Hollywood's Adult Animation Is Finally Catching Up to the World
Wildwood and Ray Gunn prove something animation fans have known for decades — cartoons aren't just for kids
In 2026, Grammy-winning singer Tom Waits has found a new niche - lending his deep voice to two critically acclaimed animated films, Ray Gunn and Wildwood. In Ray Gunn, Waits plays the alien sidekick Eyera, while in Wildwood, he takes on the role of Maksim, a ravenous, bipedal coyote leading an army of wild canines. Both films deal with mature themes and are more aimed at adult audiences than children, marking a shift in Hollywood's animation industry.
Ray Gunn explores complex themes like sex, racism, and blackmail, while Wildwood tackles grief and trauma. These films are not only unique in their content but also in their approach to animation, which is typically seen as a medium for children. This trend of adult animation is also reflected in other fantasy films and genres, such as the sex comedy Wicker, and the popular dark-fantasy franchise based on the public domain "Pinocchio-verse."
With more films like Wildwood and Ray Gunn being made, there's hope that Hollywood will continue to invest in animation for adults and fantasy stories.
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