Why Kicking in the Butt Sells Better than Kindness

Do you remember when Kevin set up a series of painful traps, like heating the door handle, dropping paint cans, and making Marv step on nails, to outsmart the burglars in Home Alone?
Do you remember when the Minions used rockets and weapons in Despicable Me?
Do you remember all the times Tom and Jerry fought each other?

There are hundreds of examples of violence of this sort in children’s cinema.

Why is it that violence in children's films often outperforms gentler, kindness-based narratives at the box office?

The panel addresses the commercial appeal of slapstick humor, exaggerated violence, and morally questionable choices in children’s movies. Focusing on the perspective of sales and distribution, we’ll discuss how these elements shape global success and reflect cultural preferences.
Do audiences prefer physical comedy and conflict over more positive messaging, and why? We’ll also consider the cultural boundaries that influence the portrayal of these behaviors, asking how far is too far when it comes to selling humor and action. What works in one region might be considered too extreme in another, and the global nature of distribution demands careful navigation of these sensitivities. How do distributors balance market demands with the responsibility of delivering content that resonates with young viewers without crossing ethical lines? And where the lines are drawn when it comes to shaping the values of young viewers through film.
How far can filmmakers go, and how do distributors navigate varying audience sensitivities while maximizing box office appeal?
This session will provide insight into the economics, cultural factors, and challenges of navigating controversial content in children's films.