horoscopes are used to define one’s personality, they could have been an effective tool to build fully realized characters, each complex and different from the last one. While the reading scene at the start makes some effort — Page is a control freak, Lucas is sensitive, and Grant runs away from those he loves — no more care is taken to make you want to root for these characters . They all, including lead Haley, exit the film with very little growth. Haley and Grant's rocky relationship is the first dramatic event we're told about and remains at the heart of the group, but the film offers barely any detail as to why they broke up — so why should we care if they get back together? Because the kills are so connected to the characters' horoscopes and themselves, a little more effort to shape these young adults into something more than demon bait would've put the film in a much better position. While it still manages to scare, inflicting fairly brutal scenes of violence on characters we have come to care about and understand would've made Tarot go from scary to downright horrifying.

You’d think a film surrounding horoscopes in 2024 would have a ton of clever quips and jokes about Gen Z and millennials' obsession with star signs — but it doesn’t. Hell, 2022’s Bodies Bodies Bodies had a star sign joke funnier than anything muttered in Tarot ( Rachel Sennott ’s conviction as she shouted “Well, he's a Libra Moon so that says a lot is still one of the actor’s best moments). Other than a few “ugh, you’re such a Leo” comments or the boys not buying into this astrology bullshit, Tarot doesn't have a whole lot to say about astrology and people’s relationship with it . Tarot could’ve easily been made 15 years ago in how little it connects to real life and, apart from a few mentions of grief and loss, it doesn't have a lot of emotional heft.

Olwen Fouéré's Performance in 'Tarot' Stands Out From the Rest

Slater’s Haley works merely as a vessel through which exposition can be executed. She’s constantly having realizations and then spouting textbook tarot knowledge so the characters can move on to the next action piece. This wouldn’t be so noticeable if we had supporting characters that came to life , but unfortunately, Mean Girls standout Avantika isn’t given enough to do (she really should have been the comedic relief) and Batalon makes Paxton into a caricature out of Scary Movie .

A performance that does its job and then some comes from Olwen Fouéré who plays the classic “expert who has experienced the curse before and may know how to stop it” character, Ms. Astryn. Before her entrance, the film struggles with its tone, cutting from conversations about their friends’ brutal deaths to Batalon’s Paxton defending his predictable password. When they finally track down Astryn, Fouéré injects the film with some much-needed tension and urgency, widening the scope of the film with dark lore that dates back centuries . The film has far too many expositional scenes but this one is both essential and executed perfectly due to Fouéré’s understated and foreboding performance. The Irish actor will be seen next in Ishana Night Shyamalan 's directorial debut, The Watchers .

Tarot is a pretty forgettable horror movie . Dull characters, a basic plot, and very little to say with its themes render it a fairly unmemorable experience. However, what it can and should be commended for is showing how to scare within the constraints of the PG-13 rating. Some of its sequences are among the most frightening scenes in a PG-13 horror movie of recent years ( we're not at The Ring 's level but we are definitely higher than Five Nights at Freddy's ). This alone is enough to warrant a recommendation.

Tarot makes a considerable effort to scare within its PG-13 rating but fails in its one-dimensional characters and basic script.

• The kill scenes are brutal and frightening for a PG-13 horror movie.
• Olwen Fouéré gives a brilliantly understated performance as a woman trying to track down the cursed deck of cards.
• The main characters feel lifeless and are not given enough growth for the audience to care about them.
• The script doesn't make use of the prominence of horoscopes in today's world to make jokes or observations.

Tarot is currently being read in theaters now.

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Argylle Parent Guide

This supposedly lighthearted film glorifies and celebrates violence to a degree that feels sociopathic..

Theaters: Introverted spy novelist Elly is drawn into real life espionage when the plot of her newest book comes a little too close to reality.

Release date February 2, 2024

Run Time: 135 minutes

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The guide to our grades, parent movie review by kirsten hawkes.

Super-spy Argylle (played by Henry Cavill with an unflattering brush cut) is on the case, tracking down a glamorous double agent in Greece. She’s wily and seductive; luckily, Argylle is daring, resourceful, and recklessly brave.

He’s also a fictional character.

There’s the seed of a good movie here – one that could have been tongue-in-cheek, witty, and lighthearted. That potential is sadly unrealized: Argylle is a jumbled, bloated mess, overwhelmed with its multiple failures.

Problem number one is the plot. Anytime screenwriters use amnesia in a story, that’s a sign that they have run out of ideas and are desperately trying to find a plot twist. And when they add brainwashing/hypnosis to the mix, they are demonstrating a total failure of imagination. The kinks and whorls of this tale come ever faster, and weirder, turning the whole thing into a ridiculous, indigestible mess. This movie doesn’t just require a “suspension of disbelief” ; it requires a complete cessation of thought.

Problem number two comes with the film’s unforgivably bad digital effects. In our era of sophisticated computer technology, there is no excuse for CGI that looks as bad as it does here, particularly when it comes to the cat. Heaven only knows why director Matthew Vaughn decided to use a digitally created cat instead of a real, breathing feline, but the results are terrible. There’s an uncanny valley problem where the cat looks almost real, but not quite. The eyes are a bit too big; the movements a bit too unnatural. It’s unnerving and distracting at the same time.

Technical problems aside, the third, and biggest issue with this movie is its glorification of violence. I’m not surprised when an action movie has frequent fight scenes, but this flick celebrates lethal combat to a degree that feels sociopathic. Along with the usual scenes of hand-to-hand combat and gunfights, the screenplay features elaborate set pieces that revel in carnage. In one killing spree, an agent figure skates across an oil slick, pirouetting gracefully while slaughtering numerous extras. Another scene sees two agents doing a deadly dance – literally waltzing together through multi-colored clouds of toxic gases as they shoot everyone in sight. I think these scenes are supposed to be funny, but I can’t laugh at mass death.

At one point in the tortured plot, after a failed assassination attempt, the archvillain says, “Regret for time wasted is wasting more time.” That’s the perfect epitaph for this film. It’s already stolen enough of my life and my brain cells, and I’m going to try to forget it as quickly as possible. Take a tip from me: this glossy mediocrity isn’t worth any of your time either.

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Kirsten hawkes, watch the trailer for argylle.

Argylle Rating & Content Info

Why is Argylle rated PG-13? Argylle is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for strong violence and action and some strong language.

Violence: Throughout the film, violence is glorified and sometimes treated as comic material. There are non-stop scenes of hand-to-hand combat, featuring punching, kicking, throwing, and stomping on people. There is an extended discussion of crushing people’s skulls by stomping on their heads – an agent describes it as a “fun new experience”. A man stomps a man’s head: his foot is below the frame but a crushing noise is heard. A man is beaten during an interrogation sequence. There are frequent scenes of weapons violence featuring firearms and bladed weapons. People are frequently shot at close range, sometimes in cold blood. People die on screen, but bloody injuries are few and heavily sanitized. A dead man is seen with a gun embedded in his chest. A person commits suicide with poison; another person tries to poison someone else. A man is thrown out of a moving train. People are gassed in a few scenes. There are scenes of reckless driving. There are frequent explosions: in one scene an oil tanker is blown up, with the certainty of significant fatalities (not to mention environmental contamination). Sexual Content: Men and women kiss. Women wear very low cut dresses in a few scenes, with extensive cleavage. There are brief scenes of suggestive dancing. Profanity: The script contains one sexual expletive, a smattering of crude anatomical words, and a dozen each of scatological curses, terms of deity, and minor profanities. Alcohol / Drug Use:   Adults drink alcohol in social situations. A character urges a main character to drink alcohol as a way of coping with stress and trauma. An adult mentions misusing a prescription stimulant drug (Adderall) in order to stay awake all night.

Page last updated February 2, 2024

Argylle Parents' Guide

What does Elly learn about herself over the course of the film? Do you agree with the choices she makes?  What do you think you would do in her situation? What values guide her decisions? What values are most important to you?

Related home video titles:

Reclusive authors find themselves involved in perilous adventures in The Lost City and Romancing the Stone . Murder mystery writer Agatha Christie turns up in the madcap whodunnit See How They Run .

For a much better espionage story of amnesia and psychological conditioning, mature viewers can watch The Bourne Identity.