Movie Guide: What’s in cinemas these Winter School Holidays

Are you looking for indoor entertainment to amuse the kids during these school holidays? Our School Holiday Movie Guide features everything you need to decide what to watch at the cinemas these holidays — including ratings, duration, and the trailer! There’s lots of great family-friendly movies to choose from…

Guide to School Holiday Movies: Winter 2025

As the days grow longer and the schoolbags are temporarily retired, there’s no better way to keep the whole family entertained than with a trip to an air-conditioned cinema.

This summer, the cinemas are bursting with heartwarming animations, laugh-out-loud comedies, and thrilling adventures that promise to captivate kids, teens, and grown-ups alike.

Whether you’re searching for a magical escape, an action-packed ride, or a film that tugs at the heartstrings, this guide highlights the best releases to entertain you! From beloved franchises returning to the big screen to dazzling new stories waiting to be discovered, there’s something for everyone.

So grab your popcorn, settle into your seats, and let the magic of cinema bring your family together for laughter, wonder, and a little holiday escapism. Let’s dive into the summer’s must-see movies!

Smurfs

• Release date: 10 July 2025
• Rated: CTC
• Stars: Rihanna, Hannah Waddingham, Kurt Russell, Natasha Lyonne, Dan Levy, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, Sandra Oh, Amy Sedaris, Xolo Maridueña, Octavia Spencer, Billie Lourd, James Corden, Nick Kroll, Alex Winter, JP Karliak

Tiddler/Zog & The Flying Doctors

• Release date: 19 June 2025
• Rated: G
• Running time: 55 mins
• Stars: Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, Max Lang, Hugh Skinner, Alexandra Roach

Elio

• Release date: 19 June 2025
• Rated: PG
• Running time: 98 mins
• Stars: America Ferrera, Yonas Kibreab

Best Family Movies

How to Train Your Dragon

Set on the island of Berk, the story follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young Viking who befriends Toothless, a rare Night Fury dragon, defying generations of conflict between dragons and humans. With the help of Astrid (Nico Parker), blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost), and his father Stoick (Gerard Butler), Hiccup must unite two worlds as an ancient threat looms.

• Release date: 12 June 2025
• Rated: PG
• Running time: 125 mins
• Stars: Gal Gadot, Rachel Zegler, Andrew Burnap

A new era is born.

Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.

• Release date: 3 July 2025
• Rated: CTC
• Running time: 130 mins
• Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ed Skrein, Philippine Velge, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Bechir Sylvain

Follows the titular superhero as he reconciles his heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way in a world that views this as old-fashioned.

Superman kicks off Chapter One: Gods and Monsters in James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe (DCU). It features an ensemble cast, led by David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. It also stars Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Wendell Pierce, and more.

• Release date: 10 July 2025
• Rated: CTC
• Running time: 130 mins
• Stars: David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Frank Grillo, Rachel Brosnahan, Isabela Merced, Milly Alcock

Find your nearest North Shore Cinema

• Event Cinemas (Hornsby, Macquarie, Top Ryde City)
• Hoyts (Chatswood, Warringah Mall)
• Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace (Cremorne)
• Roseville Cinemas (Roseville)
• Hornsby Odeon Cinema (Hornsby)

Want more things to do with the kids these school holidays?

• Best things to do with kids these school holidays!
• School Holiday Camps, Workshops & Vacation Care around Sydney
• Best Waterslides & Aqua Parks to splash around in Sydney
• Best things to do on a hot day in Sydney with kids
• Things to do in Sydney this weekend