We all love the convenience of flipping through Netflix or Disney+ Hotstar, and simply clicking on whatever movie appeals to us. But when was the last time you took the family out to the movies? We know it seems like forever (in our long distant pre-pandemic past), but as families start exploring the outside world again, perhaps a movie date might just be the ticket for a day of family-friendly fun!Â
Here’s our list of our favourite cinemas and movies to look forward to this year:
Cinemas to check outÂ
Parents can finally complete a movie (relatively) uninterrupted – during the day and with the kids around, to boot! These cinemas are catered specifically to meet the needs of everyone in the family, with brighter lighting, lower audio, and a variety of cushy seating options. Standard cinema rules do not apply here too- kids are allowed to giggle, move about, and ask 101 questions about what’s happening in the movie!Â
1. Golden Screen Cinemas PlayPlus
Cosy up together with the whole family at the PlayPlus Cuddle Couch, or sink into a personal soft PlayPlus Bean Bag at this family-friendly hall. The playground within the hall will also keep any restless kids occupied, if (or more like when – when it comes to the littles!), they lose interest in the movie. If you are early, spend some time at the PlayPlus Lounge* that’s full of entertaining toys and fun equipment for the kiddos. This cinema plays close attention to hygiene (something we all appreciate in these Covid times!), as socks are required both at the PlayPlus Lounge and the PlayPlus Hall.Â
SOPs: Halls are disinfected after every show, gap seating in cinemasÂ
Contact: 03- 7713 7888
Locations:Â 3 Damansara, Starling,Tropicana Gardens, IOI Mall Puchong
Website I Facebook I Instagram
[*PlayPlus Lounge is available at selected cinemas]
2. MBO Cinema KecilÂ
Expect lost of fun and excitement, with your kids having the option to run free at the playground within this hall, or choosing to sit and watch the movie on-screen. A diaper-changing room is also conveniently located right outside the hall- perfect for quick dashes out, so you won’t miss too much of the movie when diaper duty calls!Â
SOPs: Per government guidelines
Contact: Via Facebook
Locations: Atria Shopping Mall- Jalan SS 22/23, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website* I Facebook I Instagram
[*The MBO website is in the midst of being updated]
Upcoming 2022 Movies
Get excited with these upcoming movies for 2022 (for our mamas who love planning way ahead, you’re welcome!). From animation and comedy, to action and adventure, there’s something fitting for everyone in the family.
January (now showing)
Encanto
This Disney fantasy movie tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical place known as the Encanto. With its bright and beautiful animation, heartwarming storyline and toe-tapping songs, Encanto will soon have the whole family mesmerised!
Classification: P13Â
Release Date: 25th November 2021
Genre: Adventure / Animation / Comedy
Running Time: 1 Hour 42 Minutes
Sing 2
Mini musical fans will be dazzled by this musical comedy (and the sequel to 2016’s charming Sing), which is currently showing in cinemas. Tuck into your popcorn, and join an all-star cast of animal performers and a reclusive rock star in the glittering entertainment capital of the animal world.
Classification: P13
Release Date: 30th December 2021
Genre: Animation / Comedy
Running Time:Â 1 Hour 50 Minutes
February
Prince’s Voyage (FIC)
A thoughtful French animated feature, in which a wise old monkey prince arrives in a strange new land. Forming a friendship with a young boy, the two embark on a journey of discovery about the world around them – and about themselves.Â
Language: French
Subtitle: English
Classification: P13
Release Date: 7th February 2022
Genre: Animation
Running Time: 1 Hour 17 Minutes
Clifford The Big Red Dog
 A young girl’s love for a tiny puppy named Clifford makes the dog grow to an enormous size. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford the Dog and middle schooler Emily set out on an adventure that will keep kids and parents alike on the edge of their seats through the streets of the Big Apple!
Classification: P13Â
Release Date: 10th February 2022
Genre: Adventure / Comedy / Family
Running Time: 1 Hour 36 Minutes
MarchÂ
The Batman
The highly anticipated Batman reboot, featuring a classic superhero, epic villains and high-stakes action sequences, is perfect for the older kids. Book your tickets early for the first DC film of 2022- something the whole family will look forward to!
Classification: P13Â
Release Date: 3rd March 2022
Genre: Action / Superhero
Running Time: 2 Hours 55 Minutes
April
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore
Harry Potter fans, this one’s for you! Have a magical time watching the third instalment of the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, a spinoff of the beloved “Harry Potter”series.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 14th April 2022
Genre: Adventure / Fantasy
Running Time: NA
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
We’d recognise those blue spikes anywhere! Catch Sonic the Hedgehog (if you can!) in this 2022 sequel, as he embarks on a globetrotting journey to find a mystical emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.Â
Classification: NA
Release Date: 28th April 2022
Genre: Action / Adventure / Comedy
Running Time: NA
May
DC League Of Super-Pets
Crime doesn’t stop while these superhero animals are on vacation! Based on the DC Comics superhero team Legion of Super-Pets and featuring the voices of comedic duo (and real live pals Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart, this animated film will have the kids cracking up and cheering on these furry superheroes.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 19th May 2022
Genre: Animation / Comedy
Running Time: NA
June
Jurassic World: Dominion
Dinosaurs are some of the earliest themes we introduce our kids to. Bring these giants to life for young movie-goers by catching the third instalment of the “Jurassic World” movie series. Picking up after the events of 2018`s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom“, this is bound to be an adrenaline-filled adventure!Â
Classification: P13
Release Date: 9th June 2022
Genre: Action / Adventure
Running Time: 2 Hours 8 Minutes
Lightyear
This animated movie focuses on Buzz Lightyear from the beloved `”Toy Story” series. Buzz will be voiced by Chris Evans, as the movie centres on the man who inspired the Buzz Lightyear character. To infinity, and beyond!
Classification: NA
Release Date: 16th June 2022
Genre: Action / Adventure / Animation / Science Fiction
Running Time: NA
Minions: The Rise Of Gru
Bello! A prequel to the wildly popular Despicable Me series, this movie features a 12 year-old Gru, who is a fanboy of Vicious 6, a supervillain supergroup. When Vicious 6 fires their leader, Gru decides this will be his chance to finally join them. Watch little Gru and our favourite minions embark on an adventure where everything that could go wrong, does!Â
Classification: PG
Release Date: 30th June 2022
Genre: Animation
Running Time: 1 Hour 30Â Minutes
July
Black Adam
Dwayne Johnson stars as the titular antihero in this action movie, which serves as a spinoff of the 2019 superhero action flick, “Shazam!”.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 28th July 2022
Genre: Action / Science Fiction
Running Time: NA
August
Under The Boardwalk
This animated musical comedy follows hermit crabs who live under the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. Watch love unite, as a land crab townie and sea crab tourist embark on an epic adventure far away from home.
Language: English
Classification: NA
Release Date: 18th August 2022
Genre: Animation
Running Time: NA
Secret Headquarters
With all the superhero movies released this year, it’s nice to have one where the protagonist is a child. This family action movie is about a kid who discovers the secret headquarters of a powerful superhero hidden beneath his home, and how he defends it with his group of friends when villains attack.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 25th August 2022
Genre: Action / Superhero
Running Time: NA
September
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Uh-oh! Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll: he has burned through eight of his nine lives. Join Puss as he sets out to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 8th September 2022
Genre: Animation
Running Time: NA
October
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (Part One)
Watch Brooklyn`s full-time friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man transport across the multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People to face off against a villain more powerful than anyoe they have ever encountered before. Make sure to pre-book tickets early for good seats!Â
Language: English
Classification: NA
Release Date: 6th October 2022
Genre: Animation
Running Time: NA
The Flash
A standalone movie part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), that focuses on the superhero speedster The Flash. Don’t forget to catch your breath as you gear up for this upcoming film!Â
Language: English
Subtitle: NA
Classification: NA
Release Date: 3rd November 2022
Genre: Action / Superhero
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Although the absence of the late Chadwick Boseman will be deeply felt, Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will continue to explore the incomparable world of Wakanda and many of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film.Â
Language: English
Classification: NA
Release Date: 10th November 2022
Genre: Action / Adventure / Science Fiction
Running Time: NA
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Based on the famous children`s book by the same name, Lyle is a crocodile living in New York City who is beloved by everyone in his neighbourhood. Everyone, that is, except Mr Grumps, who hates Lyle and thinks he belongs in a zoo. Lyle does his best to win Mr Grumps over and befriend him in this heartwarming tale the kids are sure to love!
Language: English
Classification: NA
Release Date: 17th November 2022
Genre: Comedy / Musical
Running Time: NA
Strange World
You can’t get more wholesome and family-friendly than with Walt Disney movies! Enjoy this original action-adventure that will bring the whole family along in a journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 24th November 2022
Genre: Adventure / Animation
Running Time: NA
December
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Go deep as you watch the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman, where the half-human, half-Atlantean heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis protects their underwater world from threat.Â
Classification: NA
Release Date: 15th December 2022
Genre: Action / Science Fiction
Running Time: NA
Avatar 2
Even the younger ones are bound to enjoy Avatar’s well-known vivid colours and amazing cinematography. This sequel is set a few years after the first movie left off, now seeing min characters Jake and Neytiri as parents to an 8-year-old daughter.
Classification: NA
Release Date: 15th December 2022
Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy
Running Time: NA
Super Mario Bros
Many of our kids have no idea who Super Mario is, so here is their chance to get acquainted with Mum or Dad’s favourite childhood Nintendo characters! Enjoy watching Mario travel through an underground labyrinth with his brother Luigi to try and save a captured princess in this adaptation of the popular video game.Â
Classification: NA
Release Date: 22nd December 2022
Genre: Animation
Running Time: NA
The information contained in this article is accurate as of the publication date of 25th January 2022. Do note that there may be changes or possible delays in the release dates of these upcoming movies.
