The 2026 summer movie season is currently a battle of the heavyweights, and for the first time in a few years, the theaters actually feel like the place to be. Between the massive technical flex of the live-action Moana and the surprisingly high-effort return of Shrek 5, you aren't just stuck choosing between "fine" and "skip it." The quality floor has been raised, but the ticket prices haven't dropped, so knowing which ones earn the $70 family outing and which ones are "wait for Disney+" is the only way to play it.
TL;DR: The must-watch theater picks right now are Moana for the sheer spectacle and Shrek 5 for the sharp, parent-friendly writing. Toy Story 5 is solid comfort food that hits the "tech vs. toys" theme hard, while the Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 remains the best pick for a high-energy afternoon. For the full age-by-age breakdown of what's out, check our best movies for kids list.
If you’ve stepped near a cinema this week, you know these three are eating all the oxygen. Here is the move on each one.
Released just two days ago, this is the one everyone is talking about. Disney finally stopped doing shot-for-shot remakes of 90s movies and moved into the 2010s era. The Rock is back as Maui, and while the "live-action" label is doing a lot of heavy lifting (it's still about 80% CGI), the scale is massive.
It’s worth the ticket for the Kakamora chase scene alone, which looks like Mad Max on the high seas. If your kid is already obsessed with the animated version, they’ll love the scale here. If they’re sensitive to "realistic" monsters, the Te Ka sequence is significantly more intense than the cartoon version. It’s a visual flex that deserves the big screen.
Nobody expected the fifth Shrek to be this good. After a 16-year hiatus, the writing team clearly had something to prove. It sidesteps the "tired sequel" trap by leaning into the fact that the characters have aged along with the audience. It’s meta, it’s fast, and the humor for parents is actually sharp, not just "shoved in for the adults."
It’s the surprise hit of the summer. If you have to pick one movie to sit through with the kids where you won't be checking your watch every ten minutes, this is it.
Pixar is playing it safe here, but "safe" for Pixar is still better than "great" for most other studios. The plot centers on the toys dealing with a new rival: electronics. It’s a theme that hits very close to home for Screenwise families.
While it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of the third movie, it’s a solid, reliable watch. It’s been out for about three weeks now, so the crowds are thinning—making it a great choice for a mid-week matinee if you want some breathing room.
Not every movie needs a $15 bucket of popcorn to work. These recent releases are perfect for a Friday night on the couch.
This hit theaters in April and has recently migrated to streaming. It’s more of the same—bright, loud, and packed with Nintendo easter eggs. It doesn't try to be deep, and that’s its strength. If your kid is in an elementary school phase where they just want to see Yoshi and Luigi do cool stuff, this is a 10/10. For parents, it’s a great background watch while you fold laundry.
If the summer blockbusters feel too loud, go back to this Netflix gem. It’s the perfect "slow cinema" for kids—beautifully animated, thoughtful, and adventurous without being frantic. It’s the best antidote to the "brain rot" pacing of some modern theatrical releases.
While we're enjoying the summer heat, the studios are already gearing up for the holiday season. Here is what is on the horizon.
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse: Still no firm date, but the rumors of a late 2026 drop are intensifying. Based on the first two, this is expected to be the cinematic event of the decade for animation fans.
- The Legend of Zelda Movie: We are still in the early teaser phase, but the hype is real. From the early looks, it seems they are aiming for a more grounded, Lord of the Rings vibe rather than the Mario slapstick. We'll be tracking this one closely at our Zelda pillar page.
- Frozen 3: Set to drop in late 2027, so you have plenty of time to prepare your ears for the next inevitable earworm.
The movie doesn't have to end when the credits roll. If you’re seeing Toy Story 5, use it as a bridge to talk about the "tech vs. toys" dynamic in your own house. Ask your kids: "If you were a toy, would you be worried about the iPad taking your job?" It’s a low-stakes way to gauge how they’re feeling about their own screen time.
If you’re watching Moana, talk about the difference between the animated version and the live-action one. Which one felt more "real"? Why do we tell the same stories in different ways? It’s a quick lesson in media literacy that kids actually find interesting.
The biggest friction point this summer is the "sequel fatigue" vs. "theatrical intensity" balance. Movies like Moana and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (which is also currently in theaters) are leaning harder into realistic action. If you have a younger kid who handled the animated versions fine, just be aware that the live-action jump often brings a level of intensity that hits differently.
Q: Is the live-action Moana okay for a 5-year-old?
It depends on their "scary" threshold. While the story is the same, the realistic CGI for the monsters (especially the lava demon Te Ka) is much more intense than the animated version. If they handled the original fine, they'll likely be okay, but maybe sit closer to the back of the theater.
Q: Do I need to see the first four Shrek movies before Shrek 5?
Not really. The movie does a great job of catching you up, and most of the jokes land even if you only have a passing knowledge of the characters. That said, the original Shrek is still a classic worth a re-watch.
Q: Is Toy Story 5 the last one?
Disney and Pixar haven't officially said, but given the box office numbers, don't count on it. The ending feels like a natural conclusion, but we've said that twice before.
Q: Which movie is best for a loud, active kid?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 or Shrek 5. Both are fast-paced and high-energy, which helps keep kids who struggle with "quiet sitting" engaged.
The summer of 2026 is a "sequel summer," but for once, they’re sequels worth seeing. If you want the full theater experience, go for Moana. If you want to laugh as much as your kids do, Shrek 5 is the winner. And if you just want to stay home and avoid the heat, the Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 on streaming is a guaranteed win.
- Check out our best movies for kids list for a full age-by-age breakdown.
- Planning a home movie night? See our digital guide for elementary school for the best streaming picks.
- Ask our chatbot for a personalized movie recommendation
