Paramount Animation

Paramount Animation

Company type	Division
Industry	Animation
Founded	July 6, 2011 (2011-07-06)
Headquarters	United States
Parent	Paramount Pictures (Paramount Global)

Paramount Animation serves as the American animation branch of Paramount Pictures, itself a division under the umbrella of Paramount Global. Established on July 6, 2011, the studio was created in the wake of the success of Rango and following the conclusion of Paramount’s distribution agreement with DreamWorks Animation in 2012. Initially, the studio’s mission centered on developing original intellectual properties. However, after the disappointing box office performances of films such as Monster Trucks and Wonder Park, Paramount Animation pivoted towards co-producing projects alongside Nickelodeon Movies, primarily capitalizing on established Nickelodeon franchises while continuing to work on select original productions.

The studio debuted with the release of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water on February 6, 2015. Its most recent release is Smurfs, which premiered on July 18, 2025. Looking ahead, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is slated for release on December 19, 2025.

Collectively, films produced by Paramount Animation have generated global box office revenues totaling $832 million, with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water standing as the highest-grossing title at $325.1 million.

Background

Following the shutdown of Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1967, Paramount continued to distribute animated features produced externally between 1973 and 1992. This included titles such as Charlotte's Web, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown, Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!), Heidi's Song, Bebe's Kids, and the hybrid live-action/animated film Cool World, directed by former Paramount animator Ralph Bakshi.

In 1993, Canadian company Nelvana entered into a multi-year agreement with Paramount to create five animated films, with producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall attached. The first two projects commenced with budgets exceeding US$20 million each. Proposed adaptations included works by authors E. B. White, Clive Barker, and Graeme Base, alongside an original concept titled Mask Vision. Despite these plans, none reached completion under this contract.

After its merger with Viacom, Paramount distributed animated movies linked to popular Nickelodeon television series such as the Rugrats trilogy, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius—all produced by Nickelodeon Movies. Additionally, it handled distribution for films based on MTV’s Beavis and Butt-Head and Comedy Central’s South Park.

In 2005, then-CEO Brad Grey identified family-oriented films as a key area for expansion and contemplated establishing an internal animation division. The following year, Paramount secured a distribution partnership with DreamWorks Animation, releasing titles ranging from Over the Hedge to Rise of the Guardians. During this timeframe, it also released Nickelodeon Movies' Barnyard (2006) and ImageMovers’ Beowulf (2007).

On March 4, 2011, Paramount unveiled its first internally produced animated feature with Nickelodeon Movies' Rango, which earned over $245 million globally. This achievement underscored Paramount’s capacity in animation production. Later that year, the studio secured the rights to develop an animated adaptation of the webcomic The New Kid.

Brad Grey period (2011–2017)

In July 2011, after the success of Rango and with high expectations for The Adventures of Tintin, Paramount revealed plans to establish a new animation division. This unit aimed to release one animated feature annually, each with production costs limited to $100 million. Numerous projects were intended to be co-produced alongside Nickelodeon and promoted through its associated theme parks and hotel properties.

By October 2011, former Walt Disney Feature Animation president David Stainton was appointed as president of Paramount Animation. However, he stepped down in February 2012, after which Paramount Film Group president Adam Goodman assumed direct control. The studio’s debut film was announced as The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, initially slated for a 2014 release but postponed to early 2015.

As of August 2012, Paramount Animation was collaborating on several projects with Nickelodeon, Mary Parent, and J. J. Abrams. These included potential adaptations of properties such as Dora the Explorer, The Legend of Korra, and Monkey Quest. This initiative came as DreamWorks Animation sought new distribution arrangements following 2012.

On July 31, 2013, Paramount revealed plans for Monster Trucks, a hybrid live-action/animated franchise directed by Chris Wedge and produced by Mary Parent, originally set to premiere on May 29, 2015.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water debuted on February 6, 2015, garnering favorable reviews and earning over $325 million globally, placing it as the fifth highest-grossing animated film that year. Later that month, Adam Goodman was dismissed due to the studio’s limited slate and underwhelming box office performance. Paramount also confirmed another SpongeBob sequel within the same year.

During the summer of 2015, Paramount lost out in the bidding for The Emoji Movie rights to Sony Pictures Animation. Additionally, studio head Bob Bacon exited that summer.

In June 2015, Spain-based Ilion Animation Studios secured a contract to produce a major 3D animated feature for Paramount Animation, which was later titled Wonder Park and directed by former Pixar animator Dylan Brown. Other projects announced around this time included Monster Trucks, The Little Prince, Sherlock Gnomes, and the third installment in the SpongeBob series.

The Little Prince premiered in France in July 2015 but its U.S. theatrical release was canceled due to financial disagreements; it subsequently launched on Netflix in August 2016. The third film, Anomalisa, received a limited release late in 2015 and earned $5.7 million against an $8 million budget despite critical acclaim.

On May 4, 2016, Paramount entered into an agreement with UK-based Locksmith Animation to co-develop three original animated features with animation work handled by DNEG. This collaboration ended in 2017 following leadership changes when Brad Grey was succeeded by Jim Gianopulos.

Released on January 13, 2017, Monster Trucks received mixed critical responses and underperformed financially, grossing $64.5 million against its $125 million budget.

In March 2017, Skydance Media joined forces with Ilion Animation Studios to create Skydance Animation, representing a strategic move to expand their presence in global animation production.

Jim Gianopulos and Mireille Soria Period (2017–2021)

In April 2017, Paramount terminated its agreement with Locksmith Animation following the replacement of CEO Brad Grey by Jim Gianopulos, who believed Locksmith’s projects did not fit with Paramount’s forthcoming release schedule. Subsequently, Locksmith entered into a multi-year production partnership with 20th Century Fox.

By July 2017, Paramount named Mireille Soria, formerly co-president of DreamWorks Animation, as studio president. Under her leadership, the staff expanded significantly from 10 to more than 110 employees. She aimed to produce two major animated tentpole films annually, showcasing a variety of styles and genres. Soria managed the completion of projects already underway, including Sherlock Gnomes and Wonder Park. In the same month, Skydance announced its initial two animated films—Split (which was later retitled Spellbound) and Luck—with Paramount set as distributor. Bill Damaschke was appointed in October 2017 to head Skydance Animation as president of animation and family entertainment.

Paramount’s fifth animated release, Sherlock Gnomes, premiered in March 2018 but failed to meet financial expectations, earning $90.3 million globally against a production budget of $59 million.

In April 2018, Ramsey Ann Naito, previously a producer at Blue Sky Studios and Nickelodeon, joined Paramount as executive vice president; she later departed to lead animation at Nickelodeon. During that month, Soria approved three animated features scheduled for release starting in 2020: The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge (later renamed Sponge On the Run), Reel FX’s Monster on the Hill (which became Rumble), and Skydance Animation’s Luck.

On January 14, 2019, Soria announced that Paramount Animation would cease collaboration with Skydance Animation following their recruitment of former Disney and Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter. Nonetheless, the films Luck and Spellbound remained set for release by Paramount Pictures but without the Paramount Animation label until distribution rights were acquired by Apple TV+ in late 2020 and early 2021, replacing Paramount with Apple Original Films and Netflix.

Paramount’s sixth animated film, Wonder Park, debuted in March 2019 to mixed critical reception and underperformed at the box office, generating $119.6 million worldwide on a budget below $100 million.

In June 2019, Paramount Animation revealed an updated lineup including an animated film about the Spice Girls, a hybrid live-action/animated version of Mighty Mouse, an adaptation of The Tiger's Apprentice, the musical initially titled Jersey Crabs (later renamed Under the Boardwalk), and a co-produced project titled The Shrinking of Treehorn alongside Imagine Entertainment.

The seventh installment, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, experienced a limited theatrical launch in Canada in August 2020 due to pandemic-related constraints. It was subsequently released on Paramount+ in the United States in March 2021 and internationally via Netflix in November 2020. The film received favorable reviews but only earned $4.4 million worldwide against a $60 million production cost.

In January 2021, Paramount Animation added two new projects to its portfolio: an adaptation of Tom Wheeler’s book C.O.S.M.O.S. and an original animated feature from comedian Trevor Noah.

Brian Robbins and Ramsey Ann Naito Period (2021–present)

On September 30, 2021, shortly after Brian Robbins assumed the roles of chairman and CEO at Paramount Pictures, Ramsey Ann Naito was named president of Paramount Animation while continuing to lead Nickelodeon Animation Studio as its president.

The studio’s eighth feature, Rumble, debuted on December 15, 2021, via Paramount+, having shifted from a planned theatrical release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received a range of critical responses.

On January 20, 2022, Latifa Ouaou joined as executive vice president responsible for movies and global franchises across both Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation, bringing experience from Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. Directorial changes occurred on The Tiger’s Apprentice, with Raman Hui stepping in for Carlos Baena, alongside co-directors Paul Watling and Yong Duk Jhun, and producer Bob Persichetti.

On July 26, 2023, Robbins announced that the original animated film Under the Boardwalk would premiere exclusively on Paramount+, citing concerns about theatrical risks and referencing underwhelming box office results from Pixar releases such as Lightyear and Elemental. This decision faced criticism within the industry from figures including Guillermo del Toro, Jorge R. Gutierrez, and Christopher Miller. This approach marked a departure from Naito’s prior dedication to using original animated features to expand franchises. Eventually, Under the Boardwalk saw a limited theatrical run through Nickelodeon Movies starting October 27, 2023, followed by a video-on-demand release on November 7.

The tenth installment, The Tiger's Apprentice, launched on February 2, 2024, via Paramount+ after several postponements and cancellation of its theatrical debut, receiving mixed reviews from critics.

On March 5, 2024, Paramount Animation secured a multi-year first-look agreement with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem director Jeff Rowe, who will oversee production and direction of both animated and live-action projects, including the sequel scheduled for 2026.

The eleventh film, Transformers One, was released on September 20, 2024. Although it earned favorable reviews, it underperformed at the box office, accumulating $128.9 million worldwide against an estimated budget ranging from $75 million to $147 million.

Another eleventh entry, Smurfs, premiered on July 18, 2025. It was met with negative critical reception and grossed $46 million globally on a $58 million budget.

Following the anticipated merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, John Lasseter, head of Skydance Animation, is projected to take leadership of Paramount Animation.

Logo

For its first six films—as well as Transformers One—Paramount Animation utilized the traditional Paramount logo. On September 19, 2019, the studio unveiled a new animated logo featuring "Star Skipper," created by Christopher Zibach and brought to life by ATK PLN alongside Reel FX Creative Studios. This new branding made its debut with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run in 2020. The character symbolizes the studio’s predominantly female creative team and represents the division’s artistic vision. The accompanying score aligns with Paramount’s iconic theme music composed by Michael Giacchino.

Process

Paramount Animation collaborates with external studios such as Mikros Image, Reel FX, and Industrial Light & Magic—notably for the production of Transformers One. The studio also acquired and co-produced Rumble, which was initially developed by Reel FX.

Functioning partially as a distribution label, Paramount Animation manages movies created by or acquired through Paramount Pictures, akin to the role of 20th Century Animation. This encompasses endeavors like the discontinued Locksmith Animation partnership and the procurement of Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, a title originally intended for other distributors but ultimately launched under Nickelodeon Movies.

The studio does not adhere to a single proprietary animation style; instead, each production showcases distinct visual aesthetics influenced by the creative teams and supported by a variety of animation vendors.

Since Ramsey Ann Naito assumed leadership in September 2021, she has infused Paramount Animation with the artist-centric ethos characteristic of Nickelodeon Animation Studio. Presently, both entities operate under a unified management team, setting their operational approach apart from competitors such as Disney and Universal, which maintain independent animation branches.

Released films

Films produced by Paramount Animation

Title	Release date	Director(s)	Writer(s)		Producer(s)	Composer(s)	Co-production with	Animation services
			Story	Screenplay
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Paul Tibbitt Live-Action Direction: Mike Mitchell			colspan="2" align="center" Template:N/A	Paul Tibbitt Mary Parent	John Debney	Nickelodeon Movies United Plankton Pictures	Rough Draft Studios Korea Iloura
			Stephen Hillenburg Paul Tibbitt	Jonathan Aibel Glenn Berger
Monster Trucks	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Chris Wedge	Matthew Robinson Jonathan Aibel Glenn Berger	Derek Connolly	Mary Parent Denis L. Stewart	Dave Sardy	Nickelodeon Movies Disruption Entertainment	Mr. X Moving Picture Company
Sherlock Gnomes	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	John Stevenson	colspan="2" align="center" Template:N/A	Steve Hamilton Shaw David Furnish Carolyn Soper	Chris Bacon (score) Elton John Bernie Taupin (songs)	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Rocket Pictures	Mikros Image Reel FX Creative Studios
			Ben Zazove
Wonder Park	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Dylan Brown (uncredited)	Robert Gordon Josh Appelbaum André Nemec	Josh Appelbaum André Nemec	Josh Appelbaum André Nemec Kendra Haaland	Steven Price	Nickelodeon Movies	Ilion Animation Studios
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) Canada theatrical; Netflix international; Paramount+ US release | Tim Hill | N/A (based on SpongeBob SquarePants by Stephen Hillenburg) | Ryan Harris | Hans Zimmer, Steve Mazzaro | Nickelodeon Movies, United Plankton Pictures, MRC | Mikros Image | -	Rumble December 15, 2021 Released on Paramount+ | Hamish Grieve | N/A (based on Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell) | Brad Booker, Mark Bakshi | Lorne Balfe | WWE Studios, Walden Media, Reel FX Animation Studios | Reel FX Creative Studios | -	Under the Boardwalk October 27, 2023 Limited theatrical; digital and physical release November 7, 2023 | David Soren | Lorene Scafaria, David Dobkin | Lorene Scafaria, David Soren | David Dobkin, Dagan Potter, Allison Gardner | John Debney, Jonathan Sadoff (score), Sean Douglas, Jonathan Sadoff (songs) | New Republic Pictures (uncredited), Big Kid Pictures | DNEG Animation | -	The Tiger's Apprentice February 2, 2024 Paramount+ release | Raman Hui Co-directors: Paul Watling, Yong Duk Jhun | N/A (based on book by Laurence Yep) | Jane Startz, Sandra Rabins, Bob Persichetti | Steve Jablonsky | New Republic Pictures (uncredited), Jane Startz Productions | Mikros Animation | -	Writers: David Magee, Christopher Yost | -		Transformers One September 20, 2024 | Josh Cooley | N/A (based on Hasbro toy line) | Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian, Aaron Dem | Brian Tyler | Hasbro Entertainment, New Republic Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures, Bayhem Films | Industrial Light & Magic | -	Writers: Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari; Screenplay: Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari | -		Smurfs July 18, 2025 | Chris Miller Co-director: Matthew Landon | N/A (based on The Smurfs by Peyo) | Ryan Harris, Rihanna, Laurence "Jay” Brown, Tyran "Ty-Ty” Smith | Henry Jackman (score), Rihanna (songs)| Marcy Media Films, LAFIG Belgium, Peyo Company| Nitrogen Studios\Cinesite Vancouver| -	Writer: Pam Brady|

Upcoming films

Paramount Animation film projects

Title	Release date	Director(s)	Writer(s)		Producer(s)	Composer(s)	Co-production with	Animation service(s)	Production Status	Template:Refh
			Story	Screenplay
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Derek Drymon	colspan="2" align="center" Template:N/A	Pam Brady Lisa Stewart Aaron Dem	John Debney	Nickelodeon Movies United Plankton Pictures MRC	Cinesite FuseFX Reel FX Animation	Post-production
			Pam Brady Kaz Andrew Goodman							Pam Brady Matt Lieberman

In development

Title	Notes
C.O.S.M.O.S.
Dropz	in collaboration with Gloria Sanchez Productions
I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story	joint production with Maximum Effort and Ampersand
Muttnik	partnership with Imagine Entertainment
Once Upon a Motorcycle Dude	co-produced alongside Sunswept Entertainment
Rainbow Serpent	produced in association with Imagine Entertainment and Animal Logic
Real Pigeons Fight Crime
Stray Dogs	collaboration with Image Comics and Coin Operated
Superworld	co-production effort with Temple Hill Entertainment
Swan Lake	produced jointly with Temple Hill Entertainment
Untitled Mighty Mouse project	co-produced with Maximum Effort
Untitled comedy by Mindy Kaling
Untitled film about the Spice Girls	partnership with 19 Entertainment
Untitled animated feature by Trevor Noah	co-production alongside Day Zero Productions and Mainstay Entertainment
Yokai Samba	collaboration with Nickelodeon Movies

Related productions

Unless specified otherwise, all films listed below are distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Title	Release date	Production studio	Animation providers	Additional information
Rango	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Nickelodeon Movies Blind Wink GK Films	Industrial Light & Magic	Directed by Gore Verbinski. This film paved the way for the establishment of Paramount Animation.
The Adventures of Tintin	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Nickelodeon Movies Columbia Pictures Amblin Entertainment DreamWorks Pictures WingNut Films The Kennedy/Marshall Company Hemisphere Media Capital	Wētā FX	Directed by Steven Spielberg. Adapted from The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé.
Tad, The Lost Explorer	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Telecinco Cinema El Toro Pictures Lightbox Entertainment Ikiru Films Telefónica Studios Media Networks	Not applicable	Directed by Enrique Gato. Paramount handled distribution exclusively in Spain and Latin America.
The Little Prince	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	On Animation Studios	Cinesite	Directed by Mark Osborne. Initially intended for a theatrical release through Paramount Animation.
Capture the Flag	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	4 CATS Pictures Lightbox Entertainment Los Rockets AIE La Película Telecinco Cinema Telefonica Studios Ikiru Films	Not applicable	Directed by Enrique Gato.
Anomalisa	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Starburns Industries	HanWay Films	Written and directed by Charlie Kaufman.
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Ikiru Films Telecinco Cinema El Toro Pictures 4 CATS Pictures Lightbox Entertainment Tadeo Jones y el Secreto de Midas AIE Telefónica Studios	Not applicable	Directed by Enrique Gato.
Sonic the Hedgehog	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Sega Sammy Group Original Film Marza Animation Planet Blur Studio	Moving Picture Company Trixter Digital Domain	Directed by Jeff Fowler. Adapted from the video game franchise by Sega.
Paw Patrol: The Movie	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Nickelodeon Movies Spin Master Entertainment	Mikros Image	Directed by Cal Brunker. Based on the series Paw Patrol created by Keith Chapman.
The Loud House Movie		Nickelodeon Movies	Top Draw Animation	Directed by Dave Needham. Inspired by The Loud House from Chris Savino. Originally planned for release through Paramount.
My Little Pony: A New Generation	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Entertainment One Hasbro	Boulder Media	Directed by Robert Cullen and José Luis Ucha. Rights transferred to Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic; initially slated for a theatrical launch via Paramount.

Cancelled or inactive projects

Title	Description
The New Kid	A feature-length adaptation of the Penny Arcade comic series. Initially revealed in June 2011, this film was ultimately shelved by 2016 following executive shifts at Paramount Pictures, despite having a finished screenplay.
Shedd/Fin	Publicly introduced in January 2014, this project was set to be directed by John Kahrs and originated from a concept by Adam Goodman.
Giant Monsters Attack Japan	Originally launched as a live-action endeavor under Nickelodeon Movies in 2006 by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the project transitioned to Paramount Animation in 2015, featuring a script penned by Matt Lieberman.
Bodacious	Announced in October 2015, this animated film, produced by Eddie Murphy, centers on the legendary bull sharing its title.
Untitled sci-fi film	In October 2015, Paramount Animation secured rights to a science fiction concept from screenwriter David Frigerio, described as a space-themed story with a tone similar to Cars.
The Flamingo Affair	Revealed in June 2016 as a joint venture with J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot, this comedic animal heist narrative set in Las Vegas was scripted by Pamela Pettler.
Adventures in Wonder Park	Following the release of Wonder Park, a television adaptation was announced for Nickelodeon. Although 20 episodes were completed between 2019 and early 2020, no further information has emerged as of 2023; an animatic of the pilot episode appeared online in December 2022.
The Shrinking of Treehorn	Announced in June 2019 with Ron Howard attached as director and initially scheduled for release on November 10, 2023. Netflix acquired distribution rights in May 2022; however, the film was reported canceled by July 2024.

Box office grosses

Film	Budget	North America		International gross	Global gross (not inflation-adjusted)
		Opening weekend	Total gross
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water	$74 million	$55,365,012	$162,994,032	$162,192,000	$325,186,032
Monster Trucks	$125 million	$10,950,705	$33,370,166	$31,123,749	$64,493,915
Sherlock Gnomes	$59 million	$10,604,774	$43,242,871	$47,254,907	$90,497,778
Wonder Park	$80–100 million	$15,853,646	$45,216,793	$74,342,317	$119,559,110
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run	$60 million	$865,824	$4,810,790	Template:N/A	$4,810,790
Transformers One	$75–147 million	$24,613,970	$59,054,170	$69,833,933	$128,888,103

Critical and Public Reception

Film	Critical Scores
	Rotten Tomatoes	Metacritic
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water	81%	62
Monster Trucks	32%	41
Sherlock Gnomes	27%	36
Wonder Park	34%	45
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run	67%	65
Rumble	43%	48
The Tiger's Apprentice	53%	60
Transformers One	89%	62

Annie Awards

Year	Film	Category	Nominee(s)	Outcome
2016	The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water	Animated Effects in an Animated Production	Brice Mallier, Paul Buckley, Brent Droog, Alex Whyte, Jonothan Freisler	rowspan=7 align="center" Template:Nom
		Voice Acting in an Animated Feature	Tom Kenny

Golden Raspberry Awards

Year	Film	Category	Nominee(s)	Outcome
2018	Sherlock Gnomes	Worst Actor	Johnny Depp	rowspan=3 align="center" Template:Nom
		Worst Screen Combo
			His rapidly declining film career

See also

• Nickelodeon Movies
• Nickelodeon Animation Studio
• DreamWorks Animation
• Miramax Animation
• Terrytoons
• List of Paramount Pictures theatrical animated feature films
• List of animation studios owned by Paramount Global