If you’re an animator looking to head west, you’ll want to read through our roundup of the best animation studios to work for in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
That’s right: in today’s post, we’re covering some of the best animation studios to work for in Los Angeles, California, and their recent works and career opportunities.
Read? Let’s go!
20th Century Animation
Century City
Operating as part of 20th Century Studios and Walt Disney Studios, 20th Century Animation is revered for its several types of animation. The studio’s styles include traditional animation and CGI.
You can see its work in newer films such as Avatar: The Way of Water and The Bob’s Burgers Movie, as well as beloved classics like Ice Age.
20th Television Animation
Century City
Formerly known as Fox Television Animation, 20th Television Animation’s animators are the brains behind some of the most popular animated shows on television. Their works include Family Guy, The Simpsons, and Bob’s Burgers.
Amazon Studios
Culver City
Amazon Studios does it all, including great animation. The studio just invested as much as $20 million into Superplastic, a character design and animation studio.
They aim to produce animated content for all ages, from children (Costume Quest and Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny) to adults (The Boys Presents: Diabolical and Terrahawks).
Avatar Studios
Burbank
Falling under the Nickelodeon umbrella, Avatar Studios houses the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe and features series, short-form content, and full-length films in a unique hybrid 2D and computer-generated style.
The studio will release six new works – three shows and three movies – by 2028. You can look for the first of that slate to be released in 2025.
Cartoon Network Studios
Burbank
This one is for the millennials: CN Studios, founded in 1994, is best known for classic cartoons like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and Johnny Bravo.
Today, it focuses on creating programs for Cartoon Network and Cartoonito. Its most recent work includes the likes of Cocomelon and The New Looney Tunes.
Digital Domain
Playa Vista
Digital Domain is the kind of animation studio that has become known for its visual effects capabilities after working on feature films within the coveted Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). You can see its work in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avengers: Endgame.
DreamWorks Animation
Glendale
DreamWorks Animation is known for iconic films like Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, and Puss in Boots. It’s also responsible for shows such as Go, Dog, Go!, The Croods: Family Tree, and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.
Hasbro Studios
Burbank
Hasbro’s animation department was formed in 2009. Since then, its animators have produced well over 1,500 half-hours of content, each segment based on some of the brand’s iconic properties, such as Magic: The Gathering and Play-Doh. Its upcoming features include Transformers 5, GI Joe 3, and Micronauts.
Industrial Light & Magic
Van Nuys
Founded by George Lucas in 1975, Industrial Light & Magic – ILM for short – is a history-making studio. They were the first to create a main character that included computer generation, human skin, and photo-realistic hair.
The team at ILM was also the first to create a fully computer-generated character in a live-action film using motion capture. That came in the form of Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars: Episode 1.
Lucasfilm Animation
San Francisco
Acting as the animation division of Lucasfilm (the studio responsible for the Star Wars universe), Lucasfilm Animation was launched in 2003. It’s easily one of the best animation studios to work for in California.
In just 20 years, it has created some of the best-known animated franchises in Hollywood as well as the associated films, series, and video games. You can see its work in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.
Luma Pictures
Los Angeles
At Luma Pictures, the sky’s the limit. In addition to character animation, Luma animators can create environments, full CG, and creatures.
The studio is responsible for several well-known projects of all formats. However, when it comes to animation, you can find its work in I Am Groot, Loki, Spider-Man, and Deadpool.
Mana Animation
Los Angeles
Mana calls itself an animation studio and directors collective, so you can be sure there’s no shortage of creativity here. Its most recent projects include Marvel Snap and Robot Chicken; clients include Hewlett Packard, Kiehl’s, and Top Employer’s Institute.
If you’re early into your animation career, it’s important to note that they offer year-round internships as well.
Marvel Animation
Glendale
Acting as a subsidiary of the well-known Marvel Studios, Marvel Animation, Inc. has been creating globally-revered superhero films, series, and mini-series since 2008.
Its work, which can be seen on streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+, includes Spider-Man, Ant-Man, and Spidey and his Amazing Friends.
Marvel Studios
Burbank
Acquired by Walt Disney Company for $4 billion in 2009, Marvel Studios is home to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and all that lives inside of it, including films and series.
It has released dozens of television series and 31 films based on the MCU since that acquisition, the most popular of which include Iron Man, The Avengers, Loki, and WandaVision.
Method Studios
Los Angeles
While it’s billed mainly as a global VFX company, Method Studios is also well-known for its animation, CGI, and more. You can find its work in Thor: Love and Thunder, Ms. Marvel, and Moon Knight.
Monkeyhead
Long Beach
Monkeyhead can do it all, from animation to VFX, live-action, web design, and even branding. While they don’t work on feature films or episodes, they do work with genuinely impressive clients, including Walmart, Disney+, TBS, ESPN, Hasbro, and more.
MTV Animation
Hollywood
MTV first found its footing in the animated world in 1991, launching MTV Animation soon after. Since then, it has been known for producing cartoons filled with dark humor and timely pop culture references.
You can see its work for yourself in Beavis and Butt-Head, Daria, South Park, and more.
Netflix Animation
Los Gatos
Netflix has only been producing original animated content for about 10 years, but it’s safe to say the streaming giant is dedicated to it. In fact, it spent almost $5 billion on it last year alone.
The studio wound up moving its operations in-house in 2018. Since then, it has created beloved and easily recognizable features and shows such as Hilda, Love, Death & Robots, and BoJack Horseman.
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Burbank
Anyone who grew up in the 90s knows: Nickelodeon Animation is the force behind some of the most iconic animated characters in children’s television. This includes (but isn’t limited to) Spongebob Squarepants, CatDog, Doug, and Dora the Explorer. Its more recent shows include Paw Patrol, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Baby Shark’s Big Show, Blue’s Clues & You, Bubble Guppies, and The Adventures of Paddington.
It’s great to note that the studio also offers residencies and writing programs.
Paramount Animation
Los Angeles
For more than ten years, Paramount Animation has been making a name for itself by creating animated and hybrid-animated features that spotlight beloved characters like Spongebob Squarepants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Some of its most recent and upcoming works include Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Pixar
Emeryville
Since 1996, Pixar has been creating dozens of some of the most well-received and critically acclaimed animated films in the world.
Now it operates as part of Walt Disney Studios, meaning that Pixar has become a household name thanks to its roster of work. You can see it in things like the Toy Story franchise, Monsters, Inc., and Inside Out.
Powerhouse Animation Studios
Los Angeles
As a full-service creative agency, Powerhouse is exactly what its name implies – a powerhouse.
Their team is responsible for the type of work you can find on television, in movies and video games, and corporate explainer videos. Its showreel includes Master of the Universe: Revelation, Sonic Frontiers: Divergence, and Castlevania.
Side note: If you’re looking less for a full-time animation job and more for a side hustle gig, they’re always looking to expand their team of freelancers.
Rough Draft Studios
Glendale
Rough Draft Studios has been creating award-winning animation (both in the traditional style and computer-generated style) for primetime television since the early nineties. You can see its work on platforms like Netflix (Disenchantment), SYFY and Hulu (Futurama), YouTube (Clash-A-Rama), and TBS (Tarantula).
ShadowMachine
Los Angeles
ShadowMachine is a jack-of-all-trades studio. It operates and creates work in all animation formats, including stop-motion and traditional, and works on projects for film, television, and music videos.
Its work, including Guillermo del Toro’s recent retelling of Pinnochio, BoJack Horseman, and Final Space, can be seen on channels and platforms such as TBS, HBO, and Netflix.
Six Point Harness
Los Angeles
For over 20 years, Six Point Harness has worked hard to become a go-to in the animation industry. Today, they’ve won several Emmys and Academy Awards for their work, which includes Hair Love, Waffles + Mochi, Black-ish, Dietland, and Cosmos: Possible Worlds.
Sony Pictures Animation
Culver City
Founded as a subsidiary of Sony Pictures in 2002, Sony Pictures Animation has created several award-winning feature-length films and franchises. Its most recognizable works include the critically-acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Open Season, and The Smurfs.
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Culver City
While Sony Pictures Imageworks functions as another division of Sony Pictures, it focuses more on photoreal live-action visual effects, creature and character animation, and CGI than its animation counterpart. Its animators have worked on projects such as The Mitchells vs. The Machines, Vivo, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Titmouse Inc.
Titmouse’s slogan sums it up: We make cartoons. With three studios and 700+ employees, Titmouse’s capabilities expand beyond TV into film, commercial work, branded content, and digital content. Its work has been featured on AppleTV+ (Frog and Toad, Harriet the Spy), Netflix (Trivia Quest), HBO (HBO Backstories: Barry), and more.
Vanguard Film & Animation
Los Angeles
Known simply as Vanguard Animation, this studio broke onto the scene as the producer and originator of the Shrek franchise, including Puss in Boots. Other family-friendly classics it’s responsible for include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Valiant, and Gnome Alone.
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Burbank
As one of the most iconic animation studios, we had to include Walt Disney Animations on the list. Since 1923, it has created films and franchises that span the globe, including Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. Formats vary, so if you’re looking for something different, this might be your place: animators work in hand-drawn and 2D and 3D animation.
Walt Disney Television Animation
Burbank
Another arm of the Walt Disney group, Disney TVA creates shows, feature films, and more for Disney-branded television channels, including Disney+. Its most famous work includes The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, DuckTales, and Lilo and Stitch.
Warner Bros. Animation
Burbank
Functioning as the animation studio for Warner Bros. Pictures since 2013, WAG has had a hand in creating some of the most highly-anticipated animated features in recent years. Work includes The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, and Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Zynga
San Mateo
While this studio doesn’t create the kind of animation you’d see in films or on television, Zynga does develop some of the most popular social games on the planet. Its work includes Words with Friends, Toon Blast, and FarmVille.
Over to you!
There you have it – the best animation studios to work for in Los Angeles, California.
Look at their sites for more information on how to land a job at each studio.
Read more:
The Best 3D Animation Studios to Work for in New York
About Jasmine Katatikarn
Jasmine Katatikarn is the founder of Academy of Animated Art. She has 20+ years of experience in Feature Animation and VFX. Jasmine’s lighting credits include movies like Ice Age, Ferdinand, Peanuts, and Rio. Read more about Jasmine here.
