TL;DR: 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the "Meta-Movie." We’re getting a Toy Story 5 that is literally about toys fighting for attention against a tablet, a Super Mario Galaxy sequel that will definitely drive a spike in Nintendo Switch sales, and a new Pixar original called Hoppers that explores brain-swapping with beavers.
Quick Links to the Big Ones:
- Hoppers (March 6, 2026)
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 3, 2026)
- Toy Story 5 (June 19, 2026)
- Moana (Live Action) (July 10, 2026)
- The Cat in the Hat (November 6, 2026)
If you feel like you just finally got the "Peaches" song out of your head or just finished explaining for the hundredth time why we can’t go to the movies every weekend, I have some news. 2026 is coming for your calendar, your wallet, and your ongoing negotiations over screen time.
Usually, when we talk about "family movies," it’s about finding something that won't make us want to scroll Instagram under our coats in the dark. But 2026 is leaning into the very stuff we talk about here at Screenwise. We’re seeing a fascinating trend where the movies themselves are starting to comment on the "iPad kid" phenomenon and our collective digital exhaustion.
Here is the breakdown of what is coming, why your kids are already asking about it, and how to handle the inevitable "I want that toy/game/app" fallout.
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Let’s start with the big one. Pixar has officially confirmed that the plot of the fifth installment involves Woody, Buzz, and the gang facing off against electronics.
In the concept art, we see Bonnie (who is now about eight years old) huddled under her covers, glowing face-first in a tablet. The "villain" isn't a creepy doll or a bitter bear this time—it’s a character named "Lilypad," an iPad-like smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee.
Why this matters: This is Pixar looking us parents right in the eye. They know that a physical Buzz Lightyear action figure is currently losing the battle against Roblox and YouTube.
The movie is reportedly going to tackle how toys stay relevant when a child’s world is dominated by "socially connected" tech. It’s a bold move for a company that sells billions in plastic merchandise, but it’s a conversation worth having with your kids.
Check out our guide on how to talk to your kids about "Lilypad" and tech addiction
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Illumination and Nintendo are following up their billion-dollar hit by going cosmic. If the first movie was a love letter to the classic NES era, this one is diving deep into the lore of Super Mario Galaxy.
Expect Rosalina, Lumas, and a whole lot of gravity-shifting set pieces. Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy are back, and there are heavy rumors that we might finally see Wario and Waluigi.
The Screenwise Take: Expect a massive resurgence in kids wanting to play the actual games. If you haven't introduced them to the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on the Switch, you might want to wait until the "movie hype" hits to use it as a reward or a family bonding tool.
Is your kid obsessed with Mario? Learn how to set up Nintendo Switch parental controls
Release Date: March 6, 2026
In a sea of sequels, Pixar is actually giving us something new. Hoppers is a sci-fi comedy about a girl named Mabel who "hops" her consciousness into a robotic beaver to go undercover in the animal world.
Think Avatar meets Planet Earth, but with more jokes about building dams and Jon Hamm playing a "greedy mayor" antagonist.
Why Kids Will Love It: It taps into that "what is my pet thinking?" curiosity that every kid has. It also features Bobby Moynihan as a "Beaver King," which is basically a guarantee for high-energy physical comedy.
Parental Note: The "brain-swapping" tech is a great entry point to talk about digital identity. If we can "hop" into a beaver, what does it mean when we "hop" into an avatar in Minecraft?
The middle of 2026 is going to be a gauntlet of franchises.
Minions & Monsters (July 1, 2026)
Look, it’s Illumination. It’s going to be loud, there will be fart jokes, and your kids will laugh until they can't breathe. It’s "brain rot" adjacent, but in a controlled, 90-minute theatrical environment. We can handle it.
Moana (Live Action) (July 10, 2026)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is playing Maui in real life. This is a big deal because it’s a very fast turnaround from the original animated film.
- Ages 6+: The live-action Kakamora (those coconut pirates) might be a little scarier in high-def than they were in the animation.
Shrek 5 (December 2026)
The OG ogre is back. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all returning. After the absolute masterpiece that was Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, my hopes are actually high that DreamWorks will bring some actual emotional depth to this instead of just more memes.
For the Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
Stick to Paw Patrol 3: The Dino Movie (August 2026). It’s the safest bet for short attention spans.
- Pro Tip: If you're heading to the theater, read our guide on handling movie theater meltdowns.
For the Elementary Crew (Ages 6-10)
The Cat in the Hat (November 2026) is the one to watch here. It’s animated (thank God, no Mike Myers live-action flashbacks) and voiced by Bill Hader. It’s likely to be whimsical but chaotic—perfect for the age group that thinks "Ohio" is the funniest word in the English language.
For the Pre-Teens (Ages 11-13)
They’re going to want to see The Batman Part II (October 2026) or the rumored Spider-Man 4.
- Warning: The Batman sequel will likely be very dark. If your kid is sensitive to "gritty" realism, you might want to screen it first.
Every single one of these movies is a 90-minute commercial for something else.
- Mario Galaxy = Nintendo Switch games.
- Toy Story 5 = New "Lilypad" toys and classic Woody dolls.
- Minions/Shrek = Endless YouTube Kids clips and tie-in mobile games.
Before you head to the theater, have a "one treat" rule. Whether it’s the overpriced popcorn or a small toy afterward, setting the boundary before the lights go down saves you a headache at the exit.
Learn more about how movie marketing targets your child's brain
2026 is going to be a massive year for family cinema, but the real story is how these movies are starting to reflect our own struggles with tech. When Toy Story 5 drops, use it as a springboard. Ask your kids: "Do you think the toys are right? Does the tablet make it harder to play with real things?"
You might be surprised by the answer.
Next Steps:
- Mark your calendars for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in April—it's the first big "event" film of the year.
- Check your Disney+ subscription; many of these will hit streaming 45-90 days after release.
- Take our Screenwise Survey to see how your family's movie habits compare to the community