Nea (@Nea)

❗Protect the Children❗ This summer, there's a lot of talk about some family movies going "from DEI to straight demonic." Here are the most important ones: 1. Minions & Monsters (in cinemas from July 1, 2026) What it's about? The Minions are in 1920s Hollywood making a monster movie. To film the monster movie, they use a spellbook from the previous evil wizard they served. They perform a ritual and summon a small green creature called Goomi — described as "the Deceiver." Goomi leads them to bigger monsters (including sea monsters and a huge orange blob monster named Irene/Eyereen covered in eyes everywhere). There is a planned sacrifice (one Minion is kidnapped as a victim in a "scene"). Controversy: The biggest buzz. Many parents (especially Christian ones) say it's too overt — rituals, demon summoning, occult symbols. The film has a PG rating (for violence, action, rude/macabre humor, and occult themes presented as "nonsense"). Many critics praise it as a fun homage to old Hollywood, a slapstick comedy, and a love letter to cinema, but they agree it contains explicit scenes of summoning, witchcraft, and Lovecraft-inspired (Cthulhu-like) elements. Some have boycotted the film and say it's not as funny as before. 2. Moana (live-action, from July 10, 2026) What it's about? A remake of the original — a journey, the ocean as a living being, Maui the demigod, and Polynesian mythology. Controversy: Smaller than with the Minions, but some parents are warning about polytheism (multiple gods), ancestor spirits, and nature worship. 3. Hexed (Disney Animation, releasing November 25, 2026) What it's about? Teenager Billie discovers magical powers and enters a secret world of witches (Hexe). Spellbook, coven, mother-daughter story, spells. Controversy: It hasn't come out yet, but it's already being mentioned as a witch-positive film. Disney is once again putting witches in the lead role. Conclusion: If magic, rituals, and supernatural themes in children's movies bother you — there are more of them than usual this year. The general impression among parents is that in the last 2-3 years there's been a noticeable increase in supernatural/magic content in children's entertainment (Encanto, Elemental, Wish, and now Minions + Hexed + Moana mythology). It is true that Hollywood has been using magic and fantasy for decades (from Narnia and Harry Potter to Frozen), but 2026 feels like an intensified moment — especially since Minions (one of the most popular children's brands) has gone in that direction so openly.