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.^[1][2] 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.^[1][2]

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

Former and related studios

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.^[30] 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.^[31]

On May 16, 2006, Halifax Film and Decode Entertainment announced that they would merge and thus form the holding company DHX Media.^[32] 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.^[33] 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.^[34] 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.^[35][36] 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.^[40] At an undisclosed point, the studio was renamed to DHX Media Los Angeles.^[41] In 2013, DHX moved its work for hire productions from the location to its Canadian operations.^[42] The studio was shuttered in 2017.^[43]

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.^[32] 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

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.^[44]

See also

• WildBrain Spark
• Studio B Productions
• WildBrain Entertainment
• Cookie Jar Group
• Ragdoll Productions
• Epitome Pictures
• Nerd Corps Entertainment
• Iconix Brand Group

References

1. ^ "DHX Media Announces DHX Studios". Animation World News. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
2. ^ Chan, Kenneth (February 3, 2016). "DHX Studios to open new state-of-the-art animation facility in Vancouver". VanCity Buzz. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
3. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (2014-10-09). "Sony, DHX Creating 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' TV Series". Variety. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
4. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (June 20, 2016). "Sony Unveils 2017-18 Animation Slate". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
5. ^ "Archive » DHX Media announces trio of greenlights". Kidscreen. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
6. ^ Whyte, Alexandra (February 11, 2019). "Nick taps new VP, picks up DHX show". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
7. ^ "WILDBRAIN BAKES UP AN ALL-NEW STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE FOR TODAY'S DIGITAL-SAVVY KIDS". WildBrain. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
8. ^ "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". No. 1420051981436133383. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
9. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 18, 2023). "Apple TV+ Welcomes New Peanuts Specials & Series Amid Colorful Kids & Family Slate". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
10. ^ Mercedes, Milligan (18 November 2025). "Radio Flyer Studios Launches First Animated Original 'Max & Maple' (Exclusive Clip)". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
11. ^ Rasidi, Sidharta F. (10 December 2020). "Netflix Sonic Animated Series Is Being Worked on by Ben 10 Creators". The Nerd Stash. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
12. ^ "Minecraft animated series announced for Netflix". Eurogamer.net. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
13. ^ "Yo Gabba Gabba! Headed to Apple TV+ with New Original Series". WildBrain. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
14. ^ "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.
15. ^ "WildBrain, Netflix bring back Johnny Test". Retrieved 2021-12-21.
16. ^ "New Peanuts Holiday Special, 'For Auld Lang Syne,' Coming This Holiday Season to Apple TV+". Collider. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
17. ^ Vito Oddo, Marco (February 22, 2022). "'The Snoopy Show' Season 2 Trailer Celebrates the Power of Imagination". Collider. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
18. ^ "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.
19. ^ "Watch Caillou: Rosie the Giant Streaming Online | Peacock"
20. ^ "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.
21. ^ Swift, Andy (22 August 2022). "Caillou Prepares to Take the Plunge in First Look at New CGI Special". Yahoo News. Archived Apr 4, 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
22. ^ "Strawberry Shortcake's Perfect Holiday is coming to Netflix November 1st!". Strawberry Shortcake. Archived from the original on Nov 12, 2023.
23. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 20, 2025). "'Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical' Brings a New Tuneful Peanuts Special to Apple TV+". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
24. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 19, 2026). "Apple TV Cooks Up a Snoopy Summer with More Peanuts Programming". Retrieved May 19, 2026.
25. ^ "80s ICONS STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE AND THE CARE BEARS TO HOLD HANDS IN A NEW-BUT-RETRO ANIMATED SPECIAL". WildBrain. October 16, 2024.
26. ^ Hofferman, John (May 12, 2022). "WildBrain's 'Lake Erie' Breaks New Ground in Family-Friendly Horror". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
27. ^ "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.
28. ^ Vlessing, Etan (6 November 2023). "Apple Sets 'Peanuts' Animated Film, Featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy Going to the Big City". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
29. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (2026-04-14). "‘Baahubali: The Eternal War’, ‘Snoopy Unleashed’, Netflix’s ‘Steps’ & Season Two Of ‘Common Side Effects’ Set For Annecy’s WIP Showcase". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
30. ^ Bracken, Laura (September 13, 2004). "Salter team reborn at Halifax Film Company". PlayBack. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
31. ^ "Halifax Film Company Set For Action". News Releases. Communications Nova Scotia. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
32. ^ Won, Shirley (17 May 2006). "Donovan's new production firm to target the wee market". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
33. ^ Won, Shirley (2007-04-17). "Salter Street sequel DHX sees future in kids' shows". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
34. ^ "New DHX Media studio opens up in downtown Halifax - NEWS 95.7". News957.com. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
35. ^ "DHX selling Halifax animation studio". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
36. ^ Taylor, Roger. "Former DHX boss acquires Halifax animation studio". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
37. ^ "Halifax - DHX Media". Halifax.dhxmedia.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
38. ^ "Halifax - DHX Media". Halifax.dhxmedia.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
39. ^ "WILDBRAIN TELEVISION ANNOUNCES THREE MORE ORIGINAL GREENLIGHTS FROM CANADIAN PRODUCERS EXCLUSIVE TO FAMILY CHANNEL". WildBrain. August 31, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
40. ^ Schneider, Michael (September 14, 2010). "DHX Media acquires Wildbrain". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
41. ^ "Studios". DHX Media. Archived June 25, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
42. ^ Vlessing, Etan (February 14, 2013). "DHX Media Shifts Los Angeles Work-For-Hire Studio Production to Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
43. ^ "DHX MEDIA REPORTS RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2017". DHX Media. September 27, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
44. ^ "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.

External links

• Official website
• Original Halifax Film Company website