Films for kids over the summer holidays - in pictures

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters: a sequel to the fun 2010 teen fantasy The Lightning Thief, based on the series of young-adult novels by Rick Riordan. Logan Lerman returns as Percy, the demigod leading the gang in their search for the Golden Fleece. Release date: 7 August. For fans of: Harry Potter, Hunger Games Photograph: PR

Planes: the latest from the Disney animation stable, this looks a bit more like Cars than The Incredibles - it's the story of a cropdusting plane who's scared of heights. But it's guaranteed to please kids of all ages (and hopefully their mums and dads too). Release date: 16 August. For fans of: Cars, Toy Story 3 Photograph: PR

Wadjda: If you're in the mood for something a little less flashy, then take the children to this. Wadjda is the story of a 10-year-old girl determined to get a bike in modern-day Saudi Arabia, and has become big news as the first film ever directed by a woman in Saudi. But it's not at all earnest; a gripping story that any kid will identify with. Release date: out now. For fans of: Billy Elliot, Kes. Photograph: PR

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: Missing Twilight already? Well, Hollywood has found the cure: another series of goth-gloomy teen films adapted from a string of novels, this time from Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments. There are six of 'em, so if this does well there will be a load more coming down the pipe, all about so-called "Shadowhunters", humans with angelic properties. Release date: 21 August. For fans of: Twilight, Beautiful Creatures Photograph: PR

One Direction - This Is Us: life on the road with the awesomely successful British boyband, notoriously defeated on The X Factor in 2010 but who have since gone on to stellar success all over the world. Fans will no doubt be desperate to see this, but parents might be intrigued to know Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock is in charge of the cameras. Release date: 29 August. For fans of: One Direction, of course. Photograph: PR

Thomas and Friends: King of the Railway: no summer would be complete without some Thomas the Tank Engine. The latest in the neverending stream of chuffing hi-jinks is King of the Railway, following last year's Blue Mountain Mystery. You won't be able to tear the little 'uns away. Release date: 23 August (at Vue cinemas only). For fans of: Peppa Pig, Thomas and Friends TV show. Photograph: PR

From Up on Poppy Hill: a complex animated story that will appeal to older children, from the famous Japanese studio behind Spirited Away. Sixteen year old Umi, living in early-60s Yokohama, falls in love with local reporter Shun, but realises they may be related. With rich colours and beautifully drawn scenes, this will no doubt be an intense experience. Release date: 2 August. For fans of: Arrietty, Ponyo, Spirited Away. Photograph: PR

Ratatouille: if you can't make it out to the cinema, here's something to watch at home. This 2007 Pixar comedy is lovably ratty, featuring the brilliant rodent chef Rémy who serves up great food via kitchen boy Linguini. Available: now. For fans of: Flushed Away, Despicable Me Photograph: PR handout

The Princess Bride: A perennial storybook classic from the mid-1980s, with Cary Elwes and Robin Wright. It's enough of a rom-com to keep anyone interested, with plenty of derring-do, enchantment and fairytale action thrown in. Available: now. For fans of: Stardust, The Hobbit. Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

Emil and the Detectives: recently promoted by Michael Rosen, the film adaptation of Erich Kästner's Berlin-set children's story is a classic of its kind. The soon to be released DVD has the well-known German film, as well as the long-lost London-set version from 1935. Available from: 19 August. For fans of: Spy Kids, Famous Five. Photograph: PR

Bugsy Malone; Alan Parker's mid-70s gangster musical never gets tired. The combination of sharp suits, custard pie guns, and toe-tapping tunes means this really does work for all ages (well, the tinies might get a bit scared). Available: now. For fans of: Brick, Grease. Photograph: Allstar/TRISTAR/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

The Amazing Mr Blunden: This 1972 ghost story has been somewhat forgotten in recent years, but it's well worth a look on a rainy afternoon. Based on The Ghosts by Antonia Barber, a story about a turn-of-the-century brother and sister who realise their country home is haunted, this is creepy and moving no matter how old you are. Available: now. For fans of: The Railway Children, Doctor Who Photograph: PR