Rashida Jones has spent two decades being the coolest person in the room, but her 2026 pivot—headlined by the upcoming Disney+ series Hexed and her new role as a studio powerhouse—is specifically for the parents who grew up with her. She’s moving from the "relatable best friend" to the "mom who actually gets it," and your family watchlist is about to get a lot sharper because of it.
Rashida Jones is redefining the "Disney Mom" with her upcoming series Hexed, a supernatural take on high-stakes parenting that looks like it will actually respect a parent's intelligence. Between her new production empire and her history of smart writing on projects like Toy Story 4, she is the creator to watch for families who want content with a dry wit and a high "WISE score." If your kids already know her voice from The Grinch, it’s time to show them why she’s the reigning queen of the smart-comedy universe.
For a lot of us, Rashida Jones is forever Ann Perkins from Parks and Recreation—the "beautiful tropical fish" who was the only sane person in a room full of chaos. But in 2026, she’s leaning into a new archetype: the Type-A Mom who is holding it all together with a sarcastic comment and a spreadsheet.
Her new series, Hexed, is set to drop this fall, and the trailer suggests it’s going to be a massive hit for the elementary and middle school crowd. She plays a high-achieving corporate lawyer who discovers her family's "perfection" is actually maintained by a legacy of domestic witchcraft. It looks like a clever metaphor for the invisible labor of parenting, wrapped in the kind of high-budget magical realism Disney does best.
You might have seen the headlines about Jones taking a massive leadership role at a major studio this year. This isn't just a "celebrity gets a title" situation. Jones has been a secret weapon in writers' rooms for years. She co-wrote the "Nosedive" episode of Black Mirror—the one about social media ratings that is basically required viewing for any kid getting their first phone—and she had a hand in the early story for Toy Story 4.
When someone with that kind of "human-centered tech" skepticism and narrative chops takes the reins of a media empire, the "default" content gets better. We’re moving away from the "clueless dad/nagging mom" tropes of the early 2000s and toward characters that feel like actual people you’d want to grab coffee with.
While we wait for the 2026 slate to drop, Jones has a deep bench of work that hits different age groups. She’s perfected the "smart, capable professional" vibe, which is a great counter-programming to the "helpless princess" or "unfocused slacker" leads often found in kids' media.
For the Littles (Ages 5-9)
- The Grinch: She voices Donna Lou Who, the overworked single mom of Cindy Lou. It’s one of the few animated roles that actually acknowledges how tired parents are without making it a joke.
- Spies in Disguise: She plays Marcy Kappel, a high-level agent. It’s a solid, fun action movie where she gets to be the competent authority figure.
For the Big Kids & Teens (Ages 12+)
- Parks and Recreation: This is the gold standard. If you have a middle schooler, Ann Perkins is the perfect entry point for talking about female friendship, career goals, and how to handle the "Leslie Knopes" in your life.
- The Office: Her stint as Karen Filippelli is a masterclass in being the "sensible" choice in a complicated romantic dynamic. It’s a great show to watch together to dissect social cues and workplace dynamics.
If your kid starts gravitating toward Jones's work, use it as a bridge to talk about intentionality in career and creativity. She didn't just stay in front of the camera; she learned how to write, produce, and lead.
Ask your teen: "Why do you think she moved from acting in The Office to writing for Black Mirror?" It opens a door to talking about "owning your story" rather than just being a character in someone else's.
The "Rashida Jones Vibe" is almost always dry, witty, and slightly cynical. It’s never "mean-spirited," but it doesn't suffer fools. If your kid is used to the high-energy, slapstick humor of typical "kid-coms," her work might feel "slow" at first. But that’s the point. It’s sophisticated. It rewards paying attention.
If you’re looking for more shows that hit that same "smart but accessible" sweet spot, check out our best shows for kids list.
Q: Is the new Rashida Jones show 'Hexed' okay for younger kids? Based on the trailer and the 2026 Disney+ slate details, Hexed is being positioned for the "tween" audience (ages 9-14). It features some supernatural "scary" elements and themes of family secrets, but it’s expected to stay within the TV-PG range.
Q: What is Rashida Jones's best movie for a family movie night? For a safe bet with all ages, The Grinch is the winner. If you have older kids (10+) who like gadgets and humor, Spies in Disguise is an underrated gem that holds up to repeat viewings.
Q: Did Rashida Jones write 'Toy Story 4'? She is credited with the "original story" alongside her writing partner Will McCormack. While she left the project before completion, her influence is visible in the film's more mature themes about finding purpose after your "primary job" (parenting/being a toy) is over.
Rashida Jones is the patron saint of the Type-A parent. In a media landscape that often feels like it's shouting at our kids, her 2026 pivot toward high-concept, smart-parenting stories is a breath of fresh air. She’s making it cool to be the one who has the plan—and in 2026, that’s exactly what our watchlists need.
- Get a personalized watchlist for your kid
- Check out our best movies for kids list for more family night winners.
- Explore our digital guide for middle schoolers to find more shows that bridge the gap between "kid stuff" and "real stories."