Summer flicks for older kids
Sun’s out, school’s out, and your tweens checked out way before finals. Before they morph into screen zombies, get your babies back by softening the transition. Lure them with these movies worth watching together.
Make viewing time special and encourage their creativity by letting them set the mood with blankets, floor cushions, or DIY snack bars, maybe with themed snacks like “Nim’s Island Nachos,” “Caspian Crunch,” or “Percy Popcorn with Olympian Toppings.”
‘Nim’s Island’ (2008)
If your kid’s dream job is “living in a tree with internet.”
Escape to a secluded South Pacific island where emails arrive by pelican and the neighbors are geckos with personality disorders.
Nim (Abigail Breslin) is a fearless girl living her best eco-influencer life with her marine biologist dad, Jack (Gerard Butler), and their oddball menagerie of animal friends.
Yes, it’s got a few corny moments—what family movie doesn’t? Still, the island’s sustainable-living setup and storybook vibes give this one a fresh, off-grid charm. Breslin is still cute and convincing, even post-“Little Miss Sunshine,” and Butler delivers double duty as both dad and as Alex Rover, the swashbuckling hero dreamed up by agoraphobic writer Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster).
Thematically, it’s all about “being the hero of your own story,” and refreshingly, everyone in this tale earns their stripes. The whimsical title art, strong score, and natural setting sell the fantasy without leaning too hard into CGI.
Nitpick: Foster’s role feels small for her caliber.
Watch it for: Charming survival-meets-storybook adventure that sneakily sells sustainability without sounding like homework. Rating: 8/10
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ (2008)
Nothing says “bonding time” like mythical warfare and a hot prince with an accent.
I haven’t read the books, but saw this anyway because I enjoyed the first installment of the series, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Even if your tweens missed it, fantasy drama “Prince Caspian” is gripping from start to finish, with barely a breather! Director Andrew Adamson returns with more magic, action, and a talking mouse who may or may not be Puss in Boots’ sword-wielding cousin.
Ben Barnes’ (“Stardust”) Caspian is both dreamy and broody—an irresistible combo. His swoon-worthy delivery of the titular doltish but brave young royalty was the perfect moody accompaniment to the mostly sunshiny demeanor lent by the Pevensie children, who are now slightly older and more ready for battle.
Georgie Henley still steals scenes as Lucy, and Skandar Keynes (Edmund) shows off some real character growth. William Moseley continues to be brilliant as King Peter, and Anna Popplewell, who plays the ever-sensible but fearless Susan, has a beauty that grows on you.
Even the supporting cast, animated and otherwise, contributes their brand of funnies, scaries, and heartwarming fuzzies.
At almost two-and-a-half hours, “Caspian” flies by thanks to fierce pacing, epic battle scenes, and some convincing acting. It’s darker than its predecessor, but still PG enough to earn family-night status. Even if you didn’t read the books, the story is easy enough to follow and big enough to impress.
Watch it for: Epic sibling dynamics, talking animals with attitude, Ben Barnes. Rating: 9/10
“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010)
It’s basically Harry Potter with gods.
Based on Rick Riordan’s novel, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” is about a seemingly average teen (Logan Lerman) who discovers he’s the son of a Greek god and has been accused of stealing Zeus’ (Sean Bean) lightning bolt. Along with his friends Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) and Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), he sets out on a quest to Hell and back to clear his name and save the world from the wrath of the gods.
Directed by Chris Columbus (“Harry Potter” 1 & 2), this movie borrows heavily from the Potter playbook: magical school, a trio of main characters, sudden powers, prophecy drama. It’s derivative, but it tries hard, and tweens unfamiliar with Hogwarts lore probably won’t care.
While “Percy Jackson” can be engaging at times (mostly because of the visual effects), the script is inferior to “Harry Potter.” There is just not much emotional depth to go around, and everyone else feels like a backdrop for what happens next.
Adults can enjoy the bit parts of its strangely stellar supporting cast: Oscar nominee Catherine Keener plays Percy’s mum Sally, Pierce Brosnan plays both his professor and Chiron, Oscar nominee Uma Thurman is Medusa, Steve Coogan is a sleazy Hades, and Rosario Dawson is a surprisingly chill Persephone.
Watch it for: Fast-paced fantasy, cool effects, and a crash course in Greek mythology lite. Rating: 6/10
