Animation is no longer "just for kids," and the studios leading this charge are seeing record-breaking engagement.

The stories these studios choose to tell shape our conversations regarding identity, heroism, and the future.

Blockbuster productions provide thousands of jobs and stimulate tourism in filming locations.

On the opposite end of the scale from Disney is A24. This "indie" darling has become a brand in its own right, known for producing avant-garde, artist-driven films like Everything Everywhere All At Once and Hereditary . They represent the "prestige" side of popular entertainment, proving that niche, high-concept stories can achieve massive commercial success. Animation: A League of Its Own