Top 8 most famous animation production companies

From the earliest black-and-white films to stunning 3D CGI masterpieces, animation has transcended the boundaries of mere entertainment to become an integral part of the memories and culture of generations. Discover a list of leading animation studios worldwide, including Disney, Pixar, Ghibli, and talented studios in Vietnam, through the following content.

Top 8 most famous animation production companies

Each studio on this list possesses its own unique identity and storytelling style, contributing to the diverse and vibrant landscape of the global animation industry. Below are some of the world's most famous animation production companies; let's explore them together:

1. Walt Disney Animation Studios (USA)

When talking about animation, it's impossible not to mention Disney, the "House of Mouse." With a history spanning nearly a century, this animation company has laid the foundation and shaped the entire industry. Disney is where classic fairy tales are brought to life, becoming timeless musicals that live on through the ages.

Disney's classic works include: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), The Lion King (1994), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Frozen (2013), Zootopia (2016). With its signature fairytale and musical style, Disney has created films that are deeply humanistic, focusing on family, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams.

Animated films are always brightly colored, with highly iconic characters. Besides the emotional dialogue, the characters are also given a humorous element, making viewers laugh while watching. Disney doesn't just create films; they create culture. Their princesses and classic songs have become a part of the childhood of billions of people around the planet.

2. Pixar Animation Studios (USA)

If Disney is the king of traditional 2D animation, then Pixar is the pioneer in the 3D CGI animation revolution. Acquired by Disney in 2006, Pixar has maintained its unique identity with its ability to tell unique, profound stories that touch the hearts of both children and adults.

Let's take a look at some classic Pixar films such as Toy Story (1995-2019), Up (2009), WALL-E (2008), Coco (2017), Inside Out (2015), Finding Nemo (2003). This is one of America's most famous animation studios, with a distinct style. Their characteristic approach is to bring groundbreaking ideas to the big screen without breaking the original story, showcasing a multi-layered narrative.

Furthermore, they built a colorful fantasy world, realizing new ideas based on real-life concepts. Pixar has proven that animation can be a complex art form, capable of exploring profound philosophies about life, loss, and love.

3. Studio Ghibli (Japan) – An animation film production company

Studio Ghibli is a "jewel" of Japanese and world animation, founded by two legends, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Each Ghibli work is a meticulously hand-drawn masterpiece, carrying profound messages about humanity, nature, and war.

Spirited Away (2001) – Oscar winner, My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Princess Mononoke (1997), Grave of the Fireflies (1988) These are classic works from Studio Ghibli. The animated films are exquisitely drawn and rich in poetic quality.

Moreover, their animated films are built around storylines that focus on the beauty of nature and humanistic lessons. Ghibli films offer a completely different experience—quiet, profound, and contemplative—creating a unique and unmistakable style.

4. DreamWorks Animation (USA)

Emerging as a formidable competitor to Disney/Pixar, DreamWorks built its reputation on a different approach: humor, satire, and a more modern feel. The studio doesn't hesitate to break traditional fairy tale conventions to create distinctive characters and hearty laughs.

DreamWorks is one of the most popular animation studios among audiences. Their works include... Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar These are classic works created by DreamWorks. The animated films revolve around humorous stories, incorporating elements of popular culture, and featuring lovable characters.

DreamWorks brought a breath of fresh air to Hollywood animation, proving that humorous, unconventional stories could still contain touching messages about friendship and self-acceptance.

5. Illumination Animation Production Company (USA)

Despite its relatively late debut (2007), Illumination quickly became a formidable commercial force thanks to its ability to create iconic and incredibly cute characters. Most famously, the yellow Minions have taken the globe by storm.

The Despicable Me and Minions film series, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) These are classic works created by Illumination. Their animation has a distinctive comedic style, purely for entertainment.

The characters are lovable and memorable. The plot revolves around simple stories, suitable for all ages. Illumination is a master at building billion-dollar brands. They prove that sometimes, success comes from creating characters that audiences simply can't help but love.

6. Laika (USA) – Produces 2D and 3D animation.

Caught between the worlds of 2D and 3D, Laika chose her own unique and challenging path: stop-motion animation. Each frame of Laika's work is an elaborate installation, requiring incredible patience and talent.

Let's take a look at some animated films such as Coraline (2009), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), ParaNorman (2012) These are all classic works created by Laika. The characteristic style of this animation studio is stop-motion, with a darker and more mature atmosphere, often incorporating elements of horror and fantasy. The images have depth and unique physical textures.

Laika keeps stop-motion art alive and thriving, delivering gritty and strangely beautiful stories, a testament to the power of handcrafted work in the digital age.

7. Toei Animation (Japan)

Toei Animation is one of the oldest and most influential animation production companies in Japan. It's the birthplace of many legendary anime series that have been a part of the childhood of the 80s and 90s generations in Vietnam and around the world. It's impossible not to mention their classic animated films such as... Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk.

Toei Animation specializes in producing long-running anime series adapted from popular manga (comic books). Their style is action-adventure, characteristic of the Shōnen genre. They play a key role in bringing Japanese anime culture to a global audience, creating massive and loyal fan communities.

8. Colorful Animation Studio (Vietnam)

Representing a generation of talented young studios in Vietnam, Colory Animation has made a significant mark with its efforts to elevate the level of domestic animation. Although still modest in scale compared to global giants, Colory demonstrates its potential and aspiration to tell Vietnamese stories using modern visual language.

You may have seen it before. Under the Shade of the Tree (2011), series Wolfoo, co-production series SuSu Guards…These are some of Colory Animation's outstanding animated films, focusing on 3D technology and striving to explore themes and stories deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and history.

Colory Animation is one of the leading and inspiring organizations for young animators in Vietnam, gradually building a professional animation industry for the country.

Criteria for evaluating a quality animation production company.

What makes the aforementioned names so great? A quality animation production company not only creates beautiful visuals, but is also judged based on many rigorous criteria.

• Plot quality and storytelling ability: This is the most important element. A good film must have a compelling, meaningful story told in a captivating way. Pixar is a master at this, transforming simple ideas into complex and emotionally resonant narratives.
• Artistic imprint and visual style: Each major studio has its own unmistakable style. It could be the dreamy, hand-drawn animation of Ghibli, the vibrant colors of Disney, or the intricate craftsmanship of Laika. This signature creates a distinct identity for each brand.
• Technical and technological level: The smoothness of movement, the quality of visual effects, lighting, and material textures are measures of technical skill. Pixar has consistently pushed the boundaries of 3D CGI technology with each of its works.
• Cultural influence and commercial success: A great studio creates films that stand the test of time, becoming a part of popular culture. Box office revenue, prestigious awards (Oscars, Golden Globes), and related merchandise are all testaments to their success.
• Consistency in quality: Maintaining top-notch quality across decades and diverse productions is the most challenging aspect. Disney and Ghibli are prime examples of this consistency, creating a lasting legacy that audiences trust.

From Disney's fairy tales to Ghibli's philosophical insights, each animation company on this list has enriched the souls of millions of viewers. They are not just producers; they are storytellers, artists, and creators who have proven that animation is an art form without limits.