Honestly, the "streaming vs. theater" debate is exhausting. We all know the drill. It is easier to hit play on the couch while the kids are in their pajamas, but there is something fundamentally different about the sticky floors and the way a giant screen makes a five-year-old’s eyes go wide. Right now, in mid-January 2026, the local cinema is actually a pretty decent place to be. We aren't in the summer blockbuster glut yet, but the current lineup of kids movies out now in theaters offers a surprisingly good mix of high-concept animation and quiet, weirdly specific indie projects.
You've probably seen the posters for Charlie the Wonderdog. It’s everywhere. Owen Wilson voices this dog who gets abducted by aliens—yeah, you heard that right—and comes back with actual superpowers. It sounds like a total fever dream, but the heart of it is actually about this shy kid named Danny. If your kids liked The Secret Life of Pets or any of those "superhero animal" tropes, this is the big one to hit this week.
What is actually playing: The January 2026 Rundown
Most people assume January is where movies go to die. Not really true anymore.
One of the most interesting things out right now is Arco. It’s a French-American co-production that just went wide after a limited run. It’s about a 10-year-old boy from a "peaceful future" who accidentally blips back to the year 2075. It’s got this incredible, painterly animation style that looks nothing like the shiny CGI we usually see from Disney or Illumination.
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Then there is Time Hoppers: The Silk Road.
It’s a bit more educational, following kids from an academy in Vancouver, but it doesn't feel like a lecture. Kids are smart; they know when they're being "taught" at. This one manages to sneak the history in between some pretty slick action sequences.
Current Theater Lineup at a Glance
- Charlie the Wonderdog: The heavy hitter. Superhero dog, Owen Wilson’s "wow" energy, and a villainous cat. It’s fun.
- Arco: For the kids who liked Spider-Verse or Nimona. Time travel, deep themes, and gorgeous art.
- Soul On Fire: This one is a bit heavier—based on the true story of John O'Leary. It’s PG and inspirational, but maybe better for the 10+ crowd who can handle some emotional weight.
- Madagascar (20th Anniversary Re-release): If you want to feel old, the original Madagascar is back in theaters for its 20th birthday.
The "Super Mario Galaxy" Hype is Real
Even though we are talking about kids movies out now in theaters, you can't walk into a lobby without seeing the standees for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. It’s not out until April 3rd, but the marketing machine is already in fifth gear.
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Keegan-Michael Key recently teased that this one goes way beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. We're talking Rosetta, Lumas, and potentially some gravity-shifting mechanics that’ll look insane in 3D. If you’re at the theater this weekend, expect to see the trailer. Your kids will probably ask you about it every day for the next three months.
Why theater-going feels different in 2026
We've moved past the era where every kids movie was just a 90-minute toy commercial. Well, mostly.
Studios like ICON Creative and Studio 4°C are pushing some really weird, cool boundaries. Take Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, which is hitting some theaters right now. It’s a Shingo Yamashita project that reinvents Japanese folklore. It’s a mix of 2D and 3D that’s honestly breathtaking. It’s refreshing to see theaters offering things that aren't just "sequel number five."
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Speaking of sequels, Toy Story 5 is looming on the horizon for June. The buzz is that it’s going to tackle the "iPad kid" phenomenon head-on—Woody and Buzz vs. the screen. Kind of ironic to watch that on a giant cinema screen, right?
Practical Advice for the Weekend Matinee
If you're heading out this weekend, check the "Limited" listings. A lot of the best stuff, like Tafiti: Across The Desert (which just dropped), isn't always on the main 14-screen marquee. It’s a smaller story about a meerkat looking for a magical flower, and it’s perfect for the "first movie theater experience" crowd—short, colorful, and not too loud.
- Check the runtime: Charlie the Wonderdog clocks in at around 95 minutes, which is the "goldilocks zone" for toddlers.
- Matinee Pricing: Most chains are doing "Family Sundays" now where tickets for morning shows are basically half-off.
- Sensory Friendly: More theaters are keeping the lights up and the sound down for Saturday morning screenings.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your local independent theater: Films like Arco and Cosmic Princess Kaguya! often get better showtimes there than at the big chains.
- Look for the Madagascar re-release: If you have a toddler who hasn't seen it on the big screen, it’s a low-stakes way to spend a rainy Saturday.
- Pre-book for February: GOAT (the Caleb McLaughlin sports movie) and The Last Whale Singer are both coming in the next three weeks, and Valentine's Day weekend usually sells out early for family shows.
The box office isn't just for superheroes anymore. It’s getting a little more diverse, a little more artistic, and honestly, a lot more interesting for the parents who have to sit through these things three times in a row.