FILM SERIES
The Little’s Family Flicks designation highlights family-friendly films on various topics, to celebrate movies with cinephiles of all ages!
Ratings
While the films listed here are rated G, PG, or equivalent, individual experiences and sensitivities vary person-to-person. We strongly suggest parents & guardians use their own judgement on what is appropriate for their family members. The IMDb “Parents Guide” on any film can also be a good resource for specific guidance (examples: “Ferngully: The Last Rainforest” and “The Prince of Egypt”).
Please note that across The Little’s website “Not Rated” does NOT necessarily mean that it’s appropriate for all audiences or all ages. “Not Rated” simply means that the film has not been rated by the MPAA.
UPCOMING
National Treasure – July 2
AMERICA 250 | Thursday, July 2 at 7:00pm | Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage), in hot pursuit of a legendary treasure, must steal one of America’s most sacred and guarded documents — the Declaration of Independence — or let it, and a key clue to the mystery, fall into dangerous hands.
The Superman Cartoons of Max Fleischer – July 26
SPECIAL SCREENING | Sunday, July 26 at 7:00pm | A special showcase of Fleischer Studios Superman cartoon shorts from the early 1940s, newly restored from original 35mm elements. These cartoons were Superman’s first theatrical adventures, and not only created a definitive style but went on to influence comic characters’ animated portrayals.
CatVideoFest 2026 – Aug. 7-9
SPECIAL SCREENINGS | Friday, August 7 – Sunday, August 9 | A Little summer favorite returns! CatVideoFest is a glorious compilation of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses.
PAST
The Mighty Ducks – Jan. 19
FAMILY FLICKS | Sunday, January 19 at 11am | A self-centered Minnesota lawyer is sentenced to community service coaching a rag tag youth hockey team in this 90’s Disney classic.
Akeelah and the Bee – Feb. 8
FAMILY FLICKS | Saturday, February 8 at 11am | Akeelah, a young gifted girl, comes from a dysfunctional family and is on the verge of quitting school. She discovers that she has a high aptitude for spellings and enters a spelling bee contest.
Follow That Bird – Mar. 29
FAMILY FLICKS | Saturday, March 29 at 11am | Big Bird is sent to live far from Sesame Street by a pesky social worker named Miss Finch. Unhappy, he runs away from there, prompting the rest of the Sesame Street gang to go on a cross-country journey to find him.
The Prince of Egypt – Apr. 13 & 14
FAMILY FLICKS | Sunday, April 13 and Monday, April 14 | In this animated retelling of the Book of Exodus, Egyptian Prince Moses (Val Kilmer), upon discovering his roots as a Jewish slave, embarks on a quest to free his people from bondage. When his plea is denied by his brother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes), the new pharaoh, a series of horrific plagues strike Egypt.
Microcosmos – June 29
FAMILY FLICKS | Sunday, June 29 at 12pm | A documentary of insect life in meadows and ponds, using incredible close-ups, slow motion, and time-lapse photography. Trust us, it’s super neat.
The Straight Story – July 16
A LYTTLE LYNCH | 35mm Film | Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30pm | Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old, learns that his estranged brother, Lyle is critically ill. Unable to drive, Alvin embarks on a journey from Iowa to Mt. Zion, by riding a lawn mower. Will he succeed? David Lynch’s G-rated drama made for Disney!
Twice Upon a Time – July 20
WORLD OF ANIMATION | 35MM FILM | Sunday, July 20 at 7:00pm | In the world of the Murwoks where nightmares are made, the evil Botch hatches a scheme to make bad dreams real. Only Ralph and Mumford, misfits from the cheery land of Frivoli, can stop him.
Raiders of the Lost Ark – July 21
STAFF PICKS | Monday, July 21 at 7:30pm | Cue the iconic Indiana Jones theme! One of Spielberg’s ultimate summer movies arrives at The Little Theatre District. Watch out for popcorn boulders!
Black Beauty – July 27
FAMILY FLICKS | Sunday, July 27 at 12pm | Told from the perspective of a majestic stallion named Black Beauty, whose life involves kindly farmers, London taxi drivers, as well as other thrills, hardships, and triumphs. With Alan Cumming and Sean Bean. Written and directed by Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands).
CatVideoFest 2025 – Aug. 1-3
CATS! | Aug. 1-3 | A triumph! A spectacle! A fuzzy wuzzy cuddle puddle! CatVideoFest is all that and more. Our favorite family-friendly cat-themed film event is back Aug. 1-3. Benefits local cats in need. Tickets are on sale now!
Jumanji – Aug. 2
SATURDAY NIGHT REWIND | Aug. 2 at 8pm | PROJECTED ON 35MM FILM | When two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man (Robin Williams) trapped in it for decades – and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.
Rochester Teen Film Festival 2025 – Aug. 7
SCREENING + AWARDS | Thursday, August 7 at 5:30pm | The annual Rochester Teen Film Festival honors the work of urban, suburban, and rural teen filmmakers and provides young people an authentic opportunity to have their work viewed by a jury and screened in a theater.
The Brave Little Toaster Goes To Mars – Aug. 10
STAFF PICKS | Sunday, Aug. 10 at Noon | Selected by Will (staff manager) | Whilst trying to protect their new “Little Master” the anthropomorphic appliances set off on an epic adventure and make many new friends along the way. Based on the book by Thomas M. Disch.
The Kid Who Would Be King – Aug. 20
BY JOE CORNISH | FAMILY FLICKS | Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00pm | Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends and enemies, and they become knights who join forces with the legendary wizard Merlin. Together, they must save mankind from the wicked enchantress Morgana and her army of supernatural warriors.
Shrek – Aug. 22 & 24
LITTLE CRAFT NIGHT: Friday, August 22 at 7:30pm | TRADITIONAL SCREENING: Sunday, August 24 at 12:00pm | A mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.
School of Rock – Sept. 7
FAMILY FLICKS | Sunday, September 7 at 12:00pm | Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his band. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates — much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack).
Return to Oz (35mm) – Oct. 3
SPOOKY SEASON | 35mm screening | Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30pm | Dorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, finds herself back in the land of her dreams, and makes delightful new friends, and dangerous new enemies.
Mad Monster Party – Oct. 5
SPOOKY SEASON x WORLD OF ANIMATION x FAMILY FLICKS | Sunday, Oct. 5 at 12pm | When Dr Frankenstein decides to retire from the monster-making business, he calls an international roster of monsters to a creepy convention to elect his successor in this 1967 stop-motion animated film.
Bugsy Malone – Nov. 17
STAFF PICKS | Monday, Nov. 17 at 7pm | The classic gangster story of Bugsy Malone told with an all-child cast. Picked by Ayette!
Fantastic Mr. Fox – Nov. 24 & 26
FAMILY FLICKS | Monday, Nov. 24 & Wednesday, Nov. 26; both screenings at 7:30pm | What the cuss?! The Wes Anderson stop-motion 2009 classic, based on the Roald Dahl story, returns to The Little. An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation.
Howl’s Moving Castle – Dec. 6 & 7
WXXI CLASSICAL PRESENTS | Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 (with panel discussion) | When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.
The Preacher’s Wife (35mm) – Dec. 12
MERRY LITTLE | 35MM FILM | Friday, December 12 at 7:30pm | An angel comes to Earth to help a preacher save his church and his family. Starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
The Muppet Christmas Carol – Dec. 19 & 22
MERRY LITTLE | Friday, December 19 and Monday, December 22 | The Muppets put their spin on the classic tale, in what many may say is the best adaptation of Dickens’ work ever put to film. (“Light the lamp, not the rat!”)
Arco
LIMITED RUN EXTENDED! | In 2075, a girl witnesses a mysterious boy in a rainbow suit fall from the sky, having traveled from the future where time travel is possible. She shelters him and will do whatever it takes to help him return to his time. This acclaimed French animated film screened at Cannes and has been collecting award nominations.
The Great Muppet Caper – Feb. 1
FOAM, FELT & FROGS | Sunday, February 1 at 1:00pm | Kermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy.
The Princess Bride – Feb. 14
VALENTINE’S DAY | Saturday, February 14 at 12:00pm and 8:00pm | In Rob Reiner and William Goldman’s classic fantasy-comedy, a grandfather reads a story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
Muppet Treasure Island – Feb. 15
FOAM, FELT & FROGS | Sunday, February 15 at 3:00pm | The Muppets set sail in search of treasure, with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver in this musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale.
Flow (w/ presentation) – Feb. 22
SCIENCE ON SCREEN | Sunday, February 22 at 3:30pm | When Cat’s home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, who will all have to team up to survive, despite their differences. | With a presentation: “Sea level change in Earth’s past and future: why, how much, how fast, and why you and your cat probably won’t like its impacts” by Vasilii (Vas) Petrenko, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at University of Rochester
The End of the Line: Rochester’s Subway 2.0 – Feb. 7-Mar. 8
SPECIAL SCREENINGS | February 7 – March 8 | The little-known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. This update on the original award-winning documentary covers what has changed since the film’s 1994 premiere, and reflects on why the subway still holds so much interest today.
KPop Demon Hunters – Mar. 16-17
SPECIAL SCREENINGS | Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 (Sing-Along) | When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey aren’t selling out stadiums or topping the Billboard charts, they’re moonlighting as demon hunters to protect their fans from ever-present supernatural danger. The runaway animated musical hit finally lands at The Little!
The Muppets Take Manhattan – Mar. 26
FOAM, FELT & FROGS | Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm | Kermit and his friends go to New York City to get their musical on Broadway only to find it’s a more difficult task than they anticipated.
Queen of Katwe – Mar. 28
MIRA NAIR | Saturday, March 28 at 3:00pm | Living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for young Phiona and her family. Her world changes when she meets Robert Katende, a missionary who teaches children how to play chess. Starring Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo.
FernGully: The Last Rainforest – Apr. 4
SPECIAL SCREENING | Saturday, April 4 at 3:00pm | The magical inhabitants of a rainforest fight to save their home, which is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus. Featuring the voices of Robin Williams, Christian Slater, Tim Curry, and Samantha Mathis.
Kiki’s Delivery Service – Apr. 5 & 12
SPECIAL SCREENINGS | Sunday, April 5 and Sunday, April 12 | Brand new 4K restoration of Hayao Miyazaki’s classic fantasy about a young witch who must overcome self-doubt when she settles in a new seaside town.
Muppets From Space – Apr. 19
FOAM, FELT & FROGS | Sunday, April 19 at 3:00pm | Gonzo is contacted by his alien family through his breakfast cereal. But when the men in black kidnap him, it’s up to Kermit and the gang to rescue Gonzo and help him reunite with his long-lost family.
The Princess Diaries – Apr. 30 & May 3
LITTLE CRAFT NIGHT: Thursday, April 30 | TRADITIONAL SCREENING: Sunday, May 3 | Mia Thermopolis has just found out that she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. With her friends Lilly and Michael Moscovitz in tow, she tries to navigate through the rest of her fifteenth year.
The Muppet Movie – May 15 & 17
FOAM, FELT & FROGS | Friday, May 15 and Sunday, May 17 | In the Muppets’ big-screen debut film, Kermit and his newfound friends trek across America to find success in Hollywood, but a frog legs merchant is after Kermit.
Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (w/ presentation) – May 31
SCIENCE ON SCREEN | Sunday, May 31 at 3:30pm | In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective, and they join forces to unravel a tangled mystery. | With a presentation: “Animal Detectives: Problem Solving in Orangutans and Otters” by Caroline DeLong, PhD, Professor of Psychology at the Rochester Institute of Technology
The Muppets (2011) – June 2
FOAM, FELT & FROGS | Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00pm | A Muppet fanatic with some help from his 2 human compatriots must regroup the Muppet gang to stop an avaricious oil mogul from taking down one of their precious life-longing treasures.
The Fan Connection – June 4
SPECIAL SCREENING | Thursday, June 4 at 7:30pm | A portrait of multiple generations of Buffalo Sabres hockey fans and their unwavering devotion to their team. With a post-film discussion with director Mary Wall.
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