Are Animation movies meant only for children? a look at the evolving audience

Abstract

For over a century, animated movies have captured global audiences through imaginative storytelling and visual innovation. Despite this, a long-standing misconception persists that animation is a genre exclusively for children. This study explores how audience perceptions of animation have evolved, investigating why adults also engage with animated films. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative data from a structured survey of 47 participants aged between 6 and 40 with qualitative insights from interviews with two industry professionals: Canadian animator Alex Nagy and Sri Lankan filmmaker King Ratnam. The collected data were thematically analyzed to identify key factors influencing audience engagement, including nostalgia, storytelling quality, and emotional resonance. Findings reveal that while children remain a major target audience, young adults form a substantial portion of viewers who associate animation with creativity, comfort, and reflection. The study concludes that animation functions as a universal storytelling medium rather than a child-exclusive genre. This research contributes to contemporary discussions on audience psychology, cultural consumption, and the role of animation in global media, suggesting opportunities for future industry diversification and adult-oriented storytelling.