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Reel FX Animation

From Alfawiki
Reel FX Animation
Company typePrivate
IndustryAnimation, Visual effects
PredecessorReel Magic
Founded1993 in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Headquarters
Dallas
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Steve O’Brien (CEO)
ProductsAnimated feature films, short films, television programming, visual effects for live-action productions

Reel FX Animation (commonly known as Reel FX), previously identified as Reel FX Creative Studios and Reel FX Entertainment, is a U.S.-based computer animation and visual effects company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with satellite offices located in Hollywood, California, and Montreal, Quebec. The firm focuses on creating animated feature-length films, short films, television programming, and visual effects for live-action productions.

The studio launched its first original animated feature with Free Birds in 2013, followed by the 2014 release of The Book of Life, which received several accolades including nominations for Golden Globes and Annie Awards. In 2020, Reel FX collaborated with Warner Animation Group to produce Scoob!. Later partnerships comprised Rumble alongside Paramount Animation and Back to the Outback with Netflix Animation, both released in 2021. The alliance with Netflix Animation continued in 2023 with the release of The Monkey King.

Looking ahead, upcoming titles include The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants in partnership with Nickelodeon Movies and Diya developed with Good Karma Productions. These projects underscore Reel FX’s strategic emphasis on broadening its international presence through prominent collaborations and a varied slate of content.

History

Established in 1993 under the name Reel Magic in Fort Worth, Texas, the company was among the first six studios to acquire an Autodesk Flame system. Two years later, it moved to Dallas and adopted the name Reel FX Creative Studios. Growth continued through the acquisition of West End Post and relocation to the White Swan building in 1999. By 2005, Reel FX had shifted its main office to Deep Ellum in Dallas while inaugurating a second facility in Pasadena, California. A merger with VFX firm Radium in 2008 led to the opening of a Santa Monica branch.

In 2017, Reel FX expanded internationally by establishing its inaugural overseas studio in Montreal, Canada. This presence was further extended with additional offices in Toronto and Vancouver, strengthening its global footprint and market reach.

Films and releases

Reel FX’s initial short film production was The Man In The Moon (1999), inspired by William Joyce's Guardians of Childhood. This project initiated the Reel FX Originals program (now known as Inventions) and was subsequently optioned by DreamWorks Animation for development into Rise of the Guardians, directed by Peter Ramsey.

A collaboration commenced in 2010 between Reel FX, producer Andrew Adamson, and Cirque du Soleil to create a 3D film. By 2012, Paramount Pictures secured worldwide distribution rights for Worlds Away, directed by Adamson with James Cameron serving as executive producer.

Reel FX’s debut feature film—originally titled Turkeys during production—was released as Free Birds in 2013. Directed by Jimmy Hayward, it featured voice performances from Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler. This project elevated CEO Steve O’Brien's visibility within industry media.

Following the release of The Book of Life, Reel FX contributed to projects such as Rock Dog (Summit Entertainment) and UglyDolls (STX Entertainment), while advancing new developments. The 2021 film Rumble, adapted from Rob Harrell’s graphic novel Monster on the Hill, was scripted by Matt Lieberman and Etan Cohen.

In 2022, Reel FX introduced the original animated series Super Giant Robot Brothers! for Netflix Animation. Directed by Mark Andrews (known for Brave), this series employed a proprietary real-time production workflow utilizing Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, marking it as the first animated series fully rendered within a video game engine.

Original Productions

Title Release Date Co-production Partners Distributor Director(s)
Free Birds
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 Relativity Media Relativity Media Jimmy Hayward
The Book of Life
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 20th Century Fox Animation
Chatrone 		20th Century Fox Jorge R. Gutierrez
Rumble
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 Paramount Animation
WWE Studios
Walden Media
New Republic Pictures 		Paramount+ Hamish Grieve
Diya TBA Good Karma Productions TBA Nitya Mehra

Animation and Visual Effects Contributions

Title Release Date Production Companies Distributor Director(s)
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
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 Troublemaker Studios Dimension Films Robert Rodriguez
The Wild (opening sequence only)
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 Walt Disney Pictures
Hoytyboy Pictures
Sir Zip Productions
Contrafilm
C.O.R.E. 		Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Steve Williams
Everyone's Hero
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 IDT Entertainment 20th Century Fox Christopher Reeve
Colin Brady
Daniel St. Pierre
Open Season 2
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 Sony Pictures Animation Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Matthew O'Callaghan
Todd Wilderman
The Spy Next Door January 15, 2010 Relativity Media Lionsgate Brian Levant
"Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer"

June 10, 2011 Smokewood Entertainment Relativity Media (US)
Universal Pictures (International) John Schultz

"Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away"
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Cirque du Soleil
Strange Weather Films
Cameron Pace Group Paramount Pictures Andrew Adamson

"Rock Dog"
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Huayi Brothers Summit Entertainment Ash Brannon

"UglyDolls"
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STX Family
Alibaba Pictures
Troublemaker Studios
Original Force STX Entertainment Kelly Asbury

"Scoob!"

May 15, 2020 Warner Bros. Pictures
Warner Animation Group Warner Bros. Pictures Tony Cervone

"Back to the Outback"

December 10, 2021 Netflix Animation
Weed Road Pictures Netflix Clare Knight
Harry Cripps

"The Monkey King" (2023)
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Netflix Animation
Pearl Studio
Star Overseas Anthony Stacchi

"The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants" (2025)

Paramount Animation
Nickelodeon Movies
United Plankton Pictures
MRC Paramount Pictures Derek Drymon

Original Series
Title Years Active Co-production Partners Broadcast Network Creator(s)
Super Giant Robot Brothers 2022 Netflix Animation
Assemblage Entertainment 		Netflix

Víctor Maldonado
Alfredo Torres


Animation Services
Title Years Co-production Partners Network Creator
No Activity (season 4) 2021 Funny or Die
Gary Sanchez Productions
Jungle Entertainment
Flight School Studio
CBS Studios 		Paramount+ Trent O'Donnell

Specials

Short Films

Theme Park Attractions

Direct-to-Video

  • Barney Home Video (1996–2000) (visual effects contribution)
  • G.I. Joe: Spy Troops (2003)
  • G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom (2004)
  • Action Man: X Missions – The Movie (2005)
  • Boz series (2006–2008)
  • The Three Wise Men (previously titled The Very First Noel) (2006)
  • Thank You God for B-O-Zs and 1-2-3s! (2007)
  • Tales of the Black Freighter (2009)

Commercials

Production Logos

External links

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