Hollywood’s Adult Animation Is Finally Catching Up to the World
Wildwood and Ray Gunn are helping show that animated films can address adult themes and complex stories while still reaching a broad audience. Their success matters because Hollywood has rarely made animation primarily for adults, despite the medium’s potential for mature storytelling.
Both films feature Tom Waits in important supporting roles: he voices a coyote antagonist in Wildwood and an alien sidekick in Ray Gunn. The films explore subjects including grief, trauma, racism and blackmail; Wildwood’s PG-13 rating allows frightening and violent scenes, while Ray Gunn is rated PG. Both took more than a decade to develop, and the article hopes they will encourage studios to invest in more adult-focused animation.
In short
- Wildwood and Ray Gunn put adult themes at the centre of animation.
- Tom Waits has key supporting roles in both films.
- Their long development shows the scale of the commitment involved.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Hollywood should invest more in animation aimed at adults because the medium can tell complex stories about grief, trauma, racism and other subjects while reaching audiences in ways live action may not. The development of Wildwood and Ray Gunn suggests there is room for varied tones and age ratings, and backing such films could broaden animation beyond its usual family focus.
The case against
Studios have reason to be cautious about treating these films as proof of a viable adult-animation market: both took more than a decade to develop, and their success may not be easy to reproduce. With limited budgets and uncertain audience demand, prioritising adult-focused animation could mean fewer resources for projects with a clearer commercial audience; studios might reasonably wait for stronger evidence before expanding investment.
Explained simply
Animation is a way of making films by creating moving images, rather than filming live action. Although it can tell stories for any age, Hollywood has often treated animated films as mainly for children and families.
Wildwood and Ray Gunn are animated films aimed at wider audiences, with stories that include grief, trauma, racism and blackmail. They show how animation can explore serious subjects while still being accessible to many viewers.
Both films took more than a decade to develop, reflecting the time and investment these productions can require. Their reception may influence whether studios choose to back more animated films centred on adult themes.
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