The top new kids’ movies in theatres to watch in July 2025 include Smurfs, starring Rihanna, and Jurassic World: Rebirth, a dinosaur-packed adventure led by Scarlett Johansson. Also showing are James Gunn’s Superman and Matt Shakman’s Fantastic Four: The First Steps.

Key takeaways

• Jurassic World: Rebirth kicks off July’s kids’ movie line up with dinosaur action and sci-fi thrills, starring Scarlett Johansson and premiering on 2 July.
• James Gunn’s Superman and Matt Shakman’s Fantastic Four: The First Steps offer superhero excitement with PG-13 family appeal.
• Rihanna leads the musical reboot of Smurfs (18 July) as Smurfette in a colourful, animated fantasy adventure packed with original songs and humour.
• The best kids’ movies to watch in summer 2025 include Lilo & Stitch, Elio, How to Train Your Dragon, Smurfs, and The Bad Guys 2.

New kids’ movies in theatres to watch in July 2025

When compiling this article about the best new kids’ films in July 2025, we relied on official release calendars and cinema listings. We listed these titles by release date and prioritised family-friendly theatrical premieres.

Availability may vary by region, so check local cinemas for the latest schedules. Here are the top kids’ movies releasing in July 2025 in theatres:

1. Jurassic World Rebirth (2 July)

• Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi, thriller
• Major actors: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend
• Directors: Gareth Edwards
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 2 hours 14 minutes

Popular blonde actress Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, a covert operative sent to a secret InGen island to retrieve DNA samples from prehistoric creatures mutated for pharmaceutical use. Alongside a shipwrecked family, she must evade hyper-evolved dinosaurs and the corporate agents hunting them down.

2. Superman (11 July)

• Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi
• Major actors: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, María Gabriela de Faría
• Directors: James Gunn
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 2 hours 9 minutes

Superman is also among the best new kids’ films to watch in July 2025. The talented David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent, a seasoned Man of Steel facing public backlash after intervening in a foreign conflict.

As Lex Luthor exploits the fallout to launch a smear campaign, Superman must defend his legacy while grappling with his alien origins and fractured trust in humanity.

3. Smurfs (18 July)

• Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy, family, fantasy, musical
• Major actors (voice): Rihanna, John Goodman, James Corden, Nick Offerman
• Directors: Chris Miller
• Rated: PG
• Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes

Rihanna voices Smurfette, who leads the Smurfs on a daring rescue mission into the human world after evil wizards Gargamel and Razamel kidnap Papa Smurf. With help from new allies, the Smurfs must uncover their true destiny to save their leader and the universe.

4. Fantastic Four: The First Steps (25 July)

• Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi
• Major actors: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner
• Directors: Matt Shakman
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes

Fantastic Four: The First Steps is another top kids’ movies releasing in July 2025 in theatres. Pedro Pascal leads as Reed Richards in a retro-futuristic reboot, where Marvel’s First Family must defend Earth from Galactus, a cosmic entity bent on planetary consumption.

As the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) delivers a chilling ultimatum, the team grapples with internal tensions and the looming destruction of their world.

Notable July 2025 movie releases for children (outside of theatres)

Here is a roundup of notable July 2025 children’s movies released outside of theatres, perfect for streaming or home viewing:

1. Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2 July)

• Genre: Adventure, comedy, family, fantasy
• Major actors: Samantha Lorraine, Jacob Rodriguez, Daniella Pineda, Gabriel Iglesias, Mariana Garzón Toro
• Director: Alberto Belli
• Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
• Where to watch: Paramount+ and Nickelodeon

In this jungle-hopping adventure, Dora and cousin Diego reunite for an epic quest to uncover the lost treasure of Sol Dorado. Facing ancient riddles, rival treasure hunters, and high-tech traps, the duo must rely on teamwork and courage. Stream it at home on Paramount+ or catch bonus content on Nickelodeon.

2. Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (11 July)

• Genre: Musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family
• Major actors: Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Chandler Kinney, Kylee Russell, Malachi Barton, Freya Skye
• Director: Paul Hoen
• Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
• Where to watch: Disney+

Zed and Addison’s summer road trip takes a supernatural detour when they become camp counsellors caught between rival monster factions, Daywalkers and Vampires. As tensions rise, they must help Nova and Victor, two young leaders from opposing sides, find common ground before a greater threat emerges.

3. My Melody & Kuromi (24 July)

• Genre: Animation, fantasy, comedy, family
• Major actors (voice): Rei Sakuma, Junko Takeuchi
• Director: Tomoki Misato
• Runtime: Series format (episode runtimes vary)
• Where to watch: Netflix

In this handcrafted stop-motion animation series, My Melody’s thriving cake shop and Kuromi’s struggling sweets store clash in a sugar-fueled rivalry that turns magical. When a mysterious heart appears in the woods, their feud escalates into a contest judged by the eccentric Chef Pistachio.

4. Happy Gilmore 2 (25 July)

• Genre: Comedy, sports, family
• Major actors: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller, Christopher McDonald, Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny
• Director: Kyle Newacheck
• Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Where to watch: Netflix

Thirty years after his Tour Championship win, Happy Gilmore returns to the green to fund his daughter Vienna’s ballet dreams. With old rivals like Shooter McGavin and new chaos from Hal L.’s support group, Happy must navigate viral fame, modern golf culture, and a new generation of pros. The film features cameos from Travis Kelce, Rory McIlroy, and Eminem.

Upcoming animated movies for kids in 2025

Here are the top-animated movies for kids in 2025 that are generating buzz across studios and fan communities:

• The Bad Guys 2 (1 August)
• Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical (15 August)
• Animal Friends (15 August)
• Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (26 September)
• David (21 November)
• Zootopia 2 (26 November)
• The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (19 December)

When is the Smurfs 2025 movie release date?

Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies will release the new Smurfs film in the United States on 18 July. Initially set for an earlier debut, producers moved it to accommodate other Paramount projects.

What is the newest movie for kids?

As of July 2025, one of the newest kids’ movies in theatres is Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, released on 2 July. It features Dora and Diego in a treasure-hunting adventure and is available on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

Other new releases include Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, Smurfs, and Summer Wars (4K Remastered).

What children’s movies are out at the moment?

As of this writing, Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2 July, streaming) and Jurassic World: Rebirth (2 July, theatres) are out.

Which movies are playing for kids?

As of mid-2025, kids’ movies currently playing in theatres include Elio, Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado and Jurassic World: Rebirth.

A wave of exciting new kids’ movies is hitting theatres this July, offering action, adventure, and plenty of family fun. From animated reboots to superhero spectacles, there’s something for every young moviegoer to enjoy.

Yen.com.gh recently published an article on the new Apple TV releases for June 2025. The month features a diverse line-up of originals, such as Stick, Echo Valley, and Smoke, along with returning favourites like The Buccaneers season 2.

Apple TV+ continues to expand its catalogue with weekly premieres across genres, including comedy, thriller, drama, and family-friendly animation. Read the full list of Apple TV’s releases for June 2025.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh