JAN. 5, 2012 -- January is a quiet month when it comes to movie releases for young children. Hardly new, the only movie being released for little ones this month is Disney's "Beauty and the Beast 3D." However, two notable PG-13 movies make this month's list: "The Iron Lady" and "Red Tails." Both are rooted in history, exporing the stories of those who overcame prejudice to serve their countries. The remaining two movies listed below, well, they simply look like fun for a girls' night out.

"Beauty and the Beast 3D"
Opens Friday, Jan. 13, 2012  |  Rated G

Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" returns to the big screen in digital 3D, introducing a whole new generation to the Disney classic with new 3D imagery. The film captures the fantastic journey of Belle (voice of Paige O'Hara), a bright and beautiful young woman who's taken prisoner by a hideous Beast (voice of Robby Benson) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle's enchanted staff — a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others — and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast's exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince.

The animated short "Tangled Ever After" precedes the movie.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

"Joyful Noise"
Opens Friday, Jan. 13, 2012  |  Rated PG-13

The small town of Pacashau, Ga., has fallen on hard times, but the people are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition. The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies now threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah), stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old. If these two strong-willed women can overcome their differences and find a common voice, they — and their choir — may make the most joyful noise of all.

"The Iron Lady"
Opens Friday, Jan. 13, 2012  |  PG-13

"The Iron Lady" is a surprising and intimate portrait of Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep), the first and only female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. One of the 20th century's most famous and influential women, Thatcher came from nowhere to smash through barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world.

"Red Tails"
Opens Friday, Jan. 20, 2012  |  PG-13

The first African American fighter squad, the Tuskegee Airmen, prove their bravery and break through stereotypes as they take to the skies during World War II. The ensemble cast includes Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr.

"One for the Money"
Opens Friday, Jan. 27, 2011  |  PG-13

Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl) has got plenty of attitude, even if she's been out of work for the last six months and just lost her car to a debt collector. Desperate for some fast cash, Stephanie turns to her last resort: convincing her sleazy cousin to give her a job at his bail bonding company ... as a recovery agent. She doesn't even own a pair of handcuffs and her weapon of choice is pepper spray, but that doesn't stop Stephanie from taking on Vinny's biggest bail-jumper: former vice cop and murder suspect Joe Morelli, the same sexy, irresistible Joe Morelli who seduced and dumped her back in high school. "One for the Money" is based on the best-selling novel by Janet Evanovich.

Our family movie guide is not meant to be a comprehensive list of movie openings. To make our guide, movies must be rated either G or PG. Movies rated PG-13 may be included if they have significant historic or educational themes or if we feel they are of special interest to our readers. Always check local movie listings to confirm release dates and times.

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