April School Holiday Movie Guide for parents | Movie reviews 2022
The new must-see movies line up for the April school holidays – here’s how they rate, including a kid’s age guide and a parent star rating – because we mums & dads want to be entertained too!
School Holiday movies can be a bit of a mine field to choose from. All preschoolers, kids and teens have their special favourites of course, but sometimes we parents don’t know what to pick. Is my child going to like it? Am I going to be sat there bored for two hours? Are THEY going to be sat there bored for two hours? Because let’s be selfish here – there’s nothing worse than waiting for a looooong family movie to end!
We’ve taken a sneak peek via the Premieres and Special Preview screenings of the following movies, and found that there’s no fear of boredom!
I’ve used a star system to help guide you on child/teenager/parent enjoyment, plus suitable children’s ages for each movie.
This is my quick guide to the biggest April school holiday movies to see in 2022 – grab your kids, the popcorn, oversized soft drinks and let’s go!
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 movie
A cracker of a film, everyone’s going to love this fast-paced Sonic The Hedgehog romp. Jim Carrey as Eggman is exactly as you would expect him to be – he totally rocks the role – a joy to watch. Older kids and teens are going to love this movies twisting action roller coaster plot. There’s some new (well, new to the movies, not the Sonic games of course) characters – Tails and Knuckles – which make this movie even more fun. Don’t miss the cut scene at the end, which will rock Sonic fans world! The kids in the whole cinema at the Sydney Special Preview were engrossed during the entire film, so you guessed it – this movie is a HIT with the whole family!
Best kid ages for this movie: all ages, but primary and tween aged kids will love it best
Kid rating: 
Parent rating:
Rated: PG
Movie company: Paramount Pictures Australia Sonic Australian tickets website
In cinemas: March 31st, 2022
Watch our Sonic 2 movie Sydney Special Preview event YouTube video
Want to see more? Watch our video of the Sydney Special Preview Screening event on YouTube!
Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here
See our Sonic 2 Instagram post here
The Bad Guys movie
This is another awesome new movie, and not just because the author, Australian Aaron Blabey was at the Sydney Premiere we attended in person to introduce the movie!
I think a lot of children have been waiting for this fantastic book series to come on the big screen, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Dreamworks animations are always epic, and this movie is no exception.
According to my kids, Dreamworks have translated the characters off the page and onto the big screen seamlessly.
This is definitely a school holidays movie must-see – but I’m pretty sure you won’t get any arguments from the kids on that score anyhow!
Best kid ages for this movie: all ages, but primary school and tween aged kids will love it best
Kid rating:
Parent rating: 
Rated: PG
Movie company: Universal Pictures Australia
In cinemas: March 31st, 2022
Watch our The Bad Guys Sydney Premiere with author Aaron Blabey event YouTube video
Want to see more? Watch our video of the The Bad Guys Sydney Premiere Screening event on YouTube!
Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here
See our Bad Guys Instagram post here
Rabbit Academy movie
There’s nothing more fun than an Easter movie…well, at Easter! Rabbit Academy is a super-cute animated Easter tale to take the kids to see. Perfect for preschool and primary school aged kids (but my 14 year old really enjoyed it too!), this charming tale is colourful, non-threatening and engaging, which is just what you need for those extra-small movie-goers! Rabbit Academy should be your Easter movie first choice for all little Easter Bunny lovers!
Rated PG – best kid ages for this movie: preschool & primary school aged kids will love it best
Kid rating:
Parent rating: 
Rated: PG
Movie company: Icon Film Australia & New Zealand
In cinemas: April 7, 2022
Watch our Rabbit Academy Sydney Preview Instagram Story video
Want to see more? Watch our video of the Sydney Special Preview Screening event on Instagram
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore movie
A fantastic movie, as expected! Return to the Magical spell that only JK Rowling can cast. The 11th film in the Wizarding World franchise and the third installment of the Fantastic Beasts movies, this movie will have all Harry Potter fans (and anyone left) spellbound. That first moment you catch site of Hogwarts sent a genuine excited thrill up my spine. But a gentle warning that due to an early shocking but essential plot moment in the film, I wouldn’t take young or school aged children to see it (hence my child 4 star rating). The film is rated PG 13.
This is a brilliant film, definitely a must see for both adults and teenagers – including, of course, all Potter Heads!
Kid rating:
Parent rating:
Rated: PG 13
Best kid ages for this movie: Teenager to Adult
Movie company: Universal Pictures on behalf of Warner Bros. – Warner Bros. Pictures Fantastic Beasts 3 tickets
In cinemas: April 7, 2022
Watch our Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Sydney Premiere event video
Want to see more? Watch our video of the Sydney Premiere event on YouTube here
Don’t miss another of our Australian family YouTube videos! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here
Need some more April NSW school holiday ideas? Check out our Sydney School Holiday ideas feature here
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