Cartoon Network Studios

**Cartoon Network Studios** is an American animation studio owned by the Warner Bros. Television Studios division of Warner Bros., a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio is the production arm of Cartoon Network, and started operating on October 21, 1994 as a division of Hanna-Barbera, until the latter absorbed into Warner Bros. Animation in 2001.

The studio primarily produces and develops animated programs and shorts for Cartoon Network and Cartoonito, and has also developed properties for Adult Swim, TBS, and Max. The studio has produced dozens of shows, including *Dexter's Laboratory*, *The Powerpuff Girls*, *Johnny Bravo*, *Time Squad*, *Samurai Jack*, *Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends*, *The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy*, *Ben 10*, *Adventure Time*, *Regular Show*, *We Bare Bears* and *Steven Universe*.

The division has earned numerous accolades including 3 Academy Awards nominations, a Golden Globe Award, and 4 in-house honors via the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Since its launch, over 37 feature films have been produced for theatrical release and starting in 2021, the studio has been producing films for Max.

In 2000 the network purchased a large building in Burbank, California to serve as its headquarters. Cartoon Network Studios operated in these facilities for over twenty years, and also expanded into other buildings as well. In the 2020s, after multiple corporate mergers, the studio was consolidated into Warner Bros. Animation, and will continue to operate as a separate division.

## History

### 1990s to 2000s

#### Hanna-Barbera era

Cartoon Network Studios originated as a division of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. that focused on producing original programming for Cartoon Network, including *What a Cartoon!*, *Dexter's Laboratory*, *Johnny Bravo*, and *The Powerpuff Girls*. Following the 1996 merger of Hanna-Barbera's parent, Turner Broadcasting System with Time Warner, and after being located on Cahuenga Boulevard in Los Angeles since 1963, the Hanna-Barbera studio, its archives, and its extensive animation art collection, were relocated in 1998 to Sherman Oaks Galleria in Sherman Oaks, California, where Warner Bros. Animation was located. This relocation was executed by its chief executive, Jean MacCurdy. On July 21, 1999, Cartoon Network officially started the studio to separate itself from the complete folding of Hanna-Barbera into Warner Bros. Animation that started after the Time Warner merger. Following the death of the studio's co-founder William Hanna in 2001, Cartoon Network Studios took over the animation function of Hanna-Barbera.

#### Becoming a separate studio under Cartoon Network

In 2000, Cartoon Network Studios transferred its production offices to a new facility located at 300 N 3rd St. in Burbank, California, which was the location of a former Pacific Bell telephone exchange. Former DiC and Nickelodeon employees Brian A. Miller and Jennifer Pelphrey have managed the company since it began production in the same year. The current headquarters of the animation studio was christened on May 22, 2000, by veteran animator and animation advisor Joseph Barbera with a bottle of champagne.

In 2002, the studio produced two television pilots for Cartoon Network's late night programming block Adult Swim: *Welcome to Eltingville* and *The Groovenians*. Neither of them were picked as full series. Also, the studio released this year its first theatrical film: *The Powerpuff Girls Movie*, based on *The Powerpuff Girls*, which received positive reviews from critics but performed poorly at the box office. In 2003, the studio released its second theatrical film: *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, based on Puffy AmiYumi and a series of shorts that aired on Cartoon Network in 2000, which succeeded at the box office, and was reviewed positively by critics. The success of the film spawned this film into a TV series, *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, which aired on Cartoon Network from 2004 to 2006. With the release of *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, Cartoon Network Studios returned to making box-office hits.​

In June 2001, a film based on *Ed, Edd n Eddy*—a Canadian series aired by Cartoon Network in the United States—was announced. The film was produced in Canada by a.k.a. Cartoon, with Cartoon Network Studios signing on to present the film internationally. The film was directed and executive produced by Danny Antonucci, and it was released in both Canada and the United States on August 27, 2004. The film received positive reviews and was a box office success.​

In 2005, the studio released its fourth theatrical film: *Mike, Lu & Og: Journey Back to Manhattan*, which was a moderate box-office success, but received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. The same year, the studio released its fifth theatrical film: *Class of 3000*, which succeeded at the box office, and was reviewed positively by critics. Like *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, the film's success has spawned into a TV show, *Class of 3000*, which ran from 2006 to 2008 on Cartoon Network. In 2006, Cartoon Network Studios collaborated with sister studio Williams Street for the first time for *Korgoth of Barbaria*, a television pilot made for Adult Swim, which was also not green-lit as a series. Also, the studio released this year its sixth theatrical film and first sequel to date: *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi 2*, based on Puffy AmiYumi and *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, which was a modest success at the box-office, but had mixed reviews from critics.​

In 2007, Cartoon Network Studios began its first foray into live action with the hybrid series *Out of Jimmy's Head*, and then its first fully live action project, *Ben 10: Race Against Time* and its sequel, *Ben 10: Alien Swarm*, along with the television pilots *Locker 514*, *Siblings* and *Stan the Man*. Also, the studio released this year its seventh theatrical film: *Dexter's Laboratory: The Movie*, based on *Dexter's Laboratory*, which was successful at the box-office,​ and received mostly positive reviews. In 2008, Cartoon Network Studios released its eighth theatrical film: *Camp Lazlo The Movie*, based on *Camp Lazlo*, which also was a box office success, despite receiving mixed critical reception. In 2009, the studio released its ninth theatrical film to date: *Codename: Kids Next Door: The Movie*, based on *Codename: Kids Next Door*, which was a success at the box office, and had generally positive reviews from critics. It was the last film based on a Cartoon Network cartoon to be released theatrically. The studio's first live action series *Tower Prep* would arrive in 2010. Former New Line Television reality producer Mark Costa was hired to oversee the projects and Cartoon Network Studios' live action production company Alive and Kicking, Inc.. *Incredible Crew* was the last series in that genre the studio produced for Cartoon Network. Despite the failure of live action on the channel, the studio's infrastructure was retained to produce live action fare for sibling programming block Adult Swim, identifying on-air as Alive and Kicking, along with two other companies (Rent Now Productions and Factual Productions), instead of using the Cartoon Network Studios banner.

### 2010s

#### Exploring animation

In 2010, *Adventure Time* premiered on Cartoon Network. It began life as a short featured on Nicktoons' *Random! Cartoons* that was ultimately not green-lit as a series by that channel. Cartoon Network picked it up later. The show ran until 2018 with 10 seasons and 283 episodes. A film was announced in 2015, but in 2018 Adam Muto said that the film was never officially announced. In 2019, a continuation, titled *Adventure Time: Distant Lands*, was announced for HBO Max with a release in 2020. Also this year, *The Cartoonstitute*, an incubator series similar to *What a Cartoon!*, debuted on Cartoon Network Video. The pilots of *Regular Show* and *Uncle Grandpa* were presented here among with other shorts, with the *Uncle Grandpa* pilot also serving as a basis for *Secret Mountain Fort Awesome*, which preceded the actual series.

In 2014, Cartoon Network Studios produced its first miniseries, *Over the Garden Wall*. The following year, *Long Live the Royals* was also premiered.

In 2015, the studio released this year its first theatrical film: *Regular Show: The Movie*, based on *Regular Show*, which succeeded at the box-office, and had positive reviews from critics. The film marked the return of theatrically released films based on Cartoon Network cartoons.

In 2016, Cartoon Network Studios produced two reboots based on *The Powerpuff Girls* and *Ben 10* respectively. Also, the studio produced its first television series based on a series of online shorts, *Mighty Magiswords*.

In 2017, after plans as old as 2002 for a film failed to work, *Samurai Jack* was revived for a fifth and final season, which the studio returned to produce for Adult Swim, to critical acclaim, concluding the series after its cancellation from Cartoon Network in 2004. Also this year, it was announced that Cartoon Network Studios, in collaboration with Studio T, would produce the adult animated series *Close Enough* for TBS, created by *Regular Show* creator J. G. Quintel.

In 2019, the studio released its second theatrical film: *Steven Universe: The Movie*, based on *Steven Universe*, which was a huge success at the box-office, and had very positive reviews from critics. Also, after handling a few episodes of *Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law*, the second season of *Black Dynamite*, the above-mentioned fifth season of *Samurai Jack* and producing the above-mentioned television pilots *Welcome to Eltingville*, *The Groovenians* and *Korgoth of Barbaria*, Cartoon Network Studios produced its first full program for Adult Swim: *Primal*, an adult animated series from Genndy Tartakovsky. The first five episodes were also packaged for a limited theatrical release as a feature film titled *Primal: Tales of Savagery*.

Cartoon Network Studios also began to produce content for parent company WarnerMedia's upcoming streaming service HBO Max, including *Adventure Time: Distant Lands.* After the failure of its planned animation block, *Close Enough* was also shifted from TBS to HBO Max.

In the 2010s, the studio began to outgrow its original building, and began to rent space in other facilities in the Burbank Media Center district.

### 2020s

In 2020, Cartoon Network Studios released this year two films based on popular TV shows, *We Bare Bears: The Movie* and *Ben 10: The Movie*, respectively. *We Bare Bears: The Movie* was released on March 13, 2020. This film had positive reviews from critics, and was a minor box office success. It only grossed $45.3 million worldwide. This was the last animated film to be shown in theaters, as most of them began to shut down within two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. *Ben 10: The Movie* was later released on September 4, 2020. This film received mostly positive reviews from critics and was a box office success. It only grossed $20 million worldwide. It was originally going to be a TV film entitled *Ben 10 Versus the Universe*, but executives of Warner Bros. Pictures decided to release this film theatrically. This was the first animated film to be shown in theaters. More recently, Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register was appointed head of the studio. Amy Friedman was named head of programming for Cartoon Network after Rob Sorcher resigned his roles as head of the studio and chief content officer, and switching to Warner Bros. Television Group for an overall production deal.

In 2021, Jason DeMarco was named SVP for Anime & Action Series/Longform for Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, and Cartoon Network Studios Europe was renamed Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe as a tribute to the original Hanna-Barbera studio. Also this year, the studio released two films based on popular TV shows, *Clarence's Big Break* and *A Foster's Movie: Imagination Desolation*, respectively. *Clarence's Big Break* was released on July 30, 2021. This film met with mixed critical reception, but was a box office success. It grossed $105.4 million worldwide. *A Foster's Movie: Imagination Desolation* was later released on September 24, 2021. This film received positive reviews and was a box office success, grossing​ $102 million worldwide.

In 2022, Cartoon Network released its seventh theatrical film: *Billy & Mandy The Movie: The Quest of the Diamonds* on February 11, 2022. Based on *The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy*, this film received positive reviews and grossed $95 million in the United States and $195 million worldwide, making it a box office success. Also, the studio released its first live-action/animated hybrid film: *The CN Movie* on June 22, 2022, making this film the studio's first ever live-action theatrical film. Despite the mixed reviews, the film became a commercial success, grossing​ $292 million worldwide. A spin-off television series based on the film, entitled *The CN Show*, was released on TBS on July 6, 2023.

On May 11, 2022, after Tom Ascheim exited his role as president and departed, the Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics division was dissolved as part of a restructuring by new owner Warner Bros. Discovery, with its studios—including Cartoon Network Studios—moved directly under Warner Bros. Television.

Additionally, the studio released this year its second live-action/animated hybrid film: *The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie* on August 26, 2022, making this film the studio's second live-action theatrical film. Based on *The Amazing World of Gumball*, it became a critical and box-office success, earning $149 million worldwide. On November 25, 2022, the studio released the first film based on the Cartoon Network animated series *Johnny Bravo*, titled *Johnny Bravo: The Movie*. It received positive reviews and was a box office success.

On October 11, 2022, Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation consolidated their development and production teams as part of a restructuring by Warner Bros. Television, with Audrey Diehl overseeing kids and family, Peter Girardi overseeing adult animation, and Sammy Perlmutter overseeing animated longform productions. The merger will not impact their output as labels, with Cartoon Network Studios continuing to focus on original content, and Warner Bros. Animation used for classic franchises.

In 2023, Cartoon Network released three films based on popular TV shows, *OK K.O.! Let's Save the Universe*, *Adventure Time: The Kingdom of Ooo* and *Craig Before the Creek*, respectively. *OK K.O.! Let's Save the Universe* was released on January 27, 2023. This film received very positive reviews and grossed $24 million in the United States and $186 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $319 million, making it a box office success. *Adventure Time: The Kingdom of Ooo* was released on July 7, 2023. The film received positive reviews and was a box office success, grossing​ $271 million worldwide. *Craig Before the Creek* was later released on November 24, 2023. This film received positive reviews and was successful at the box office, grossing​ $175 million worldwide.

On July 9, Miller announced via Twitter that the Cartoon Network Studios Burbank building would be closing its doors on August 1, with all operations transferring to Warner Bros. Animation. While unconfirmed, Amid Amidi of Cartoon Brew reported its production teams will move to the Second Century Development, a pair of buildings with over 800,000 square feet of office space, just adjacent to the Warner Bros. lot.

In 2024, Cartoon Network Studios distributed two original features, titled *Knight School* and *American Girl: Corinne Tan*. *Knight School* was released on February 16, 2024, with reviews being critically positive, praising the animation, voice acting, score, humor and story, and was commercially successful, grossing $167 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. A television series based on it, which is titled *Back to Knight School*, is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network in the near future making it the third animated film from Cartoon Network Studios, after *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi* and *Class of 3000*, to serve as the basis for an animated series on the network. *American Girl: Corinne Tan* was later released on May 10, 2024. This film had mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success. It only grossed $68.4 million worldwide.

Two films were released in select theaters in 2024: *Gross Girls*, an animated comedy starring the voices of Brianna Denski and Marsai Martin, released on June 21, and *Family Mash-Up*, a family comedy starring Dennis Quaid, Kristin Davis, Sean Penn and Patty McCormack, released on July 19.

An original animated feature produced by Cartoon Network Studios, titled *Invincible Fight Girl*, released in select theaters on August 8, 2024, with reviews being mixed, praising the animation and voice acting while criticizing the story and tone. A television series based on it is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network and Max in October 2025, making it the fourth animated film from Cartoon Network Studios, after *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, *Class of 3000* and *Knight School*, to serve as the basis for an animated series on the network.

Additionally, the studio released this year its eighth theatrical film: *Mighty Magiswords: The First Movie* on August 30, 2024. Based on *Mighty Magiswords*, it received positive reviews and was a moderate box office success, earning $58 million worldwide. A new original animated feature produced by Cartoon Network Studios, Blue Key Entertainment and Lion Forge Animation, titled *Battu*, released on November 15, 2024, with reviews being critically positive, praising the animation, voice acting, score, humor and story. Based on Chaz Bottoms' animated short *Battu: An Animated Musical*, the film was commercially successful, grossing $62 million worldwide against a $28 million budget. A television series based on it is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network in the near future making it the fifth animated film from Cartoon Network Studios, after *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi*, *Class of 3000*, *Knight School* and *Invincible Fight Girl*, to serve as the basis for an animated series on the network.

In 2025, the studio and Warner Bros. Pictures released their first co-production with both Access Entertainment and Paulilu Productions and released a family-musical comedy film, *When in Rome* on February 14, 2025. This film stars Kensington Tallman, Brett Dalton and Eleonora Facchini. This film had generally positive reviews, and was a box office success, earning $207 million worldwide. A television series based on it is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network in the near future making it the first live-action film from Cartoon Network Studios to serve as the basis for a live-action series on the network. Additionally, another original animated feature produced by Cartoon Network Studios, titled *Driftwood*, released on July 18, 2025, with reviews being critically positive, praising the animation, voice acting, score, humor and story, and was commercially successful, grossing $328 million worldwide against a $44 million budget.

On August 15, 2025, an original film, titled *Iyanu: Child of Wonder*, was released in select theaters. It was a second collaboration between Cartoon Network Studios and Lion Forge Animation and directed by Saxton Moore.

Additionally, the studio also released another film for a short theatrical run: *Sym-Bionic Titan: Warriors United*, a live-action adaptation of the animated television series *Sym-Bionic Titan* that is starring Riley B. Smith, Ever Anderson and Andrew Terraciano, which was released on May 23. It was a collaboration between Cartoon Network Studios and Centropolis Entertainment and is also the first film from Cartoon Network Studios to receive a PG-13 rating. An original film, *Explorer Academy*, an action-adventure starring Jason David and Brooklynn Prince was released in select theaters on October 17.

Cartoon Network Studios distributed two films based on popular TV shows, *Mixels: The Movie, Mixing It Up A Notch* and *Uncle Grandpa: The Movie*, respectively. *Mixels: The Movie, Mixing It Up A Notch* was released on October 10, 2025. This film met with positive reviews, and was a box office success. It grossed $35 million worldwide. *Uncle Grandpa: The Movie* was later released on December 19, 2025. This film was a modest success at the box-office, but had mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.

On March 25, 2022, it was revealed that *Atlantic*, a live-action movie about the Battle of the Atlantic, would be made for a release in select theaters in January 2026. Directed by Roland Emmerich and written by James Vanderbilt, the film began production in spring 2022. The film was released for a short theatrical run on January 16, 2026.

In 2026, Cartoon Network released three films based on popular TV shows, *Victor & Valentino: The Movie*, *The Secret Saturdays: From the Beyond* and *The Mao Mao Movie*, respectively. *Victor & Valentino: The Movie* was released on February 27, 2026. This film met with positive reviews and grossed $35 million in the United States and $421 million worldwide, making it a box office success. *The Secret Saturdays: From the Beyond* was released on August 28, 2026. This film, which is the studio's sixth live-action theatrical film, was commercially successful, and had positive reviews from critics. *The Mao Mao Movie* was later released on November 6, 2026. This film was a box office success, and met with positive reviews from critics.

The film, *Futureland*, a comedy drama starring Evan Alex, Aria Brooks, Celina Smith, Faithe Herman, Seth Carr and Jibrail Nantambu was released in select theaters on March 6, 2026, as an original film.

Three more films were released in select theaters in 2026: *Kavi Sharma: An American Girl*, a musical comedy drama starring Avantika Vandanapu as Kavi Sharma, released on May 15, *The Magic Tree House*, a film adaptation of the *Magic Tree House* book series starring Wyatt Parker and Everleigh McDonell, released on September 17, and *Finn and the Secrets of the Universe*, a film adaptation of the *Finniverse* book series starring starring Hudson Bartram, Catherine Bradley and Maxwell Simkins, released on November 27.

Additionally, the studio and Warner Bros. Pictures released their first co-production with both Walden Media and The Kerner Entertainment Company and released its third live-action/animated hybrid film: *Serververse Jam* on May 22, 2026, making this film the studio's fifth live-action theatrical film and second sequel. Based on *Space Jam: A New Legacy*, the film had mixed reviews, but became a commercial success, grossing​ $142.3 million worldwide.

*Wilderlore: Slayer of Beasts* was released in select theaters on July 3, 2026.

A second *Knight School* film, titled *Knight School II*, and a prequel film, titled *Yeoll High* both set for limited theatrical release were announced in February 2024, with the sequel scheduled for release in 2026 and the prequel scheduled for release on September 24, 2027.

In 2027, the studio released this year two animated films based on popular TV shows, *Villainous: The First Evil Movie* and *Transformers: Animated: The Movie*, respectively. *Villainous: The First Evil Movie* was released on February 19, 2027. This film was a modest success at the box-office, but had mixed reviews from critics.​ *Transformers: Animated: The Movie* was later released on July 23, 2027. This film received mixed reviews, but grossed $27 million in the United States and $50 million worldwide, making it a box office success.

Two more films were released in select theaters in 2027: *Lost in NYC*, an adventure comedy starring Lucian Perez, released on February 19, and *The City Spies*, a spy action starring Nathalie Sepulveda, released on May 7.

On March 12, 2027, a comedy film *Frank and Attato*, was released. It was a collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Cartoon Network Studios and directed by Clay Kaytis.

On April 23, 2027, the studio released the first film based on the Cartoon Network animated series *Generator Rex*, titled *Generator Rex: M.I.N.T.*. Produced by Vertigo Entertainment, it is directed by David F. Sandberg. It received positive reviews and was a box office success.

On January 8, 2024, it was revealed that *Tower Prep 2.0,* a sequel film of the Cartoon Network series *Tower Prep*, would be made for a limited theatrical release in June 2027. Directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Wes Tooke, the film began production in fall 2024. The film was released in select theaters on July 9, 2027.

In March 2024, *Level Up: The Final Mission* was announced, featuring the main characters of the television series with a new cast, starring Garrett Wareing, Myles Truitt, Izabella Alvarez, Sam McCarthy, and John Mulaney, for a release in select theaters in September 2027.

On November 12, 2027, a live-action film adaptation based on the Storm of the Century and Hurricane Katrina phenomena, titled *The Storm of Today*, was released. It was directed by Roland Emmerich and stars Jamie Foxx, Bryce Dallas Howard, Asher Bishop, Sophia Lillis, John Shea, Sterling K. Brown, Madison Curry, and Rene L. Moreno.

## Filmography

*Main article: List of Cartoon Network Studios productions*
## See also

* List of programs broadcast by Cartoon Network
* List of animation studios owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
	+ Hanna-Barbera - the former owner and predecessor of Cartoon Network Studios
	+ Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe - European sister studio of Cartoon Network Studios owned by Warner Bros. Television Studios UK
	+ Warner Bros. Animation - sister studio of Cartoon Network Studios
	+ Williams Street - sister studio of Cartoon Network Studios