By John Mulderig, OSV News
OSV News – In a welcome contrast with the preceding few years, 2025 saw an increased yield of high-quality films suitable for viewing by the whole family. Some of these movies were also religiously themed and can thus be recommended as vehicles for catechesis.
Following, in alphabetical order, are capsule reviews of the Top 10 family films of 2025 as selected by the media reviewing service of OSV News. Unless otherwise noted, the OSV News classification of each is A-II – adults and adolescents while their Motion Picture Association rating is PG – parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Vigorous energy drives the animated comedy “The Bad Guys 2” (Universal). Having paid their debt to society, the criminal gang of anthropomorphized animals featured in the first outing (voiced by Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos and Awkwafina) endeavors to go straight. But their reformation is complicated by the schemes of a villainous snow leopard (voice of Danielle Brooks). Once again working from a series of children’s books by Aaron Blabey, returning director Pierre Perifel and co-director J.P. Sans divert viewers with clever plot twists and satiric takes on the heist genre and adventure films more generally.
Co-directed by Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham, “David” (Angel Studios) is a topflight animated musical recounting the adventurous life of the biblical king (voice of Brandon Engman in youth, voice of Phil Wickham as an adult). Inspired by the love and cheerful piety of his mother (voice of Miri Mesika), he displays a faith-based courage that sustains him through every challenge. A splendid introduction to one of sacred history’s most important figures for youngsters, the film will hold the attention of adults as well. The OSV News classification is A-I – general patronage.
Comic chaos is the order of the day in “Dog Man” (Universal), the animated adaptation of a series of graphic novels by Dav Pilkey. Yet touching sentiments are also successfully incorporated into writer-director Peter Hastings’ film. Following their wounding in an explosion, the head of a smart dog is attached to the fit body of his best friend and partner, a less-than-brainy police officer, to produce the unspeaking amalgam of the title. This allows him to resume the duo’s long-standing rivalry with the villainous feline criminal (voice of Pete Davidson) who planted the bomb. Although too scary for tykes, this warm-hearted, fast-paced production will score with all other members of the family.
Intriguing connections are made and emotional insights provided in the course of the animated adventure “Elio” (Disney), co-directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina. Bereaved by the sudden demise of his parents and at odds with the aunt (voice of Zoe Saldaña) who has taken him in, a space-obsessed 11-year-old boy (voice of Yonas Kibreab) yearns to be abducted by aliens. Once his unusual wish comes true, he finds himself caught up in an extraterrestrial struggle. A treat for all but the easily frightened and those not emotionally equipped to handle a tragic backstory. (A-I)
“The King of Kings” (Angel Studios) is an excellent animated introduction to the Gospel story for youngsters, based on Charles Dickens’ book “The Life of Our Lord,” written for his children in the 1840s. As the great author (voice of Kenneth Branagh) recounts the Nativity, miracles, ministry, Passion and Resurrection of the Savior (voice of Oscar Isaac) to his rambunctious but goodhearted young son (voice of Roman Griffin Davis), the lad and his beloved pet cat become eyewitnesses of the various events, along with viewers. A top-flight cast (Pierce Brosnan voices Pontius Pilate, Ben Kingsley Caiaphas) and some impressive visuals bolster director and co-writer Seong-Ho Jang’s winning adaptation. (A-I)
Told from the perspective of a youthful John the Evangelist (voice of Benjamin Jacobson), “Light of the World” (Salvation Poem Project), an animated recounting of the Gospel story, is an excellent vehicle for delivering its fundamental message in an easily absorbed manner. Here, John is a well-meaning but impetuous and hot-tempered lad until he comes under the influence of Jesus (voice of Ian Hanlin) and becomes one of the Twelve, witnessing the promised Messiah’s miracles and taking his teaching to heart. While the theology underlying directors John J. Schafer and Tom Bancroft’s endearing, humor-tinged drama is patchy from a Catholic perspective, the basic events of Jesus’ life and mission are presented straightforwardly.
Unrelentingly upbeat and undistracted by manufactured sentiment, “A Minecraft Movie” (Warner Bros.), director Jared Hess’ big-screen version of the best-selling video game of all time, strikes and sustains its positive mood without resort to the cheap jokes or occasional vulgarity that often plague such adaptations. The story centers on a frustrated doorknob salesman and would-be miner (Jack Black) who gets his shot at adventure when he’s transported to an alternate dimension where creativity is the key to survival. As an ensemble of characters learn life lessons in this new setting, and discover talents they didn’t previously know they had, the film conveys an implied theme about better living through gameplay.
In “Paddington in Peru” (Columbia), the eponymous talking bear (voice of Ben Whishaw) journeys back to his homeland, “darkest Peru,” in search of his missing aunt (voice of Imelda Staunton). He’s joined by his adopted London-based family (dad Hugh Bonneville, mom Emily Mortimer, daughter Madeleine Harris, son Samuel Joslin and housekeeper Julie Walters). With guidance from the jolly nun (Olivia Colman) who runs the home for retired bears where Auntie resides, the troupe sets off into the jungle, accompanied by a dashing boat captain (Antonio Banderas) who has a hidden agenda. The film is awash in silliness and slapstick, the perfect recipe for a family-friendly movie. (A-I)
Anxious for the kind of grown-up adventure that will prove his maturity, the childlike title character (voice of Tom Kenny) of “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (Paramount) gets his opportunity when he crosses paths with a ghostly green pirate (voice of Mark Hamill) who, for reasons of his own, lures the lad into a series of challenges designed to show that he has what it takes. The unflaggingly upbeat protagonist emerges from his latest escapades, directed by Derek Drymon, smarter, wiser, pleased with his newly acquired skills and with increased loyalty to his friends. So, although the script’s humor may often fall short, the franchise’s beguiling charm remains. (A-I)
In “Zootopia 2” (Disney), co-directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard return viewers to the animal-inhabited city of the title where the main characters of the 2016 original, an ever-chipper rabbit (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) and a wise-cracking fox (voice of Jason Bateman), the latter a reformed con-man, are now partners on the local police force (its leader voiced by Idris Elba). Though their first outing as a duo causes sufficient mayhem to get them suspended, the bunny can’t resist the temptation of pursuing clues that cast doubt on a seminal event in Zootopia’s past. Bush’s screenplay promotes teamwork, idealism, open communication, tolerance and the value of diversity.
John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on Twitter @JohnMulderig1.
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