Sony Pictures Animation Chief Kristine Belson: COVID-19 Helping Stimulate Demand for R-Rated and PG-13 Animated Titles

 Grok Entertainment Desk | June 25, 2020

In a revealing interview amid the early months of the global pandemic, Kristine Belson, then President of Sony Pictures Animation (overseeing features and series), shared her perspective on how the COVID-19 crisis was reshaping the animation landscape. Speaking to Deadline, Belson highlighted an unexpected positive outcome: the surge in streaming and home viewing was fueling greater interest in animated content aimed at broader, more mature audiences.

Belson noted that the animation sector was experiencing an overall boom as production shifted toward safer, more flexible animated projects during lockdowns and restrictions on live-action filming. She predicted this momentum would diversify beyond the saturated family-friendly space.

"I don't think you're going to see more family animated movies because that's very saturated," Belson stated. "There will be more R-rated animated movies." She added that Sony Pictures Animation was actively developing several such projects and was "really excited about releasing our first one."

Belson also foresaw an emergence of PG-13 animated features, describing them as "something you haven't seen before" — including "harder action-adventure sort of stuff." She believed other studios would follow this trend, expanding animation's appeal to older viewers.

The comments reflected a broader industry shift at the time, as theaters remained closed and audiences turned to home entertainment. While family animation remained strong, Belson saw the pandemic accelerating demand for edgier, adult-oriented animated stories — a category that had been relatively rare in major studio theatrical releases up to that point.

This outlook came during a pivotal moment for Sony Pictures Animation, which had recently achieved critical acclaim with films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and was navigating release delays and strategic pivots in the pandemic era. Belson's vision underscored animation's growing versatility as a medium capable of tackling more mature themes and genres.