Spring Movie Preview: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

Advice & Answers

Get ready for blockbuster time! This spring, theaters will be packed with everything from big 3D rereleases (The Phantom Menace, Titanic) and animated adventures (The Lorax, The Pirates! Band of Misfits) to epic fantasies (John Carter) and one of the most highly anticipated young adult adaptations since Twilight (yes, that would be The Hunger Games). No matter how old your kids are, our sneak peeks will help you decide whether these high-profile movies will be age appropriate for your kids.

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D (Feb. 10)
Target Age: Tweens
What's the Buzz: Most kids have only been able to see George Lucas' first installment in his prequel trilogy on DVD, but for a limited time, Star Wars aficionados can hit the theaters for a special 3D release of The Phantom Menace. It's the tamest installment to introduce younger kids to the saga.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (Feb. 10)
Target Age: Tweens
What's the Buzz: The first Journey to the Center of the Earth wasn't a critical success, but it made more than $230 million worldwide. The sequel should similarly appeal to the 8 and up set who are ready for live-action adventure in a mythical island. Bonus: The Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson is the star!

The Secret World of Arrietty (Feb. 17)
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: The makers of Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle have another compelling anime tale for the entire family. In this English-dubbed story based on the classic book The Borrowers, a young boy (voiced by Wizards of Waverly Place's David Henrie) discovers and befriends Arrietty (Saoirse Ronan), the daughter of a family of "Borrowers" (tiny people who secretly live in his house).

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (March 2)
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Released on Dr. Seuss' birthday, this animated fantasy introduces viewers to the eco-friendly tale of the Lorax via a boy (voiced by Zac Efron) who hopes to secure one Truffula Tree for his crush (Taylor Swift). As Seuss readers know, this is a pro-environment fable about nature versus greed (or Thneed, in this case).

John Carter (March 9)
Target Age: Older Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Edgar Rice Burroughs' epic fantasy series comes to life in this big-budget PG-13 adaptation starring Friday Night Lights' Taylor Kitsch as the heroic John Carter, a Civil War veteran who's transported to Mars, where he's swept up in a war that threatens the planet's continuing existence. Older tweens will be drawn to the swashbuckling interplanetary adventure, but the high action violence level may make it a better fit for teens.

The Hunger Games (March 23)
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: Based on the phenomenally popular young adult novels, this dystopian thriller follows teen heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in a battle-to-the-death competition reminiscent of The Running Man. On the page, the relentlessly gripping story is excellent but filled with teen-on-teen violence, and the director has sworn the film is a faithful adaptation.

Mirror Mirror (March 30)
Target Age: Tweens
What's the Buzz: Who can resist the thought of Julia Roberts as the vain Evil Queen? This colorful adaptation of Snow White, starring Lily Collins (Abduction) as the fair-skinned beauty, promises to be much more tween-friendly than the dark Snow White and the Huntsman due out this fall. Expect laughs, jealousy, and at least one life-changing kiss.

Wrath of the Titans (March 30)
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: In this sequel to 2010's violent Clash of the Titans, Perseus (Sam Worthington) returns to rescue Zeus (Liam Neeson) from the Underworld, where Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Ares (Edgar Ramirez) are keeping him captive. Teens may want to flock to this mythological adventure, which promises to feature tons of action and gauzily clad gods and goddesses.

Titanic 3D (April 6)
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: Prepare for girls swooning (again) over Leonardo DiCaprio's handsome hero Jack, who woos the posh Rose (Kate Winslet) in this tale of doomed young lovers aboard the tragically destined Titanic. There's action (now in 3D!), there's passion, there's a sea full of desperate souls. But ultimately, this is a story of unsinkable love.

The Three Stooges (April 13)
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: The Farrelly Brothers have finally succeeded in reviving the Three Stooges. In this modern-day reboot, Larry (Sean Hayes), Curly (Will Sasso), and Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos) end up starring in their own reality show. Expect the physical comedy gags that make the Stooges legendary, as well as language and innuendo.

Chimpanzee (April 20)
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Once again, Disneynature is releasing a nature documentary for Earth Day. This one focuses on a baby chimpanzee called Oscar who's left behind in the wild until he's taken in by an unrelated ape. As with all wildlife documentaries, there may be some mild violence that could frighten little ones.

The Lucky One (April 20)
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: Nicholas Sparks books tend to be turned into the kind of sentimental movie romances that make mothers and daughters cry. In this latest adaptation, Zac Efron plays a Marine war veteran who travels out of his way to meet the woman (Taylor Schilling) whose photo served as his good luck charm.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (April 27)
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: From the animation studio behind Arthur Christmas and Wallace & Gromit comes another stop-action comedy. Set on the high seas, the action follows a Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant), who leads a jolly if equally clueless crew in a competition to win a Pirate of the Year award.

For all of our latest movie reviews, click here.