Did kids movies save Hollywood?

Films for children and young adults are giving a major boost to cinemas. The recent A Minecraft Movie smashed records, making $301 million globally in its opening weekend - the biggest ever for a video game adaptation.

In 2024, Inside Out 2 led the global box office earning $1.69 billion, followed by Despicable Me 4 and Kung Fu Panda.

Now, film studios are following these trends; fast-tracking sequels, producing more animations, and adapting popular video games into stories geared towards family audiences.

We speak to film producers, box office analysts and cinema operators about the strategies behind this shift and its impact on the industry.

If you'd like to contact the show, send an email to [email protected]

Presenter: Megan Lawton Producer: Sam Gruet

(Picture: General view of a roadside billboard along the Sunset Strip promoting A Minecraft Movie, in April 2025, in West Hollywood, California, US. Credit: Getty Images)