YouTube Mega-Hit ‘Masha and the Bear’ Is Getting a Movie From the Series’ Original Creator

One of the biggest animated series on YouTube is officially getting its own movie. “Masha and the Bear,” the hugely successful children’s show watched by millions around the world, is now heading to the big screen with creator Oleg Kuzovkov leading the project.

According to announcements surrounding the production, Kuzovkov will produce the first original feature film based on the famous animated franchise after recently regaining creative control of the characters. To move the project forward, he launched a new company called Studio MiM, which operates out of Los Angeles and Moscow.

The movie will mark a fresh start for the franchise. Studio MiM says the upcoming film will introduce a “rebooted vision” of the characters while still keeping the humor and warmth that made the original show so popular with families and children worldwide.

“Masha and the Bear” became a global online sensation over the years, especially on YouTube. One episode, titled “Recipe for Disaster,” exploded in popularity and currently stands as the most-watched non-music video in YouTube history with more than 4.6 billion views.

Kuzovkov originally helped build the franchise in 2008 alongside a team of animators, composer Vasily Bogatirev, and sound engineer Boris Kutnevich, who also voices the Bear character. The series quickly grew far beyond its original audience and became one of the most recognized animated brands online.

Now, Kuzovkov says turning the story into a full-length movie is both exciting and emotional for him. “I’m truly touched by this opportunity to expand the world of ‘Masha and the Bear’ to its first long-form feature,” he said.

He also shared how important it is for the movie to keep the same spirit fans already love. “It’s an exciting creative challenge – one that I wholeheartedly embrace – and my wonderfully creative and excited team is equally energized and eager to bring it to life with the same spirit, humor and heart that made the old series so beloved,” Kuzovkov explained.

The production team plans to complete the movie pipeline by the end of 2028, with hopes that the feature film could launch a larger movie franchise in the future.

The project comes after the expiration of Kuzovkov’s licensing agreement with Animaccord, the company previously connected to the series. With the rights now back under his control, the creator is shaping a new direction for the famous animated world while still honoring the original version that turned “Masha and the Bear” into a worldwide success.

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