Sweet 16: Family Movies Playing This Summer

'Daddy Day Camp'

Worth Seeing? You be the judge. Cuba Gooding Jr. takes up where Eddie Murphy left off in the 'Daddy Day Care' sequel. Gooding won't be winning any new Oscars here, but the kiddies will hoot hysterically. And isn't that worth its weight in gold statuettes? That's what Cuba tells himself, anyway.

More Cool Galleries

'Bratz'

Worth Seeing? If you have girls, we don't have to explain this one to you. Those giant-eyed, precociously garbed dolls get their own movie (real-life, not animated). Can't you just hear your daughter and her BFFs shrieking in delight already? Don't fight it. Just sigh loudly and let them know why.

More About It

'Underdog'

Worth Seeing? Sure, maybe parents' memories of the 'toon on which it's based make it seem better than it ever was. But really, a talking dog with superpowers won't be a hard sell to the kids. They'll go. They'll enjoy.

'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer'

Worth Seeing? If your kids are old enough to have seen the first, they'll wanna catch the wave of the second ('Silver Surfer,' get it?). Regardless, it may be worth a family trip. Just make sure to have plenty of snacks on hand -- this is a popcorn movie above all else.

'Nancy Drew'

Worth Seeing? Nickelodeon star (and Julia's niece) Emma Roberts has the moxie to bring the most popular girl sleuth of all childhood to the screen. And moxie's the thing that made Nancy Drew so likable. Sounds like a match made in Hollywood heaven. No mystery about it: We're there.

More Recommendations

'Stardust'

Worth Seeing?: This enchanting flick reminds us of the fairy-tale classics many 'rents grew up with -- 'Princess Bride,' especially. Who wouldn't want to share that magic with their children? Don't answer. We'd rather not know if you don't.

'The Simpsons Movie'

Worth Seeing? D'oh. It's just the funniest family sitcom on TV -- and it has been for 18 years. So get off the couch and sit your behinds down in the movie theater instead. Sure, Homer says we're suckers for paying for something we can get free. Since when has Homer been right about anything?

'Transformers'

Worth Seeing? Robots that turn into cars and fight battles in space? Sweet! The surprise mega-hit of the summer is also the surprise family flick of the season. Excellent work, Michael Bay.

'Evan Almighty'

Worth Seeing? Steve Carell steps into Jim Carrey's goody-two-shoes, playing his 'Bruce' character, an obnoxious anchorman. Though it tanked at the box office, we have faith that you and your kids will find laughs aplenty.

'Spider-Man 3'

Worth Seeing? Despite its PG-13 rating, the third installment of the mega-popular superhero franchise is the most cartoonishly silly of the lot. Tweens & teens will have a blast (the 'rents will be wowed too) with the bigger-and-better action. Kids won't even notice that part '3' doesn't live up to '1' and '2.'

'Surf's Up'

Worth Seeing? Shia LaBeouf is the hottest actor around right now, and your kids will be psyched to see anything he's in. OK, that's good for the young 'uns, but what about the grown-ups? We like penguins, plain and simple. And Jeff Bridges.

'Hairspray'

Worth Seeing? The musical version of John Waters' campy movie is a Broadway smash, and it's a fact that tweens are flocking to musicals in a big way (probably your daughter, but could be your son -- and there's nothing wrong with that), and even the oldsters can appreciate the uplifting messages of equality and girl power and it's OK to be different ... and what is John Travolta doing in that dress? (Not uplifting, but we just hadda ask.)

'Shrek the Third'

Worth Seeing? Shrek and his posse have been good for family fun since their first on-screen romp. This time's no exception: Justin Timberlake (JT, if you're young enough to care) joins the party for youth appeal and Fiona's got an ogre bun in the oven, so even Mom will have a subplot to latch onto. Shrek continues to fart a lot ... that never gets old.

'Ratatouille'

Worth Seeing? From its very first flick, 'Toy Story,' to last summer's 'Cars,' Pixar has yet to let us down. Parents expect smartly written, deeply felt CGI 'toons, while their offspring expect silliness and lovable characters. And neither group's been disappointed. This delightful gourmet-chef-rat flick keeps the streak going strong.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End'

Worth Seeing? If you can't make it to Disney World this year, you can still treat your kids to a viewing of our favorite buccaneers -- Captain Jack, Elizabeth and Will -- in this spectacularly successful threequel (originally based on a Disney ride, remember?). And you'll be indoors, AC blasting. Seen it already? You know to expect a wild ride -- so don't forget the Dramamine!

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Worth Seeing? Oh, Harry you sweet wizard, how can parents ever thank you enough? Not only do you have our children reading 500-plus-page books (often repeatedly), but you've given us movies that are so good that each one's an anticipated family event. It's enough to make a mom or dad want to dress up in round glasses, pointy hat and black robe. Not that we ever would ... that costume is for the kids, we swear.