List of animation studios owned by Paramount Global
Currently, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Paramount Animation (though Paramount Pictures), and CBS Eye Animation Productions operate their flagship brands.
Full list
| Studio | Established | Parent unit |
|---|---|---|
1990
|
||
| Animation: Television series, specials, and TV films
Animation division producing original series and films for Nickelodeon brands such as Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. Former names: Games Productions Inc. (1990–1998) Units: Nickelodeon Digital Subunits: Paws, Inc., Avatar Studios | ||
1993
|
MTV Entertainment Group )(Paramount Media Networks | |
| Animation: Television series and feature films
Animation division of MTV producing animated series and films for MTV brands. | ||
2011
|
||
| Animation: Theatrical feature films and TV series
The feature film division of Paramount. | ||
2018
|
CBS Entertainment Group ) | |
| Animation: Television series and TV films
The animation production company of CBS Studios. Units: Late Night Cartoons, Inc. | ||
Miramax Animation (49% stake) |
2019
|
|
| Animation: Theatrical feature films and TV series
The feature film division of Miramax. | ||
| Studio | Established | Defunct |
|---|---|---|
1921
|
1942
| |
| Animation: Hand-drawn short films and theatrical feature films
Founded in 1921 as an independent studio by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, it became the principal supplier of animation as Paramount Pictures distributed its films. However, Paramount acquired Fleischer Studios and reorganized it as Famous Studios. Acquired by Paramount Cartoon Studios ).
Former names: Inkwell Studios, Inc. (1921–1929) | ||
1929
|
1972
| |
| Animation: Theatrical short films and TV series
Founded in 1929 as an independent studio by CBS Entertainment Group currently holding the television distribution to the film library.
| ||
Paramount Cartoon Studios |
1942
|
1967
|
| Animation: Theatrical short subjects and TV series
Founded in 1942 as the successor to Fleisher Studios. Produced licensed products based on other sources such as Popeye and Superman (both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery via Turner Entertainment and DC Comics); Harvey Comics and Felix the Cat (now both owned by Comcast's NBCUniversal via DreamWorks Classics). Although Paramount still owns the rights to the Pre-Oct 1950, Post-March 1962, and post-December 1967 cartoons. Former names: Famous Studios (1942–1956) | ||
Rainbow S.p.A. (30% stake)
|
1995
|
sold in 2023
|
| Animation: Television series and feature films
Italian studio in which Paramount Global held a 30% ownership from 2011 to 2023.[2] Units: Bardel Entertainment,[3] Rainbow CGI | ||
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Animation
Founded in 2011, Paramount Animation is the animation division of
Projects
| Release date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2015 | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water[a] | |
| January 13, 2017 | Monster Trucks[a] | |
| March 23, 2018 | Sherlock Gnomes | |
| March 15, 2019 | Wonder Park | |
| August 14, 2020[b] | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run[a] | |
| December 15, 2021 | Rumble | |
| October 27, 2023 | Under the Boardwalk | |
| February 2, 2024 | The Tiger's Apprentice |
Fleischer Studios
Fleischer Studios was founded in 1921 by Max Fleischer and his brother Dave Fleischer who originally ran the pioneering company.[4] The studios are most well known for creating famous characters such as Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Bimbo, and producing shorts for licensed characters such as Popeye the Sailor and Superman. In 1942, Fleischer Studios was renamed to Famous Studios (later Paramount Cartoon Studios) after Paramount Pictures acquired it. The studio has also released animated feature films under Paramount.
Projects
| Release date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| December 22, 1939 | Gulliver's Travels | |
| December 5, 1941 | Mr. Bug Goes to Town |
Famous Studios/Paramount Cartoon Studios
Famous Studios (later renamed Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1956) was Paramount Pictures' first animation division. It was founded as a successor to Fleischer Studios after Paramount seized its founders, Max and Dave Fleischer's control in 1941.[4][5] The studio's productions included three series started by the Fleischer Popeye the Sailor, Superman, and Screen Songs. It also featured Harvey Comic characters such as Little Audrey, Little Lulu, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Honey Halfwitch, Herman and Katnip, Baby Huey, and the anthology Noveltoons series. After the animation studio shut down in 1967, Paramount sold most of these original characters back to their original owners.[6]
Terrytoons
Terrytoons was founded in 1929 by
CBS Entertainment Group
CBS Eye Animation Productions
Founded in 2018, CBS Eye Animation Productions is the animation production arm of CBS Studios. Its first projects announced were two Star Trek animated series, Star Trek: Lower Decks[7] and Star Trek: Prodigy (for Nickelodeon & Paramount+).[8]
Paramount Media Networks
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Founded in 1990, Nickelodeon Animation Studio was originally named Games Animation
MTV Animation
Established in 1986, MTV Animation began by producing several animated shorts that aired as bumpers for its namesake network. While its department is often grouped with that of Nickelodeon's, the two entities are completely separate. MTV's cartoons typically have more dark humor, sexual jokes, graphic violence, and pop culture references than its sister studio. In the early 2000s, MTV Animation branched out to Web-based content.[11] As of recently, the current state of the studio remains unknown.
Paramount International Networks
Rainbow S.p.A.
In February 2011, Viacom purchased a 30% ownership stake in the Italian animation studio Rainbow S.p.A. for 62 million euros (US$83 million).[12] Since then, the studio has collaborated with ViacomCBS' other company, Nickelodeon, on multiple shows, including Winx Club and Club 57.[13] Paramount Global sold its 30% stake in the studio in 2023.
Notes
References
- ^ "What Animation Does ViacomCBS Own?". 7 June 2021.
- ^ "What Animation Does ViacomCBS Own?". 7 June 2021.
- ^ Getzler, Wendey (October 5, 2015). "Rainbow buys Canadian animation studio Bardel". kidscreen.com. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ^ a b Maltin, Leonard (1980, rev. 1987). Of Mice and Magic. New York: Plume. Pg. 311
- ^ Beck, Jerry. "Fleischer Becomes Famous Studios". Cartoon Research. Retrieved June 21, 2007.
- ^ Maltin, Leonard (1980, rev. 1988). Pg. 316–319
- ^ "New Trek Animated Series Announced". Star Trek. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "Star Trek: Prodigy Has Arrived". Star Trek. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ Owen, Rob (2016-05-05). "Nickelodeon Animation Studio: Pop-Culture Powerhouse Got an Unlikely Start". Variety. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
- ^ "Nickelodeon opens animation studio in New York". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
- ^ "MTV Animation clicks Web ideas". Variety. May 15, 2001.
- ^ "Straffi's Rainbow: Europe's Largest Animation House Has Growing Pains" (PDF). VideoAge International. October 2014.
- ^ Ramos-Weiner, Maribel (20 November 2018). "Iginio Straffi de Rainbow: Tuvimos una influencia muy importante en la historia de Club 57 para garantizar su atractivo en Europa". Produ.com (in Spanish).