The ultimate family line-up lands this winter.
Family films are bringing the heat this winter, led by a powerhouse trio of IP in Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters and Moana. These franchises are proven performers with a consistent track record of driving family audiences to cinema, making them an opportunity brands cannot afford to miss when it comes to connecting with families in the ultimate shared environment.
And we’ve got the proof. Discover how brands can tap into the power of the family unit with our latest Famous for Families research at valmorgan.com.au/famous.
Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5 is already shaping up as a standout, ranking as the most anticipated film of 2026 among families with primary school aged kids in our latest CineTAM Plus survey. The film’s release date aligns with one of the most powerful box office windows for animation, a period that has delivered eight of the top ten highest grossing animated films of all time, including two previous Toy Story instalments.
Since its debut in 1995, Toy Story has captivated generations. This next chapter brings audiences full circle, uniting those who grew up with Woody and Buzz with today’s families, while tapping into the modern tension between screens and real-world play. It is a rare combination of nostalgia and cultural relevance that continues to drive strong multi-generational appeal.
Minions & Monsters
Minions & Monsters builds on the global dominance of the Despicable Me/Minions franchise, the biggest family franchise in the world. Each instalment has consistently delivered close to or exceeded $1 billion at the global box office, proving the franchise’s ability to attract mass family audiences time and time again.
In Australia, Minions: The Rise of Gru became the highest grossing film in the franchise and delivered over three million admissions in 2022, reinforcing its strength locally. Returning during the winter school holidays, Minions & Monsters mirrors the release timing of its predecessor, tapping into a window that has already proven highly successful for the franchise.
Moana
Moana continues to stand as one of Disney’s most powerful modern franchises. The first teaser for its live action adaptation generated 182 million views, the second biggest ever for a Disney live action film, signalling strong global anticipation and broad audience appeal.
The franchise has demonstrated long-term strength, with the original film remaining one of the most streamed titles of the past five years despite releasing in 2016. More recently, Moana 2 became the second-highest grossing animated film of all time in Australia, highlighting the deep connection local audiences have with this story and its characters.