| Industry | Animation |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 1999 (age 27) |
| Founders |
|
| Hq location | 123 West 7th Avenue |
| Hq location city | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Hq location country | Canada |
| Num locations (2020) | 3 |
| 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) |
| Num employees | 600 (2019)[1] |
| Divisions | Atomic Originals (US) |
| Parent | Blue Ant Media (2026–present) |
| Website | atomiccartoons.com |
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
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
Television series
In development
| Title | Years | Network/channel/platform | Co-producer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf's Up: The Series | TBA | Sony Pictures Animation | [38] | |
| Action Rabbits | TF1 | Blue Spirit Milkcow Media | [39] |
Films and specials
| 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 | 2019 | Peacock | Universal Animation Studios | |
| Lego Jurassic World: Double Trouble | 2020 | Nickelodeon | The Lego Group | |
| Lego Star Wars Holiday Special | 2020 | Disney+ | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [40] |
| Curious George: Go West, Go Wild! | 2020 | Peacock | Universal Animation Studios | |
| Lego Avengers: Climate Conundrum | 2020 | Disney XD | Marvel The Lego Group | |
| Curious George: Cape Ahoy | 2021 | Peacock | Universal Animation Studios | |
| Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales | 2021 | Disney+ | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [41] |
| Lego Marvel Avengers: Time Twisted | 2022 | Marvel The Lego Group | ||
| Lego Star Wars: Summer Vacation | 2022 | Lucasfilm The Lego Group | [42] | |
| Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again | 2022 | 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 | 2023 | 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! | 2025 | 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 | 2025 | Disney+ | The Lego Group | [48] |
| Lego One Piece | 2026 | Netflix | The Lego Group Shueisha | Adaptation of the first two seasons of the One Piece live-action series.[49] |
| Untitled Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up! Halloween special | 2026 | Disney Jr. | Marvel Studios Animation | Crossover special between Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Iron Man and His Awesome Friends[37] |
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[50] (2023, web series)
References
- ^ Ross, Ailsa (June 27, 2019). "Zombies and Owls: How Atomic Cartoons Recruits Canada's Best Talent". Royal Bank of Canada. Archived July 5, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ Miller, Bob (2000-09-01). "The Power Behind Atomic Cartoons". Animation World Network. Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. 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 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ Cummins, Juliana (July 8, 2015). "Thunderbird acquires Atomic Cartoons". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Archived July 11, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ 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 April 8, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. 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 April 8, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ Pinto, Jordan (June 16, 2016). "Twiner-McCarron named president of Atomic Cartoons". Playback. Brunico Communications. Archived April 8, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ "Animation studio drawn back to Hintonburg". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 16, 2018. Archived April 10, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. 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 February 6, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- ^ Gearbox_Admin (12 October 2018). "'the Walking Dead' Creator Robert Kirkman Quietly Launched a Tv Series in Canada". Atomic Cartoons. Archived 28 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ Edwards, Ian (1999-11-15). "Animal Planet calls on 'Wild'". Playback. Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ Brodsky, Katherine (2012-09-05). "World's love of toons makes these nerds cool". Variety. Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ DeMott, Rick (2007-09-11). "Captain Flamingo Lands On Jetix Programming Block". Animation World Network. Archived 2015-02-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ Mallory, Michael (2012-06-14). "The Tooning Up of 'Car Talk'". Animation Magazine. Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ Gearbox_Admin (16 May 2019). "Atomic Cartoons Goes Boom". Atomic Cartoons. Archived 17 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (2014-10-15). "TELETOON Commissions Third Season of Breakthrough's 'Rocket Monkeys'". Animation World Network. Archived 2014-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ "Atomic Cartoons Revs up Creative Investment". Archived 2021-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ^ "Hilda". Atomic Cartoons. Archived 17 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Tuchow, Ryan (February 18, 2022). "Hasbro Saddles Up New My Little Pony Content". Kid Screen. Archived February 19, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ "Youtube Creator James Rallison's Animated Series 'Oddballs' to Premiere on Netflix in 2022". Netflix Media Center. June 23, 2022.
- ^ "FX Orders Animated Comedy Pilot 'Little Demon'; Danny & Lucy DeVito, Aubrey Plaza to Star, Dan Harmon to EP". 23 April 2020. Archived 23 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (Nov 17, 2023). "Singing & Dancing along the New 'CoComelon Lane'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved Sep 30, 2024.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2022-09-07). "'Princess Power,' 'Spirit Rangers' Join Netflix's Fall Preschool Slate". Animation Magazine. Archived 2022-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
- ^ O'Rourke, Ryan (2022-03-31). "'Teenage Euthanasia' Renewed for Season 2 at Adult Swim". Collider. Archived 2023-04-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
- ^ 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". 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 December 22, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. 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 May 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. 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.
- ^ 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
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (September 25, 2025). "'Surf's Up': TV Series Adaptation Of Sony Comedy Pic In Works At Atomic Cartoons". Deadline Hollywood
- ^ Tuchow, Ryan. "TF1, Blue Spirit, Milkcow and Atomic Cartoons partner to develop Action Rabbits". Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (August 13, 2020). "Disney+ Gets Festive with 'LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special'". Animation Magazine. Archived August 21, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ "LEGO STAR WARS TERRIFYING TALES IS HERE!". Atomic Cartoons. 2021-10-21. Archived 2021-12-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (June 21, 2022). "Disney+ Unveils New Taste of the 'LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation'". Animation Magazine. Archived June 22, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ "Night At The Museum Kahmunrah Rises Again Animated Film Gets Animation Studio". Tumblr. Archived 2023-07-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
- ^ 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 September 18, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. 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". 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Atomic Cartoons on LinkedIn: Premiering September 12: The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island"