Anime, the popular Japanese animation film format that is often used to tell complex dark stories, has also been inspiring film-makers who think it could catch on with older audiences.
"We used to hear that animation for adults wouldn't work, but now all our competitors are doing the same," said Mike Lazzo, senior vice president of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, the evening line-up of animated shows aimed at 18 to 34-year-olds, like Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
The latter has spawned the film, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theatres.
Made for $US1 million, it has already grossed nearly $US6 million at theatres since its April opening and is being hailed as a cult hit.
"We think the same thing will happen with movies," Lazzo said.
"Hollywood loves success and can't wait to pile on success. When Pixar started with Toy Story, everyone began to put an animated feature in production, if not three."
