Marvel Animation
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
| Predecessor | Marvel Studios' animation collaborations with Lionsgate and Nickelodeon |
| Founded | January 25, 2008 |
| Fate | Acquired by The Walt Disney Company (2009) |
| Successor | Marvel Studios Animation (from 2021) |
| Headquarters | Glendale, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Eric Radomski (Senior Vice President of Studios) |
| Products | Animated superhero content, direct-to-video films, TV series |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Parent | Marvel Studios |
Marvel Animation Inc. is a United States-based animation studio established on January 25, 2008, to spearhead Marvel’s efforts in animation and home entertainment. It unified Marvel Studios' existing animation collaborations with companies such as Lionsgate and Nickelodeon. The firm specializes in creating animated superhero content that complements Marvel’s extensive presence in the entertainment sector.
As a subsidiary of Marvel Studios—which itself operates within The Walt Disney Studios segment of The Walt Disney Company—Marvel Animation is located at the Disney Grand Central Creative Campus in Glendale, California. Among its leadership, Eric Radomski serves as Senior Vice President of Studios, managing production activities and strategic alliances.
The company’s operational focus lies in content creation and licensing, bolstering Marvel’s share in the animation market by utilizing its vast intellectual property assets. Its executive direction is aligned with Disney’s worldwide business strategies, capitalizing on Marvel’s brand equity to broaden its reach across television and home entertainment platforms.
Background
The Marvel Comics Group first ventured into animation by licensing projects to Grantray-Lawrence Animation, resulting in series such as The Marvel Super Heroes (1966–1968), The Fantastic Four (1967–1968), and Spider-Man (1967–1969). This partnership was followed by collaborations with Hanna-Barbera and DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, continuing until 1980.
In 1980, Cadence Industries acquired the remaining shares of DePatie–Freleng to establish Marvel Productions. Following the sale of Marvel Entertainment Group to Andrews Group—a Perlman-owned company—in 1989, this division merged into New World Entertainment. By 1993, Marvel Productions was rebranded as New World Animation.
Under the leadership of Avi Arad, Marvel Entertainment Group launched Marvel Films to work alongside New World Family Filmworks. Marvel Films Animation produced only one series: the 1994 Spider-Man show. Concurrently, New World Animation partnered with Saban Entertainment on additional series, with Saban eventually taking over production duties.
In August 1996, after divesting New World Communications Group and financing through Toy Biz stock sales, Marvel incorporated Marvel Films as Marvel Studios. Earlier that July, Fox Children's Network obtained rights from Marvel Entertainment Group for characters like Captain America, Daredevil, and Silver Surfer to develop four television series totaling 52 episodes over a seven-year span.
Animated features
In 2004, Marvel Entertainment—the parent entity of Marvel Comics—collaborated with Lions Gate Entertainment to create eight direct-to-video animated films under the banner Marvel Animated Features alongside Marvel Studios. Eric Rollman was appointed Executive Vice President of Home Entertainment & TV Production to manage this partnership.
Incorporation
The formal establishment of Marvel Animation occurred in January 2008 to oversee Marvel’s animation and home entertainment projects involving partners such as Lionsgate and Nickelodeon. Eric Rollman assumed the presidency in April 2008, reporting directly to Simon Philips, president of Marvel Entertainment International.
A home distribution agreement for The Super Hero Squad Show was secured with Shout! Factory in 2009; this company also developed the Marvel Knights Animation series. On December 31 of the same year, The Walt Disney Company acquired both Marvel Animation and Marvel Studios through its purchase of Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. Disney honored existing contracts but intended to handle future distributions via its own studios.
Following the launch of Marvel Television under Marvel Studios in June 2010, Marvel Animation operated as a division within it. In July 2010, a collaboration with Madhouse and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan commenced to produce the Marvel Anime initiative—comprising four twelve-episode series aimed at Japanese viewers and U.S. audiences through Animax and G4 networks.
By 2012, Marvel had founded Marvel Animation Studios in Glendale under Senior Vice President Eric Radomski. Disney XD introduced a "Marvel Universe" programming block featuring titles like Ultimate Spider-Man and The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Additionally, Walt Disney Animation Studios announced plans for a feature film adaptation of Big Hero 6.
At San Diego Comic-Con that year, Marvel Television revealed a second season for the Marvel Knights Animation series. The company renewed its partnership with Madhouse and Sony for the direct-to-video anime film Iron Man: Rise of Technovore. In October 2012, Marvel Animation Studios announced its inaugural direct-to-video release titled Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United, which premiered in 2013.
May 2013 saw the debut of new shows Avengers Assemble and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. on Disney XD as part of the ongoing "Marvel Universe" block. In October, Disney Japan produced an anime series named Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers with Toei Animation; it aired starting April 2014.
An animated adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy was unveiled in October 2014 for release on Disney XD in 2015. In August 2015, organizational restructuring placed Marvel Studios under Walt Disney Studios while keeping both Marvel Television and Animation divisions within Marvel Entertainment's oversight.
The anime series Marvel Future Avengers premiered in mid-2017 on Disney's Dlife channel. September of that year marked the launch of the preschool-targeted franchise Marvel Super Hero Adventures, which included a short-form animated series alongside publishing efforts by Marvel Press and merchandise aligned with the "Marvel Mania" campaign. These episodes were broadcast on Disney Channel’s Disney Jr. block as well as digital outlets.
On December 7, 2017, the Marvel Rising franchise was introduced focusing on younger heroes such as Ghost-Spider through shorts and an animated feature entitled Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors.
Marvel Animation released its first full-length preschool television series for Disney Jr., titled Spidey and His Amazing Friends, starring Spider-Man alongside Ghost-Spider and Spin during summer 2021; beginning with season two, production responsibilities transitioned to Marvel Studios Animation.
Under Marvel Studios
In October 2019, Marvel Studios elevated Kevin Feige to the role of chief creative officer (CCO), granting him oversight of the creative vision for both Marvel Television and Marvel Family Entertainment, which were consolidated back into Marvel Studios. The shutdown of Marvel Television in December 2019 resulted in the dismissal of several senior television and animation executives, including Cort Lane, who served as senior vice president of Marvel Animation & Family Entertainment and exited in January 2020. Following these changes, Marvel Studios Animation was founded in 2021.
In 2023, Marvel Animation debuted Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, marking its inaugural project in partnership with Disney Television Animation. The studio plans to maintain collaborations with Disney TVA for upcoming Marvel animated productions, aiming to broaden its animation offerings and extend its audience reach.
Former units
Note: The entire slate of Marvel Animated Features movies was produced under MLG Productions, a collaborative venture between Marvel and Lionsgate's subsidiary, with distribution handled by Lionsgate via direct-to-video releases. This agreement encompassed eight films, all launched by 2011.
- MLG Productions, Inc. (2006–2011): a joint enterprise producing Marvel Animated Features alongside Lionsgate
- SH Anime/DTV collaborations involving Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Madhouse:
- Superhero Anime Partners (2010–2011): responsible for the Marvel Anime series
- SH DTV Partners (2012–2013): produced Iron Man: Rise of Technovore
- SH DTV AC BW&P Partners (2013–2014): created Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher
Animated series
| Series | Premiere date | Finale date | Production company | Broadcast network | Number of episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment | |||||
| Wolverine and the X-Men | January 24, 2009 | November 29, 2009 |
|
CBBC Nicktoons |
26 |
| Iron Man: Armored Adventures | April 24, 2009 | July 25, 2012 | Method Films LuxAnimation |
Nicktoons | 52 |
| The Super Hero Squad Show | September 14, 2009 | October 14, 2011 | Film Roman | Cartoon Network | 52 |
| The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes | September 22, 2010 | November 11, 2012 | Disney XD | 52 | |
| Iron Man | October 1, 2010 (Japan) July 29, 2011 (US) |
December 17, 2010 (Japan) October 14, 2011 (US) |
Marvel Anime (Superhero Anime Partners) Madhouse |
Animax (Japan) G4 (US) |
12 |
| Wolverine | January 7, 2011 (Japan) July 29, 2011 (US) |
March 25, 2011 (Japan) October 14, 2011 (US) | |||
| X-Men | April 1, 2011 (Japan) October 21, 2011 (US) |
June 24, 2011 (Japan) January 6, 2012 (US) | |||
| Blade | July 1, 2011 (Japan) January 13, 2012 (US) |
September 16, 2011 (Japan) April 2, 2012 (US) | |||
| As a subsidiary of Marvel Television | |||||
| Ultimate Spider-Man | April 1, 2012 | January 7, 2017 | Film Roman Marvel Animation |
Disney XD | 104 |
| Avengers Assemble | May 26, 2013 | February 24, 2019 | Man of Action Studios | Disney XD | 126 |
| Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. | August 11, 2013 | June 28, 2015 | Film Roman | Disney XD | 52 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | September 26, 2015 | June 9, 2019 | Marvel Animation | Disney XD | 77 |
| "Rocket & Groot" shorts | March 27, 2017 (Online) April 10, 2017 (Disney XD) |
May 1, 2017 | Passion Pictures | Disney XD | 12 |
Direct-to-video releases
| Year | Title | Sequence | Revenue (US sales) |
Copies Sold (US sales) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Animated Features | |||||
| Template:Sort | Ultimate Avengers: The Movie | 1 | $9,714,891 | 555,067 | |
| Template:Sort | Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther | 2 | $7,868,824 | 588,073 | |
| Template:Sort | The Invincible Iron Man | 3 | $5,255,749 | 420,043 | |
| Template:Sort | Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme | 4 | $3,930,948 | 258,528 | |
| Template:Sort | Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow | 5 | $3,798,650 | 308,690 | |
| Template:Sort | Hulk Vs | 6 | $7,544,631 | 512,736 | |
| Template:Sort | Planet Hulk | 7 | $5,641,789 | 413,215 | |
| Template:Sort | Thor: Tales of Asgard | 8 | $3,098,791 | N/A | |
| Aggregate Totals: | $42,935,384 | 3,199,059 | |||
| Year | Title | Revenue (US sales) | Copies Sold (US sales) | Remarks |
|---|
Television Films
| Title | Premiere Date | Network | Duration (Minutes) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors |
|
Disney Channel Disney XD |
80 | ||
| Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts |
|
YouTube (Marvel HQ) | 22 | ||
| Marvel Rising: Heart of Iron |
|
44 | |||
| Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands |
|
22 | |||
| Marvel Rising: Operation Shuri |
|
22 | |||
| Marvel Rising: Playing with Fire |
|
44 |
Marvel Knights Animation
Marvel Knights Animation is a digitally released series that combines comic book elements with animation, available on iTunes and as physical DVDs through Shout! Factory.
- Overview of Series
| Title | Initial Release | Number of Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Season One | ||
| Spider-Woman: Agent of S.W.O.R.D. | June 14, 2011 (DVD) | 5 |
| Astonishing X-Men: Gifted | October 27, 2009 (iTunes), September 28, 2010 (DVD) | 6 |
| Iron Man: Extremis | April 16, 2010 (iTunes) | 6 |
| Black Panther | January 16, 2010 (TV, Australia) June 23, 2010 (iTunes) November 15, 2011 (TV BET, US) |
6 original 12 weekly installments |
| Thor / Loki: Blood Brothers | March 14, 2011 (iTunes) | 4 |
| Season Two |
|---|
See also
- Catalog of animated series derived from Marvel Comics
- Compilation of animated films inspired by Marvel Comics
Notes
References
- Articles with short description
- Redirects from moves
- Redirects from modifications
- Marvel Animation
- 2008 establishments in California
- American animation studios
- American companies established in 2008
- Companies based in Glendale, California
- Disney acquisitions
- Disney production studios
- Film production companies of the United States
- Marvel Comics animation
- Marvel Entertainment
- Mass media companies established in 2008
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment