New Family Movies Coming Out in 2024

If there's one thing most parents look forward to at the culmination of yet another year of parenting, it's not a long and luxurious end-of-year holiday (when do parents ever get a holiday?), it's the list of new family movies coming out! 

Family movies are our saving grace when it comes to rainy weekends, school holidays, or just a day when you need the kids to focus their attention on something other than you. The list of new family movies coming out in 2024 is a pretty exciting one if we do say so ourselves, so get ready to mark your calendars for all the trips to the cinema you'll be making in 2024!

New Family Movies Coming Out in 2024

1. Orion and the Dark

Release date: 2 February 2024

For anyone who's ever been afraid of the dark, you'll relate to Orion, a young boys who's afraid of heights, pets, sports, and, worst of all, the dark.

Things don't turn out quite as Orion expects in Orion and the Dark, where he learns that the only thing to fear is fear itself. 

2. Peppa's Cinema Party

Release date: 9 February 2024

Can you believe it's been 20 years since everyone's favourite adorable piggy came onto your screens?! To celebrate Peppa Pig's 20th anniversary, Event Cinemas are bringing the highly-anticipated Peppa's Cinema Party to the big screen!

From 9 February, families can join in on the anniversary excitement with 10 never-before-seen Peppa Pig episodes, five brand new songs, plus, 11 interactive entertainment shorts with Peppa and her friends playing, dancing, and singing in the real world - oink!

3. Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back

Release date: 29 February 2024

Maggie Diggins, also known as Combat Wombat, is feeling the squeeze. Life in Sanctuary City has thrown her a curveball; with the city's crime rates hitting rock-bottom, she's gone from world-saving antics to the not-so-glamorous job of unclogging drains. Talk about a career pivot! But just as she's adjusting to her new 'normal', up pops Lenny Glick, a villainous tech whiz with a diabolical plan. He's scheming to ensnare the entire city in a 'flawless' metaverse mirage.

Now, it's up to Combat Wombat and her trusty accomplice, Sweetie, to band together and thwart Glick's grandiose virtual reality trap, proving once and for all that heroes come in all forms — even those once tasked with drain duty.

4. Kung Fu Panda 4

Release date: 28 March 2024

Po is back in full kung fu swing in Kung Fu Panda 4.

We can expect the same laughs, heartfelt moments, and awesome fighting scenes from the fourth instalment of the popular Kung Fu Panda movies. In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po is set to become the new spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace and in doing so must train a new Dragon Warrior to become his successor.

5. The Tiger's Apprentice

Release date: 4 April 2024

The Tiger's Apprentice revolves around Tom, your average kid, who's unwittingly yanked into an extraordinary saga.

Living with his quirky grandma in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, he's gobsmacked to discover she's safeguarding a mythical phoenix egg. Things take a wild turn when his grandma, after a fierce skirmish, vanishes via a ghostly carriage. Now, under the wing of an unconventional guru, a tiger named Mr. Hu, Tom's thrust into the mystical arts to become the egg's new sentinel. Alongside a motley crew of shape-shifting critters, each embodying a slice of the Chinese zodiac, they blend their unique beastly traits with human quirks, embarking on a quest brimming with enchantment and unexpected camaraderie.

6. Richard the Stork and the Mystery of the Great Jewel

Release date: 4 April 2024

Richard the Stork and the Mystery of the Great Jewel is a tale of teamwork, tenacity, and the unexpected journeys that shape us. Soaking up the chill vibes while wintering on a vast lake in North Africa, Richard finds himself in a bit of a flap. Used to being the top bird, he's ruffled when he's not chosen to spearhead the seasonal voyage back north with his fellow storks.

Not one to sulk in his nest, he wings it, embarking on a solo odyssey packed with perils and unexpected escapades. Along his flight path, Richard stumbles upon a beleaguered band of sparrows, ensnared by the nefarious marabou birds under the command of Zamano, a peacock with a penchant for the darker side of the bird world. Rallying his new feathered friends, Richard leads a daring mission. To outwit their captors and reclaim their freedom, they'll need to flock together, blending bravery with a sprinkle of bird brainpower to crack the conundrum and unearth a hidden trove sparkling with gems.

7. IF

Release date: 16 May 2024

John Krasinski is back in the director's chair for IF, an acronym that stands for Imaginary Friends and is, you guessed it, a new family movie about imaginary friends!

More specifically, IF is about a dad and his daughter who discover a world of imaginary friends left behind by their grown-up companions. John Krasinski also stars in IF alongside Ryan Reynolds.

8. The Garfield Movie

Release date: 30 May 2024

2024 looks to be a banner year for movie remakes, as everyone's favourite tubby and cynical orange tabby cat is back on our screens in The Garfield Movie.

Chris Pratt will be voicing the character of Garfield as he and his puppy pal Odie go on a crazy adventure alongside Garfield's long-lost father, Vic. 

9. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

Release date: TBC

Porky Pig and Daffy Duck are back on our screens in one of our favourite new family movies coming out in 2024. 

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is the first-ever fully animated Looney Tunes feature-length movie to make it to the big screen and promises to be a huge hit amongst families. The animated comedy follows the hilarious antics of Porky and Daffy as they become two unlikely heroes in the face of an alien invasion. 

10. Inside Out 2

Release date: 13 June 2024

Another one of the most highly anticipated new family movies coming out in 2024, the gang from Inside Out is back at headquarters but this time around, there are several new emotions joining the team.

Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust are navigating the mind of teenager Riley when puberty starts to take hold, bringing with it a slew of new emotions, including Anxiety. 

There's no official Australian release date for Inside Out 2, but we can expect it to come out sometime in June 2024. 

11. Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie

Release date: June 2024

It seems that new family movies coming out in 2024 are all about movie remakes and next chapters, as we can expect another instalment from one of our favourite characters: SpongeBob SquarePants!

SpongeBob is back to save the day when Bikini Bottom is suddenly scooped out of the ocean in Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie. Watch as Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob journey to Sandy's home town of Texas to save Bikini Bottom from the hands of an evil CEO.

12. Despicable Me 4

Release date: 20 June 2024

The next installation from the hugely popular Despicable Me franchise is set to drop in Australian cinemas in June 2024!

The official plot for Despicable Me 4 is yet to be released, and with the last two movies bouncing from sequel to prequel, it's hard to know if the next instalment will follow on from Minions: The Rise of Gru or not. We do, however, know that all of our favourite actors will be reprising their voice roles, including Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig. 

13. Beetlejuice 2

Release date: 5 September 2024

Say 'Beetlejuice' three times and what will happen?! Beetlejuice will appear, well, more specifically Beetlejuice 2 will appear!

Everyone's favourite bio-exorcist is back in Beetlejuice 2, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Beetlejuice 2 is the sequel to the 80s comedy in which two ghosts hire Beetlejuice to rid their home of its human inhabitants. While filming on the sequel finished in November 2023, the official plot details are yet to be released - stay tuned!

14. Harold and the Purple Crayon

Release date: 12 September 2024

Zachary Levi is serving major nostalgia vibes as he steps into the shoes of a cherished childhood icon in Harold and the Purple Crayon, an adorable new family movie that blur the lines between animation and real life.

Directed by Carlos Saldanha, this spin on Crockett Johnson's timeless tale introduces us to a Harold who's all grown up and stepping – quite literally – out of the storybook and into our world. Harold stirs up a whimsical whirlwind of chaos, thanks to his trusty purple crayon that turns the impossible into "why not?" From unleashing sky-high tarantulas to sketching up an airplane in a snap, it's clear Harold's still got the magic touch, leading us on a wild ride where imagination knows no bounds.

15. The Wild Robot

Release date: 12 September 2024

 

The Wild Robot zooms into the unexpected saga of Rozzum 7134 (just call her "Roz"), a high-tech robot that finds herself stranded on a remote island like the lead in a sci-fi castaway drama. But plot twist: this metallic castaway turns guardian angel to a lonely gosling she dubs Brightbill.

Together, they're thrust into an epic tale of survival, braving the elements and bonding in ways that would make even the coldest circuits warm. Enter a quirky crew of animal misfits – from sassy squirrels to amiable otters – who morph from strangers to squad, proving that family isn't always wired by DNA. Just when you think it’s all about island life and unusual friendships, boom: Roz's creators launch a robotic onslaught to snatch her back to the grid!

16. Noah's Ark: A Musical Adventure

Release date: 19 September 2024

Noah's Ark: A Musical Adventure spins the classic biblical tale into a quirky, tune-filled escapade that's anything but your Sunday school story.

Vini, a mouse with the heart of a poet but the stage fright of a novice, teams up with Tito, a mouse maestro wielding a guitar like a rock star. As the skies open up, these two furry critters face the ultimate gatecrashers' challenge: sneaking onto the legendary Noah's Ark where the guest list is as exclusive as it gets – one male and one female from each species, no exceptions. Cue an ingenious cockroach with a knack for bending rules, and suddenly Vini and Tito are in, dodging paws and hooves. But as cabin fever sets in among the carnivores and herbivores, it's up to our unlikely heroes and a soundtrack of groovy tunes inspired by the legendary Vinicius de Moraes to turn a potential furry feud into an onboard bash. 

17. Paddington in Peru

Release date: 8 November 2024

Everyone's favourite ultra-polite bear is back in another instalment from the Paddington Bear series, Paddington in Peru.

Paddington in Peru follows Paddington and his adopted family on a crazy adventure through the wilds of the Amazon rainforest in Peru. 

18. Moana 2

Release date: 27 November 2024

What can we say except, you're welcome! After much gossip and speculation, a Moana sequel is underway with an Australian release date of 27 November 2024 confirmed by Disney.

Moana is setting sail again in Moana 2 after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors. Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced - we can't wait to join her!

19. Wicked: Part One

Release date: 28 November 2024

Go back in time to before Elphaba Thropp became the Wicked Witch of the West in one of the most highly anticipated kids' movies for 2024, Wicked.

The newest remake of Wicked is set to be released in two parts, with Part One hitting our screens in late November 2024. Ariana Grande will star as Glinda (the Good Witch of the South) alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba who meet at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and quickly forge an unlikely friendship that culminates in the ultimate battle of good versus evil. 

20. Mufasa: The Lion King

Release date: 19 December 2024

Walt Disney Studios are bringing back one of their most beloved Disney characters of all time: Simba!

Get ready to go back to Pride Rock in Mufasa: The Lion King. The live-action photorealistic computer-animated prequel is similar to the 2019 remake and follows Simba as he steps into his father's footsteps as king of the Pride Lands. The origins of Simba's late father Mufasa are explored in Mufasa: The Lion King as Simba grapples with being a father himself.

21. Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Release date: 20 December 2024

If you've got little Sonic fans in the house, then add Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to your list of new family movies coming out in 2024.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is bringing back Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails, and Idris Elba as Knuckles in this sequel that's set to be even better than its predecessor. A new villain, Shadow the Hedgehog was teased in Sonic 2 so get ready for an all-out battle in another adaptation of the beloved video game series.

22. 'The Aristocats' live-action remake

Release date: TBA

 

Mark your calendars and prepare to be whisked away to the enchanting streets of Paris with Disney's latest announcement: a live-action/hybrid remake of the beloved classic, 'The Aristocats.' Directed by the Oscar-winning Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, in his feature film directing debut, this reimagination is set to bring a fresh twist to the heartwarming tale of a family of Parisian felines.

With Questlove also overseeing the music and executive producing, alongside a script penned by Will Gluck and Keith Bunin, this film promises a delightful blend of nostalgia and innovation. Produced by Gluck's Olive Bridge and Thompson’s Two One Five, the story follows the aristocratic cat family as they navigate a daring adventure through the countryside, aided by a charming alley cat, after being kidnapped by their owner's greedy butler.

As a founding member of The Roots and a six-time Grammy winner, Questlove's transition from the director of the acclaimed documentary 'Summer of Soul' to the helm of 'The Aristocats' is eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike. Stay tuned for a journey filled with music, mischief, and the timeless magic of Disney.

And in 2025...

Dog Man: The Movie

Release date: TBA

That's right! Dog Man is finally being made into a movie!

Dog Man: The Movie will make its way onto our screens with - you guessed it! - everyone favourite half dog and half man, who is sworn to protect and serve as he doggedly pursues the feline supervillain Petey the Cat. More details are yet to be released but until then, we'll keep a close eye on the release date!

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