Parents need to know that kids will definitely want to see this much-hyped, effects-heavy adventure. The effects are good (the dinosaur skeleton is especially fun), but the plot is uneven and the action hectic, with some point-of-view camerawork that could potentially startle younger viewers. The movie features spastic, cartoonish violence by the museum exhibits that come to life. This includes shooting (Civil War soldiers), explosions (miniature cowboys and miners), poison dart-shooting (miniature Mayans), chasing and hunting (dinosaur skeleton, lions), fighting, and car-crashing. Weapons include arrows, swords, guns, catapults, spears, axes. There’s a repeated joke about Attila the Hun’s preference for ripping off victims’ limbs. Larry has an antagonistic relationship with a monkey and repeatedly disappoints his son (who acts sad) — until the end, when he’s impressed by his father’s quick decision-making.

Parents need to know that as funny as Mrs. Doubtfire is, it’s really about the pain of separation and divorce. Serious issues such as the perception that Daniel is a bad father because he doesn’t make a lot of money, and the implied criticism of careerist mother, Miranda, are buried under a lot of padding and jokes. Kids whose families are going through divorce might find this painful in spots (particularly the separations as seen from the parental perspective). Kids who fear separation should not see this until they feel safe and secure. But some kids may find the movie helpful because it lessens feelings of being alone or unique. Expect strong language (including “s–t” and one “f–k”) and some drinking.

Parents need to know that Zootopia is a clever, fast-paced animated Disney film set in a world of walking, talking, clothed animals that live peacefully together, having supposedly evolved past nature’s rules of predator versus prey. It’s a story about an eager young cop (Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), and her investigation involves chase scenes (one is prolonged and particularly intense) and jump-scare predator attacks, as well as an explosive crash, sneaking around in dark rooms, allusions to mob activity, kidnapping, threatened torture (a crime boss wants to “ice” key characters — i.e. throw them in frozen water to drown), and bullying. No one is seriously hurt, but there are times when it seems that they have been/will be. Expect regular use of insult language like “stupid,” “jerk,” “dumb,” “butt,” etc., humor related to “naturalist” animals who choose not to wear clothes, and some sexy, sparkly ensembles worn by Gazelle, a pop star voiced by Shakira. There are a lot of jokes for adults that will go way over kids’ head (references to The Godfather, the DMV, andBreaking Bad, for instance), but there’s plenty for younger audiences to laugh at, too, and it all comes wrapped in great messages about courage, empathy, tolerance, teamwork, and the dangers of reducing others to stereotypes.