It's never been a better time to be a family that loves new kids' movies. The proliferation of streaming services like Netflix, Peacock, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+ and HBO Max means there are plenty of studios out clamoring for new and interesting films to entertain families — and streaming them at home means they're even easier to watch. Or, if you're a family that values the cinematic experience, 2022 looks like it'll be even better than 2021 when it comes to the number of movies hitting theaters. The best kids' movies of 2022, listed here in order of release date, are set to stun you with their animation, thrill you with their grand adventures, make you dance to their original songs and, of course, laugh at all their silly jokes. And we can't wait!
One note: Because the situation around the pandemic is still in flux, movie studios are still apt to change things at the last minute, putting more movies in theaters when COVID numbers are good, and sending them straight to streaming services when they're bad. It's worth it to check your local listings, because release dates and platforms are likely to change up until the last minute. But one thing's for sure: No matter where or how you watch, movie fans are in for a big treat this year. (And don't forget to catch up on the best kids' movies from 2021!)
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Release Date: January 14, 2022
Pushed back from last Halloween, the newest Hotel Transylvania film really flips things around: Dr. Van Helsig invents a machine that turns the monsters into people, and turns Johnny into a monster! They have to figure out a way to switch back before they get stuck that way. It'll stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Belle
Release Date: January 14, 2022
This anime follows a shy girl named Suzu who lives in a rural village. Online, however, she becomes a different person: Belle, a globally beloved singer. Maybe you have some too-into-social-media kids who can relate?
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The King's Daughter
Release Date: January 21, 2022
This family adventure movie has everything: secret princesses, mermaids and ... King Louis XIV? The King wants the mermaid's life force to achieve immortality, but a young woman, who has familial ties to the king, wants to save the creature.
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The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild
Release Date: January 28, 2022
It's been half a decade since we checked in on the Ice Age universe, so we're due for another Paleolithic adventure. This one centers on the weasel Buck Wild, who teams up with possums Crash and Eddie to stave off dinosaur domination.
Home Team
Release Date: January 28, 2022
Kevin James returns! In this movie, he plays an NFL coach who gets suspeded from the sport, so he goes back to his hometown and winds up coaching the local Pop Warner team. Taylor Lautner co-stars.
Child of Kamiari Month
Release Date: February 8, 2022
Kanna is a tween who loves to run, but never expected where her hobby would take her. After the death of her mother, Kanna must run to the annual gathering of gods in the sacred land of Izumo, hoping she could reunite with her mom there. Along the way, she meets fantastical creatures and learns more about her family.
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Turning Red
Release Date: March 11, 2022
The first Disney movie of the year comes courtesy of Pixar. It follows a 13-year-old, Mei Lee, who has a rare affliction: Whenever she gets too excited or emotional, she turns into a giant red panda. (So. Awkward.)
Cheaper By the Dozen
Release Date: March 18, 2022
Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff in a remake of the classic comedy. When a blended family equals 10 kids, two parents and no extra help, chaos (but the heartwarming kind) ensues.
Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood
Release Date: April 1, 2022
This Netflix movie tells the story of the moon landing through two points of view: an astronaut's, and a 10-year-old boy watching from Earth. Director Richard Linklater uses his own childhood as inspiration.
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Better Nate Than Ever
Release Date: April 1, 2022
Nate is just your average seventh grader — except with a burning dream to be a Broadway star. He goes on an adventure to achieve his dream when he finds information about an open audition in New York City.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Release Date: April 8, 2022
Fans of the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog already know who appears in the second film: Tails and Knuckles! In it, Sonic and Tails must team up to help stop Doctor Eggman from taking the Master Emerald — and Eggman has Knuckles on his side.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Release Date: April 15, 2022
The third Fantastic Beasts movie sees some changes — Mads Mikkelson replaces Johnny Depp as the villain Gellert Grindelwald — but Newt Scamandar is still the same Newt. In this film, Dumbledore sends him and his friends on a mission that leads them into the path of Grindelwald's army.
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The Bad Guys
Release Date: April 22, 2022
This Dreamworks movie follows some classic bad guys: Mr. Wolf, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, Mr. Snake and Mr. Piranha. Only they're tired of being bad, so they try to live life on the up-and-up for a change. The voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina Anthony Ramos, Marc Maron and Craig Robinson, so there's lots of comedic talent in there.
Bubble
Release Date: April 28, 2022
For anime fans, this Netflix film is sure to be a visual delight. It takes place in an alternate version of Tokyo, where bubbles have appeared that bend the laws of gravity. As a result, the city is a battlefield for young players of parkour-like competitions. When one player falls, he's saved by a girl with mysterious powers
Marmaduke
Release Date: May 6, 2022
Marmaduke is known for one thing: his insatiable appetite. Can the world's best dog trainer tame him? Pete Davidson provides the Great Dane's voice.
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Sneakerella
Release Date: May 13, 2022
Yeah, yeah, Disney's done "Cinderella' stories before — but never like this! This pop/hip-hop musical takes the fairy tale and sets it in New York City, where El dreams of becoming a sneaker designer. Things change for him when he meets Kira, whose dad happens to work for a big-deal sneaker company.
Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers
Release Date: May 20, 2022
Those two famed chipmunks are back — but not like you've ever seen them before. In this Disney+ film, Chip and Dale live among humans and other cartoons in Los Angeles. Chip has retired from acting, but Dale has gotten "the CGI surgery" and continues to be a Hollywood presence. When one of their former castmates goes missing, they have to learn how to work together again. Oh, and did we mention their voices are done by John Mulaney and Andy Samberg?
The Bob's Burgers Movie
Release Date: May 27, 2022
The Belchers are headed for the big screen! And, even better, they're in a musical! During the San Diego Comic-Con, creator Loren Bouchard described it as "a musical, comedy, mystery, adventure and a kind of coming-of-age story," and assured fans it would be in movie theaters. (Note: This is PG-13 and better for your older ones.)
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Hollywood Stargirl
Release Date: June 3, 2022
The sequel to the 2020 Disney+ live-action Stargirl, this movie picks up the story of quirky, free-spirit Stargirl Caraway. When her mom is called to do costumes for a movie, she heads to Los Angeles, where she meets a new set of friends and neighbors.
Lightyear
Release Date: June 17, 2022
No, not that Buzz Lightyear — except kind of. This movie follows the adventures of the real Space Ranger character who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy in Toy Story. “In the Toy Story universe, it would be like a movie that maybe Andy would have seen, that would have made him want a Buzz Lightyear figure,” director Angus MacLane explains to Deadline. It comes out in theaters Father's Day weekend, for all the Toy Story dads out there.
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.