TL;DR: The 2026 Family Movie Cheat Sheet
- The Biggest Hitter: Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 (April) — Expect more power-ups and a massive Nintendo Switch marketing blitz.
- The Conversation Starter: Toy Story 5 (June) — Pixar is literally making "the iPad" the villain. This is our year, parents.
- The Nostalgia Trap: Shrek 5 (July) — Get ready for your kids to quote memes you don't understand for three months straight.
- The New IP: Hoppers (March) — Humans jumping into robot animal bodies. It’s weird, it’s Pixar, and it’s actually original.
- The Big Kid Draw: The Mandalorian & Grogu (May) — The bridge between Disney+ and the big screen.
If 2025 was the year of "wait and see," 2026 is the year the studios decided to back the truck up and dump every major franchise we love (and some we’re tired of) directly into the multiplex.
As intentional parents, we’re usually looking for two things: a movie that won't make us want to claw our eyes out, and a movie that doesn't trigger a three-week obsession with Skibidi Toilet style "brain rot" content on YouTube.
The 2026 slate is heavy on sequels, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you know what you’re getting. On the other, the "merch-to-movie" pipeline is stronger than ever. Here is how to navigate the roadmap without losing your mind or your savings account.
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Ages: 5+
Let’s be real: the first one was basically a 90-minute commercial for Mario Kart, but it was a fun commercial. The sequel is leaning harder into the "Nintendo Cinematic Universe."
Why it matters for Screenwise parents:
Expect your kids to want to spend more time on Super Mario Odyssey or Super Mario Wonder after seeing this. If you’ve been trying to scale back gaming time, April is going to be your "final boss" month.
Check out our guide on setting healthy boundaries for Nintendo Switch
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Ages: All Ages
Pixar is doing something incredibly "meta" here. The plot leaked months ago, and it’s official: Woody, Buzz, and the gang are facing off against electronics. The "villain" is literally the lure of the screen—tablets, phones, and high-tech gadgets that make traditional play feel "mid" (as the kids say).
Why it matters for Screenwise parents:
This movie is a gift for us. It’s a built-in conversation starter. When the movie ends, you can actually ask, "Do you think your iPad makes it harder to enjoy your LEGOs?" It’s rare that a blockbuster does the parenting work for us, so we’ll take the win.
Release Date: July 1, 2026
Ages: 6+ (with some "over their heads" humor)
It’s been 16 years since the last Shrek. Why now? Because Shrek has become the undisputed king of internet meme culture. Your kids probably know Shrek from Roblox memes or weird TikTok edits more than the actual movies.
The Screenwise Take:
Expect this one to be high energy and potentially a bit chaotic. Dreamworks knows their audience is now a mix of nostalgic 30-somethings (us) and Gen Alpha kids who think everything "weird" is "Ohio." It’s probably going to be fine, but maybe watch the trailer first to see if the "edgy" humor crosses your family's line.
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Ages: 7+
Pixar’s newest original story involves a girl who transfers her consciousness into a robotic beaver to go undercover in the animal kingdom. It sounds like a tech-heavy version of Brave or Brother Bear.
What to watch for:
Since the plot involves "hopping" into a digital/robotic body, it might spark some questions about AI and VR. If your kids are already asking about Meta Quest or VR headsets, this movie will definitely fan those flames.
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Ages: 4+
Warner Bros. is trying to do for Dr. Seuss what they did for the LEGO movies. Bill Hader is voicing the Cat. This is a safe bet for the younger crowd, but let’s hope it’s better than the 2003 live-action fever dream.
Release Date: May 22, 2026
Ages: 9+ (Standard Star Wars violence)
If you’ve been watching the show on Disney+, this is the big conclusion/transition.
Parental Note:
Star Wars is generally "safe," but the merchandise tie-ins for this will be inescapable. If you aren't ready for another $500 worth of plastic Grogu toys in your house, start setting those expectations now.
Learn more about how "blind boxes" and toy marketing work on kids
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Ages: 12+
Marvel is trying to get its groove back by bringing Robert Downey Jr. back... as Doctor Doom. It’s confusing, it’s expensive, and every middle schooler in the country will be talking about it.
Screenwise Tip:
This is a great time to check in on your kid's Discord or YouTube habits. Marvel "theory" channels can be a rabbit hole of clickbait and occasionally inappropriate commentary.
| Movie | Best For | Potential Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| Mario 2 | Everyone | Consumerism/Gaming obsession |
| Toy Story 5 | Everyone | Tech-shaming (might feel preachy) |
| Hoppers | Ages 7-12 | Mild sci-fi peril |
| Shrek 5 | Ages 6+ | Crude humor/Innuendo |
| Mandalorian | Ages 9+ | Fantasy violence |
| Cat in the Hat | Ages 4-8 | Slapstick chaos |
2026 isn't just a big year for movies; it’s a massive year for Digital Tie-ins.
Studios aren't just selling lunchboxes anymore. They are selling Roblox skins, Fortnite emotes, and mobile game crossovers.
When you take your kid to see Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, they aren't just going to want the popcorn bucket. They’re going to want the "Limited Edition Mario Movie Pack" in whatever game they’re currently playing.
How to handle it:
- Pre-game the "No": Before you walk into the theater, establish if there's a budget for digital extras.
- The "One-Week Rule": If they want a $20 skin in Fortnite because of a movie, make them wait a week. Most "movie hype" dies down significantly once the credits roll.
Ask our chatbot for tips on managing in-app purchases
2026 is going to be a loud year at the cinema. Between Toy Story 5 and Mario 2, the line between our screens at home and the big screen at the theater is going to get very blurry.
The good news? These movies are shared experiences. In a world where our kids are often siloed in their own personalized YouTube algorithms, sitting in a dark room for two hours together is still one of the best "digital wellness" wins we can get. Even if we have to listen to Shrek memes the whole ride home.
- Audit your subscriptions: Do you actually need Disney+, Max, and Netflix? Most of these 2026 hits will land on streaming 45-90 days after release.
- Talk about Toy Story: Use the upcoming release of Toy Story 5 to start a low-pressure conversation about how much time your family spends on "electronics" vs. "real-world toys."
- Check the WISE scores: Before you buy tickets, check the Screenwise app for the full "Parental Vibe Check" on each of these titles as they release.