School holiday movie guide for Easter 2021: Peter Rabbit 2, Tom and Jerry, Godzilla vs. Kong

Not sure what movies to go to over the school holidays? Film critic Leigh Paatsch explains which films will suit your family.

The school holidays are here again, and a trip to the cinemas remains a valuable weapon in the entertainment arsenal of many a time-poor parent.

But how to best choose from the many titles on offer during this busy period, particularly when you must cater to the tastes and whims of multiple age groups?

Don’t panic. This guide will break down for you which movies best fit the bill for every discerning young viewer in your entourage.

PETER RABBIT 2 (G, 90 min)

Now showing in cinemas

Who?: James Corden, Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson

What?: Comedy adventure. Bored of life in the garden, Peter goes to the big city, where he meets shady characters and ends up creating chaos for the whole family.

Well … ?: The first Peter Rabbit was a mammoth hit around the world in 2018, which means this COVID-delayed sequel will be a hot ticket for pre-schoolers and early primary schoolers this Easter. Like the original, the gentle, playful tone of the author Beatrix Potter’s writing is mostly missing here, which will appal parents raised on the books. Little kids, however, won’t care a jot.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : ***

5yo – 8yo : **1/2

9yo – 12yo : **

13yo+ : *

Peter Rabbit (James Corden) in Columbia Pictures' Peter Rabbit 2.

Bea (Rose Byrne) has a book reading in Peter Rabbit 2.

TOM & JERRY: THE MOVIE (G, 101 min)

Now showing in cinemas

Who?: Chloe Grace Moretz, Michael Pena

What?: Action comedy. A chaotic battle ensues between Jerry Mouse, who has taken refuge in the Royal Gate Hotel, and Tom Cat, who is hired to drive him away before the day of a big wedding arrives.

Well … ?: Hard-line Simpsons fans will remember Tom and Jerry as the hyper-violent inspiration for the characters Itchy and Scratchy. The seminal cat-and-mouse-at-war duo have toned down their act quite a lot for the 2021 big screen. Maybe a touch too much? This bland bundle of slapstick comedy, goofy chases and many swiftly sustained and forgotten injuries runs way too long at just over the 100-minute mark.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : **1/2

5yo – 8yo : **

9yo – 12yo : **

13yo+ : *

Chloe Grace Moretz in a scene from Tom and Jerry.

GODZILLA vs. KING (M, 113 min)

Now showing in cinemas

Who?: Godzilla, King Kong, Millie Bobby Brown

What?: Action adventure. Though friendly to mankind in the past, Godzilla is now behaving dangerously. King Kong is summoned from his remote home on Skull Island in a bid to stop the rot.

Well … ?: A rare case where an M-rating could be considered a bit harsh. Young viewers aged 9 and above – and boys in particular – are hardwired to enjoy the mindless spectacle of two of moviedom’s most famous monsters engage in a planet-rattling smackdown. The target audience will be most delighted by what they see. Everybody else should head elsewhere.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : *

5yo – 8yo : **

9yo – 12yo : ***

13yo+ : ***

A scene from Godzilla vs. Kong.

YES DAY (PG, 86 min)

Now streaming on Netflix

Who?: Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramirez, Jenna Ortega

What?: Family comedy. A mum and dad who usually say no decide to say yes to their kids’ wildest requests with a few ground rules on a whirlwind day of fun and adventure.

Well … ?: The streaming giant Netflix normally rolls out plenty of fresh all-ages fare in time for the holidays. While that is not the case this Easter, this very amiable, easy-to-watch affair is a safe reliable choice for the stay-at-home crowd. Particularly parents who need to make a hasty choice that will keep multiple age groups relatively happy.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : ***

5yo – 8yo : ***1/2

9yo – 12yo : ***

13yo+ : **1/2

A scene from Yes Day.

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (PG, 107 min)

In cinemas; also streaming on Disney+ Premium

Who?: the voices of Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina

What?: Animated adventure. In a realm known as Kumandra, a re-imagined Earth inhabited by an ancient civilisation, a warrior named Raya is determined to find the last dragon.

Well … ?: This fast-paced and vibrantly illustrated affair from Disney plays very strongly in cinemas (where the movie’s magnificent lighting and colour scheme really pop). Fans of fantasy-based fare will be quite taken with the exciting story, which never once crosses over to the boring side. Just the ticket for those who miss the now-defunct the How to Train Your Dragon series.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : ***

5yo – 8yo : ***1/2

9yo – 12yo : ****

13yo+ : ***1/2

As an evil force threatens the kingdom of Kumandra, it is up to warrior Raya to leave her Heart Lands home and track down the legendary last dragon to help stop the villainous Druun. Picture: © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

PENGUIN BLOOM (PG, 95 min)

Now showing in cinemas

Who?: Naomi Watts, Jacki Weaver, Andrew Lincoln

What?: Family drama. A mother is left paralysed after a near-fatal accident. A profound healing process for her family begins with the arrival of a baby magpie named Penguin.

Well … ?: Still going strong in its third month of release. The well-regarded pedigree of this Australian production (based on a true story that became a best-selling book) and its filmmakers holds the key to its enduring appeal. The subject matter does get a bit too heavy for children under 10.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : *1/2

5yo – 8yo : **1/2

9yo – 12yo : ***

13yo+ : ***1/2

Paul Mander trained the magpies in the film Penguin Bloom.

TWO BY TWO: OVERBOARD (G, 80 min)

Now showing in cinemas

Who?: Ava Connolly, Tara Flynn, Max Carolan

What?: Animated adventure. Adrift on a flood, two misfit castaways struggle to reunite an unorthodox family, out-run a volcano, and negotiate a peace deal on a creaking Ark.

Well … ?: The Ark in question is Noah’s ark, in case you were wondering. This is actually a sequel to a 2015 cartoon no-one can quite remember. This German-produced affair (fear not, all the animals are yammering away in English!) will be best loved by pre-schoolers perhaps on their first-ever trip to the cinema, where the non-existent plotting and quick running time will be major pluses.

Which age group?:

under 5yo : ***

5yo – 8yo : **

9yo – 12yo : **

13yo+ : *

The colourful characters in Two by Two: Overboard.