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Animation Boom Fuels China’s 2025 Box Office Boom
China’s box office surged 22% in 2025, led by record-breaking animated hits like ‘Ne Zha 2,’ ‘Zootopia 2,’ and ‘Nobody.’
Previously on Cartoon Brew
Oscar Shortlist Interviews: Director J.P. Vine Shares His Favorite Shot From ‘Cardboard’ (EXCLUSIVE)
In this intimate moment, ‘Cardboard’ uses just a few frames to convey a single father’s sense of loss, softened by a hopeful light at the end of the tunnel.
No AI, Perpetual License, Developed By Artists: Moho’s Free Side Quest Update Now Exports 2D Characters To Unity, Unreal, Godot, And Blender
Moho’s free 14.4 Side Quest update lets animators export full 2D rigs and animations to Unity, Unreal, Godot, and Blender using the glTF format.
‘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.
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.
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.
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