LAIKA Uses Cuttlefish 3D Printing for Wildwood
The studio's color 3D printer driver produced facial expressions for its newest stop-motion feature, released in U.S. theaters October 23.
U.S. Animation News
This section covers animated film in the United States — major studio and independent releases, theatrical and streaming performance, awards and the industry decisions that shape what gets made and how it reaches audiences. Reporting takes in domestic and internationally produced animation that reaches U.S. audiences.
Recent news
November 8, 2026
Blue Eye Samurai Season 2 Sets January 2027 PremiereNetflix has set a January 19, 2027 premiere date for the six-episode second season of the animated series.
November 7, 2026
Disney's Hexed Eyes $35M-$45M Opening WeekendThe original animated film opens in theaters over Thanksgiving weekend, with projections placing it among the year's strongest animated debuts.
November 7, 2026
Seven New Character Balloons Take Flight in TestBalloonfest test run in East Rutherford, New Jersey previews balloons for the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
November 7, 2026
LAIKA's Wildwood Earns $32 Million at Box OfficeThe stop-motion fantasy adaptation, which opened October 23, 2026, is the studio's longest film to date.
November 6, 2026
Hexed, Focker-in-Law Eye $40M-$50M ThanksgivingTwo Thanksgiving openers are tracking for combined five-day openings in the $40 million to $50 million range ahead of the holiday.
November 6, 2026
PBS Kids to Premiere Carnival of the AnimalsA half-hour animated special set to Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic's recording debuts on PBS KIDS.
November 6, 2026
Nickelodeon to Premiere SpongeBob Christmas SpecialThe hour-long special 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Plankton' debuts Nov. 27 on Nickelodeon and streams on Paramount+.
November 6, 2026
Disney Plus Streams Animated Holiday ShortDirector Dougal Wilson's Christmas short film The Invisible Horse will stream on Disney Plus ahead of the festive season.
November 6, 2026
HBO Max Streams Batwheels Season 3GThe final batch of Season 3 episodes arrives on HBO Max as the animated series moves toward its Season 4 debut.
November 6, 2026
Bill Hader Voices Cat in the Hat in New MovieA new animated film casts Bill Hader as the iconic Dr. Seuss character, reimagining the 1957 book for a new generation.
More in Animation
The subjects here include release announcements, box office results, streaming debut performance, award nominations and wins, and the studio and distribution decisions that determine how an animated film is positioned. New York and Los Angeles anchor the domestic production and distribution side, and coverage of both cities' studio activity runs alongside the national theatrical and streaming picture. International productions — particularly from Japanese and European studios — have claimed an increasing share of the U.S. theatrical animated film calendar, and that share of coverage has grown accordingly. Franchise extensions and sequel announcements tend to generate coverage that starts well before a production is confirmed and continues through release.