Best kids' movies of the summer

As the summer drags on, you may be running out of cool kid-friendly ideas. Take a break from the heat, settle into a comfy chair and let the AC cool you down as you and your kids enjoy a hot summer movie. Before you head to the theater, check out our top picks.


Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

Join your favorite characters Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, Melman the Giraffe and Alex the Lion as they continue their adventure back to their home in New York by way of Europe in this third installment of the Madagascar movies.

In their latest attempt to get home, the crew — along with King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins — join a traveling circus and meet lots of new characters. Kids of all ages — and parents, too — will laugh their way through this flick.

Release date: June 8

Rated: PG

Length: approx. 93 minutes
Web: madagascarmovie.com

Check out SheKnows’ movie review of Madagascar 3 >>

Brave

This Disney Pixar flick redefines traditional princess movies. This movie follows fiery young Merida, daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, who enters into the contest set for her own hand in marriage — and wins, angering her mother and the lords of the Scottish Highlands. Merida runs away, is granted an ill-fated wish and must become truly brave as she fights to undo the curse before she alters her life and the lives of her family members forever.

There are a few scenes that younger children might find a little frightening, and a bit of "rude" humor.

Release date: June 22

Rated: PG

Length: approx. 95 minutes
Web: disney.go.com/brave

Read more about Brave >>

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

In the latest installment of the Ice Age series, Manny the Mammoth, Diego the Sabertooth and Sid the Sloth set sail on a journey to try to find their way back home. Meanwhile, they face adventure Ice Age-style as they discover the world via iceberg.

Expect lots of fun new characters, lots of laughs for kids and parents and the same heartfelt message you’ve come to expect from this series.

Release date: July 13

Rated: PG

Length: approx. 94 minutes
Web: iceagemovie.com

Check out more family movies for 2012 >>

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

The third movie from the successful fiction series geared for tweens, Dog Days follows main character Greg Heffley as he prepares for summer — with a plot to pretend he’s scored a summer job at a fancy country club. His plan goes awry, of course, and the “wimpy kid” experiences a slew of embarrassing mishaps over the course of the flick.

Release date: August 3

Rated: PG

Length: TBD
Web: diaryofawimpykidmovie.com

More cool summer fun ideas

Endless summer fun
Money-saving strategies: Summer fun on the cheap
Summer weekends: Water fun