Kids ate the multiplex: How family movies are taking over moviegoing, one blockbuster at a time

Family movies are taking over moviegoing, one blockbuster at a time.

An Associated Press report published Thursday says the latest evidence is the strong launch of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which Universal expects to deliver a huge five-day opening. The film’s release reinforces a broader shift toward PG-rated and kid-driven theatrical hits rather than a one-off surge.

The trend is bigger than one title. The AP report says family-friendly films have become a reliable box-office engine, and that younger audiences are showing up more often than many studios expected. Industry data cited in the story suggests PG-rated movies outgrossed any other rating in 2024, while Gen Z moviegoers are increasingly frequent theatergoers.

Nintendo’s official movie page says The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now in theaters, and the studio’s release materials identify it as a Universal Pictures release based on the world of Super Mario Bros.

The story points to a broader theatrical reset: movies aimed at kids and families are not just filling gaps on the calendar, they are helping drive the biggest business weekends. If the current pattern holds, the multiplex’s most dependable customers may be the youngest ones.