Top 8 biggest animation studios in the world

For over a century, animation has captivated audiences with its boundless creativity, evolving from traditional hand-drawn techniques to cutting-edge CGI. Regardless of its form, animation has always been a powerful medium that brings stories to life. A significant part of this rich history is shaped by the contributions of the world's most influential animation studios.

These studios have created vibrant, imaginative worlds that continue to captivate generations of viewers, setting the standard for the art of animation across the globe.

What is an animation studio?

An animation studio is a company dedicated to the creation of animated media, equipped with the necessary tools and staffed by skilled professionals to produce animations for a variety of purposes. Some studios focus on producing and distributing their own intellectual properties, such as animated films, and retain ownership of their characters and technologies. Others work on a contract basis, creating animated content for clients without owning the rights to the digital assets they produce.

In addition to feature films, animation studios typically specialize in a range of areas, including:

The production of feature films

Animated commercials and advertisements

Title sequences, TV shows, and short films

A broad spectrum of multimedia development

These studios play a vital role in bringing creative visions to life across many different formats and platforms.

Top 10 best-known animation studios in the world

Below are the world’s leading animation studios, renowned for creating vibrant, fantastical worlds that continue to captivate generations of viewers. If you're a fan of animated films, you're probably already familiar with these industry giants!

Pixar

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Pixar Animation Studio (Source: Tip Top Writer’s Blog)

Pixar is globally renowned for its groundbreaking computer-generated 3D animations (CGI), brought to life using RenderMan, the studio’s proprietary graphics rendering software that delivers stunningly realistic visuals.

A true pioneer of innovation, Pixar has continuously pushed the boundaries of animation. Over the years, the studio has introduced iconic characters and captivating stories that resonate with audiences of all ages—not just children.

What sets Pixar apart isn’t just its feature films; even its short films captivate us with their meticulous attention to detail. From the beloved Toy Story trilogy to the poignant WALL-E, Pixar has consistently mesmerized viewers, and there’s no doubt that its magic will continue to enchant us for years to come.

With an impressive collection of 23 Academy Awards, 10 Golden Globe Awards, and 11 Grammy Awards, alongside countless other accolades, Pixar’s legacy in animation is nothing short of legendary.

Walt Disney Animation Studios

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Walt Disney Animation Studios (Source: Disney+)

The mere mention of Disney evokes an emotional response from people worldwide. As one of the most iconic and pervasive brands, Disney’s legendary animated films laid the foundation for the entire animation industry. Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios began by producing short animated films, quickly becoming a pioneer in the field.

Over the years, Walt Disney Animation Studios has produced some of the most beloved masterpieces in cinematic history, with films like Frozen, Mulan, Alice in Wonderland, 101 Dalmatians, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Aladdin, among countless others.

Moreover, the studio's groundbreaking innovations—such as the development of the 12 principles of animation and the invention of the multiplane camera—set new standards in traditional animation production and remain integral to the craft today.

DreamWorks Animation

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Dreamworks Animation (Source: DreamWorks)

While DreamWorks Animation has often operated in the shadow of Pixar and Disney, there’s no denying its standing as one of the top creators of high-quality animated content. The studio consistently delivers well-crafted, engaging stories across both the big screen and television, proving its ability to captivate audiences of all ages.

As of July 2021, DreamWorks has released 41 feature films, including several of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time. Its work has earned a wealth of prestigious accolades, including 22 Emmy Awards, 3 Academy Awards, numerous Annie Awards, and multiple nominations from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Golden Globes.

Among its many successes, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda stand out as two of the studio's most iconic franchises. Shrek 2 (2004) remains the highest-grossing film of the franchise, a testament to the lasting impact of DreamWorks’ storytelling.

Sony Pictures Animation

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Sony Pictures Animation (Source: List Challenges)

Sony’s animation division has rapidly become one of the most prolific in the industry. Though still relatively young compared to giants like DreamWorks, Disney, and Pixar, the studio has made impressive strides in a short amount of time. Films like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Hotel Transylvania showcase its creative strength, but it was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse that truly captured the world’s attention. The groundbreaking film not only revolutionized animation but also solidified Sony as a major player in the field. With its growing portfolio of exceptional films, Sony is poised to continue its rise and establish itself as one of the all-time great animation studios in the years to come.

Studio Ghibli

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Studio Ghibli (Source: Internet)

Studio Ghibli, one of Japan’s most esteemed animation studios, is renowned for the exceptional quality of its films. Founded by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki and a team of incredibly talented animators, Studio Ghibli has become one of the most beloved anime studios in the world. The studio’s films are known for their intricate attention to detail, emotional depth, and storytelling mastery, captivating audiences of all ages.

Studio Ghibli's works have received widespread critical acclaim and have influenced countless other animation studios. The studio is responsible for six of the top fifteen highest-grossing anime films of all time, with Spirited Away holding the top spot. Its debut film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, was a massive success and set the stage for Studio Ghibli’s rise to global prominence.

Other iconic films, such as Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro, have achieved both critical and commercial success, earning a devoted fanbase in Japan and around the world.

Nickelodeon Animation Studios

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Nickelodeon Animation Studios (Source: NickAlive)

Nickelodeon is the leading children's entertainment brand, offering a diverse range of family-friendly shows, feature films, and various other forms of entertainment.

This iconic animation studio is behind some of the most beloved cartoons in television history. Shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Jimmy Neutron serve as lasting testaments to Nickelodeon’s growth and influence in the animation world, especially since the 1980s and 1990s.

While its cinematic rivals may claim the top spot in film, Nickelodeon is undoubtedly a giant in the television animation industry. SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned supreme for years, becoming one of the most recognizable and enduring animated characters in history. Likewise, series like Rugrats have garnered immense popularity and developed a loyal fanbase that continues to grow with each passing year.

Cartoon Network Studio

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(Source: Cartoon Network Studios)

Cartoon Network Studios is best known for producing and developing animated series and shorts for Cartoon Network, one of the most-watched satellite television channels worldwide.

Since the 2010s, many of the studio’s programs have expanded beyond Cartoon Network, airing on Adult Swim and streaming on Warner Bros.' platform, HBO Max. While the studio has only released one theatrical film to date—The Powerpuff Girls Movie—it has created a legacy of iconic television shows. Classics such as Adventure Time, Ben 10, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Johnny Bravo have left a lasting mark on generations of viewers and continue to be celebrated for their originality and creativity.

Warner Bros. Animation

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Warner Bros. Animation (Source: Wide Screen World)

Warner Bros. Animation is best known for creating some of the most iconic animated content in history, including Looney Tunes, Batman: The Animated Series, and Space Jam.

The studio re-established its animation division in 1980 to revive and expand its animated legacy. In 1996, following the merger of Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) with Time Warner (now Warner Bros. Discovery), Warner Bros. Animation gained full control of the Looney Tunes franchise, further solidifying its place in animation history.

In recent years, the studio has expanded its focus to theatrical animated features, producing a diverse lineup of successful films such as The Lego Movie, Storks, The Lego Batman Movie, Smallfoot, Scoob!, and Tom & Jerry. Warner Bros. Animation continues to build on its storied past while exploring new creative directions in both television and film.

Conclusion

The studios mentioned above represent just the top 10 among the world’s best animation studios. In recent years, however, the animation industry has seen a surge in the number of emerging studios worldwide. While major players from Western countries and Japan continue to dominate, smaller and independent studios in other regions have also been making significant strides—both in the quantity and quality of their work.

One notable example is DeeDee Animation Studio, a leading 2D animation studio based in Southeast Asia. DeeDee has demonstrated its creative and technical expertise through numerous award-winning projects and has earned the trust of internationally renowned studios such as Shin-Ei Douga and M2.

To get a glimpse of their talent and versatility, check out DeeDee Animation Studio’s 2021 showreel.