List of animation studios owned by The Walt Disney Company

Walt Disney Animation Studios' current headquarters, the Roy E. Disney Animation Building, is located in Burbank, California across the street from the main Disney studio lot.
The south side of the Roy E. Disney Animation Building, as seen from the public park that separates it from the Ventura Freeway.

The Walt Disney Company has owned and operated several animation studios since the company's founding on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio; the current Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California is the company's flagship feature animation studio and claims heritage from this original studio. Adding to the growth of the company and its motion picture studio division The Walt Disney Studios, several other animation studios were added through acquisitions and through openings of satellite studios outside the United States. These expanded the company's animation output into television, direct-to-video, and digital releases, in addition to its primary feature animation releases.

Currently Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar and Lucasfilm Animation (through Lucasfilm) are parts of The Walt Disney Studios unit. This article does not include other animation studios whose films were released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (the company's distribution unit) and not acquired by the company, nor does it count the Laugh-O-Gram Studio (1921–23), Disney's first animation studio, which predated the founding of The Walt Disney Company. For example, certain Studio Ghibli films were distributed by Disney internationally but never owned by the company.[1] Also, Miramax, a independently operating unit of the Walt Disney Studios, also purchased US rights to foreign animated movies.[2]

Full list

Studio Established Parent unit
1923
Animation: Theatrical feature films and short films in Hand-drawn and CGI


Former Names: Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio (1923),[Note 1] Walt Disney Studios (1926),[Note 2] Walt Disney Productions (1929–1985),[Note 3] Walt Disney Feature Animation (1986–2006)[Note 4]
Units: Secret Lab (1999–2001), Disney Circle 7 Animation (2004–2006)[Note 5] DisneyToon Studios (2003–2006; 2008–2018)
Former satellite studios: Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida (1989–2004) Disney Animation Australia (1988–2006) Disney Animation Canada (1996–2000) Disney Animation France/Paris (1989–2003) Disney Animation Japan (1989–2004)

1979
The Walt Disney Studios
Animation: Computer generated animated theatrical feature films and short films

Acquired in 2006.
Former Names: Graphics Group (1979–1986)
Former satellite studios: Pixar Canada (2010–2013)

1984
Animation: Television series


Originally a part of the Disney animation group, Disney TV Animation was transferred into Disney Television and later to the Disney Channel
Former Names: Walt Disney Pictures Television Animation Group (1984), Walt Disney Television Animation (1987–2011)
Former satellite studios: Disney Animation Australia/DisneyToon Studios Australia (1988–2006) Disney Animation Canada (1996–2000) Disney Animation France/Disney Animation Paris (1989–2003) Disney Animation Japan (1989–2004) Disney MovieToons (1990–2003; theatrical name)/Disney Video Premieres (1994–2003; direct to video) Jetix Animation Concepts (2004–2009)

Divested or defunct animation studios
Studio Established status
1989
closed in 2004
Domestic division created to be an active attraction at Disney-MGM Studios and for additional output.
1990
closed in 2018
Animation: theatrical, direct to video, short and television films and Wrap-around animation
Began as a sequel theatrical unit of Disney Television Animation an adding direct to video features before being transferred to Features Animation in 2003 and Disney Studios from 2006 to 2008


Former Names: Disney MovieToons (1990–2003; theatrical name), Disney Video Premieres (1994–2003; direct to video)
Former satellite studios: Disney Animation Australia/DisneyToon Studios Australia (1988–2006) Disney Animation Canada (1996–2000) Disney Animation France/Disney Animation Paris (1989–2003) Disney Animation Japan (1989–2004)

1971
sold in 2000
Animation: Television series and Feature films


Founded in 1971 and was acquired with the purchase of Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. Founder with investment firms backing purchased the company in 2000.

1990
closed in 2000
Founded by Jim Jinkins and David Campbell and acquired by Disney in 1996.
1997
discontinued animation
Founded in 1997 by stay-at-home mom and former teacher Julie Aigner-Clark, Acquired by Disney in 2000.[2] Discontinued making videos in 2009.
1996
merged in 1999
VFX & animated unit acquired in 1996 and merged into Secret Labs in 1999.
1999
closed in 2001
Formed from the merger of Dream Quest Images and Disney Feature Animation's Computer Graphics division.
Live production unit of ABC that dabbled in TV and feature film animation.
2004
closed in 2006
Also known as: Circle 7 Animation

a short-lived division of Walt Disney Feature Animation specializing in computer generated imagery (CGI) animation and was originally going to work on making sequels to the Disney-owned Pixar properties.

2007
closed in 2011
Joint venture between Disney and ImageMovers, venture cancelled after two films.
1984
Formed in 1984 by music and TV producers Haim Saban and Shuki Levy. Acquired as part of Fox Family Worldwide on October 24, 2001. Renamed to BVS Entertainment (main company) and Sensation Animation (Team that worked on the Digimon dub).


Units: SIP Animation (part owner), Saban International

1977
closed in 2008
Founded in France by Haim Saban and Jacqueline Tordjman in 1977 as Saban International Paris. Acquired alongside parent company Saban Entertainment in 2001 as part of the Fox Family Worldwide buyout. Closed in 2008.


Former Names: Saban International Paris

2004
Discontinued in 2009
Jetix acquired programming label
1998
Closed in 2006
Also known as: DisneyToon Studios Australia

Started in 1998 for animated TV series but became one of the general satellite studios of Disney Television Animation, Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premiere and Disney Feature Animation.

1996
Closed in 2000
Started in 1996 for animated TV series but became one of the general satellite studios of Disney Television Animation, Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premiere and Disney Feature Animation.
1996
Closed in 2003
Former name: Brizzi Films

Also known as: Disney Animation Paris
Acquired in 1989 for animated TV series but became one of general satellite studios of Disney Television Animation, Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premiere and Disney Feature Animation.

1989
Closed in 2004
Acquired in 1989 for animated TV series but became one of general satellite studios of Disney Television Animation, Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premiere and Disney Feature Animation.
2010
Closed in 2013
This was a wholly owned subsidiary of Pixar Animation Studios. It was located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The studio was tasked to produce short films based on Pixar's feature film characters.

Disney-ABC Television Group

Disney Television Animation

In January 2003, Disney initiated a reorganization of its theatrical and animation units to improve resource usage and continued focus on new characters and franchise development. TV Animation was transferred to Disney Channel Worldwide.[4] Disney MovieToons/Disney Video Premieres unit was transferred from Television Animation to Feature Animation.[5][6]

DIC Entertainment

With Disney's acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC in 1996 came another animated unit, DIC Entertainment. DiC management arranged for DiC to become independent from Disney on November 17, 2000.[2]

Greengrass Productions

Greengrass Productions is a unit of ABC at the time CC/ABC was acquired by Disney and produced some animation.[2]

Disney purchased Fox Family Worldwide on October 24, 2001 for the Fox Family Channel and also received ownership of several animation units, including Saban Entertainment and Saban International N.V. Fox Family, Fox Kids international, Saban Entertainment and Saban International N.V. were renamed ABC Family, Jetix, Sensation Animation and BVS International N.V. respectively.[2] The Saban library included the acquired Marvel Productions and Marvel Film Animation library.[7] Saban also sold Saban International Paris in 2001 with the purchase of Fox Family Worldwide, which was followed by The Walt Disney Company taking a stake in the company and a name change to SIP Animation on October 1, 2002.[8][9][10] Jetix Animation Concepts, also Jetix Concepts Animation, was a brand used for animation co-produced by and for the Jetix global group by the American partner, ABC Disney Cable Group, from 2004 to 2009.[11]

Walt Disney Studios

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida

Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida
  • Division (1989–1992)
  • Subsidiary (1992–1999)
  • Division (1999–2004)
Industry Entertainment
Fate Closed
Successor Disney Circle 7 Animation[12]
Founded Bay Lake, Florida (May 1989)
Founder Max Howard
Defunct January 12, 2004 (2004-01-12)
Headquarters The Magic of Disney Animation, Animation Courtyard, Disney-MGM Studios, Walt Disney World, Bay Lake, Florida, United States
Key people
  • Max Howard
  • (Director of Operations)
  • Andrew Millstein (SVP and GM)[12]
Production output
Animation
Number of employees
~400 (peak, mid-1990s)[13]
258 (final)[14]
Parent Walt Disney Feature Animation
(Walt Disney Studios)

Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, a division of Walt Disney Feature Animation, opened in 1989 with 40 employees. Its offices were in the backlot of the Disney-MGM Studios theme park and visitors were allowed to tour the studio to observe animators at work from behind glass-paneled overhead breezeways. The company had primarily animated Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear.[13]

Magic of Disney Animation's location

Walt Disney Animation placed Max Howard in charge of starting up its Florida animation studio in 1988.[15] Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida began operations in May 1989. The division was originally planned to work on featurettes and shorts that they could do on its own. 70 animators including Disney veteran supervising animator Mark Henn were hired by 1990. After doing its first work, the Roger Rabbit short, Roller Coaster Rabbit, the division was enlisted to help finish The Rescuers Down Under and work on its companion featurette, The Prince and the Pauper.[16] On October 7, 1992, the Florida unit was incorporated.[17] On April 22, 1998, Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida moved to a new $70 million facility at the Disney-MGM Studios.[13][18] In June 1998, the Florida division's first feature film, Mulan, was released.[19] The unit continued as a division with its corporate form was merged out on September 30, 1999.[20] Andrew Millstein took charge of the division as senior vice president and general manager of production in 2001 transferring in from The Secret Lab.[21]

In January 2003, Disney initiated a reorganization of its theatrical and animation units to improve resource usage and continued focus on new characters and franchise development. Additionally, Feature Animation was transferred under The Walt Disney Studios in January 2003.[6] In June 2003, 50 animators were laid off after Brother Bear finished up production. The division was developing A Few Good Ghosts (also known as My Peoples) until it was canceled on November 15, 2003. On January 12, 2004, Disney Feature Animation President David Stainton announced the shut down of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida.[14]

Some laid-off animators were offered transfers to the main studio while most chose to stay in Orlando or were recruited to work for rival animation studios. Other animators created their own startup studios. Legacy Animation Studios was formed by Eddie Pittman along with 15 artists previously laid off from the company.[22] Laid off animators Travis Blaise, Todd Gilbert and Matt Gunther formed their own company, Magnetic Entertainment.[14] Project Firefly animation studio was set up by five former employees on Universal Studios Florida's backlot and worked on Curious George for Universal, two direct to videos for DisneyToon Studios, Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie and Brother Bear 2 and Farm Force, a short/pilot as an internal project.[23] Millstein was tapped to head up Florida's replacement and Pixar sequel division, Circle 7 Animation.[12]

Projects
Release date Title Notes
June 23, 1989 Tummy Trouble Released with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
November 22, 1989 The Little Mermaid Ink and paint
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
June 15, 1990 Roller Coaster Rabbit Released with Dick Tracy
November 16, 1990 The Prince and the Pauper Animated ten minutes
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
The Rescuers Down Under Animated ten minutes
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
November 22, 1991 Beauty and the Beast Partial animation of Belle and animated ten minutes including the "Be Our Guest" sequence[24]
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
November 25, 1992 Aladdin Animated ten minutes and the partial animation of Princess Jasmine[24][25]
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
March 12, 1993 Trail Mix-Up Released with A Far Off Place
June 24, 1994 The Lion King Animated twenty-two minutes including "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" sequence[26]
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
June 23, 1995 Pocahontas Animated eighteen minutes[27]
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
June 21, 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame Animated four minutes
Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation with Walt Disney Animation France[27]
June 19, 1998 Mulan
June 18, 1999 Tarzan Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Disney Animation France[28]
2000 John Henry [29]
December 15, 2000 The Emperor's New Groove Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Disney Animation France[30]
June 15, 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Disney Animation France[31]
June 21, 2002 Lilo & Stitch
November 1, 2003 Brother Bear

DisneyToon Studios

DisneyToon Studios, formerly Disney Movietoons,[32] was an American animation studio owned by The Walt Disney Company, responsible for producing direct-to-video and occasional theatrical films for Disney Animation Studios, a part of The Walt Disney Studios.[3]

Disney Circle 7 Animation

Circle 7 Animation, or Disney Circle 7 Animation, was a short-lived division of Walt Disney Feature Animation specializing in computer generated imagery (CGI) animation and was originally going to work on making sequels to the Disney-owned Pixar properties, leading rivals and animators[12] to derisively nickname the division "Pixaren't". The company released no movies during its tenure.[33]

Steve Jobs, Pixar CEO, announced in January 2004 that Pixar would not renew their agreement with Disney and would seek out other distributors for releases starting in 2006.[34] In 2004, Disney Circle 7 Animation was formed as a CG animation studio to create sequels to the Disney-owned Pixar properties.[33] In Late January 2006, new Disney CEO Bob Iger and Jobs agreed to have Disney purchase Pixar[35] which led to Disney closing Circle 7.[36]

The Secret Lab

The Secret Lab
Division
Industry Entertainment
Fate Closed
Predecessor Dream Quest Images
Founded Santa Monica, CA[12]
Defunct 2001[37]
Headquarters Burbank, California, United States
Key people
Andrew Millstein (GM, VP)
Production output
VFX, Animation
Number of employees
350 (2001)[38]
Parent Walt Disney Feature Animation (1999–2001)
Divisions DQ Films[39]
The logo utilized as Dream Quest Images

The Secret Lab, was an American special effects company that operated from 1980 to 2001, and was the result of a merger between Dream Quest Images and Walt Disney Feature Animation's Computer Graphics division.

Dream Quest was founded in a Santa Monica, California garage in[39] 1979.[37] The co-founders were Hoyt Yeatman, Scott Squires, Rocco Gioffre, Fred Iguchi, Tom Hollister and Bob Hollister.[40] Initial they did piecemeal work on Escape from New York, ET, and One From the Heart,[40] The company then moved to Culver City. DQ Films, the company's television commercial production division, remained in Santa Monica. In 1987, DQI model-making operations moved into a Simi Valley industrial park with the most of the company following them to Simi Valley later.[39] The Abyss and Total Recall special effects works each earned the company an Oscars Award.[41]

The Walt Disney Company purchased the company in April 1996 and had the company moved to Burbank, California.[39] DQI was purchased to replace Buena Vista Visual Effects.[42] Soon after 1997, Andrew Millstein was appointed general manager of the company.[21]

In October 1999, Dream Quest Images merged with Walt Disney Feature Animation Computer Graphics division to form The Secret Lab[43][37] with Millstein continuing as general manager and vice president.[21][43] DQI and DFA units were moved into a new location as Secret Labs, which was located at Disney's Northside facility on Thornton Avenue just east of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, a former Lockheed Corp.'s Skunk Works Building 90 until renovated for Disney animation in 1995. DQI's physical production facilities remained in Simi Valley.[43]

The Secret Lab only produced one CG animated motion picture, Dinosaur, released in 2000.[43] After Dinosaur, the Lab and Disney Feature Animation started working on Wildlife which was canceled in September 2000.[44]

The Lab being passed over for Disney work (and general industry decline), led to the unit being closed in 2001. The Secret Lab's last work was for the Spyglass Entertainment film Reign of Fire and the Castle Rock Entertainment/Warner Bros. comedy Kangaroo Jack.[37] An artist at The Secret Lab purportedly confided to Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News that the studio was shut down by Disney when it proved too expensive.[45]

VFXograph

Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm Animation

Lucasfilm Animation was added as an animation unit as part of the acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012.[46]

Pixar

Pixar (/ˈpɪksɑːr/) is an American computer animation film studio based in Emeryville, California. The studio is best known for its CGI-animated feature films created with PhotoRealistic RenderMan, its own implementation of the industry-standard RenderMan image-rendering application programming interface used to generate high-quality images. Pixar began in 1979 as the Graphics Group, part of the computer division of Lucasfilm before its spin-out as a corporation in 1986 with funding by Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs, who became its majority shareholder. Pixar and Disney had a seven feature agreement that allowed Disney to distribute the films with Disney owing the character rights. With the success of Toy Story 2 in 1999, then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs began to disagree on how Pixar should be run and the terms of their continued relationship.[33] Eisner claimed that Toy Story 2 would not count towards the "original" film count of the agreement.[47] Jobs announced in January 2004 that Pixar would not renew their agreement with Disney and would seek out other distributors for releases starting in 2006.[34] In 2004, Disney Circle 7 Animation was formed as a CG animation studio to create sequels to the Disney-owned Pixar properties.[33] In Late January 2006, new Disney CEO Bob Iger and Jobs agreed to have Disney purchase Pixar[48] which led to Disney closing Circle 7.[49]

Pixar Canada

Distribution deals

In August 1996, Disney and Tokuma Shoten Publishing agreed that Disney would internationally distribute Tokuma's Studio Ghibli animated films.[1] In 2002, Disney signed a four-picture deal with Vanguard Animation,[50] although, only one film was released under that negotiation.[51]

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment's subsidiary, Marvel Television, is the parent company of Marvel Animation.

Marvel Animation

With Disney's 2009 purchase of Marvel Entertainment, Disney acquired Marvel Animation, a component of Marvel Entertainment.[52] which now has a Studio in Glendale, California.[53][54]

Overseas studios

Three overseas animation studios (Australia, Japan and Canada) were set up to produce the company's animated television series. As direct-to-video increased in importance, the overseas studios moved to making feature films.[55]

Disney Animation Australia

Walt Disney Television Animation (Australia) Pty. Limited
Disney Animation Australia
DisneyToon Studios Australia
Subsidiary
Industry Entertainment
Fate Closed
Founded 1988
Defunct 2006
Headquarters Sydney[56], Australia
Key people
Philip Oakes (general manager)[57]
Production output
Animation
Number of employees
~ 250 (2005)[58]
Parent

Disney Animation Australia (DAA), also DisneyToon Studios Australia,[58] was a Disney animation studio located in Sydney.[56]

DAA was started in 1988 at the former Hanna-Barbera overseas studio in St Leonards, Sydney. Initially, Animation Australia worked on various television shows including Aladdin, Timon & Pumbaa, and Goof Troop. As staffing increased, the studio moved to Castlereagh Street.[57]

Disney began producing direct-to-video sequels of its Feature Animation productions, the first of which was the Aladdin sequel The Return of Jafar. When Aladdin was selected as a possible candidate as an animated TV series (before the film's release), as with many animated series, the first three episodes were one multi-part story which Disney used as a potential 'family movie special' for the Friday night before the series' premiere. With work handed out to the Australia animation studio, the opening story was instead greenlit for a direct-to-video release. Thus with "Jafar" and its success, the direct-to-video unit, Disney Video Premieres, started. A second sequel, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, provided work to both the Australia and Japanese animation units.[3]

Australia was assigned additional film sequels: The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, An Extremely Goofy Movie and Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure. The company's first feature film was Return to Never Land in 2002 grossing over $100 million worldwide at the box office. In 2005, the studio produced three animated movies: Tarzan II, Lilo & Stitch 2 and Bambi II. Disney Animation Australia was closed in mid-2006 after finishing Brother Bear 2 and Cinderella III.[57]

Title Release type Release date Franchise Other production company(ies)[58]
The Return of Jafar Direct-to-video May 20, 1994 Aladdin Disney Video Premieres
Disney Animation Japan
A Goofy Movie Theatrical[59] April 7, 1995 Goofy
Aladdin and the King of Thieves Direct-to-video August 13, 1996 Aladdin Disney Video Premieres
Disney Animation Japan[1]
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Direct-to-video August 25, 1998 Pocahontas
  • Disney Video Premieres
  • Disney Animation Canada
  • Disney Animation Japan[61]
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Direct-to-video October 27, 1998 The Lion King Disney Video Premieres
An Extremely Goofy Movie Direct-to-video February 29, 2000 Goofy Disney Video Premieres[57]
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure Direct-to-video[47] February 27, 2001 Lady and the Tramp Disney Video Premieres
Return to Never Land Theatrical[3] February 15, 2002 Peter Pan
  • Disney MovieToons
  • Disney Animation Canada
  • Disney Animation Japan[61]
  • Cornerstone Animation[62]
The Jungle Book 2 Theatrical[3] February 14, 2003 The Jungle Book DisneyToon Studios
The Lion King 1½ Direct-to-video[3] February 10, 2004 The Lion King
Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers Direct-to-video[3] August 17, 2004 Mickey Mouse
Tarzan II Direct-to-video June 14, 2005 Tarzan
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch Direct-to-video August 30, 2005 Lilo & Stitch
Bambi II Direct-to-video/Theatrical February 7, 2006 Bambi
Brother Bear 2 Direct-to-video[6] August 29, 2006 Brother Bear
The Fox and the Hound 2 Direct-to-video[6] December 11, 2006 The Fox and the Hound
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time Direct-to-video February 6, 2007 Cinderella
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh TV shows[57] 1988–1991 Winnie the Pooh Disney Television Animation
Darkwing Duck 1991–1992 DuckTales
Goof Troop 1992–1993 Goof
Bonkers 1993–1994 Raw Toonage
Aladdin 1994–1995 Aladdin
Timon & Pumbaa 1995–1999 Lion King
Quack Pack 1996 DuckTales

Disney Animation Canada

Walt Disney Animation Canada, Inc.
Disney Animation Canada
Subsidiary
Industry Entertainment
Fate Closed[61]
Founded 1996[61]
Defunct 2000[61]
Headquarters Canada
Number of locations
2
Area served
Vancouver and Toronto[55]
Production output
Animation
Number of employees
200 (2000)[63]
Parent Walt Disney Television Animation
(Walt Disney Feature Animation)

Walt Disney Animation Canada, Inc. (WDAC) was a Canadian animation production company and subsidiary of Disney Television Animation.[55]

Walt Disney Animation Canada was opened in January 1996 to tap Canada's animator pool and produce direct-to-video. Industry Canada rules were dispensed by the Canadian Government with a multi-year commitment from Disney for the company.[61]

WDAC produced in 1997 Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas then worked with Australia and Japan subcontractors on Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.[61] In fall 1999, Animation Canada stopped work on Peter and Jane, a Peter Pan sequel original designed as its first theatrical release but was changed to a video release.[61] In Spring 2000, due to weak financial performance, Animation Canada was closed.[61][63] With Canada's closure, work on Peter and Jane was moved to the Australia and Japan units.[61]

Title Release type Release date Franchise Other production company(ies)
A Goofy Movie Theatrical[59] April 7, 1995 Goofy
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Direct-to-video November 11, 1997 Beauty and the Beast for Disney Video Premieres
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Direct-to-video[64] August 25, 1998 Pocahontas
  • Disney Animation Australia
  • Disney Animation Japan
  • for Disney Video Premieres[61]
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea Direct-to-video September 19, 2000 The Little Mermaid Disney Video Premiere[63]
Peter and Jane Theatrical[3] February 15, 2002 Peter Pan
  • Disney Animation Australia
  • for Disney MovieToons
  • Disney Animation Japan[61]
  • Cornerstone Animation[62]

Disney Animation France

Walt Disney Feature Animation, France S.A.
Disney Animation France
Formerly
Brizzi Films (1986–1989)
Subsidiary
Industry Entertainment
Fate Closed
Founded 1986[65]
Founder Paul and Gaëtan Brizzi[65]
Defunct 2003[50]
Headquarters Montreuil[66], France
Key people
David Stainton
Production output
Animation
Parent Walt Disney Television Animation
(Walt Disney Feature Animation)

Walt Disney Animation France (DAF), originally named Brizzi Films, was an animation company based in France that operated from 1986 to 2003.

Brizzi Films was founded by Paul and Gaëtan Brizzi in 1986, in Paris, France. Brizzi worked on Babar in 1986 for Nelvana. In 1989, the Brizzi brothers sold the company to Disney Television Animation. The brothers continued on as general managers under the company's new name, Walt Disney Animation, France S.A.[65] The first production they work on under Disney was DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp for Disney MovieToons.[32] In 1990, WDA France worked on several TV shows and specials.[65]

In 1994, the Brizzi brothers transferred to Walt Disney Feature Animation as sequence directors for The Hunchback of Notre Dame[65] for which Disney France did 20 percent of the animation.[66] By January 1998, David Stainton was heading up Disney Animation France, which was when he was promoted to senior vice president of creative affairs for Disney Feature Animation.[67]

Stainton was promoted in January 2000, and moved to Walt Disney Television Animation.[67] In summer 2003, Disney Animation France was closed.[50]

Projects

Title Release type Release date Franchise Other production company(ies)
Babar: The Movie July 28, 1989 Produced for Nelvana as Brizzi Films[65]
DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp Theatrical[68] August 3, 1990 DuckTales for Disney MovieToons[32]
TaleSpin TV episodes 1990–91 The Jungle Book for Walt Disney Television Animation[65]
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too TV special December 14, 1991 Winnie the Pooh
Goof Troop TV episodes & specials 1992 Goofy
Marsupilami Special 1993
Bonkers Special 1993–94
A Goofy Movie Theatrical[59] April 7, 1995 Goofy
  • Disney MovieToons
  • Disney Animation Australia
  • Disney Animation Canada (Toronto)[60]
The Hunchback of Notre Dame feature film June 21, 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida[27]
Hercules feature film: Animated ten minutes[69] June 27, 1997 Hercules Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation
Tarzan feature film June 18, 1999 Tarzan Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Disney Feature Animation Florida[28]
Fantasia 2000 Animated The Firebird Suite—1919 Version segment[70] December 17, 1999 Fantasia
The Emperor's New Groove feature film December 15, 2000 The Emperor's New Groove Co-produced with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Disney Feature Animation Florida[30]
Atlantis: The Lost Empire feature film June 15, 2001 Atlantis Co-produced with Disney Feature Animation and Disney Feature Animation Florida[31]

Disney Animation Japan

Walt Disney Animation (Japan) Inc.
Native name
株式会社ウォルトディズニーアニメーションジャパン
Kabushiki gaisha Uoruto Dizunī Animēshon Japan
Formerly
Pacific Animation Corporation
Subsidiary
Industry Entertainment
Fate Closed
Predecessor Topcraft[71]
Successor The Answer Studio Co. Ltd.[72][73]
Founded 1984[71]
Defunct June 2004[72]
Headquarters Tokyo[74], Japan
Key people
Motoyoshi Tokunaga (VP, GM)[73]
Production output
Animation
Number of employees
103 (2003)[50]
Parent Disney Television Animation
(Walt Disney Feature Animation)

Walt Disney Animation Japan (株式会社ウォルトディズニーアニメーションジャパン, Kabushiki gaisha Uoruto Dizunī Animēshon Japan) (WDAJ), officially Walt Disney Animation (Japan) Inc., and formerly known as Pacific Animation Corporation (パシフィックアニメーション株式会社, Pashifikku animēshon kabushiki gaisha), was an animation production subsidiary of Disney Television Animation, a component of The Walt Disney Company.

Pacific Animation Corporation was one of two animation firms that form in the end of Topcraft in 1984. Pacific Animation did three TV series and 1 TVmovie for Rankin/Bass. In 1988, Disney Company purchased Pacific Animation Corporation, which was renamed as Walt Disney Animation Japan.[71]

The Japanese studio was set up to provide the animation services for Disney's animated television series in 1989.[55][75] As direct-to-video increased in importance, the overseas studios moved to making feature films.[55]

DAJ worked on The Tigger Movie (2000). In 2003, the company produced Piglet's Big Movie for DisneyToon Studios and 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure. In September 2003, Disney announced the closure of the studio, with Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2004) to be its final work.[75][74]

DAJ was closed in June 2004 with 30 employees expected to be transferred to one of the two Disney's remaining animation units.[72] With the closure of the Japanese studio, its remaining work for DisneyToon Studios was split between its US and Australia animation units.[74] Employees not transferred decided to launch a new company, The Answer Studio.[72][73]

Title Release type Release date Franchise Other production company(ies)
Pacific Animation[71]
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus TV film 1985 for Rankin/Bass Productions
Thundercats TV show episodes 1985
SilverHawks 1986
The Comic Strip 1987
Disney Animation Japan
Aladdin and the King of Thieves Direct-to-video August 13, 1996 Aladdin Disney Animation Australia
Disney Video Premieres[1]
Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin[64][76] Direct-to-video August 5, 1997 Winnie the Pooh Disney Video Premieres
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Direct-to-video[64] August 25, 1998 Pocahontas
  • Disney Animation Australia
  • Disney Animation Canada
  • Disney Video Premiere[61]
The Tigger Movie[6][77] Theatrical February 11, 2000 Winnie the Pooh Disney Movietoons[74]
Return to Never Land Theatrical[3] February 15, 2002 Peter Pan
  • Disney Animation Australia
  • Disney Animation Canada
  • Disney Movietoons[61]
  • Cornerstone Animation[62]
101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure Direct-to-video January 21, 2003 101 Dalmatians Disney Video Premiere[73]
Piglet's Big Movie Theatrical[3][74] March 21, 2003 Winnie the Pooh DisneyToon Studios[74]
Pooh's Heffalump Movie February 11, 2005

Jumbo Pictures

Jumbo Pictures, Inc.
Subsidiary
Industry Entertainment
Genre Animation
Fate Closed
Successor Cartoon Pizza
Founded July 20, 1990 (1990-07-20)
Founders Jim Jinkins
David Campbell[78]
Defunct October 2000 (October 2000)
Headquarters New York[78], United States
Production output
Animation
Parent Walt Disney Television[78]

Jumbo Pictures was a New York-based animation studio founded by Jim Jinkins and David Campbell in 1990.[78][79] On February 29, 1996, Disney purchased Jumbo Pictures to add Doug to their roster of properties.[2][78] Jumbo Pictures' Doug was a key show of Disney's One Saturday Morning since 1997. Jumbo Pictures also produced one movie, Doug's 1st Movie, in 1999.[78] The studio was closed in 2000.

Filmography

Title Release type Release date Channel/
block
Notes
Doug TV shows 1991–1994,
1996-1999
Nickelodeon (Seasons 1-4)
ABC (Seasons 5-7)
Allegra's Window 1994–1996 Nick Jr.
101 Dalmatians: The Series 1997–1998 ABC
PB&J Otter[78] 1998–2000 Disney:[80] Playhouse Disney
Doug's 1st Movie feature film 1999 Released theatrically[78]
Sabrina: The Animated Series TV show 1999–2000 UPN

ImageMovers Digital

In 2007, The Walt Disney Company and ImageMovers set up a joint venture animation facility, ImageMovers Digital, a Marin County-based film company, where Robert Zemeckis would produce and direct 3D animated films using performance capture technology.[2] ImageMovers Digital closed operations by January 2011, after the production was completed on Mars Needs Moms.[82]

Notes

  1. Original name for The Walt Disney Company, founded in Burbank, Hollywood, by Walt Disney and Roy Disney.
  2. 2nd name for The Walt Disney Company
  3. 3rd & original incorporation name for Walt Disney Studios partnership
  4. name for the main feature theatrical animation division
  5. subdivision of the main feature animation studio, founded to produce sequels to individual Pixar films owned by Disney before acquiring Pixar outright in 2006. No films were ever released by this division.

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