The 50 Most Powerful Players in Kids Entertainment (2024)

Rachel Griffin Accurso & Aron Accurso ('Ms. Rachel')

Over the past five years, Ms. Rachel (the persona played by Rachel Griffin Accurso) has built a dedicated following of parents, who turn to her videos to educate and entertain their toddlers. Since beginning her YouTube channel alongside husband Aron, Ms. Rachel has made over 100 videos for her nearly 11 million subscribers that have garnered more than 7 billion views. She recently came under fire for wishing her followers a happy Pride Month and raising money for Save the Children — an organization that helps youngsters around the world living in conflict, including Gaza. But she stands by her views.

The kids content (besides yours) your kids prefer “Our son really enjoys StoryBots. He learned how planets are formed and explained it to us. We were confused but impressed! Great show!”

Eric Beckman (GKIDS)

Launched in New York 15 years ago, Beckman’s boutique animation film distributor GKIDS has grown to become, in the words of The New York Times, “the A24 of animation.” Beckman outdid himself this year, as Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron became GKIDS’ 13th release to receive an Oscar nomination. And in March, against uncertain odds, it won the statuette for best animated feature. GKIDS, an acronym for Guerrilla Kids International Distribution Syndicate, owes its staying power to Beckman’s taste and keen business sense, as he’s developed strong relationships with global animation houses, like Japan’s revered Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki’s home base. Putting faith in Beckman paid off when GKIDS’ thoughtful marketing of The Boy and the Heron made it the first anime film to top the U.S. box office.

Kristine Belson (Sony Pictures Animation)

As president, features & series, Belson oversees the development and production of all of SPA’s titles. Under her purview, the studio has launched its highest-grossing film worldwide (2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and brought its IP into mental health awareness-focused curricula for schools across the country. Upcoming projects in the works include the Stephen Curry-produced sports feature GOAT, a Ghostbusters animated project from Jason Reitman and, at long last, the conclusion of the Spider-Verse saga.

Just because it’s for kids doesn’t mean … “it has to be about kids, or juvenile in any way.”

Bree Bowles (Republic Records: Kids & Family)

As head of the division launched in 2022, Bowles has been having fun in the musical sandbox. She’s driven the music strategy for brands like Gabby’s Dollhouse, PAW Patrol, Dora and Garfield and partnered with YouTube on popular properties like Ryan’s World and Toys and Colors. She oversaw the launch of original music by Qai Qai, based on the doll belonging to Serena Williams’ daughter, and helped EGOT John Legend tackle a new audience with his family-friendly album.

Vanessa Brookman & Sam Register (Warner Bros. Discovery)

It has been a tumultuous year at WBD’s kids TV division, with a staff shake-up and the shuttering of the Boomerang cartoon streaming service. In the process, the British-born Brookman — GM, kids, global streaming and international networks — has taken responsibility for all editorial, creative and operational oversight for kids content and channels, working alongside Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register. Brookman has recently greenlit several series for Cartoon Network including preschool-targeted reboot Foster’s Funtime for Imaginary Friends, prequel Adventure Time: Side Quests and Go-Go Mystery Machine.

My Saturday morning cartoon lineup as a kid

BROOKMAN “Roobarb, Mr Benn, Magic Roundabout — all very British, very bonkers and very brilliant!”

Joe Brumm ('Bluey')

According to THR‘s power list survey, Brumm’s animated series Bluey — about an endlessly inventive Australian family that happens to be dogs — is the single most beloved current show out there among both kids and adults. “It’s calming. It’s caring. It’s a de-stressor in my house for me and my 21-year-old daughter,” says Walt Disney Animation chief creative officer Jennifer Lee. What’s the secret to making the perfect co-viewing show? “Just not to hire kids TV writers,” creator Brumm — who has written the bulk of the 150 episodes himself, including this year’s snackable “minisodes” — told us last year. With the series topping the Nielsen charts this year, the rumored Bluey film sounds likelier than ever.

The question I get asked the most about my work “When is the next season coming out?”

The kids content creator more people should know “Amberry Games, and a thousand other Roblox creators like them. It’s just an amazing platform.”

Shannon Burke, Josh Pate, Jonas Pate ('Outer Banks')

The Outer Banks creators and showrunners are responsible for steering not just one of Netflix’s biggest series among teenagers — but one of its biggest, period. The YA drama’s third season was among the top 10 streaming original series (on any platform) in the United States, according to Nielsen, and has spawned millions of social media posts from a large and fervent fandom. Season four is set to premiere later this year. Burke and the Pate brothers are also behind a Prime Video series starring The Runarounds, a band featured in a season three episode of Outer Banks.

Kids are more discerning than adults about …

JONAS PATE “Slang.”

JOSH PATE “Plots. They get bored if the story doesn’t move.”

BURKE “False motivations. False emotions.”

In five years, kids will be watching on …

JONAS PATE “The moon.”

BURKE “Watches.”

Matt Burnett & Ben Levin ('Craig of the Creek,' 'Jessica's Big Little World')

The former Steven Universe writers co-created the Daytime Emmy-, GLAAD Award- and NAACP Image Award-nominated animated Craig of the Creek for Cartoon Network. The series is slated to wrap up its six-season run in September. This year also saw the release of the prequel film Craig Before the Creek. Meanwhile, the spinoff Jessica’s Big Little World premiered in late 2023, airing its final episode in May.

Kids are more discerning than adults about …

BURNETT “Seeing themselves represented in the media they view. They really want to see characters that they can relate to, whether it’s culturally or emotionally. A show can have an amazing world and intricately crafted story, but if a kid can’t find a way in, they will bail on it, fast.”

Marc Ceccarelli & Vincent Waller (SpongeBob SquarePants')

Now in its 25th year on Nickelodeon, SpongeBob has become the defining show for the kids network, regardless of how you quantify it: number of episodes (307 and counting), merchandise sales ($13 billion plus), feature films (four, with two more on the way), memes (countless). Ceccarelli and Waller have been there for most of the show’s lifespan and have been co-showrunners since 2015, introducing a second (or third) generation of viewers to the world’s favorite sea sponge.

Hollywood is talking about “AI shortcuts for generic content …”

When it should be talking about “quality original content created by human artists who have spent their lives developing their skills.”

Does AI have a role to play in kids content?

CECCARELLI “I certainly hope AI will not have much of a role in children’s entertainment. I do not know a single artist who would prefer to have AI draw their storyboard, rough out a character, or even write a story for them. AI can scrape all the information in the world and still will not truly understand human embarrassment. AI has no idea which muscles in the face react to different emotions, AI will never have sense memory that can send all these original emotions back through its body that match the original experience.”

Margie Cohn (DreamWorks Animation)

As president of DreamWorks Animation, Cohn is entitled to a victory lap. The studio’s big milestone this year was the triumphant theatrical release of Kung Fu Panda 4, giving DreamWorks the most animated franchises to cross the $2 billion mark at the global box office. Cohn also celebrated the opening of DreamWorks Land at Universal Orlando, which offers experiences based on IP like Shrek and Gabby’s Dollhouse. The upcoming year will see highly anticipated feature film releases from both of those franchises, while The Wild Robot, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal, opens Sept. 27.

Hollywood is talking about “where kids are watching content …”

When it should be talking about “what kids are watching and the dwindling commissioning of kids originals from streamers. We run the risk of creating a generation who won’t have a variety of programming to fuel their imaginations.”

Vince Commisso (9 Story Media)

As president and CEO, Commisso led 9 Story Media through a year of transformation. Earlier this year, book publishing giant Scholastic invested $186 million in the Toronto-based kids and family animation studio, having collaborated with the company for decades prior to the acquisition. 9 Story has several new series in production, including Paris & Pups with Paris Hilton’s entertainment banner 11:11 Media and HappyNest.

Hollywood is talking about “known IP, platforms and the viability of business models …”

When it should be talking about “the next generation of storytellers.”

Joe D'Ambrosia (Sony Pictures Television)

D’Ambrosia is executive vp and general manager of the Sony-acquired company formerly known as Silvergate Media, which means he oversees development, production, distribution, licensing and merchandising of content for children in over 200 territories globally. He’s spent the past year focusing on using Sony’s existing IP to create new franchises for young audiences — like a tween version of Charlie’s Angels and an animated reboot of Bewitched. He also manages the continued success of the Octonauts universe and is currently in production on an animated series from soccer star Lionel Messi.

Kids are more discerning than adults about … “fairness.”

Ayo Davis (Disney Branded Television)

In the past year, Davis’ Disney Branded TV, responsible for kids and family content, has launched two major live-action series with Goosebumps and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, helped shepherd Bluey to the top of the streaming charts, and developed and greenlit a sequel to its beloved sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place, with Selena Gomez executive producing. The fourth movie in the successful Descendants franchise also debuted to strong viewership. DBT shows also earned three primetime Emmys and 14 awards at the Children’s and Family Emmys.

Hollywood is talking about “platforms …”

When it should be talking about “franchises. When kids fall in love with a character or story, it becomes a part of their daily lives, and the most successful kids content engages them across all aspects of their life — streaming, linear, social media, YouTube, gaming, toys, in-person experiences and more.”

John Derderian & Hannah Minghella (Netflix)

Minghella, whose previous gig at Bad Robot involved launching its animation division, was recently announced as Netflix’s new head of feature animation and live-action family film. The streamer’s animated movie successes include 2023’s Leo, starring Adam Sandler as the voice of a world-weary lizard, and Oscar-nominated Nimona. Meanwhile, the animated TV division — led by Derderian since 2021 — picked up a best animated series Emmy nom for Blue Eye Samurai and launches anime project Terminator Zero at the end of August.

Just because it’s for kids doesn’t mean …

DERDERIAN “It can’t tackle complex themes and issues. More than ever, kids seek authenticity and stories that resonate with their lived experiences.”

MINGHELLA “It’s not for the whole family! A lot of great storytelling can be overlooked or easily dismissed as being ‘too young.’ “

The trend I never could have predicted

DERDERIAN “Nursery rhymes in preschool titles,traditional ways of learning and connecting sometimes never go out of style.”

In five years, kids will be watching on …

MINGHELLA “Netflix!”

Sara DeWitt (PBS Kids)

Led by DeWitt, PBS Kids continues to be at the forefront of inclusivity in children’s programming, most recently adding American Sign Language interpretations to several of its series. Through its shows and a host of associated games and activities, PBS Kids reaches more than 15 million users every month, and is rolling out a slate of civics-themed programming. PBS Kids is also experimenting with the integration of AI-assisted voice technology (but notably not generative AI) in interactive episodes of some of its programs, which it hopes will power deeper engagement than non-interactive programming.

The question I’m asked the most about my work “Do you know [nature YouTubers] the Kratt brothers?”

In five years, kids will be watching on … “TVs! They will still use tablets and small screens on the go, but, honestly, there’s some magic about a big screen that will continue to draw kids in.”

Pete Docter (Pixar)

Well before he became Pixar’s chief creative officer in 2018, Docter was behind many of the studio’s most beloved children’s films (including Up and Wall-E). This year, he served as executive producer of Inside Out 2, now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and he’s currently shepherding the brand’s upcoming tentpoles Elio (about a boy who accidentally becomes the intergalactic ambassador of planet Earth, coming in 2025) and Toy Story 5 (planned for 2026).

Just because it’s for kids doesn’t mean … “it’s only for kids and it didn’t take us five-plus years to make it.”

Jennifer Dodge (Spin Master Entertainment)

Prior to becoming president of PAW Patrol producer Spin Master Entertainment in January 2021, Dodge helped develop evergreen properties and managed the Canadian company’s production slate. From 2009 to 2015, she held the titles of vp and executive producer for Spin Master, overseeing hundreds of episodes of animation, including PAW Patrol and Little Charmers. Dodge also produced PAW Patrol: The Movie, and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie and will be involved in the third cinematic installment of the children’s canine cop franchise.

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own) “SpongeBob FOREVER!”

Ellen Doherty (Fred Rogers Productions)

If you ever feel like you’re just too busy, consider Doherty’s full plate: The star producer acts as the chief creative officer for Fred Rogers Productions, where she’s in charge of TV and digital for four programs for its PBS Kids series, while serving as executive producer on two series, Donkey Hodie and Alma’s Way — all this while managing the legacy of Mr. Rogers, one of the most cherished figures in the history of children’s television. Over the past year, Doherty has continued to expand on his vision with her work on the long-running Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, an award-winning animated series following the offspring of the characters from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Hollywood is talking about “what makes money …”

When it should be talking about “what kids are actually taking away from what they’re watching.”

The trend I could have never predicted “The multihyphenate powerhouse (powerhorse?) of all things unicorn.”

Does AI have a role to play in kids content? “In the 1950s, Fred Rogers looked at this new thing called television and saw the potential to use it to make something meaningful for young children. My question now is, how can we use emerging technologies to not replace wonder or curiosity,but to support children as they dream and learn?”

Dave Filoni (Lucasfilm)

The former King of the Hill storyboard artist and avowed geek couldn’t believe his luck when George Lucas plucked him from obscurity in 2005 to develop the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Turns out Lucas is the one who struck gold. Filoni probably knows more about the ways of the Force than anyone in the galaxy ­— a distinction he’s put to lucrative use as the chief architect of Disney+’s panoply of Star Wars offerings, and most recently as creator of the miniseries Ahsoka. He’s also executive producing the upcoming Star Wars series Skeleton Crew and co-writing the film The Mandalorian and Grogu, due in 2026.

The question I get asked most about my work “What is Grogu like?”

In five years, kids will be watching on … “Screens within virtual spaces with a global viewership of friends.”

Does AI have a role to play in kids content? “I am sure it will. However, we must strive to teach kids that their creativity and imagination drive this new technology and that there are no shortcuts to acquiring true knowledge and experience.”

Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes & Rich Magallanes ('Dora')

The world’s favorite backpack-toting tot dropped “The Explorer” from her official title when Nickelodeon’s beloved animated series got a reboot for a new generation from co-creators and executive producers Gifford and Walsh Valdes with exec producer Magallanes. It’s the latest incarnation of the Emmy Award-winning pop culture phenomenon that first launched on Nick on Aug. 14, 2000. Dora finds the curious bilingual preschooler (with her best monkey friend, Boots) continuing her “epic adventures through the mystical and magical rainforest.” A second season is set to debut Sept. 13 exclusively on Paramount+ with 26 episodes running 11 minutes each.

Just because it’s for kids doesn’t mean …

WALSH VALDEZ “Anything goes. You still need to know story and structure and character — those are the key ingredients regardless of the audience.”

Kids are more discerning than adults about …

GIFFORD“I’ve always said they are themore ‘honest’ audience. They won’t laugh unless they think it’s funny, but they laugh bigger than all of us when it is.”

Does AI have a role to play in kids content?

GIFFORD “Absolutely. Optimistically, it will allow us to react to what kids like quicker.”

Jenny Han ('The Summer I Turned Pretty,' 'XO Kitty')

Han continues to rule over the YA space. After her To All the Boys literary universe became a hit franchise on Netflix, the rom-com’s spinoff XO Kitty — focused on a teen matchmaker living in Seoul — is looking toward a second season. The author also oversaw the adaptation of her trilogy The Summer I Turned Pretty into a highly successful Prime Video series. The first season of XO Kitty, on which Han served as co-showrunner, earned a GLAAD Award nomination for outstanding kids & family programming and was distributed in over 50 countries.

Just because it’s for kids doesn’t mean … “it can’t have depth and nuance.”

Katelynn Heil (Blippi)

Blippi started as a YouTube channel aimed to present preschool educational content in an engaging way — via the manic, bespectacled title character played by a series of actors — and has since transformed into a global giant. Launched by Stevin John in 2014, the channel was acquired by Moonbug Entertainment in 2020. As the general manager of Blippi for Moonbug, Heil has been a key figure in growing the brand, which under her watch has introduced new characters, live tours, an iHeartRadio podcast, an online Roblox game and more. The kids content creator more people should know “Danny Go. His music videos are like real-life video games, encouraging kids to get up, move around and interact with nature!”

Lisa Henson (The Jim Henson Company)

The Jim Henson Company is behind two series at Apple TV: Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and Harriet the Spy. The company, with Jim’s daughter Lisa as CEO, is producing Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip for Disney+ (which also released Ron Howard’s documentary about Lisa’s legendary dad, Idea Man, earlier this year) and has been developing a feature sequel to cult favorite Labyrinth and a series based on Webtoon’s Greek mythology-based Lore Olympus.

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own) “I enjoy the broad comedy of DreamWorks films like the Trolls films and their equally funny TV spinoffs like Boss Baby.”

The trend I never could have predicted “That the most successful and important kids channels are now bowing to YouTube.”

Javoris Hollingsworth & Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth ('Gracie's Corner')

As the Houston-based couple sought to keep their kids entertained during the pandemic lockdown, they were alarmed by the lack of diversity in children’s programming. There just weren’t enough quality educational programs featuring children of color, and all too few that incorporated Black music or leaned on African American cultural cues. The Hollingsworths remedied that by starting their own YouTube show, Gracie’s Corner, based on and voiced by their eldest daughter, Graceyn. They soon drew guest appearances by such musical legends as Snoop Dogg and Bounce Queen Big Freedia, whose infectious “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” remix has drawn 38 million views. Earlier this year, the show won the NAACP Image Award for outstanding children’s program, beating out such stalwarts as Netflix’s Ada Twist, Scientist and Alma’s Way from PBS Kids.

The kids content we genuinely enjoy as adults (besides our own) “Bluey. We love the life lessons in each episode. We also love The Proud Family; it’s a classic that has shown its ability to stand the test of time with the [Disney+] reboot.”

Lester Holt ('NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt: Kids Edition')

Though he’s best known for anchoring Nightly News and Dateline, Holt moonlights as informer-in-chief to Gen Alpha. Nightly News: Kids Edition puts out weekly digital news shows about everything from politics to the pandemic. (Holt has tapped the sons of NBC co-workers Craig Melvin and Carson Daly as correspondents.) The series, which just celebrated its fourth anniversary, has a Children & Family Emmy Award nomination and a Webby people’s choice award, and was a finalist for the National Awards for Education Reporting.

My grandkids’ favorite kids content “Bluey, Paw Patrol and Daniel Tiger.”

Kids are more discerning than adults about Authenticity

Bin Jeong (Pinkfong USA)

Best known for the global earworm “Baby Shark,” which has been streamed 14 billion times on YouTube alone, Pinkfong serves as digital babysitter for children around the world. The company’s YouTube channel launched in 2014 and has 200 million subscribers. Earlier this year, Pinkfong surpassed 100 billion views across its YouTube channels. Jeong, who took the reins in 2016, masterminded the growth of the Baby Shark franchise, which now includes several shows, a live tour and mountains of merchandise.

Kids are more discerning than adults about … “Children are the ultimate litmus test for entertainment. They consume and enjoy content more quickly and genuinely than adults, embodying the essence of entertainment: joy.”

Traci Paige Johnson & Jennifer Twomey ('Gabby's Dollhouse')

The two became best friends while working on Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues, which Johnson co-created (with fellow honoree Angela Santomero) and on which Twomey later joined as executive producer. They both took time off to raise children, then returned during the pandemic with Netflix and DreamWorks Animation’s global smash hit Gabby’s Dollhouse (see page 60). The collaboration has brought the pair back to childhood, says Johnson: “It’s like we’re having a playdate, playing in the dollhouse. We have so much fun coming up with the stories and the characters that it’s not work.”

The trend I never could have predicted “Michael Bay making Skibidi Toilet into a movie.”

Sasha Junk (Kidz Bop)

More than 20 years after its launch, the musical group Kidz Bop — which features kid-friendly versions of pop hits — remains the No. 1 youth music brand, generating over 11 billion streams. Junk has been the company’s president since 2020, and recently extended a deal with LiveNation for a North American tour while simultaneously kicking off a first-ever U.K. tour. Upcoming projects include an exclusive apparel deal and several film and television projects.

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own)

“Bluey! I’m also looking forward to the [Apple TV+] reboot of Yo Gabba Gabba!“

Ryan Kaji & Family ('Ryan's World')

Fronted by YouTube toy reviewer turned global superstar Ryan Kaji, the Ryan’s World empire now includes television series, spinoff channels, products and licensing deals, and a forthcoming feature film. His products have sold over $1 billion at retail stores and his YouTube channels boast 34 billion minutes watched for last year alone, so there are high hopes for Ryan’s World the Movie, which will mark the first-ever wide theatrical release for a digital creator-driven movie.

The content our kids prefer “Ryan loves watching gaming videos. He does not follow single influencers, but he likes to watch gaming videos in general.”

In five years, kids will be watching on … “Co-viewing of TV and movies will decrease even quicker in the next five years. Kids in Alpha generations are growing up with their own tablet/smartphone. Individual viewing will become prominent.”

Does AI have a role to play in kids content? “Yes, Generative AI is so innovative, and we are very excited to build it in our production workflow.”

Jennifer Lee (Walt Disney Animation)

The filmmaker and chief creative officer for Disney Animation Studios — who became the first woman to direct a billion-dollar-grossing film with Frozen (co-directed by Chris Buck) — has had her hands full managing a busy studio slate. On the heels of Wish, which she co-wrote, and the series Iwájú, upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Moana 2 starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson (in theaters Nov. 27), Zootopia 2 and, of course, more Frozen, with a third installment skating into theaters on Nov. 24, 2027, and a fourth “in the works,” per Disney’s Bob Iger.

Kids are more discerning than adults about … “movie themes and character arcs. I always love listening to kids analyze our movies because they are far more spot-on and aspirational when it comes to answering ‘What is this movie about?’ than adults. Adults tend to make it more about their own personal experiences, beliefs and relationships.”

Steve Loter, Rodney Clouden & Pilar Flynn ('Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur')

“It’s so important to cast correctly, but it’s then equally important to trust your crew to have freedom to create,” executive producer Loter says of a key to the Disney Channel series’ success. (The team includes fellow producers Clouden and Flynn.) This faith is paying off for the animated program, which focuses on 13-year-old genius Lunella Lafayette and her dinosaur pal and is based on Marvel Comics characters of the same names. After its first season, the show led the way at the Children’s & Family Emmys with five wins.

The trend in kids content I never could have predicted

CLOUDEN “The incredible impact of Bluey. I love that a 2D animated show has won the hearts of so many.”

In five years, kids will be watching on …

FLYNN Their VR headsets in fully customized virtual theaters with friends from all over the world joining as unique avatar representations of themselves!”

Chris Meledandri (Illumination)

Illumination CEO Meledandri has had a wildly successful decade, but the past 12 months have been particularly sweet for this powerful studio head. There was the $1.3 billion haul for The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the announcement of a sequel set for 2026. Then there was Migration, which took in nearly $300 million, an impressive box office total for a non-franchise animated feature that nevertheless felt like a mere amuse-bouche to July’s Despicable Me 4, which is now approaching $1 billion in receipts. And it was just announced that this former president of 20th Century Fox Animation and current board member at Nintendo, who produced films in the Ice Age, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing franchises, will also be a producer on Shrek 5 for DreamWorks.

Peter Rida Michail ('Teen Titans Go!')

Producer Michail has been at the helm of Teen Titans Go! since the DC Comics-based superhero series started in 2013. The ongoing Cartoon Network show also expanded onto the big screen for 2018’s Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, which Michail directed. The cartoon has garnered several nominations over the years, including for Emmys, Kids’ Choice Awards and BAFTA Awards. The success of Teen Titans Go! proved that the heroes were big enough to have their own film, leading to DC Film Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran greenlighting a live-action take on them.

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own) “The Amazing World of Gumball. Brilliant writing, fun designs and great animation.”

Ramsey Naito (Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon)

Naito has successfully guided Nickelodeon’s and Paramount’s animation arms into Paramount Global’s IP era, building on franchises like SpongeBob — spinoff film Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie hit Netflix in early August — and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, whose latest iteration debuted Aug. 9 on Paramount+. A relaunch of Dora is entering its second season, and an update of The Fairly OddParents debuted earlier this year. Naito also announced a slate of original animated films at the Annecy festival in June, including a project from Will Ferrell and an adaptation of Swan Lake.

Hollywood is talking about “trends …”

When it should be talking about “timeless stories that are relatable and emotionally impactful.”

The trend I never could have predicted “The power of digital platforms captured kids’ attention and changed the game.”

Chris Prynoski & Shannon Prynoski (Titmouse)

Run by the husband-and-wife team of Chris and Shannon Prynoski (check out their grotesque official headshots on their website to get a sense of their delirious sense of humor), Titmouse is the ultimate gun-for-hire for networks and streamers seeking quality animation for their series. Founded as a T-shirt shop in 2000, the L.A. studio has worked with everyone in town. Among their latest projects are Amazon’s Angry Birds, Mystery Island, Disney’s Stugo and Paramount+’s Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, co-created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

In five years I think kids will be watching tv/movies on…

Chris: The insides of their eyelids.

Shannon: Their parents ipad when they lose their own ipad.

Raven-Symoné ('Alice in the Palace')

Raven-Symoné, who rose to fame on The Disney Channel (That’s So Raven ran from 2003 to 2007), is now using her knowledge of and influence over the kids content sphere to bring programming to the next generation. She recently signed an overall deal with Disney Branded Television, which kicks off with a green light for her Alice in the Palace pilot (the show is a spinoff of Raven’s Home, which itself is a spinoff of the original That’s So Raven). Raven-Symoné will also produce, direct and develop additional multicam comedy projects for the network on both linear and streaming platforms.

The kids content more people should know “Toddlers Can Read on YouTube.”

In five years, kids will be watching on … “VR machines and phones.”

Guy Raz & Mindy Thomas (Wow in the World)

Raz and Thomas’ science-based podcast (which is also filled with recurring characters and well-placed jokes) has already spawned a best-selling book series and a national live tour, along with several spinoff shows. In the fall, it will launch what’s believed to be the first ever toy line based on a podcast, as Amazon’s Wondery collaborates with toymaker Thames & Kosmos on STEM toys that include companion audio content from the two hosts (and a Wondery+ trial subscription for parents).

My Saturday morning cartoon lineup as a kid

RAZ “Gummi Bears, Garfield and Friends, Smurfs, Muppet Babies.”

THOMAS “WHOA SAME!”

The trend I never could have predicted

RAZ “Unboxing videos.”

THOMAS “I never could have predicted that kids would choose to watch other kids play video games … on a screen. But then I watched a YouTube DIY of a guy tiling a shower floor and suddenly it all made sense.”

In five years, kids will be watching on …

RAZ “Their hands.”

René Rechtman, Patrick Reese, Samreen Ghani & Richard Hickey (Moonbug Entertainment)

Founded by Danish-British entrepreneur and Disney veteran Rechtman in 2018, Moonbug is best known for CoComelon (overseen by Reese), which is to 2- and 3-year-olds what Taylor Swift is to, well, anyone older than that, drawing more than 4 billion views a month across all platforms, the most of any preschool franchise in the world. Under Ghani, president of Moonbug Studio, and Moonbug Entertainment CCO Hickey, the company has diversified its offerings, recently launching its first original series with Disney+, Morphle and the Magic Pets, and international formats for both CoComelon and Blippi.

In five years, kids will be watching content on …

RECHTMAN “multiple screens across YouTube, Netflix and Disney.”

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own)

GHANI “Whatever my kids are into. Currently we enjoy watching PAW Patrol and Gabby’s Dollhouse together.”

Dan Shotz, Jon Steinberg & Rick Riordan ('Percy Jackson and the Olympians')

Three-plus years of building excitement about a Percy Jackson TV series ended when the show premiered in December and did the seemingly impossible — it actually lived up to the expectations of multiple generations of fans. Riordan, who penned the Percy Jackson books and is a hands-on executive producer and writer on the series, teamed with showrunners Steinberg and Shotz to deliver Disney+’s biggest series to date that doesn’t have Star Wars or Marvel attached to its title. Season two is in production and likely will premiere in 2025.

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own)

STEINBERG “Some of the best writing on television, in any genre, is being done on Bluey.”

The kids content my kids prefer (besides my own)

SHOTZ “Bluey, Bluey and more Bluey.”

Angela Santomero ('Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood')

Beginning her career as a researcher at Nickelodeon, Emmy-winning producer Santomero went on to become the co-creator of the iconic series Blue’s Clues, creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Super Why!, and host of PBS parenting series The Parent Show. More recently, she worked with Netflix on Charlie’s Colorforms City, a show that teaches kids about colors and shapes. Her biggest achievement of late, however, is the book Life Clues, which applies the wisdom of children to “unlock the clues to an exceptionallife.”

In five years, kids will be watching … “content in immersive environments with true interactivity — used for good.”

Josh Scherba (WildBrain)

Scherba was appointed CEO of WildBrain last year and has been with the studio since it was founded in 2006. He has helped build and foster WildBrain’s relationships with several companies including Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon, SEGA, YouTube, the BBC, LEGO and Mattel. Recently announced projects at the Canadian entertainment company include the live-action Yo Gabba GabbaLand!, released on Apple TV+ on Aug. 9, along with the development of a Minecraft animated series adaptation in partnership with Netflix and the game’s creator, Mojang Studios.

Kids are more discerning than adults about … “Discovering new formats and places to consume content. Kids have been early adopters on YouTube and now non-YouTube AVOD, and they tend to be at the leading edge of where consumption will go next.”

In five years, kids will be watching on …

“Kids will continue to curate their own content experiences on personal screens with algorithms guiding them to content that fits their personal interests. At the same time, families will increasingly be drawn to shared experiences on big screens with stories that are kid-inclusive but with broad appeal. The increase in shared viewing will continue to be driven in part by parents looking to limit the time on personal devices.”

Josh Silverman (Mattel Television)

As executive vp and Chief Franchise Officer of Mattel, Silverman has helped the company build on last year’s smash-hit film Barbie, which was nominated for eight Oscars and won for best song. Mattel’s busy 2024 included the debuts of Netflix’s animated series Hot Wheels Let’s Race and Masters of the Universe: Revolution, the latter led by showrunner Kevin Smith. Plus, Mattel will relaunch its favorite purple dinosaur this year with new animated program Barney’s World. Other recent wins include the Roblox game Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon, the platform’s most-visited branded experience since debuting last fall.

The question I get asked the most about my work “Of all of Mattel’s incredible franchises, which is your favorite? I love them all equally, but Pingu certainly holds a special place in my heart.”

Tara Sorensen (Apple TV+)

In her role as head of children’s programming at Apple TV+, Sorensen leads a team whose programming received a record 27 noms at the most recent Children’s & Family Emmys, including five for live-action Jane Goodall-inspired series Jane. The platform recently launched the animated sci-fi show WondLa, based on the books from author Tony DiTerlizzi. In addition, Apple TV+ brought back a kids TV phenomenon with the reboot Yo Gabba GabbaLand! and debuted Peanuts series Camp Snoopy.

Kay Wilson Stallings (Sesame Workshop)

The show that revolutionized children’s programming, Sesame Street, is entering its 55th season in the fall with an emphasis on the mental and emotional health of its target audience. “From celebrating joyful everyday moments, to understanding and expressing feelings, to helping parents recognize signs of mental health challenges, we’re helping families develop a foundation for future emotional well-being,” Stallings says. Next year, Sesame Street will undergo a format change, featuring two 11-minute stories and an animated segment rather than the series of vignettes the show has long employed. Sesame Workshop is also behind an adaptation of Charlotte’s Web that’s due to premiere on Max in 2025.

David Steward II & Stephanie Sperber (Lion Forge Entertainment)

Founded in 2019 by Steward, son of billionaire businessman David Steward, Lion Forge is the rare Black-owned studio in the kids space, dedicated to telling stories about and for underrepresented groups. With veteran Hollywood exec Sperber (who has run kids and family divisions at Imagine and Universal) as president, Lion Forge already has an Oscar under its belt, for the 2019 animated short Hair Love. It has lately expanded beyond animation to live action, and in the past year struck development deals with Nickelodeon and Penguin Random House, among other partners. Among its most anticipated projects is Iyanu, a 2D animated series based on Nigerian mythology, to be released on Max and Cartoon Network next year.

Kids are more discerning than adults about …

SPERBER “Authentic creativity. If something is too manufactured, kids will reject it.”

STEWARD “Agree. You have only a little moment to grab a kid’s attention. You can live or die by your image tile on a streaming platform and even then, you have one or two minutes to engage them or they’re moving on to something else.”

The trend I never could have predicted

SPERBER “I suppose I wouldn’t have predicted the mass banning of content for kids in the publishing space. So much TV content comes from books,and the politicization of themes and topics that were previously very widely accepted as beneficial to growing minds will limit and impact what kids see and love as they grow.”

In five years, kids will be watching on …

STEWARD “I think VR/AR technologies may help to shape the next paradigm of how everyone watches content. We won’t necessarily need screens at that point as they’ll exist in a virtual space.”

Does AI have a role to play in kids content?

STEWARD “I think there may be an opportunity to use AI to help cull data on viewing habits to better help creatives align their visions to what kids are interested in watching.”

Tyler Toney, Coby Cotton, Cory Cotton, Garrett Hilbert & Cody Jones (Dude Perfect)

Like so many YouTube juggernauts, Dude Perfect began on a lark, with a 2009 clip in which five Texas friends giddily perform basketball trick shots in Toney’s backyard, belying the amount of patience and frustration it took to pull them off. Fifteen years later, they’re a joyous, kid-friendly, sports-centric bro-content machine with 60 million subscribers and more than a dozen Guinness World Records to their name, including for last year’s miraculous basket from the top of Las Vegas’ Strat Tower — a feat that the proud Christians attribute to divine intervention.

Chris Williams (pocket.watch)

Williams, who cut his teeth at Maker Studios and Disney, founded pocket.watch in 2017 to serve the needs of kid digital creators. The company builds out global franchises for its talent, which includes Ryan’s World; Love, Diana; and Onyx Monster Mysteries. They’re set for a record-breaking 2024, as they shepherd the first-ever theatrical release of a digital creator-driven film (Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure). They’re also the largest independent kids and family content studio, holding a library of more than 40,000 hours of content for Gen Alpha.

In five years, kids will be watching on … “YouTube.”

Brad Winderbaum (Marvel Studios Animation)

Marvel is among the few all-ages brands in the entertainment industry, and as head of its small-screen efforts, Winderbaum touches every part of that spectrum, from younger kids (via the animated I Am Groot shorts) to the critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated X-Men ’97 and forthcoming live-action series Agatha All Along and Daredevil: Born Again. Those latter two are aimed at adults, but let’s be honest — kids will be watching, too.

The kids content I genuinely enjoy as an adult (besides my own) “I’m a huge fan of The Amazing World of Gumball. I think it’s one of the best shows of the last 10 years.”

In five years, kids will be watching on … “Probably some technology that doesn’t even exist yet.”

This story first appeared in the August 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.