Magical Adventures Await: Summer Family Movies Delight with Enchantment and Whimsy
A Fresh Spin on Summer Blockbusters
It's no secret that Hollywood's been rehashing old tales, turning them into live-action or hybrid remakes to lure family audiences to theaters. Dean DeBlois, director of the animated "How to Train Your Dragon" series, wanted to take on the task of remaking his own work, and he wanted to do it right.
"We were careful," DeBlois says, "We wanted to make sure that if we were going to do it, we wanted to do it with a lot of integrity and love and make sure there's nothing cynical about it."
This year's family-friendly offerings have made a personal impact, with Rihanna producing and starring as Smurfette in "Smurfs" (July 18), a hybrid reboot set to launch a rescue mission for Papa Smurf. Directors like Chris Miller aim to create a contemporary version, immersive visuals referencing Peyo's original comics, and sharper, witty scripts thanks to Pam Brady. The result? A fun, engaging adventure for both kids and adults alike.
Miller, who thought Rihanna's performance was fantastic, shared that everyone in the star-studded voice cast (which included Kurt Russell, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Amy Sedaris, and Dan Levy) felt a sense of nostalgia for the original Hanna-Barbera series, although none required a degree in "smurfology" to appreciate the movie.
Meanwhile, the animated "How to Train Your Dragon" films already leaned into a live-action sensibility, but the live-action remake, hitting theaters June 25, takes it to the next level. DeBlois creates an immersive world where the dragons feel authentic, and the dragon-Viking connection goes deeper, telling a heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. The production team paid special attention to crafting realistic environments, even including actual fire and fishy odors on the isle of Berk.
PG-rated movies are making a come-back in the box office after years of often being overshadowed by PG-13 counterparts. Last year, PG movies accounted for 1/3 of the annual box office, with "Inside Out 2" leading the way. In the summer of 2025, we can expect a strong slate of family-oriented PG films, such as the "How to Train Your Dragon" reboot, Rihanna's "Smurfs", and Pixar's "Elio". These films combine nostalgia, artistic nods to original source material, and original storytelling, ensuring the big screen experience remains relevant for young moviegoers.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who reunites with her on-screen daughter Lindsay Lohan for "Freakier Friday," describes their movie as a big spectacle film with all the bells and whistles that a big comedy should have and deep emotional resonance. Meanwhile, "Elio" filmmaker Domee Shi promises a blend of wacky sci-fi adventure and a deep and poignant story about loneliness, connection, and unexpected friendships.
Whether you're a fan of nostalgia or looking for fresh adventures, the summer of 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting time for families at the movies.
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- Dean DeBlois, the director of the animated "How to Train Your Dragon" series, plans to remake his work with integrity and love, ensuring there's no cynicism involved.
- Rihanna produces and stars in "Smurfs", a hybrid reboot of the original series, launching a rescue mission for Papa Smurf.
- The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" takes the animated films' live-action sensibility to the next level, creating an immersive world complete with realistic environments and authentic dragons.
- this summer's family-friendly offerings, such as Rihanna's "Smurfs" and the "How to Train Your Dragon" reboot, combine nostalgia, artistic nods to original source material, and original storytelling, ensuring a relevant big screen experience for young moviegoers.
