Animated Movies Represent ‘Mind-Blowing’ Trends in Netflix Kids’ Viewing Habits

In a significant industry development, Horgan’s analysis reveals that animated movies have become a staple of kids’ content, driving vast engagement numbers. For instance, a key animated output deal led by Universal, featuring films from DreamWorks and Illumination, generated nearly three billion hours of engagement on the platform in 2024. This staggering figure underscores a dramatic shift in viewer behavior as streaming moves from a focus solely on subscriber numbers to a keen emphasis on time spent engaging with content.

Animated Movies Represent “Mind-Blowing” Engagement Metrics

Historically, live-action fare dominated kids’ programming, but the latest report clearly indicates that animation now plays a dominant role. In the first six months of 2024, eight of the top 10 animated movies on Netflix were produced by heavy hitters Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. Notably, Illumination and Nintendo’s “The Super Mario Bros Movie” set a record by remaining on Netflix’s top-10 list in the United States for an unprecedented 38 weeks, while “Sing 2” followed closely with 32 weeks of sustained performance.

“As streaming shifts from ‘subscriber obsession’ to ‘engagement obsession,’ we’re excited to expand our analysis into animated movies, which represent a mind-blowing portion of children’s viewing on Netflix,” Horgan stated. Her remarks reflect the growing importance of understanding not just how many viewers are tuning in, but also how long they are engaging with animated content—a key metric for studios and content distributors alike.

Animated Movies Represent a New Frontier in Kids’ Viewing Habits

The report further illustrates that the animated segment is not only about numbers; it is transforming the creative strategies of content producers. As studios and distributors use these detailed performance metrics to gauge the appeal of animated features, there is increased confidence in backing new animated projects. The comprehensive data—including year-on-year comparisons and breakdowns by genre—offers a strategic playbook for upcoming series launches and content acquisition.

Moreover, the report hints at future expansions. Horgan is set to roll out further analysis focusing on emerging segments like anime and young adult content, potentially unearthing even more nuanced insights into what drives kids’ engagement on streaming platforms.