Sony Pictures Animation

Sony Pictures Animation Inc. is an American animation studio owned by Sony Entertainment's Sony Pictures Entertainment through their Motion Picture Group division and founded on May 9, 2002. The studio's films are distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing under their Columbia Pictures label, while all direct-to-video releases are released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Their first movie Open Season was released on September 29, 2006, it's latest release was KPop Demon Hunters  on June 20, 2025 and upcoming films Fixed on August 13, 2025, Goat on February 13, 2026 and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse on June 4, 2027. The studio's most successful movie to date is The Smurfs. However, its most critically acclaimed movie is Arthur Christmas, which was co-produced with Aardman Animations.

 History 

 Sony Pictures deal (2001–03) 
In 2001, Sony Pictures considered selling off its visual effects facility Sony Pictures Imageworks but after failing to find a suitable buyer, having been impressed with the CGI sequences of Stuart Little 2 and seeing the box office successes of DreamWorks Animation's Shrek and Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc., SPI was reconfigured to become an animation studio. Astro Boy, which had been in development at Sony since 1997 as a live-action film, was set to be SPI's first all-CGI film, but never made it to fruition.[3] On May 9, 2002, Sony Pictures Animation was established to develop characters, stories and movies with SPI taking over the digital production while maintaining its visual effects production.[4] Meanwhile, SPI produced two short films, the Academy Award-winning The ChubbChubbs! and Early Bloomer, as a result of testing its strengths and weaknesses in producing all-CGI animation.[5]

 Sony Pictures Animation (2003–2011) 
On its first anniversary on May 9, 2003, Sony Pictures Animation announced a full slate of animated projects in development: Open Season, an adaptation of a Celtic folk ballad Tam Lin, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Surf's Up, and a feature-length film version of The ChubbChubbs!.[6]

On May 2014, it was announced that Netflix had acquired streaming rights to films produced by Sony Pictures Animation.[7]

 Sony Pictures Animation (2011–18) 
In June 2019, Sony Pictures Animation announced that they had launched an "International" division headed by Aron Warner at the 2019 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, with Wish Dragon set to be the division's first film. The same day, they also announced an "Alternative" division aimed at producing adult animated content, headed by Katie Baron and Kevin Noel. In addition to Tartakovsky's films Black Knight and Fixed, the division's TV shows are set to include The Boondocks, a reboot of the original TV series that originally aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block from 2005 to 2014; Superbago, a co-production with Stupid Buddy Studios that was originally green lit as a feature film; and Hungry Ghosts, a series based on the Dark Horse graphic novel by Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose.[10] They had previously announced their plans to produce adult content at the 2017 Annecy festival.[11]

 Sony Pictures Animation (2018–present) 
According to Kristine Belson, president of SPA, the studio produces films on a 1:1 development-to-production ratio, meaning that the studio puts films into development as much as it places films in production, unlike other animation studios.[11]

 Feature movies 
+TitleRelease dateDistribution/Co-production withAnimation servicesReleased byNotes1Open SeasonSeptember 29, 2006Columbia PicturesSony Pictures ImageworksTheatricalFirst SPA in 3D.
First SPA in IMAX.2Surf's UpJune 8, 20073Cloudy with a Chance of MeatballsSeptember 18, 2009Columbia Pictures
Lord Miller ProductionsSecond SPA in 3D.
Second SPA in IMAX.4The SmurfsJuly 29, 2011Columbia Pictures
The Kerner Entertainment CompanyThird SPA in 3D.
First SPA’s Live-Action.5Arthur ChristmasNovember 23, 2011Columbia Pictures
Aardman AnimationsAardman Animations
Sony Pictures ImageworksFourth SPA in 3D. 
First SPA’s Aardman.6The Pirates! Band of MisfitsApril 27, 2012DNEG
Aardman AnimationsFifth SPA in 3D.
Latest SPA’s Aardman.

First-Latest SPA’s Stop-Motion.7Hotel TransylvaniaSeptember 28, 2012Columbia PicturesSony Pictures ImageworksSixth SPA in 3D.8The Smurfs 2July 31, 2013Columbia Pictures
The Kerner Entertainment CompanySeventh SPA in 3D.
Second SPA’s Live-Action.9Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2September 27, 2013Columbia Pictures
Lord Miller ProductionsEighth SPA in 3D.10Hotel Transylvania 2September 25, 2015Columbia Pictures
LStar Capital

MRCNineth SPA in 3D.11GoosebumpsOctober 16, 2015Columbia Pictures
LStar Capital

Village Roadshow Pictures

Original Film

Scholastic EntertainmentMoving Picture CompanyTenth SPA in 3D.
Third SPA’s Live-Action.12Smurfs: The Lost VillageApril 7, 2017Columbia Pictures
The Kerner Entertainment Company

Wanda Pictures

LStar CapitalSony Pictures ImageworksEleventh SPA in 3D.13The Emoji MovieJuly 28, 2017Columbia PicturesTwelveth SPA in 3D.14The StarNovember 17, 2017Columbia Pictures
The Jim Henson Company

Franklin Entertainment 

Walden Media

Affirm FilmsCinesite15Peter RabbitMarch 23, 2018Columbia Pictures
Olive Bridge Entertainment

2.0 Entertainment

Screen AustraliaAnimal LogicFourth SPA’s Live-Action.16Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer VacationSeptember 21, 2018Columbia Pictures
MRCSony Pictures ImageworksThirteen SPA in 3D.17Goosebumps 2: Haunted HalloweenOctober 12, 2018Columbia Pictures
Original Film

Scholastic Entertainment

Silvertongue FilmsPixomondoLatest SPA’s Live-Action.18Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseDecember 21, 2018Columbia Pictures
Marvel Entertainment

Arad Productions

Lord Miller Productions

Pascal PicturesSony Pictures ImageworksFourteenth SPA in 3D.
Third SPA in IMAX.19The Angry Birds Movie 2September 20, 2019Columbia Pictures
Rovio AnimationFifteenth SPA in 3D.20The Mitchells vs. The MachinesApril 30, 2021Columbia Pictures
Lord Miller Productions

One Cool FilmsNetflixSixteenth SPA in 3D.21Wish DragonJune 11, 2021Columbia Pictures
Beijing Sparkle Roll Media Corporation

Tencent Pictures

Flagship Entertainment Group

Boss Collaboration

Cultural Investment HoldingsBase FX
Industrial Light & Magic

Titmouse Inc.

Original ForceSeventeenth in 3D.
Fourth SPA in IMAX.22VivoAugust 6, 2021Columbia Pictures
One Cool Films

Laurence Mark ProductionsSony Pictures ImageworksEighteenth SPA in 3D.
First SPA’s musical.23Hotel Transylvania: TransformaniaJanuary 14, 2022Columbia Pictures
MRCPrime VideoNinteenth SPA in 3D.24Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseJune 2, 2023Columbia Pictures
Marvel Entertainment

Arad Productions

Lord Miller Productions

Pascal PicturesTheatricalFifth SPA in IMAX.25KPop Demon HuntersJune 20, 2025NetflixNetflixTwenty SPA in 3D.
Second SPA’s musical.26FixedAugust 13, 2025NetflixRenegade Animation
Lightstar StudiosNetflixFirst SPA’s R-rated.27GoatFebruary 13, 2026Columbia Pictures
Unanimous Media

Modern MagicSony Pictures ImageWorksTheatricalSixteenth SPA IMAX.

 Upcoming films 
+TitleRelease dateDistribution/Co-production withAnimation servicesReleased byNotes28Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse'
|June 18, 2027
|Columbia Pictures
Marvel Entertainment

Arad Productions

Lord Miller Productions

Pascal Pictures
|Sony Pictures Imageworks
|Theatrical
|-
|29
|Buds''December 22, 2027Columbia Pictures

 Undated films 
TitleDistribution/Co-production withAnimation servicesRelease dateReleased byNotesWish Dragon 2Columbia Pictures
NetflixBase FX2027NetflixUntitled K-POP Demon hunters SequelColumbia PicturesSony Pictures ImageWorks2029NetflixFourth SPA's musical.

 In development 
TitleDistribution/Co-production withAnimation servicesReleased byNotesTaoColumbia PicturesSony Pictures ImageworksTheatricalTwentyfirst SPA in 3D.TutTwentysecond SPA in 3D.Untitled Ghostbusters spin-off filmColumbia Pictures
Ghost CorpsTwentythird SPA in 3D.

 Direct-to-video films 
+Title             Release dateDistribution/Co-production withAnimation services1Open Season 2September 24, 2008Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Imageworks
Reel FX Creative Studios2Open Season 3January 25, 2011Reel FX Creative Studios3Open Season: Scared SillyMarch 8, 2016Rainmaker Entertainment4Surf's Up 2: WaveManiaJanuary 17, 2017Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
WWE Studios

 TV Series 
TitleCreator(s)/Developer(s)SeasonsPremiere dateEnd dateNetworkDistribution/Co-production with1Cloudy with a Chance of MeatballsMark Evestaff
Alex Galatis2February 20, 2017June 30, 2018Cartoon Network (United States)
(2017)

Boomerang SVOD (United States)

(2018)

YTV (Canada)Sony Pictures Television
Corus Entertainment

DHX Media2Hotel Transylvania: The SeriesMark SteinbergJune 25, 2017October 29, 2020Disney Channel/Disney XD (United States)
Teletoon (Canada)Sony Pictures Television
Corus Entertainment

Nelvana3Agent ElvisPriscilla Presley
John Eddie

Mike Arnold1March 17, 2023NetflixSony Pictures Television
Titmouse, Inc.4Young LoveMatthew A. Cherry
Carl JonesSeptember 21, 2023presentMaxSony Pictures Television
Lion Forge Animation

Carl Jones Studios

Cherry Lane Productions5Open Season: Call of NatureJennie Stacey
Kent RedeckerNovember 3, 2023Family ChannelSony Pictures Television
9 Story Media Group

Brown Bag Films

 Upcoming Series 
+Title            Release dateNetworkDistribution/Co-production withAnimation Services6Motel Transylvania2025NetflixNetflixICON Creative Studio

 In development 
+Title         Network        Distribution/Co-production withUntitled Ghostbusters seriesNetflixSony Pictures Television
Ghost CorpsHunger GhostsTBASony Pictures TelevisionSuperbago!Sony Pictures Television
Stoopid Buddy Stoodios

Short movies 
+TitleRelease DateDistribution/Co-production withAnimation ServicesFranchiseRelease withNotes1The ChubbChubbs!July 3, 2002Columbia PicturesSony Pictures ImageworksThe ChubbChubbs!Men in Black IITheatrical release2Early BloomerMay 9, 2003N/ADaddy Day Care3Boog & Elliot's Midnight Bun RunJanuary 30, 2007Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentOpen SeasonOpen SeasonHome video release4The ChubbChubbs Save XmasAugust 8, 2007Columbia PicturesSony Pictures Imageworks
Prana StudiosThe ChubbChubbs!Daddy Day CampTheatrical release5The Smurfs: A Christmas CarolDecember 2, 2011Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
PeyoSony Pictures Imageworks
Duck StudiosThe SmurfsThe SmurfsHome video release6So You Want to Be a Pirate!August 28, 2012Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Aardman AnimationsAardman AnimationsN/AThe Pirates! Band of Misfits7Goodnight Mr. FootOctober 26, 2012Columbia PicturesRough Draft StudiosHotel TranslyvaniaHotel TransylvaniaLimited theatrical release8The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy HollowSeptember 10, 2013Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
PeyoSony Pictures Imageworks
Duck StudiosThe SmurfsThe Smurfs 2Home video release9Super MannyOctober 2, 2013Columbia Pictures
Lord Miller ProductionsSony Pictures Imageworks
6 Point HarnessCloudy with a Chance of MeatballsCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2Limited theatrical release10Earl ScoutsOctober 9, 201311Steve's First BathJanuary 28, 2014Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Lord Miller ProductionsHome video release12Attack of the 50-Foot Gummi Bear6 Point Harness13Puppy!July 28, 2017Columbia PicturesSony Pictures ImageworksHotel TranslyvaniaThe Emoji MovieTheatrical release14Flopsy TurvyMarch 30, 2018Columbia Pictures 
Olive Bridge Entertainment 

2.0 Entertainment

Screen AustraliaAnimal LogicPeter RabbitPeter RabbitLimited theatrical release15Spider-Ham: Caught in a HamMarch 19, 2019Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment
Arad Productions
Pascal PicturesTitmouse, Inc.Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseHome video release16Hair LoveSeptember 20, 2019Columbia Pictures
Lion Forge EntertainmentLion Forge EntertainmentN/AThe Angry Birds Movie 2Theatrical release17Live StreamNovember 12, 2019Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rovio AnimationSony Pictures ImageworksThe Angry Birds MovieHome video release18Monster Pets: A Hotel Transylvania ShortApril 3, 2021Columbia PicturesHotel TranslyvaniaVarious filmsTheatrical release19Dog Cop 7: The Final ChapterDecember 14, 2021Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Lord Miller ProductionsN/AThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesHome video release20The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse StoryJune 12, 2023Columbia Pictures
Marvel Entertainment
Arad Productions
Pascal PicturesSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseSpider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseAnnecy International Animation Film Festival release21Untitled KPop Demon Hunters shortTBAColumbia PicturesKPop Demon HuntersKPop Demon HuntersTBA

 Franchises 
+Sony Pictures Animation franchisesTitlesMoviesRelease first datesRelease latest datesOpen Season4September 29, 2006presentSurf's Up2June 8, 2007January 17, 2017Cloudy with a Chance of MeatballsSeptember 18, 2009June 30, 2018The Smurfs3July 29, 2011April 7, 2017 Hotel Transylvania4September 28, 2012presentGoosebumps2October 16, 2015October 12, 2018Peter Rabbit1March 23, 2018Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse2 (1 coming soon)December 21, 2018presentThe Angry Birds Movie1September 20, 2019

 References 

Category:American movie studios
Category:American animation studios
Category:Sony
Category:Companies based in Los Angeles
Category:Culver City, California
Category:2001 establishments in California