Peacock’s streaming charts are being dominated by animated movies, and amongst the top 10, only three are live-action. And one of them is Adam Sandler’s 1996 classic, Happy Gilmore. So, a staggering 7 animations being on the chart proves that it isn’t just for kids.

Over the years, animated features have proven to be a powerhouse of entertainment, simply because they give birth to endless possibilities. So, let’s look at all the movies on the chart and then understand why we should have more respect for the medium, which has been dominating not just streaming charts but also the worldwide box office. 

Peacock’s current lineup shows us the mass appeal of animation (via FlixPatrol). The full top 10 list features Despicable Me 3 at the front spot, followed by live-action flick Happy Gilmore, and then Trolls Band Together. Other animated standouts include How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World and the first installment, in fifth and seventh spots, respectively, which is likely due to the franchise releasing its live-action remake. 

Then we have Dogman in fourth spot, based around a police dog and an officer. This feature is voiced by Pete Davidson and embraces themes of identity and loyalty.

Megamind and Migration have also made it to the list, both being animated features. Then we have Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (live-action) in the sixth place, which is no surprise with Scarlett Johansson’s upcoming revival of the franchise. 

But Adam Sandler’s 1996 sports comedy titled Happy Gilmore, about a failed hockey player who turns to golf to save his grandmother’s house, is a pleasant surprise.

It’s likely on the charts due to the release of Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix, so people are simply catching up to the storyline, but despite its return, the original film, along with Scooby-Doo (live-action) and the dinosaur-infested action thriller, have been outnumbered and outperformed by animated features. 

Animation isn’t just a genre, but a medium that can deliver stunning visuals and emotionally rich cinema. At the box office, animated movies have repeatedly proven their dominance. Frozen II grossed $1.45 billion worldwide, and Incredibles 2 made $1.24 billion, and even Despicable Me 3, which is leading Peacock’s charts, crossed the $1 billion mark globally (via The Numbers). 

These numbers prove that people are eager to watch animations just as much as live-action movies, and they are a massive commercial success around the world.

Despite this, animation is often unfairly dismissed as “just for kids,” even when we’ve had so many films that are suitable for both children and an adult audience, with philosophical themes that resonate across generations. 

We’ve seen how Pixar deals with grief and loss in several of its poignant features, and how even Disney can delve into dark subject matters. With streaming platforms investing heavily in animated content, the medium is growing stronger, and people are recognizing that it’s more than just colorful distractions for children.