TL;DR
If you’re looking for a movie night that actually sparks a conversation instead of just turning your kids into zombies, you can't do better than The Incredibles and Incredibles 2. With the third installment officially announced for 2028, now is the perfect time to revisit the Parr family. These aren't just "superhero movies"—they are deep dives into family dynamics, the struggle of "new math," and a surprisingly pointed critique of how screens dominate our lives.
Quick Links for your next movie night:
- The Incredibles (Disney+) - The 2004 classic about identity and mid-life crises.
- Incredibles 2 - The sequel that tackles screen addiction head-on.
- LEGO The Incredibles - A solid, family-friendly way to keep the vibe going.
Let’s be real: most superhero content lately feels like "brain rot." It’s all flashing lights, multiversal nonsense, and toys being sold to us in every frame. But The Incredibles is different. It’s a family drama that just happens to have capes (well, no capes, if we’re listening to Edna Mode).
For us parents, Bob Parr’s struggle in the first movie is painfully relatable. He’s stuck in a cubicle, dealing with a soul-sucking boss, and trying to relive his "glory days." Meanwhile, Helen is holding the entire household together with literal elastic strength. It’s a masterclass in showing kids that parents are actual people with histories and frustrations.
But the real reason we’re talking about this today is how the franchise evolved. By the time Incredibles 2 hit theaters in 2018, the world had changed. We weren't just worried about "stranger danger" anymore; we were worried about the rectangles in our pockets.
In Incredibles 2, the villain is the Screenslaver. Instead of just wanting to blow up a city, this villain uses high-tech hypnosis delivered through screens to control people.
There is a monologue in this movie that is honestly a little too "on the nose" for those of us trying to manage digital wellness. The Screenslaver says:
""You don't talk, you watch talk shows. You don't play games, you watch game shows. Travel, relationships, risk; every meaningful experience must be packaged and delivered to you to watch at a distance so that you can remain ever-more studious consumers."
Ouch. Pixar really went there.
When you watch this with your kids (especially the 8-12 age range), it’s a golden opportunity. You aren't the "mean parent" telling them to put down Roblox or stop scrolling YouTube; you’re just discussing the plot of the movie. It allows you to talk about passive vs. active consumption without sounding like a Sunday school teacher.
Ask our chatbot for more movies that deal with technology themes
It’s not just the "superpowers." Kids see themselves in the Parr children:
- Violet: The social anxiety of middle school and the literal desire to be invisible.
- Dash: The pure, unadulterated energy that school systems often try to suppress.
- Jack-Jack: The unpredictable chaos of being a toddler (and the realization that babies are basically tiny monsters with no impulse control).
The movies treat kids with respect. They don't talk down to them. When Dash realizes that "when everyone is special, no one is," it’s a heavy philosophical moment that kids actually get.
If your family has already memorized every line of the Parr family saga, here are a few other items that hit those same "intentional family" and "superhero" notes without being total garbage:
This is a live-action 2005 gem that is basically "The Incredibles goes to High School." It deals with the pressure of living up to your parents' legacy and the "sidekick" vs. "hero" social hierarchy. It’s campy, fun, and aged surprisingly well.
If you want to talk about identity and finding your own path, this is the gold standard. The animation is a literal work of art, and Miles Morales’ relationship with his parents is one of the most grounded portrayals of family in modern cinema.
This one is great for the "STEM" families. It focuses on grief, friendship, and using technology for good rather than just destruction. Plus, Baymax is the ultimate "gentle giant" archetype.
Directed by Brad Bird (who also did The Incredibles), this is a must-watch. It deals with the "nature vs. nurture" debate—can you choose to be a hero even if you were built to be a weapon?
Check out our full guide on the best superhero movies for every age
Both movies are rated PG, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Violence: It’s "cartoon violence," but it can be intense. People do die (mostly off-screen or in the past), and the threat feels real. In the first movie, Syndrome’s "Omnidroid" is genuinely scary for kids under 6.
- Language: There are a couple of "mild" words. Most notably, the "S-word" is used once in the 2004 movie. By today’s standards, it’s nothing, but if you’re a "zero-tolerance" household, be aware.
- Intensity: Incredibles 2 features some strobe lighting effects during the Screenslaver sequences that can be tough for kids with sensory sensitivities (or epilepsy).
Community Data Note: According to our recent surveys, about 65% of parents introduce The Incredibles around age 6, while the sequel is often held until age 7 or 8 due to the slightly more complex plot involving politics and screen-hypnosis.
There is a scene in Incredibles 2 where Bob is trying to help Dash with his math homework. He shouts, "Why would they change math? Math is math!"
This is the most validated I have ever felt by a piece of media.
Use this scene to talk to your kids about frustration and learning. It shows them that even "super" parents get overwhelmed by the modern world. It humanizes the struggle of education and can lead to a great conversation about why we do things the way we do them now versus "back in the day."
After the credits roll, try these conversation starters that don't feel like a lecture:
- On Digital Wellness: "The Screenslaver said we’d rather watch someone else live their life than live our own. Do you think that’s what happens when we watch MrBeast or Twitch?"
- On Identity: "If you had a superpower that you had to keep secret, would you feel like you were lying about who you are?"
- On Family: "Which Parr family member do you think you’re most like when you’re grumpy? When you’re happy?"
The Incredibles franchise is a rare beast: it’s high-quality entertainment that respects the intelligence of both the parent and the child. It’s the perfect "bridge" movie for families moving out of the "preschool show" phase and into more complex media.
As we wait for Incredibles 3 in 2028, use these films as a baseline for your family’s digital culture. They remind us that while technology is a tool (and sometimes a weapon), the real "superpower" is the connection we have when the screens are off.
- Schedule a rewatch: Start with the 2004 original this Friday.
- Discuss the "Screenslaver": Use it as a shorthand for when someone in the house has been on their phone for too long. "Hey, you getting Screenslaved over there?" is much more effective than "Put your phone away!"
- Explore the games: If your kids want more, LEGO The Incredibles is a great way to engage with the story through active play rather than passive watching.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized weekend media plan for your family