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Marvel Studios Animation

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Marvel Studios Animation
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAnimation, Entertainment
Founded2021
Headquarters
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Brad Winderbaum (Head), Victoria Alonso (Former President), Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt (Vice President of Animation)
ProductsAnimated television series and films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other Marvel animated projects
ParentMarvel Studios

Marvel Studios Animation—also referred to as Marvel Animation—is a subdivision of the American production company Marvel Studios dedicated to creating animated content inspired by Marvel Comics. Established as a compact studio, its main focus lies in producing series and films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), while also managing animated projects outside the MCU framework.

Since 2021, Marvel Studios Animation has launched several series such as What If...?, X-Men '97, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Eyes of Wakanda, and Marvel Zombies, along with the short-form series I Am Groot. Additionally, from its second season onward, this division assumed production responsibilities for the Disney Jr. show Spidey and His Amazing Friends, originally produced by Marvel Entertainment. It also oversees related titles including Iron Man and His Awesome Friends and the forthcoming Avengers: Mightiest Friends, plus two special episodes. Various external animation studios are contracted to execute the animation work depending on each project.

History

In March 2019, Marvel Studios revealed plans to develop an animated anthology series exploring alternate realities within the MCU, based on the What If concept. This culminated in the official announcement of the series What If...? in April 2019. Later, in December 2020, the shorts series I Am Groot was unveiled.

By June 2021, Marvel Studios sought to broaden its animation slate using What If...? as a vehicle to diversify MCU storytelling. To support multiple simultaneous series, a dedicated animation division and mini studio were established, with intentions to recruit approximately 300 new employees for Disney+ animated projects. Brad Winderbaum, who had previously overseen What If...?,, was elevated to lead streaming, television, and animation efforts. Victoria Alonso was appointed president overseeing physical and post-production, visual effects, and animation departments, while Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt took on the role of vice president of animation. During Disney+ Day in November 2021, Marvel announced additional series including a Spider-Man origin prequel initially titled Spider-Man: Freshman Year (later renamed Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man), the MCU-linked Marvel Zombies, and the continuation X-Men '97. Winderbaum highlighted that animated narratives would be pursued only if they contributed distinct value to the MCU.

By April 2022, Marvel Studios Animation had assumed production duties for the preschool-oriented show Spidey and His Amazing Friends starting with its second season; its initial season was produced by Marvel Entertainment. At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, these projects were collectively branded under the "Marvel Animated Multiverse," reflecting the overarching Multiverse Saga within the MCU as a narrative structure enabling exploration of alternate character journeys. By September 2022, Brian Kesinger was attached to direct a new Marvel Studios animated series; however, this project was subsequently canceled.

In January 2023, the division began being formally identified as "Marvel Studios Animation." In March 2023, Victoria Alonso was terminated from Marvel Studios due to a breach of contract related to her producing role on the Amazon film Argentina, 1985. The situation involved disputes over company policies and censorship concerns linked to LGBTQ themes in MCU films intended for international audiences. Disney officially cited breach of contract as the cause for her dismissal.

In December 2023, Marvel Animation announced the project Eyes of Wakanda, involving director Ryan Coogler through his production company Proximity Media. The division’s official name was reaffirmed in early 2024 alongside the debut trailer for X-Men '97, which featured a new logo. The "Marvel Animation" brand now exists alongside Marvel Studios’ live-action "Marvel Television" label, providing clarity that viewers can follow individual storylines without needing to watch every studio production. This organizational approach differs from previous versions of both brands. Reports from July 2024 revealed that nearly $20 million had been invested between June 2022 and June 2023 on an upcoming project believed to be Eyes of Wakanda.

Process

Similar to many animation studios, Marvel Studios Animation contracts out its animation work to a variety of studios around the globe, fostering collaboration with diverse partners. Winderbaum indicated that Marvel Studios is willing to collaborate with its corporate affiliates Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios on animated MCU projects when appropriate. Preschool content is developed jointly with Disney Jr. and Atomic Cartoons, while Eyes of Wakanda is created in partnership with Proximity Media.

According to Ryan Meinerding, head of visual development, Marvel Studios Animation utilizes methods comparable to those found in comic books, enabling adaptations that can deliver a stronger impact than live-action films. Winderbaum highlighted that animated productions at the studio demand more extensive planning upfront compared to live-action projects, where modifications frequently take place during post-production. The animation style varies based on the producers' creative direction for each series. Unlike visual effects artists in live-action, animation artists are employed directly by the studio and work on-site. The studio adheres to stringent deadlines, which has been criticized by a senior animator as being overly ambitious.

Released

Released television series produced by Marvel Studios Animation
Title Released No of
seasons 		Production
partner 		Animation services Original
network 		Notes
What If...? 2021–2024 3 Template:N/A
Disney+ Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Spidey and His Amazing Friends 2022–present 4 Atomic Cartoons Disney Jr. Renewed through seasons 5 and 6
I Am Groot 2022–2023 2 Template:N/A
Disney+ Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
X-Men '97 2024–present 1 Template:N/A
Disney+ Continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series; renewed for seasons 2 and 3
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 2025–present 1 Template:N/A
Disney+ Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; renewed for seasons 2 and 3
Eyes of Wakanda 2025 1 Proximity Media
Disney+ Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Iron Man and His Awesome Friends 2025–present 1 Atomic Cartoons Disney Jr.
Marvel Zombies 2025 1 Template:N/A Stellar Creative Lab Disney+ Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; spin-off from What If...?


Upcoming

Television series forthcoming from Marvel Studios Animation
Title Release Year Seasons Production Partner Animation Studio Original Network Remarks
Avengers: Mightiest Friends 2027 N/A Atomic Cartoons Disney Jr.

Released

Television specials already released by Marvel Studios Animation
Title Release Date Director(s) Writer(s) Production Partner Animation Studio Original Network Remarks
Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up! October 16, 2025 Darren Bachynski, Mitch Stookey Bart Jennett Atomic Cartoons Disney Jr. Special crossover event featuring Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Iron Man and His Awesome Friends

Upcoming

Forthcoming television special from Marvel Studios Animation
Title Release Year Director(s) Writer(s) Production Partner Animation Studio Original Network Remarks
Untitled Halloween special of Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up! 2026 To Be Announced To Be Announced Atomic Cartoons Disney Jr. Crossover special uniting Spidey and His Amazing Friends with Iron Man and His Awesome Friends

See also

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