WildBrain Studios

WildBrain Studios is the in-house television studio arm of Canadian entertainment company WildBrain based in Vancouver, British Columbia, which was established in 2016 as DHX Studios.

History

In January 2016, DHX Media announced that they would be building a 60,000 square-foot studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, that would focus on both animated and live-action productions.[2][3] The production teams of the former Studio B Productions, which DHX Media acquired in 2007 and Nerd Corps Entertainment, which DHX acquired in 2014 were relocated to the new building later in the year.[2][3]

The studio consists of two production teams: the former Nerd Corps team, which focuses on the production of CGI-animated shows, and the former Studio B team, which focuses on the production of 2D-animated shows (including those animated with Adobe Animate).

As of 2019, the Vancouver studio is the only one remaining in the division, as the other studios were either sold off or closed.

Filmography

Animated series

Live-action series

Specials

Animated shorts

Feature films

Island of Misfits

Island of Misfits was originally known as the Halifax Film Company and was established by former Salter Street Films executives Michael Donovan and Charles Bishop in May 2004.[29] Under the name, Halifax Film produced live-action television shows, children's stop-motion series, CGI productions and dramas. It was headed by Nova Scotia Business Inc., which expanded and helped to open up their own new markets, and bought out This Hour Has 22 Minutes from Alliance Atlantis in 2005.[30]

On May 16, 2006, Halifax Film and Decode Entertainment announced that they would merge and thus form the holding company DHX Media.[31] Halifax Film became a subsidiary of DHX Media in the process. It was decided that unlike its predecessor, its main goal was to be on family entertainment.[32] In 2010 all DHX Media subsidiaries including Halifax Film were all merged to form one brand under the DHX Media name. In 2014, the studio relocated from a location at Purdy's Wharf to the Park Lane Mall.[33] As of 2019, with the exception of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, DHX Studios Halifax solely produces CGI-animated material.

IoM Media Ventures

In November 2018, as part of a series of restructurations within the company, DHX sold its Halifax animation studio to IoM Media Ventures, a company led by former DHX CEO Dana Landry.[34][35] Despite the sale, the studio continues to provide animation for WildBrain-owned shows.

Live-action series

Animated series

Animated shorts

Films

IoM Media Ventures

In November 2018, as part of a series of restructurations within the company, DHX sold its Halifax animation studio to IoM Media Ventures, a company led by former DHX CEO Dana Landry.[34][35] Despite the sale, the studio continues to provide animation for WildBrain-owned shows.

Live-action series

Animated series

Animated shorts

Films

DHX Media Los Angeles

On September 14, 2010, DHX acquired the Los Angeles-based WildBrain Entertainment.[39] At an undisclosed point, the studio was renamed to DHX Media Los Angeles.[40] In 2013, DHX moved its work for hire productions from the location to its Canadian operations.[41] The studio was shuttered in 2017.[42]

DHX Media Toronto

DHX Media Toronto was founded on February 27, 1997, and originally known as Decode Entertainment, Inc. by Steven DeNure, Neil Court, and John Delmage, and it was based in Toronto, Ontario. The company produced numerous television shows and was an international supplier of television and interactive programming for children and youth. Decode Entertainment focused on traditional animation, computer-generated animation, and live-action shows. The name "Decode" is an acronym of the combination of the names DeNure, Court, and Delmage.

On May 16, 2006, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film announced that they would merge and thus form the holding company DHX Media.[31] Decode Entertainment became a subsidiary of DHX Media in the process, distributing Halifax Film shows and other DHX properties. In 2010 all DHX Media subsidiaries including Decode Entertainment were rebranded under the DHX Media name.

By 2011, DHX Media ceased production on producing content at the ex-Decode offices. The company known as Epitome Pictures, which DHX acquired in 2014, assumed the name of DHX Studios Toronto in 2016, but it has no relation outside the name.

Live-action series

Animated series

Live-action series

Animated series

DHX Studios Toronto

In 2016, Epitome Pictures was rebranded as DHX Studios Toronto (no relation to the animation studio of the same name). The company produced live-action shows.

In 2019, DHX sold off the building, ceasing operations at the Toronto studio in the process.[43]

See also

References

  1. Ramen Zahid. Q&A: Amir Nasrabadi Wraps an Eventful 1st Year as EVP/GM, WildBrain Vancouver Animation Magazine, June 10, 2020, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  2. DHX Media Announces DHX Studios Animation World News, retrieved 22 October 2018^
  3. Kenneth Chan. DHX Studios to open new state-of-the-art animation facility in Vancouver VanCity Buzz, February 3, 2016, retrieved October 15, 2017^
  4. Whitney Friedlander. Sony, DHX Creating 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' TV Series Variety, 2014-10-09, retrieved 2016-04-26^
  5. Mercedes Milligan. Sony Unveils 2017-18 Animation Slate Animation Magazine, June 20, 2016, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  6. Archive » DHX Media announces trio of greenlights Kidscreen, 2016-03-30, retrieved 2016-04-26^
  7. Alexandra Whyte. Nick taps new VP, picks up DHX show Kidscreen, Brunico Communications, February 11, 2019, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  8. WILDBRAIN BAKES UP AN ALL-NEW STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE FOR TODAY'S DIGITAL-SAVVY KIDS WildBrain, September 9, 2021, retrieved September 11, 2021^
  9. Come work with us on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder -- we're currently looking for Harmony Animators! If you'd like to join the team, we're accepting remote and freelance candidates. Apply now: https://fal.cn/3h2bR. #animationjobs July 27, 2021, retrieved September 11, 2021^
  10. Mercedes Milligan. Apple TV+ Welcomes New Peanuts Specials & Series Amid Colorful Kids & Family Slate Animation Magazine, May 18, 2023, retrieved May 18, 2023^
  11. Milligan Mercedes. Radio Flyer Studios Launches First Animated Original 'Max & Maple' (Exclusive Clip) Animation Magazine, 18 November 2025, retrieved 7 January 2026^
  12. Sidharta F. Rasidi. Netflix Sonic Animated Series Is Being Worked on by Ben 10 Creators The Nerd Stash, 10 December 2020, retrieved 9 June 2025^
  13. Minecraft animated series announced for Netflix Eurogamer.net, 2024-05-30, retrieved 2024-05-31^
  14. Yo Gabba Gabba! Headed to Apple TV+ with New Original Series WildBrain, September 10, 2021, retrieved September 10, 2021^
  15. Apple announces "Who Are You, Charlie Brown?" celebrating the origins of the beloved "Peanuts" characters and their creator, Charles M. Schulz Apple TV+ Press, June 4, 2021, retrieved June 4, 2021^
  16. WildBrain, Netflix bring back Johnny Test retrieved 2021-12-21^
  17. New Peanuts Holiday Special, 'For Auld Lang Syne,' Coming This Holiday Season to Apple TV+ Collider, 2021-10-04, retrieved 2021-10-04^
  18. Marco Vito Oddo. 'The Snoopy Show' Season 2 Trailer Celebrates the Power of Imagination Collider, February 22, 2022, retrieved February 22, 2022^
  19. Apple TV+ announces summer lineup of kids series, including "Duck & Goose," "Best Foot Forward," "Amber Brown," "Surfside Girls" and "Life By Ella" Apple TV+, May 13, 2022, retrieved May 13, 2022^
  20. Watch Caillou: Rosie the Giant Streaming Online | Peacock^
  21. WildBrain Television celebrates CANADIAN creativity with new greenlights across animation and live-action, offering programming for the entire family to enjoy WildBrain, September 1, 2021, retrieved September 11, 2021^
  22. Andy Swift. Caillou Prepares to Take the Plunge in First Look at New CGI Special Yahoo News, 22 August 2022^
  23. Strawberry Shortcake's Perfect Holiday is coming to Netflix November 1st! Strawberry Shortcake^
  24. 80s ICONS STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE AND THE CARE BEARS TO HOLD HANDS IN A NEW-BUT-RETRO ANIMATED SPECIAL WildBrain, October 16, 2024^
  25. John Hofferman. WildBrain's 'Lake Erie' Breaks New Ground in Family-Friendly Horror Animation World Network, May 12, 2022, retrieved May 14, 2022^
  26. WILDBRAIN & THE PHILLY SPECIALS—JASON KELCE, LANE JOHNSON & JORDAN MAILATA—LAUNCH NEW ANIMATED VIDEO FOR HIT SONG "IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME (IN CLEVELAND HEIGHTS)" FEATURING BOYZ II MEN WildBrain, December 6, 2024, retrieved December 9, 2024^
  27. Etan Vlessing. Apple Sets 'Peanuts' Animated Film, Featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy Going to the Big City The Hollywood Reporter, 6 November 2023, retrieved 6 November 2023^
  28. Melanie Goodfellow. ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War’, ‘Snoopy Unleashed’, Netflix’s ‘Steps’ & Season Two Of ‘Common Side Effects’ Set For Annecy’s WIP Showcase Deadline, 2026-04-14, retrieved 2026-04-14^
  29. Bracken, Laura. Salter team reborn at Halifax Film Company PlayBack, September 13, 2004, retrieved December 29, 2012^
  30. Halifax Film Company Set For Action News Releases, Communications Nova Scotia, 2018-05-11, retrieved 2021-12-09^
  31. Shirley Won. Donovan's new production firm to target the wee market The Globe and Mail, 17 May 2006, retrieved 22 October 2018^
  32. Shirley Won. Salter Street sequel DHX sees future in kids' shows The Globe and Mail, 2007-04-17, retrieved 2021-12-09^
  33. New DHX Media studio opens up in downtown Halifax - NEWS 95.7 News957.com, 25 June 2014, retrieved 22 October 2018^
  34. DHX selling Halifax animation studio Kidscreen, retrieved 2018-12-16^
  35. Roger Taylor. Former DHX boss acquires Halifax animation studio The Chronicle Herald, retrieved 2018-12-16^
  36. Halifax - DHX Media Halifax.dhxmedia.com, retrieved 2016-04-26^
  37. Halifax - DHX Media Halifax.dhxmedia.com, retrieved 2016-04-26^
  38. WILDBRAIN TELEVISION ANNOUNCES THREE MORE ORIGINAL GREENLIGHTS FROM CANADIAN PRODUCERS EXCLUSIVE TO FAMILY CHANNEL WildBrain, August 31, 2022, retrieved December 9, 2024^
  39. Michael Schneider. DHX Media acquires Wildbrain Variety, September 14, 2010, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  40. Studios DHX Media, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  41. Etan Vlessing. DHX Media Shifts Los Angeles Work-For-Hire Studio Production to Canada The Hollywood Reporter, February 14, 2013, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  42. DHX MEDIA REPORTS RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2017 DHX Media, September 27, 2017, retrieved June 12, 2020^
  43. DHX Media selling building in Toronto for $12 million, proceeds to pay down debt The Canadian Press, Global News, April 2, 2019, retrieved June 12, 2020^