The Studio Behind ‘Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie,’ Mediawan’s ON Animation, Shuts Down

ON Animation Studios, the Montreal-based studio behind “Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie,” has shut down. The studio, part of Mediawan, also produced films like “The Little Prince” and “Playmobil: The Movie.”

It closed due to changes in the animation industry and financial struggles. Mediawan confirmed the news but plans to keep making animated content through other companies.

The studio started in 2012 and was bought by Mediawan in 2017. It focused on family films. “The Little Prince” did well in 2015, earning about $102 million worldwide on a $70-80 million budget. But recent projects struggled.

“Playmobil: The Movie” flopped in 2019, making just $16.3 million against a $40-75 million budget. “Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie” earned $40.1 million in 2023 on an $80 million budget, doing okay in Europe but not in France.

The animation industry is growing fast. It’s expected to hit $528.8 billion by 2030. Still, studios face tough competition and shifts to streaming. ON Animation had 163 workers in 2023 but cut down to 28 before closing. This shows money was tight. Mediawan will use Mediawan Kids & Family and Miraculous Corp for future projects instead.

The closure affects Montreal’s animation scene. The city’s industry is worth over $1 billion. Jobs are lost, and local talent must find new work. It’s a sign that studios need to adapt to survive.

In my view, this shutdown is sad for the animation world. It’s tough to see a creative studio close, especially for the workers left behind. The industry is growing, but only smart studios will make it. They might need to focus on streaming or use new tech to cut costs. What do you think about this? How can studios stay alive in these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.