Why Aren’t Studios Releasing More Kids’ Movies in Theaters? The Box Office Case Is Clear

Before diving into the bigger conversation, I want to share a highlight from my week: a fascinating conversation with Lou Diamond Phillips about his new film Keep Quiet, which premieres at the Dallas International Film Festival this Saturday. A limited number of tickets remain available—if you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out.

Phillips described the film as “Training Day on the Rez.” It’s a prime example of a growing cinematic movement—Native Noir—blending place-specific storytelling with universal themes. While Dallas audiences can catch it this weekend, the rest of us will have to wait until July 10, when it officially hits theaters nationwide.

(Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

More Kids’ Movies in Theaters? The Data Says Yes

In the debut of his new newsletter, Sean Fennessy of The Ringer explored why movie theaters feel more alive than they have in years. One observation stood out: the lack of kids’ movies in theaters.

I took my daughter to see Hoppers and GOAT on back-to-back weekends. Both were hits—fun, original, and packed with weird charm. Two weeks after watching Hoppers, she asked me, “Why did that girl become a beaver?” That question sparked a deep conversation about environmentalism and anxiety. These two films—released just three weeks apart—proved that kids’ movies don’t compete with each other. One starred a male lead; the other, a female. One featured animals playing “roarball.” The other followed a girl entering an animatronic beaver’s mind to cope with stress. Both were original, both were loved, and both ranked in the top five box office hits of the year.

So why aren’t studios releasing 4-7 new kids’ films every year?

Industry Experts Agree: Family Films Are Box Office Gold

The Entertainment Strategy Guy made the same case in a recent analysis of the year’s biggest films:

The obvious takeaway: audiences love family films and animated features. The Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, and Zootopia 2 claimed the top three spots at the box office.

A few years ago, think pieces flooded the internet praising horror films. Yet few voices argued as strongly for more family content—or warned about the dry spells between theatrical kids’ releases. The situation hasn’t improved. Even with hits like Super Mario Galaxy and Hoppers, gaps remain. And let’s be honest: The Mandalorian and Grogu don’t quite fill the void.

Parents and analysts agree: the appetite is there. The question is, why aren’t studios meeting it?