Atomic Cartoons
 | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation |
| Founded | March 1999 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | 123 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada |
Number of locations | 3 (2020) |
| Key people | Jennifer McCarron (CEO) Matthew Berkowitz (CCO) Carl Upsdell (Head of 2D Animation) Troy Sitter (Post Production Supervisor) Joey Wilson (Head of 3D Assets) |
Number of employees | 600 (2019)[1] |
| Parent | Thunderbird Entertainment (2015–2026) Blue Ant Media (2026–present) |
| Divisions | Atomic Originals (US) |
| Website | atomiccartoons |
Atomic Cartoons, Inc. is a Canadian independent animation studio founded in 1999 by former Studio B Productions employees Trevor Bentley, Mauro Casalese and Olaf Miller alongside former Warner Bros. Animation employee Rob Davies.[2][3] Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, it produces service animation for a wide variety of clients, as well as creating its own properties. Since 2026, the company has been owned by Blue Ant Media.[4][5]
History
[edit]The studio was founded in March 1999 by Trevor Bentley, Mauro Casalese, Olaf Miller, and Rob Davies.[6] Sent back to Vancouver, British Columbia, after losing his job at Warner Bros. Animation following the cancellation of Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain, Davies received a phone call from Sunwoo Entertainment's Jae Moh to help produce Milo's Bug Quest. Together with Miller, Bentley, and Casalese, the four launched Atomic Cartoons to assist in creating the series.[2]
Between 2004 and 2008, the company produced Atomic Betty for Teletoon in association with Breakthrough Entertainment and Tele Images Kids.[7] Atomic's first fully original creation, the show's titular heroine served as the studio's mascot for a number of years. [citation needed]
In 2010, Miller left to launch his own studio. The following year, Jennifer McCarron was appointed head of production.[8] On July 8, 2015, Atomic Cartoons was bought by Canadian production company Thunderbird Films.[4] The three founders remain on board. McCarron was named president and chief executive officer in 2016.[9]
In December 2018, the company opened a second animation studio in Ottawa, Ontario.[10] Its first project was the Netflix series The Last Kids on Earth.[11]
In February 2020, Atomic Cartoons opened its third studio in Los Angeles, California.[12]
In November 2025, Blue Ant Media (who owns Jam Filled Entertainment) announced a deal to acquire Atomic Cartoons and its parent Thunderbird Entertainment in an all-cash deal.[5]
Productions
[edit]Television series
[edit]| # | Title | Years | Network/channel/platform | Co-producer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spider-Man Unlimited | 1999–2001 | Fox Kids | Marvel Studios Saban Entertainment Koko Enterprise Co., Ltd. Dong Yang Animation | [13] |
| 2 | Courage the Cowardly Dog | 1999–2002 | Cartoon Network | Stretch Films | Additional storyboards only |
| 3 | Milo's Bug Quest | 1999–2000 | KBS2 | Sunwoo Entertainment | Character, prop and background designs, and storyboards[14] |
| 4 | The Zeta Project | 2001–2002 | Kids' WB | Warner Bros. Animation | |
| 5 | Max & Ruby | 2002–2019 | Treehouse TV | Nelvana | Based on the book series by Rosemary Wells. Seasons 6–7 only, previously produced by Silver Lining Productions for the first five seasons, 9 Story Entertainment for seasons 3–5 and Chorion for seasons 4–5. |
| 6 | Atomic Betty | 2004–2008 | Teletoon M6 (seasons 1–2) Télétoon (season 3) | Breakthrough Entertainment Tele Images Kids Marathon Group (season 3) | [15] |
| 7 | Krypto the Superdog | 2005–2006 | Cartoon Network | Warner Bros. Animation | Storyboards only |
| 8 | Johnny Test | 2005–2014 | Kids' WB (seasons 1–3) Cartoon Network (seasons 4–6) Teletoon | Cookie Jar Entertainment Warner Bros. Animation (seasons 1–2) DHX Media (season 6) | Storyboards for the first season, animation services for seasons 4–6 |
| 9 | Captain Flamingo | 2006–2010 | YTV GMA Network | Breakthrough Films and Television Heroic Film Company Philippine Animation Studio Inc. | [16] |
| 10 | Click and Clack's As the Wrench Turns | 2008 | PBS | Howard K. Grossman Productions | [17] |
| 11 | Babar and the Adventures of Badou | 2010–2015 | YTV TF1 Disney Jr. | Nelvana TeamTO Guru Studio (season 1) Pipeline Studios (season 1) LuxAnimation (seasons 1–2) | [18] Based on the original Babar books by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff. Computer-animated sequel and spin-off to the original Babar television series. |
| 12 | Transformers: Rescue Bots | 2012–2016 | Discovery Family | Darby Pop Productions (season 1) Hasbro Studios | Season 1 only, overtook by Vision Animation and Moody Street Productions for the second season and DHX Media Vancouver for the third and fourth seasons. |
| 13 | Rocket Monkeys | 2013–2016 | Teletoon Nicktoons | Breakthrough Entertainment Hornet Films | [19] |
| 14 | Ella the Elephant | 2013–2014 | TVOKids | DHX Cookie Jar Inc. FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment | [20] |
| 15 | Little Charmers | 2015–2017 | Treehouse TV | Spin Master Entertainment Nelvana | |
| 16 | Pirate Express | 2015 | Teletoon | Sticky Pictures | |
| 17 | Nico Can Dance! | Knowledge Network | |||
| 18 | Screechers Wild | 2016 | Alpha Group Co., Ltd. | ||
| 19 | Counterfeit Cat | 2016–2017 | Teletoon | Wildseed Kids Tricon Kids & Family Aardman Animations | |
| 20 | Winston Steinburger and Sir Dudley Ding Dong | Entertainment One Sticky Pictures | |||
| 21 | Beat Bugs | 2016–2018 | 7TWO Netflix | Grace: A Storytelling Company Thunderbird Entertainment (seasons 1–2) Beyond Entertainment Seven Network | Animation services for seasons 1–2 |
| 22 | Marvel Super Hero Adventures | 2017–2020 | Disney Jr. | Marvel Animation | |
| 23 | Minecraft Mini Series | 2017–2018 | YouTube | Mojang Studios Microsoft Studios Mattel Creations | |
| 24 | Secret History of Comics | 2017 | AMC | Skybound Entertainment AMC Networks | Live action docuseries. Provided work for the title sequence as well as animation sequences in the show itself. |
| 25 | Legend of the Three Caballeros | 2018 | DisneyLife | Disney Digital Network 6 Point Harness Mercury Filmworks | |
| 26 | Cupcake & Dino: General Services | 2018–2019 | Teletoon | Birdo Studio Entertainment One Corus Entertainment | |
| 27 | Super Dinosaur | Spin Master Entertainment Skybound Entertainment Corus Entertainment | |||
| 28 | Hilda | 2018–2023 | Netflix | Silvergate Media Mercury Filmworks Nobrow Press (season 1) Flying Eye Books (seasons 2–3) | Animated 8 episodes for season one.[21] |
| 29 | 101 Dalmatian Street | 2019–2020 | Disney Channel (UK) Disney+/Disney XD (USA/Canada) | Passion Animation Studios Disney Branded Television | Loosely based on the 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith and its film franchise. |
| 30 | Molly of Denali | 2019–present | PBS Kids CBC Kids | GBH Kids | |
| 31 | Lego Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar | 2019 | Nickelodeon | The Lego Group | |
| 32 | The Last Kids on Earth | 2019–2021 | Netflix | Koko Production Inc. Cyber Group Studios | |
| 33 | Hello Ninja | Gorilla Poet Productions | |||
| 34 | Mighty Express | 2020–2022 | Spin Master Entertainment | ||
| 35 | Trolls: TrollsTopia | Hulu/Peacock | DreamWorks Animation Television | ||
| 36 | Spidey and His Amazing Friends | 2021–present | Disney Jr. | Marvel Animation (season 1) Marvel Studios Animation (season 2–present) | |
| 37 | Dogs in Space | 2021–2022 | Netflix | Netflix Animation GrizzlyJerr Productions | |
| 38 | Pinecone & Pony | 2022–2023 | Apple TV+ | DreamWorks Animation Television First Generation Films | |
| 39 | My Little Pony: Make Your Mark | Netflix | Entertainment One | [22] | |
| 40 | Oddballs | Netflix Animation | [23] | ||
| 41 | Little Demon | 2022 | FXX | Harmonious Claptrap Jersey Films 2nd Avenue Evil Hag Productions ShadowMachine FXP | First series from the company aimed at an adult audience.[24] |
| 42 | Cocomelon Lane | 2023–present | Netflix | Infinite Studios Moonbug Entertainment | [25] |
| 43 | Princess Power | 2023–2024 | Flower Films | [26] | |
| 44 | Teenage Euthanasia | 2023 | PFFR Adult Swim | Williams Street | Animation services for season 2[27] |
| 45 | Young Love | HBO Max | Sony Pictures Animation Lion Forge Animation Carl Jones Studios Cherry Lane Productions | ||
| 46 | Zokie of Planet Ruby | Amazon Prime Video YTV | Nelvana | Additional production facility | |
| 47 | Zombies: The Re-Animated Series | 2023–present | Disney Channel Disney+ | Disney Television Animation Bloor Street Productions | [28] |
| 48 | Wonderoos | 2024 | Netflix | 7 Ate 9 Entertainment | [29] |
| 49 | Lego Pixar: BrickToons | Disney+ | The Lego Group Pixar | [30] | |
| 50 | Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy | 2024–2025 | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [31] | |
| 51 | Mermicorno: Starfall | 2025 | HBO Max | tokidoki | [32][33] |
| 52 | Super Team Canada | Crave (Canada) Tubi/Peacock (United States) | Electric Avenue | [34] | |
| 53 | Iron Man and His Awesome Friends | 2025–present | Disney Jr. | Marvel Studios Animation | [35] |
| 54 | Red Fish, Blue Fish | 2025 | Netflix | Dr. Seuss Enterprises Netflix Animation | [36] |
| Upcoming | |||||
| 55 | Avengers: Mightiest Friends | 2027 | Disney Jr. | Marvel Studios Animation | [37] |
In development
[edit]| Title | Years | Network/channel/platform | Co-producer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action Rabbits | TBA | TF1 | Blue Spirit Milkcow Media | [38] |
| Surf's Up: The Series | TBA | TBA | Sony Pictures Animation | [39] |
Films and specials
[edit]| Title | Years | Network | Co-producer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Angry Birds Movie | 2016 | Theatrical | Columbia Pictures Rovio Animation | "Hal & Bubbles" opening |
| Lego Jurassic World: The Secret Exhibit | 2018 | NBC | The Lego Group | |
| Lego Spider-Man: Vexed by Venom | 2019 | Disney XD | Marvel The Lego Group | |
| Curious George: Royal Monkey | Peacock | Universal Animation Studios | ||
| Lego Jurassic World: Double Trouble | 2020 | Nickelodeon | The Lego Group | |
| Lego Star Wars Holiday Special | Disney+ | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [40] | |
| Curious George: Go West, Go Wild! | Peacock | Universal Animation Studios | ||
| Lego Avengers: Climate Conundrum | Disney XD | Marvel The Lego Group | ||
| Curious George: Cape Ahoy | 2021 | Peacock | Universal Animation Studios | |
| Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales | Disney+ | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [41] | |
| Lego Marvel Avengers: Time Twisted | 2022 | Marvel The Lego Group | ||
| Lego Star Wars: Summer Vacation | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [42] | ||
| Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again | Walt Disney Pictures 21 Laps Entertainment Alibaba Pictures | [43] | ||
| Lego Jurassic Park: The Unofficial Retelling | 2023 | Peacock | The Lego Group | [44] |
| Lego Marvel Avengers: Code Red | Disney+ | Marvel The Lego Group | [45] | |
| Lego Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition | 2024 | Marvel The Lego Group | [46] | |
| Lego Disney Princess: Villains Unite | 2025 | The Lego Group | Sequel to Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest (2023) | |
| Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up! | Disney Jr. | Marvel Studios Animation | Crossover special between Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Iron Man and His Awesome Friends[37][47] | |
| Lego Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins | Disney+ | The Lego Group | [48] | |
| Lego Disney Princess: Magical Mayhem | 2026 | [49] | ||
| Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [50] | ||
| Lego One Piece | Netflix | The Lego Group Shueisha | Adaptation of the first two seasons of the One Piece live-action series.[51] | |
| The Day You Begin | PBS Kids | Jacqueline Woodson | Animated musical[52] | |
| Spidey and the Avengers: Halloween Team-Up! | Disney Jr. | Marvel Studios Animation | Crossover special between Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Iron Man and His Awesome Friends[37][53] |
Other
- The Oblongs (2001; Layout)
- Chub City (2014; scrapped project)
- Five Alarm Funk 'Robot' (2015, music video)
- Vindicators 2 (2022, 10 episodes, short spin-off of Rick and Morty)
- The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island[54] (2023, web series)
References
[edit]- ↑ Ross, Ailsa (June 27, 2019). "Zombies and Owls: How Atomic Cartoons Recruits Canada's Best Talent". Royal Bank of Canada. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- 1 2 Miller, Bob (2000-09-01). "The Power Behind Atomic Cartoons". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ↑ Goodman, Martin (2002-03-18). "Atomic Betty: Defending the Universe and Trying to Find a Home on TV". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- 1 2 Cummins, Juliana (July 8, 2015). "Thunderbird acquires Atomic Cartoons". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- 1 2 Lang, Jamie (November 26, 2025). "Blue Ant Media To Acquire Atomic Cartoons Parent Company, Thunderbird Entertainment". Cartoon Brew.
- ↑ Edwards, Ian (April 5, 1999). "New Vancouver studio Atomic Cartoons opens". Playback. Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (2021-04-08). "Atomic Power! We Catch Up with the Popular Canadian Animation Studio". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
- ↑ Getzler, Wendy (October 19, 2011). "Atomic Cartoons names head of production". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ↑ Pinto, Jordan (June 16, 2016). "Twiner-McCarron named president of Atomic Cartoons". Playback. Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ↑ "Animation studio drawn back to Hintonburg". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 16, 2018. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan (2018-02-28). "Netflix Orders Animated Series 'The Last Kids on Earth'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (February 5, 2020). "Thunderbird's Atomic Cartoons Opens LA Studio". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ↑ Gearbox_Admin (October 12, 2018). "The Walking Dead Creator Robert Kirkman Quietly Launched a Tv Series in Canada". Atomic Cartoons. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ↑ Edwards, Ian (November 15, 1999). "Animal Planet calls on 'Wild'". Playback. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ↑ Brodsky, Katherine (September 5, 2012). "World's love of toons makes these nerds cool". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ↑ DeMott, Rick (September 11, 2007). "Captain Flamingo Lands On Jetix Programming Block". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ↑ Mallory, Michael (June 14, 2012). "The Tooning Up of Car Talk". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ↑ Gearbox_Admin (May 16, 2019). "Atomic Cartoons Goes Boom". Atomic Cartoons. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ↑ Wolfe, Jennifer (October 15, 2014). "TELETOON Commissions Third Season of Breakthrough's Rocket Monkeys". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Atomic Cartoons Revs up Creative Investment". Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ↑ "Hilda". Atomic Cartoons. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ↑ Tuchow, Ryan (February 18, 2022). "Hasbro Saddles Up New My Little Pony Content". Kid Screen. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ↑ "Youtube Creator James Rallison's Animated Series Oddballs to Premiere on Netflix in 2022". Netflix Media Center (Press release). June 23, 2022.
- ↑ "FX Orders Animated Comedy Pilot Little Demon; Danny & Lucy DeVito, Aubrey Plaza to Star, Dan Harmon to EP". April 23, 2020. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (November 17, 2023). "Singing & Dancing along the New CoComelon Lane". Animation Magazine. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (September 7, 2022). "Princess Power, Spirit Rangers Join Netflix's Fall Preschool Slate". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (March 31, 2022). "Teenage Euthanasia Renewed for Season 2 at Adult Swim". Collider. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (June 26, 2024). "Showrunners Behind Disney's ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series Discuss the Franchise's New Incarnation". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ↑ "Video: Wonderoos New Series Teaser Trailer - Netflix Jr" (Press release). Netflix. June 17, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (August 21, 2024). "LEGO Pixar: BrickToons Brings Beloved Characters into Newly Built Adventures". Animation Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ↑ Desowitz, Bill (May 7, 2024). "ANIMATED LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Trailer: 'Four-Piece' Animated Special Mixes Up Good and Evil". IndieWire. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (February 4, 2019). "Tokidoki's Mermicorno Getting Animated with Atomic Cartoons". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ↑ Whittock, Jesse (May 24, 2023). "Max Boards Mermicorno: Starfall Animated Series From Thunderbird's Atomic Cartoons And Tokidoki". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ↑ "From Will Arnett, Crave Announces New Original Adult Animated Comedy Series, SUPER TEAM CANADA". Bell Media. February 2, 2024.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (October 15, 2024). "Marvel's Iron Man And His Awesome Friends Preschool Series Gets Disney Jr. Greenlight". Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ Moore, Kasey (June 18, 2025). "Three Dr. Seuss Animated Series and Specials Set to Arrive Netflix in Fall 2025". What's On Netflix. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- 1 2 3 Petski, Denise (August 8, 2025). "New Cars & Marvel's Avengers Series Ordered by Disney Jr.; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ Renewed For 2 More Seasons; Castings & Premiere Dates". Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ Tuchow, Ryan. "TF1, Blue Spirit, Milkcow and Atomic Cartoons partner to develop Action Rabbits". Retrieved December 28, 2025.
- ↑ Whittock, Jesse (September 25, 2025). "Surf's Up: TV Series Adaptation Of Sony Comedy Pic In Works At Atomic Cartoons". Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (August 13, 2020). "Disney+ Gets Festive with LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ↑ "LEGO STAR WARS TERRIFYING TALES IS HERE!". Atomic Cartoons. 2021-10-21. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (June 21, 2022). "Disney+ Unveils New Taste of the LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ↑ "Night At The Museum Kahmunrah Rises Again Animated Film Gets Animation Studio". Tumblr. October 14, 2021. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ↑ Thompson, Jaden (August 29, 2023). "Jurassic Park Animated Lego Special Coming to Peacock". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ↑ Tingley, Anna (September 18, 2023). "Lego Marvel Avengers: Code Red to Arrive on Disney+ in October". Variety. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ↑ Flook, Ray (September 21, 2024). "LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition Arrives Oct. 18th (Poster)". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ↑ "Video: "Marvel's Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up!" Theme Song and Key Art Revealed" (Press release). Disney Branded Television. October 2, 2025 – via The Futon Critic.
- ↑ "LEGO Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins Now! Flies Onto Disney+ This October". The Main Street Mouse. October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ Sarto, Dan (August 17, 2026). "'LEGO Disney Princess: Magical Mayhem' Special Debuts August 21". Animation World Network. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Sarto, Dan (August 18, 2026). "Lucasfilm Releases 'LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian' Trailer". Animation World Network. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Rahman, Abid (April 7, 2026). "Netflix Expands One Piece Universe With Lego Special; Provides Update on Season 3, Wit Studio Anime Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (July 14, 2026). "The Day You Begin Animated Special Launches PBS KIDS Back-to-School Season". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
- ↑ "More Spidey Is On The Way! Marvel's Spidey And His Amazing Friends Renewed For Season 7 On Disney Jr. And Disney+" (Press release). Disney Jr. August 15, 2026 – via Disney+ Press Center.
- ↑ "Atomic Cartoons on LinkedIn: Premiering September 12: The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island".