Netflix's Animation Ascendancy: How the Streaming Giant Outshines Industry Titans

By: Feeby Ebeid

In recent years, major animation studios have faced strings of flops at the box office, including the titan of the industry that is Disney. In the midst of all this, however, one unexpected platform seems to shine through, Netflix.

Netflix began producing original animated content in 2013 through third-party companies. Later in 2018, they would begin to develop original in-house animations, releasing Klaus a year later. Skip to 2023, Thanksgiving weekend, as Disney releases Wish just as they hit their 100-year anniversary, and Netflix releases Leo; in a shocking turn of events, Wish flopped while Leo made hundreds of millions in its opening weekend.

How Netflix got to be competing with the biggest studios in the industry and holding its own, isn’t as bizarre as it sounds when looking at a few factors. Firstly, Netflix does not have a “House style.” This flexibility allows for a lot more experimentation and creativity. Furthermore, because they are a streaming service, they work with all kinds of people from all over the globe; that naturally provides, not only many perspectives and talent, but also content.

Throughout the years, the studio has been able to recruit the best of the best, from DreamWorks to Disney, expanding their creative arsenal. Additionally, they have been able to acquire several successful animation studios such as Animal Logic, whose film work includes The Lego Movie and Happy Feet.

“Netflix has been investing in animation over the past few years and this furthers our commitment to building a world-class animation studio,” Netflix VP of studio operations, Amy Reinhard, states.

Netflix has been putting more and more resources into their animation department, and it shows. In late 2022, the studio released Guillermo del Toro’s retelling of Pinocchio and not only was it an incredible feat for animation, but it also won the Oscar for the Best Animated Feature. And in November 2023, Blue Eye Samurai, an eight-episode series, premiered and instantly became a hit. The Atlantic called it a “bloody masterpiece,” and Vox describe it as “one of the smartest Netflix shows.” Audiences also seem to agree, as it made it onto many top ten lists of the year.

The future of animation on Netflix is looking quite hopeful, not just because there is a monetary investment, but also a whole lot of passion exuding from the content being introduced to audiences.