'The BFG': Steven Spielberg's newest family-friendly film gets a trailer

Spielberg has established a reputation as a creator of classic family movies. Where else are viewers of all ages finding quality films today?

A trailer has been released for the upcoming Steven Spielberg movie “The BFG.” 

Based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl, “The BFG” tells the story of young girl Sophie, who encounters a Big Friendly Giant.

The BFG himself is being portrayed by Mark Rylance, who is currently winning awards-season acclaim for his turn in another Spielberg movie, “Bridge of Spies.” “BFG” also stars Ruby Barnhill as Sophie and Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, and Bill Hader. 

The film will be released this July. 

If it is well-received critically, “BFG” looks like another classic family film from Spielberg. The director has been releasing adventure movies for all (or at least many) ages since the 1980s and 1990s, when he helmed such films as “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T.,” “Hook,” and “Jurassic Park.”

His run has continued into the current millennium, with Spielberg taking his place behind the camera for movies such as “The Adventures of Tintin” and “War Horse.” 

His adaptation of the popular young adult book “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline, which will arrive next December, is also eagerly anticipated.

Spielberg has of course had some misfires with films like “A.I.,” but his track record remains impressive. 

What makes these movies appeal to a wide audience? Spielberg’s movies often explore universal themes like the idea of family, from the children in the “E.T.” family adjusting to day-to-day life after their parents’ divorce to the paleontologist Alan Grant taking care of two children that come into his care during the disaster at Jurassic Park.

His movies also often feature memorable characters, from archaeologist Indy to the visitor from another planet in “E.T.” These characters no doubt catch young viewers’ imaginations (and older ones’, too).

Has anyone else also assumed this mantle of consistently producing quality movies for all ages? Animated studio Pixar has had only one or two films that were less than rapturously received and movies produced by the studio like “Inside Out” and “The Incredibles” are viewed as instant classics. 

Since it hasn’t come out yet, it’s unknown whether “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be okay for younger viewers, but the original “Star Wars” movies have been beloved by people of all ages for decades now. If the upcoming “Star Wars” movies are creatively satisfying, the series could renew its reputation as a destination for great stories for families.