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‘Zootopia 2’ Becomes Disney Animation’s Highest-Grossing Release Of All Time
Powered by international audiences and impressive holiday legs, the sequel has reshaped expectations for Disney Animation franchises.
Previously on Cartoon Brew
In Memoriam: Remembering The Animation Figures Who Died In 2025
We pay tribute to the animation artists, guardians, and innovators whose work shaped the medium and continues to inspire.
SVA’s Computer Arts Community Shines At SIGGRAPH 2025
SVA’s MFA Computer Arts program made a strong impact at SIGGRAPH 2025, with student volunteers, alumni, and faculty contributing throughout the conference.
Oscar Shortlist Interviews: Director Jan Saska Shares His Favorite Shot From ‘Hurikán’ (EXCLUSIVE)
The Czech director breaks down perspective, surprise, and setting behind the film’s first reveal, from frozen time to Prague’s iconic skyline.
Cartoon Brew Writers Pick Their Favorite Features, Series, And Shorts Of 2025
Cartoon Brew writers share their top animated features, series, and shorts of 2025, highlighting indie discoveries, global hits, and TV standouts.
Upcoming Animated Movies Calendar: A Look At 2026 Feature Animation Releases
A preliminary calendar of animated feature films releasing in 2026, from major studio sequels to original anime, Pixar, Disney, and indie titles.
Traditional Financing Be Damned: Jorge Gutiérrez Courts Partners By Releasing The Full 40-Minute ‘El Guapo Vs. The Narco Vampires’ Animatic Online
The creator sidesteps studios by releasing a raw, adult-aimed animatic online, signaling a growing shift toward creator-led, independent animation.
Oscar Shortlist Interviews: Director Aaron Blaise Shares His Favorite Shot From ‘Snow Bear’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Disney legend Aaron Blaise discusses the emotional centerpiece of his Oscar-shortlisted animated short ‘Snow Bear’ and what the moment means to him.
Toho Purchases Anime Limited, Extends European Reach With New U.K. Base
GKIDS ‘ parent company, Toho, is growing again. The Japanese giant has established a U.K. European HQ and purchased Anime Limited to scale distribution.
Public Domain Day 2026: Betty Boop, Pluto (As Rover), And Flip The Frog Hit The Commons On January 1
Works released in 1930 hit the U.S. public domain on January 1, including early animation icons, forgotten favorites, and the art form’s formative experiments.
Avatar Feature ‘Legend Of Aang’ To Skip Theatrical, Go Straight To Paramount+
Avatar Studios’ ‘Legend of Aang’ will debut on Paramount+ instead of theaters, alongside the new animated series ‘Avatar: Seven Havens.’
Inside The Insanity Of ‘Gumball’s’ Holiday Special, ‘The Cheapmas’
Creators Ben Bocquelet and Erik Fountain break down the long wait, warped humor, and production challenges behind Gumball’s rare Christmas episode.
Box Office: ‘David’ Sets Angel’s Opening Record; ‘SpongeBob’ Treads Water; ‘Zootopia’ Holds; And ‘Avatar’ Rules
The pre-holiday box office sees ‘David’ surprise, ‘SpongeBob’ stumble, ‘Zootopia 2’ carry on, and ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ dominate globally.
Five Indie Animated Features, Five Very Different Paths: Welcome To Cartoon Brew’s Awards Season Rogue Roundtable
Directors of ‘Endless Cookie,’ ‘Black Butterflies,’ ‘Boys Go to Jupiter,’ ‘Dog of God,’ and ‘Slide’ discuss their 2025 indie gems.
WildBrain Sells Its Peanuts Stake To Sony For A Debt-Free Balance Sheet
The sale erases WildBrain’s debt and shifts focus to scaling wholly owned franchises, digital platforms, and long-term margin growth.
‘There Are As Many Hells As There Are Evil Minds’: Isamu Imamake On Animating The Afterlife In ‘Dragon Heart’ (EXCLUSIVE BTS)
Isamu Imamake discusses character design, depictions of Hell and Shambhala, and blending hand-drawn and CG animation in his latest feature.
‘What We Create Gives Balance To The Industry’: Producer And Studio 4°C Co-Founder Eiko Tanaka On Maintaining The Company’s Creative Spirit
The veteran producer discusses cultural ambition, original filmmaking, and how Studio 4°C navigates an anime industry driven by IP and scale.
The Oscars Are Heading To YouTube In 2029
The landmark deal reflects declining TV audiences and a strategic bet on streaming platforms to hopefully future-proof the iconic awards show.
Shareholders Push Back On Blue Ant Purchase Of Thunderbird Entertainment
The proposed deal puts Atomic Cartoons at the center of a debate over valuation, control, and whether Blue Ant’s offer reflects Thunderbird’s long term worth.
‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle’ Director Haruo Sotozaki And DP Yûichi Terao Talk Awards Impact, Sequel Stresses, And Rising Expectations
Director Haruo Sotozaki and DP Yûichi Terao discuss global success, creative pressure, fandom expectations, and shaping the franchise’s final chapter.
‘You Have To Leave Him How You Found Him’: Derek Drymon And The Reel FX Team On Bringing SpongeBob Back To The Big Screen
From story structure to CG textures, Derek Drymon and the Reel FX animation team detail how SpongeBob’s theatrical DNA was preserved and expanded.
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