Guillermo del Toro has always been adamant in his opinion that animation should not be considered a children’s genre but has the potential to be much more than that. And it has been proved with films like Puss in Boots 2 and del Toro’s adaptation of Pinocchio. The longstanding debate over whether the genre is only for kids and not adults now seems to be taking a side with the recent release of the Puss in Boots sequel.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish skyrockets at the box office with over $400 million and continues to do so months after its release. Weeks after its theatrical release, the sequel was made available on a streaming platform, but that did not stop people from visiting the theatres to enjoy the adventures of the fugitive cat.
Puss in Boots 2 Soars at Box Office Despite Streaming Release
Puss in Boots 2 continues to be a critic and fan favorite since its release. The sequel to the 2011 spin-off brings back Antonio Banderas as Puss and Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws. It is certified fresh with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and critics described it as a “sensational, swashbuckling return for everyone’s favorite costumed cat.”
Despite its streaming release, the sequel of the 2011 film has been soaring at the domestic box office where it is leaving even Disney movies behind. The Last Wish has grossed $403 million worldwide, as it takes the third spot at domestic box office.
According to Deadline, Puss in Boots 2 has risen from the fifth spot to the third following Avatar: The Way of Water and the latest Marvel release Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Ant-Man 3 is the only 2023 release that is leading the Joel Crawford film.
The Oscar-winning director has made several claims about animation being more than a kids’ genre. Puss in Boots 2 has also landed a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards along with Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
The film continues to rise at the box office even after crossing the $100 million mark after its fourth weekend at the domestic box office. Its success is not only for the film itself but also for the entire animation genre.
Puss in Boots 2 Takes a Stand For Animation Genre
Guillermo del Toro has been against the stereotype of animation being a genre only for kids. The award-winning director has worked on several masterpiece movies, which also include animation movies. And he does not hesitate to raise his voice against the stereotypes regarding animated films and shows when he gets the opportunity.
During his acceptance speech at the 80th Golden Globe Awards, del Toro said that 2022 had been a good year for animation because “animation is not a genre for kids, it’s a medium.”
Although most animation projects target children as their prime audience, there are multiple animation projects that are loved by both children and adults. Puss in Boots also falls under the same category as its audience includes children and adults who love the franchise. The characters’ goofy tone appeals to kids and the story and illustrations are amusable for adults too.
The 2022 comedy adventure has proved that Guillermo del Toro is right to describe animation as a medium instead of a kids’ genre. The target audience should be based on the story, not the medium through which it is told, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish proves that animation does not have to be limited to kids only with its critical and commercial achievements.
