holiday movie preview 2012

Time to take the kids to the movies for this year's holiday film fare. Our Flicks for Kids expert lets you know if that new hit movie is right for your family. Enjoy, and pass the popcorn.

Not Rated
Rated PG-13
In Theaters November 16
What's It About?: As Bella (Kristen Stewart) adjusts to life as a vampire, she and Edward (Robert Pattinson) must protect their newborn daughter, Renesmee, from the Volturi, who believe the baby is an “immortal” and a threat to their existence.

What's the Buzz?: It will take a big bite out of the holiday box office!

Why Kids Will Want to Go: They’ve stood on line for the first three, and they won’t want to miss this final installment of the series.

Target Audience: Twi-hards!

Watch Out For: Steamy romance and graphic violence

Read the Flick for Kids Age-by-Age guide for The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn part 2.

Not Rated
Rated PG
In Theaters November 21
What's It About?: Charged with watching over the children of the world, the Guardians – Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman – enlist the help of their latest member, Jack Frost, to help them ward off evil spirit, Pitch.

What's the Buzz?: A perfect family movie for the holidays

Why Kids Will Want to Go: Their beloved childhood icons are turned into superheroes!

Target Audience:Everyone who has ever believed in any of these legends

Watch Out For: The Boogeyman

Read the Flick for Kids Age-by-Age guide for Rise of the Guardians.

Not Rated
Not Yet Rated
In Theaters December 14
What's It About?: Bilbo Baggins sets out on a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon, Smaug.

What's the Buzz?: The box office will be as epic as the movie itself!

Why Kids Will Want to Go: This movie is the first in a trilogy that takes place 60 years before the blockbuster “The Lord of the Rings.”

Target Audience: Fans of science fiction, fantasy, author J.R.R. Tolkien and director Peter Jackson.

Watch Out For: Scary situations and creepy creatures

Read the Flick for Kids Age-by-Age guide for The Hobbit.

Not Rated
Rated G
In Theaters December 19
What's It About?: Top scarers Sulley and Mike find themselves on the other side of the frights when a little girl follows them out her bedroom door one night.

What's the Buzz?: A monstrous 3D return!

Why Kids Will Want to Go: The idea of huge, blue, cuddly Sulley in 3D is irresistible!

Target Audience: Twi-hards!

Watch Out For: Anyone who’s ever looked in their closet before going to bed

Not Rated
Rated PG
In theaters coming soon
What's It About?: Three curious kids find themselves transported 65 million years back in time, where a T-Rex mom is convinced they are her newly hatched offspring.

What's the Buzz?: Lacking the Disney or Pixar name, this animated movie could quickly become as obsolete as the dinosaurs themselves.

Why Kids Will Want to Go: Dinosaurs are a childhood obsession

Target Audience: Kids who are too young for Jurassic Park

Watch Out For: Peril and some crude humor