Animated cartoon characters from various shows like Bluey stand in a vibrant, neon-lit city at night, with a large billboard displaying another animated scene and streaming service logos like Disney+ and CN.

In the 2020s, kids' animation shifted heavily to streaming, boomed during the pandemic due to easier COVID safety, but then faced streaming content purges and a decline in theatrical family film quality, marked by Warner Bros.' cost-cutting affecting Cartoon Network and Disney's struggling box office, while new hybrid styles and diverse streaming hits like Bluey emerged amidst nostalgia for older shows. Key Shifts & Trends: Streaming Dominance: Kids have moved away from cable; most new animation is for platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Max, and YouTube. Pandemic Boom & Bust: Animation production increased during COVID due to remote work, but the boom faded as streaming services focused on profit, leading to show cancellations and price hikes. Theatrical Struggles: Major studios, especially Disney, faced disappointing box office returns for animated films, struggling to match past hits and find gripping narratives for all ages. Cartoon Network's Decline: Warner Bros. Discovery's cost-cutting led to closing Cartoon Network Studios and shutting down its website, removing shows from Max, frustrating fans and creators. Content & Style: Hybrid Animation: A popular trend blending 2D and 3D styles emerged. Streaming Hits: Shows like Bluey, Storybots, and Kizazi Moto thrived on streaming, offering diverse content beyond traditional TV. Nostalgia vs. New: A demand for fresh content clashed with Warner Bros.' focus on reviving older properties like Gumball. Narrative Issues: Some new See more