What is the ruling on an adult watching animated cartoons, and does this fall under the stern warning mentioned for image-makers that they will be among the people most severely punished?

There is no harm in watching animated films if they are free from anything that violates Islamic law. This ruling applies equally to adults and minors. This does not fall under the warning issued to image-makers, because the viewer is not an image-maker. We hope that the warning does not include those who create these films, due to the realization of a preponderant benefit.