Bratz: The Movie -- Watch the trailer
Opened: August 3
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: Popular fashion dolls come to life.
Parents need to know: BRATZ. Short skirts, sexy demeanors. Brand extensions of popular toys. Questionable role models. And now in a live-action movie form, featuring four young girls entering high school and dealing with the woes of keeping their friendships strong. Banding together as The Bratz, they fight against peer pressure and learn against true empowerment.

Underdog -- Watch the trailer
Opened: August 3
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: It stars a flying, talking Beagle.
Parents need to know: A good alternative to the intensity of Spider-Man, this promises all the fun of high-flying, dog-defying stunts for younger kids. The classic cartoon goes live-action and Underdog (the flying, talking Beagle thanks to a mysterious lab accident) is determined to protect Capitol City from harms way.

The Simpsons Movie -- Watch the trailer
Opened: July 27
Rating: PG-13
Why kids will want to see it: After 18 years on the small screen, the citizens of Springfield hit the Cineplex.
Parents need to know: It\'s The Simpsons. Homer, Marge, and the gang are dealing with the fate of the world, which can only mean comedy for die-hard fans. But if you don\'t let your kids watch at home, then the movie isn\'t for you, either. If you do, expect some greater liberties in the film version. The Simpsons are dealing with the fate of the world, which can only mean comedy for die-hard fans. The freedom of the big-screen will mean anything goes, including a nude Bart riding through Springfield on his skateboard.

Hairspray -- Watch the trailer
Opened: July 20
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: To see if that really is John Travolta in there. Plus, a a star-studded cast that includes High School Musical\'s Zac Eftron.
Parents need to know: Sixteen years after John Waters\' original film -- and following on the heels of a highly successful run on Broadway -- the hair is as big as ever for the teens of the local Baltimore dance show. Since the movie is set in the \'60s, class and race issues play a key role in the story. But fun music and unique characters are sure to please young audiences.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -- Watch the trailer
Opened: July 13
Rating: PG-13
Why kids will want to see it: Why wouldn\'t they?
Parents need to know: As Harry matures, the burden of his past (murdered parents, countless attempts on his life) becomes heavier to bear. The fifth installment of the movie series arrived in theaters a week before the seventh (and final) book is published, so it had a massive marketing campaign. The excitement, magic, and fantasy of the Potter series are as enticing as ever. But they\'re accompanied by a great deal of struggle and pain, so be prepared. Parents of younger fans might want to check out the book before heading to the theater.

Transformers -- Watch the trailer
Opened: July 4
Rating: PG-13
Why kids will want to see it: Robots and explosions.
Parents need to know: The heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons (in stores now!) face off. The live-action/CGI movie is inspired by a line of toys that were popular in the 1980s -- so prepare for an onslaught of new action figures tied to the release of the film, as well as comic books and other novelty items. Also worth noting: The movie\'s big-bang explosions and amped-up robots are far more sophisticated than the 20-year-old cartoon version.

Ratatouille -- Watch the trailer
Opened: June 29
Rating: G
Why kids will want to see it: Because talking animals are always hilarious.
Parents need to know: This is one of the few G-rated summer movies that doesn\'t look like it will kill off parents\' brain cells. That said, it\'s already being marketed with all the firepower Disney can muster. Comedian Patton Oswalt voices Remy the rat, who has dreams of being a great chef. When he finds himself in Paris, living under one of the greatest restaurants in town, Remy finds a way to display his savvy skills. But he\'s still a rat in a kitchen -- a combination that creates a frenzy among the chefs and leads to countless attempts to "exterminate" Remy.

Evan Almighty -- Watch the trailer
Opened: June 22
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: Steve Carell\'s antics will appeal to the whole family.
Parents need to know: An unofficial sequel to Bruce Almighty, this time around God decides to visit newscaster-turned-Congressman Evan Baxter (Carrell), advising him to build an arc and change the world. Comedic mayhem ensues as Evan and his family literally take on the work of God. Some jokes may be over the head of younger viewers, but the physical comedy is likely to be a hit with the whole family.

Nancy Drew -- Watch the trailer
Opened: June 15
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: Nick\'s Unfabulous star, Emma Roberts.
Parents need to know: This is a sure bet for late-elementary and young middle-school kids. There\'s no mystery this small-town smarty pants can\'t solve. Nancy -- an old-fashioned girl based on the famous book series -- moves to the big city. Between dealing with the new cool girls in school, solving a super mystery, and averting threats to her own life, the movie looks like it has just the right amount of age-appropriate action.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer -- Watch the trailer
Opened: June 15
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: All the action of X-Men, the coolness of The Thing, and the beauty of Jessica Alba.
Parents need to know: The movie\'s clashes and battles are more in the vein of X-Men than The Incredibles and should be reserved for mature tweens or young teens. Between Dr. Doom and the Silver Surfer preparing the world for destruction, the Fantastic Four have their hands full. This sequel offers plenty of intense villains and comic-book action, but there are lots of other action sequels in theaters this summer, too.

Surf\'s Up -- Watch the trailer
Opened: June 8
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it: Because nothing\'s cooler -- when you\'re 6 -- than surfing penguins!
Parents need to know: This documentary-style film takes audiences behind the scenes of the Penguin World Surfing Championship, sharing the "true story" of how surfing was actually invented by penguins. Wave-braving birds are in peril during this CGI fest, so know your younger kids.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World\'s End -- Watch the trailer
Opened: May 25
Rating: PG-13
Why kids will want to see it: Captain Jack Sparrow, mate.
Parents need to know: These movies do scare younger kids. Skeletons and lots of fighting can cause nightmares in the elementary school set. But the third (and final) installment of the swashbuckling series is sure to appeal to pirate fans both young and old. The action takes viewers to the haunted shores at the end of the world in search of their favorite captain. Expect bigger, longer, more action-packed explosions, fights, and intensity as pirates from the four corners of the earth come together and fight to reclaim their bandit lifestyle.

Shrek the Third -- Watch the trailer
Opened: May 18
Rating: PG
Why kids will want to see it:The lovable ogre adds Justin Timberlake\'s voice to his list of castmates.
Parents need to know: Everyone\'s favorite green ogre is looking for the perfect heir for the Far, Far Away throne so he and Princess Fiona can live happily ever in their swamp. In the process, Shrek encounters a whole new cast of characters -- including one voiced by J.T. himself. Pop-culture references are there for parents, and most go over little heads. The modern take on traditional fairy tales is refreshing and fun for the whole family.

Georgia Rule -- Watch the trailer
Opened: May 18
Rating: R
Why kids will want to see it: Two words: Lindsay Lohan.
Parents need to know: Lohan is in the midst of transitioning into becoming a "mature actress" and is taking on more adult roles. (Note the MPAA rating.) Here she plays a wild child: drinking, swearing, and fast-talking. Not a movie for tweens, this film explores relationships among three generations of women (Jane Fonda and Felicity Huffman also star) who need support and structure in their lives.

Spider-Man 3 -- Watch the trailer
Opened: May 4
Rating: PG-13
Why kids will want to see it: It\'s Spidey!
Parents need to know: Plenty of violence, and young kids might be confused by Peter Parker/Spidey\'s darker side. In the end, there\'s a positive message that everyone can make bad decisions and still ultimately choose to do the right thing. An excellent pick for older tweens to start off summer blockbuster season.