A classic family activity: going to the movie theater!. Whether you're looking for an animated adventure, a nostalgic favorite, or a brand-new blockbuster, local theaters have plenty of options for movie lovers of all ages this September.
Here are some family-friendly films coming up at local theaters:
Cinépolis Mansfield
Located at 1965 Route 57 in Hackettstown, Cinépolis offers luxury recliner seating and a comfortable movie-going experience.
AMC Rockaway 16
Located at Rockaway Townsquare Mall, AMC features IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and family-friendly amenities.
September Theater Movie Drops
| Date | Movie | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 9 | Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass | PG | Preschool–elementary |
| Sept. 18 | Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom | Not yet rated | Elementary–families |
| Sept. 25 | Forgotten Island | PG | Elementary–tweens |
| Sept. 25 | Avengers: Endgame (rerelease) | PG-13 | Tweens & teens |
Many theaters offer discounted matinee pricing for earlier showtimes, making a family movie outing even more affordable. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance for popular summer releases, especially on weekends and rainy days when theaters tend to fill up quickly.
If you prefer to stay in and have move night at home, check out this strong release of films coming to Netflix in September:
September 1
Antz
DreamWorks animated comedy about an individualistic ant trying to find his place in the colony.
The Flintstones
The live-action version of the classic cartoon family.
Flushed Away
Animated adventure from Aardman and DreamWorks.
The Prince of Egypt
Beautiful animated musical—better suited to older elementary kids and up.
Shark Tale
Underwater animated comedy.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
A family drama told from a dog's perspective; better for older kids/tweens because of its emotional themes.
Uncle Buck
John Candy family comedy; better for older kids/tweens.
Baby Geniuses
Silly '90s family comedy that should appeal to younger children.
September 7
Monster at the End of This Story
An animated Sesame Street adaptation featuring Grover. Great for preschoolers and younger elementary kids.
September 10
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
This is a fantastic family movie-night pick, particularly for elementary-aged kids and older. It's funny and adventurous, but it also has some surprisingly mature themes about mortality and fear.
September 13
Dog Man
DreamWorks' animated adaptation of Dav Pilkey's wildly popular graphic novels arrives on Netflix September 13. One of the best picks of the month for elementary-school kids.
September 14
Barbie in the Nutcracker
A new animated Barbie adventure based around The Nutcracker, with Barbie as Clara. Best for younger kids.
September 16
Robots
The 2005 animated movie starring Ewan McGregor and Robin Williams returns to Netflix. A good choice for elementary-aged kids and families.
September 30
Thomas & Friends: Really Helpful Engines
A new Thomas & Friends animated movie. Perfect for preschool and younger elementary viewers.
Also worth noting for older kids/teens
17 Again — Sept. 1
Big Daddy — Sept. 1
These aren't little-kid movies, but they can work for a tween/teen family movie night, depending on the child. Netflix rates 17 Again PG-13.
