The 10 Best Animation Studios in South Africa 2023
Animation is a popular form of entertainment loved by many. We’ve created a list of the top 10 animation studios to showcase the best in the industry.
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10. Paramount Animation
Paramount Animation, a division of Paramount Pictures, was established in 2011 after the success of ‘Rango.’ They have excelled in diverse animated genres, offering thought-provoking adult content like ‘Anomalisa’ by Charlie Kaufman and family-friendly hits like the ‘SpongeBob SquarePants feature films. Additionally, the studio contributed CGI to the live-action/animation hybrid ‘Monster Trucks.
9. Aardman Animations
Stop-motion and clay animation, when executed masterfully, transform into a captivating art form. Infused with quintessential British humor, marked by clever sight gags, endearing characters, and witty wordplay, it’s pure animation magic. Aardman Animations, celebrated for the British duo Wallace and Gromit, gained international recognition with ‘Chicken Run,’ featuring Mel Gibson.
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8. Warner Bros
Warner Bros, with a storied history dating back as far as 1933, has made a significant impact on the industry. While primarily recognized for its television programs and direct-to-video/DVD films, it has also produced some classic theatrical releases, including the underrated gems ‘The Iron Giant’ and ‘Cats Do not Dance’ as well as contributing animation to the 1990s animation hybrid success “Space Jam”.
However, its true brilliance shines on television, where it’s responsible for the revered animated Batman series and movies, as well as timeless classics like ‘Looney Tunes’ and ‘Animaniacs.’
7. Netflix Animation
In 2019, Netflix Animation emerged on the scene with the release of the acclaimed holiday film ‘Klaus.’ This marked Netflix’s shift toward original content creation, coinciding with the launch of Disney+. ‘Klaus’ and ‘I Lost My Body’ earned Netflix Animation its first Academy Award nominations, setting a milestone as the first streaming service to achieve this feat.
Since then, Netflix Animation has delivered nine more films, and multiple TV series, and continued to garner Oscar nominations. Their consistent quality has translated into high viewership figures. Notably, the studio’s success includes Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming ‘Pinocchio’ adaptation and a collaboration with Aardman for the long-awaited ‘Chicken Run’ sequel, scheduled for release later this year, affirming their unwavering momentum.
6. Sony Pictures Animations
Originally a visual effects facility, Sony swiftly transformed into a full-fledged animation studio, inspired by the success of Disney/Pixar and DreamWorks, exemplified by films like ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Monster’s Inc,’ and ‘Shrek.’ While Sony Pictures Animation’s debut ‘Open Season’ didn’t achieve the same acclaim, it paved the way for hits like ‘Hotel Transylvania’ and ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.’
In recent years, the studio has made significant strides in critical reception, earning universal acclaim for ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines,’ showcasing their commitment to excellence.
5. Blue Sky Animation Studios
Blue Sky Studios started in 1987, creating CGI graphics for commercials. They later became famous for the ‘Ice Age’ movies in 2002. Disney acquired Blue Sky, and their movies are now on Disney+. Sadly, due to COVID-19, Blue Sky closed in April 2021. They made 13 animated films, like ‘Ice Age’ and ‘Rio,’ leaving a lasting mark.
4. Illumination
Illumination, a standout industry success since 2010, made a huge impact with ‘Despicable Me,’ which spawned the wildly successful ‘Minions’ franchise. They also achieved success with ‘Sing’ and ‘The Secret Life of Pets,’ creating hit franchises. The studio continues to thrive, with high-profile projects on the horizon, including the highly anticipated ‘The Super Mario Bros.
3. DreamWorks
DreamWorks Cartooning has been making awesome animated movies for a long time. They started by competing with Disney with movies like ‘Antz’ and ‘The Royal of Egypt.’ Then, they made famous movies like ‘Shrek,’ ‘Guidance on Taming Your Dragon,’ ‘Boss Baby,’ ‘Trolls,’ ‘Madagascar,’ and ‘Martial Arts Panda.’ DreamWorks is known for its great animation, famous actors doing voices, and movies that both kids and grown-ups love.
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2. Pixar
Since its groundbreaking debut, ‘Toy Story,’ in collaboration with Disney in 1995, Pixar has risen as a beloved and pioneering animation studio. Renowned for its visually stunning computer-generated imagery and unparalleled storytelling, Pixar has brought joy to countless families worldwide. Under Disney’s ownership, it has contributed its animation magic to memorable films like ‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘Up,’ ‘Inside Out,’ ‘Wall-E,’ and ‘Monsters Inc.’
1. Walt Disney Studio Animation
In 1937, Disney changed animation history with ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ the first full-length animated film ever. It looked amazing, had great characters, and beautiful music. It even got a special Academy Award.
After that, Disney made 61 classic animated movies like ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Frozen,’ and ‘Moana.’ Disney has made a lot of people happy for many years and is a big deal in animation.
Conclusion
In 2023, South Africa’s animation industry thrives with 10 showcased studios excelling in storytelling, artistry, and innovation. Their global contributions and commitment to local talent solidify South Africa as a hub for animation excellence, promising a bright future for the industry.
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