TL;DR: The 98th Academy Awards just wrapped up, and it was actually... fun? Zootopia 2 took home Best Animated Feature (shocker, I know), Conan O'Brien managed to keep the "dad jokes" to a minimum, and the move to stream the whole thing on Disney+ made it way easier to skip the boring speeches. If you missed it, here are the family-friendly winners and the "skip it" list.
Quick Links to Top Nominees:
- Zootopia 2 - The big winner for the kids.
- Elio - Pixar’s space adventure that’s actually worth the watch.
- Dog Man - Yes, Dav Pilkey finally made it to the Oscars.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash - Stunning, but maybe too long for a Tuesday night.
- The Wild Robot - Still making us cry months later.
If you’re like me, you probably caught the first forty-five minutes of the Oscars last night before realizing your 8-year-old was still awake trying to explain why the "Red Carpet" is now just a TikTok filter.
The 2026 Oscars felt different. Between Conan O'Brien hosting (the man is a national treasure and actually knows how to pivot when a joke lands like a lead balloon) and the massive shift to Disney+, the Academy is clearly desperate to get our kids to care about something other than 15-second vertical videos.
Here is what you actually need to know about the winners, the losers, and what you should add to your family movie night queue this weekend.
It was the "safe" bet, but honestly, it deserved it. Zootopia 2 managed to do what most sequels fail at: it didn't just repeat the first movie's jokes. It tackled some pretty heavy themes about digital echo chambers and misinformation—which, let’s be real, is basically a parenting manual for 2026.
The kids love the new reptile characters (Gary the snake is already a meme), but the reason this is a Screenwise favorite is that it actually gives you something to talk about at dinner. It's not "brain rot" content; it’s a smart look at how we treat people who are different from us.
This year, the Oscars ditched the traditional "only on ABC" vibe and went all-in on Disney+. For us intentional parents, this was actually a win.
- The "Kid-Friendly" Feed: There was a secondary stream featuring creators that kids actually recognize. It was a bit "Ohio" (as the kids say when something is trying too hard to be weird/cool), but it kept them engaged with the art of filmmaking rather than just the celebrity gossip.
- Instant Replays: No more waiting for the morning news. You could clip the Best Animated Short winner and show it to the kids during breakfast.
- TikTok Integration: Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The "Red Carpet" was basically a series of TikTok Lives. If your kids were hovering over your shoulder, they were seeing their favorite influencers interviewing A-listers. It’s a great time to talk about how influencers make money and the difference between a journalist and a brand ambassador.
Pixar is back on its game. This story about a kid who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth to an interstellar organization is fantastic. It’s great for the "misfit" kids who feel like they don't quite fit in at school.
- Ages: 6+
- Why it matters: It encourages curiosity and bravery over perfection.
Look, I know the books are polarizing for parents who want "serious literature," but the movie was a visual blast. It didn't win the big prize, but it’s the movie your kids will actually want to watch on repeat. It’s silly, it’s loud, and it’s pure Dav Pilkey.
- Ages: 5-10
- The Screenwise Take: It’s harmless fun. If it gets them to read the Dog Man books, it’s a win in our book.
It was nominated for Visual Effects, but let’s be honest: this movie is a fever dream. It’s not "bad," but it’s definitely "a lot." If your kids are obsessed with Minecraft, they’ve already seen it three times. If they haven't? You can probably skip this one unless you want to hear them talk about "Steve" for the next two hours.
James Cameron is still doing James Cameron things. It won for Visual Effects (obviously). It’s beautiful, but it’s also long. Like, "I need a nap halfway through" long.
- Parent Tip: This is a great "big screen" experience, but maybe wait for the Disney+ drop if you have younger kids with shorter attention spans.
The Oscars aren't just about the trophies; they’re a great jumping-off point for talking about media literacy.
- "How do they do that?" When you see the Visual Effects clips, talk about the tech. It’s a great bridge into talking about how AI is used in movies.
- "Why did that win?" Discuss the difference between a "popular" movie (like Dog Man) and a "critically acclaimed" one (like The Wild Robot). It helps kids understand that "good" is subjective.
- The "Red Carpet" Illusion: Talk about the lighting, the makeup, and the scripts. Remind them that what they see on the Disney+ TikTok feed is a highly produced version of reality.
Because the Oscars were so integrated with social media this year, your kids might be seeing "Best & Worst Dressed" lists or "Cringe Moments" on YouTube.
If your kids are on YouTube Kids or Roblox, expect to see some Oscars-themed "experiences" or "edits." Most of it is harmless, but it’s a good time to check in on their YouTube parental controls to make sure they aren't falling down a rabbit hole of celebrity drama.
The 2026 Oscars actually felt like they were trying to include families this year. While we don't need to care about every technical award, seeing movies like Zootopia 2 and The Wild Robot get recognized reminds us that there is still high-quality, intentional storytelling being made for our kids.
It’s not all brain rot out there. Sometimes, it’s actually art.
Next Steps:
- Plan a "Winners Night": Pick one of the nominated animated films for your next family movie night.
- Talk about the Host: If your kids liked Conan, show them some of his (age-appropriate) travel clips. It’s a great way to explore different cultures through humor.
- Audit the Apps: If they spent the whole night on TikTok watching the red carpet, it might be time for a quick Screenwise survey to see how their habits stack up with the rest of the community.
Ask our chatbot for a curated list of Oscar-winning movies for 10-year-olds