Here are some questions to ponder during this year's spring thaw:

  • Will it still be "Cowabunga!" for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans after such a long layoff?
  • Will former gangsta rapper Ice Cube continue his comedic success playing the family man?
  • And will the month of May's back-to-back-to-back blockbuster threequels smash box-office records, or will the third time around for Jack Sparrow, Peter Parker, and Shrek prove to be too much of a good thing?

Here's a line-up of select family films debuting before this Memorial Day:

 

TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' (Friday, March 23)

Duuuude ... The mean, green, pizza-loving foursome of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael return for another big-screen adventure — but this time they'll be fighting evil and tossing around juvenile humor as CGI animated characters, rather than actors in the clunky costumes of yore.

Rated PG

Official Website




'The Last Mimzy' (Friday, March 23)

Mimzy is the name of a beat-up stuffed rabbit found in a box of toys from the future by two children who develop amazing superpowers, which they use to terrorize their parents and teachers as well as to do good deeds. But mostly to terrorize.

Rated PG for some thematic elements, mild peril, and language.

Based on the short story by Lewis Padgett.

Official Website




'Meet the Robinsons' (Friday, March 30)

Lewis is a talented young inventor who dreams of having the family he's never had. His latest project is his most ambitious — the Memory Scanner, a machine that he hopes will help him find his mother. The invention is stolen by Bowler Hat Guy and Lewis' journey takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson whisks him away to a world where anything is possible.

Rated G

Based on the book "A Day With Wilbur Robinson" by William Joyce.

Official Website



 

 

Charlotte’s Web (Tuesday April 3)

 

Dakota Fanning stars as a young girl that saves a little pig from being killed and cares for it, and they become friends. The pig also befriends a spider named Charlotte that none of the other barn animals can tolerate, and their friendship causes a chain of events that eventually has an effect on the lives of everyone. Also starring Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Dominic Scott Kay and John Cleese. Directed by Gary Winick. [1:37]


Rated G

 

Official Website

 

 


'Firehouse Dog' (Wednesday, April 4)

Hollywood's hottest canine is a pampered pooch who does his own stunts, but while making his latest action film he ends up in a role he didn't count on -- stray dog. Befriending a lonely kid (Josh Hutcherson) whose struggling, single dad is the local fire chief, Rexxx eventually turns their fortunes around, becoming the beloved mascot of the fire station.

Rated PG for sequences of action peril, some mild crude humor, and language.

Official Website




'Are We Done Yet?' (Friday, April 6)

In this sequel to "Are We There Yet?" (2005), Ice Cube returns as the pater familias of his now growing household as he and his new wife (Nia Long) decide to move the family out of the city to find a better life and more living space. Their fixer-upper home in the country quickly becomes a money pit and an unscrupulous contractor (John C. McGinley) only adds to their troubles.

Rated PG for some innuendos and brief language.

Official Website




'Spider-Man 3' (Friday, May 4)

Having settled into a groove with girlfriend M.J. (Kirsten Dunst), Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is finally starting to come to terms with his reluctant superhero status before a mysterious darkness begins to take hold, turning the web slinger's suit to black and giving him enhanced powers. He finds himself alienated from the people he cares about most, even as he faces two new bad guys, Sandman (Thomas Haden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace).

Not Yet Rated (The previous movies in the "Spider-Man" series were rated PG-13.)

Official Website




'Shrek the Third' (Friday, May 18)

Shrek (Mike Myers) is enjoying his own happily-ever-after in the swamp until his father-in-law, King Harold (John Cleese), becomes ill. Next in line for the throne, Shrek enlists the help of Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to find a suitable replacement heir before Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) can object.

Not Yet Rated (The previous movies in the "Shrek" series were rated PG.)

Official Website




'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' (Friday, May 25)

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) boldly goes where no pirate has gone before. Along with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the unconventional seafarer sails into uncharted waters and meets a new rival, Captain Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat), on the high seas.

Not Yet Rated (The previous two movies in the "Pirates" series were rated PG-13.)

Official Website