Aardman Animations
Aardman Animations is a Bristol-based, employee-owned stop-motion animation studio (founded 1972, 500+ staff) producing feature films, TV series, games, and commercials built around iconic IP such as Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, monetized through global distribution, character licensing, brand partnerships, and live experiences for family and broadcast audiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aardman Animations does
Aardman Animations is a Bristol-headquartered, employee-owned animation studio founded in 1972 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, employing more than 500 people across two Bristol facilities (Gas Ferry Road and Aztec West). The studio operates a vertically integrated content business producing feature films, television series, short-form and commercials, interactive apps/games/AR/VR, character licensing, attractions and live experiences, and educational workshops. Its technology base is distinctive physical stop-motion animation — clay and puppet characters filmed frame-by-frame — supplemented by 2D and CGI capabilities (e.g., Lloyd of the Flies CGI series), with an explicit policy of not using AI for character creation. Iconic IP includes Wallace & Gromit (four Academy Awards), Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, Morph, and Timmy Time; revenue is generated through theatrical distribution (via Sky, Studiocanal, GKIDS), broadcast commissions (BBC/CBeebies, Netflix), licensing royalties, brand-partner commercials (Barbour, LEGO, Nest, Thatchers, McDonald's France), console games (Outright Games), theme park and cruise ship experiences (P&O Cruises, Longleat), and educational workshops at £750-£1,250+VAT per session.
The business operates a horizontal segmentation approach across six customer groups: families and children (core audience), education institutions, brand partners/advertising agencies, licensees, attractions operators, and broadcasters/streaming platforms. Distribution is globally diversified through dedicated sales managers covering 20+ territories including Iberia, LATAM, US Spanish, Asia, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France, Middle East, C&E Europe, Africa, Turkey, India, Israel, Benelux, China, Ireland, Italy, and Nordics, plus SVOD/AVOD/FAST/TVOD digital channels. FY2024 reported turnover was £20.9m with a £5m pre-tax loss, against the prior year's £26.7m; the company became employee-owned in 2018 to preserve creative independence, and the co-founders remain actively involved (Peter Lord knighted in 2026). Forward pipeline includes Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (Sept 2026), Pokémon Tales (2027), and Let's Go Timmy! (2027), alongside a new Royal College of Art MFA in Animation partnership starting September 2027.
Aardman Animations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aardman Animations
- Legal name
- Aardman Animations Limited
- Website
- https://aardman.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Aardman Animations is a Bristol-based, employee-owned stop-motion animation studio (founded 1972, 500+ staff) producing feature films, TV series, games, and commercials built around iconic IP such as Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, monetized through global distribution, character licensing, brand partnerships, and live experiences for family and broadcast audiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aardman Animations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Studio Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Character & Creature Animation (MPADACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production (MPADACAA), Immersive/Interactive Animation (AR/VR/Real-Time) (MPAHACAN)
Keywords
Where Aardman Animations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aardman Animations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Film & Television Production & Distribution: Production of feature films (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run) and TV series with global theatrical, broadcast, and streaming distribution through partners like Sky, Studiocanal, and GKIDS.
- Commercials & Branded Content: Creating animated commercials and branded content for advertising agencies and third-party brands globally, working with sectors including charity, healthcare, retail, and entertainment. Works with brands like Barbour, Thatchers Cider, McDonald's France, BBC, and Nest.
- Character Licensing & Consumer Products: Licensing iconic characters (Shaun the Sheep, Wallace & Gromit, Timmy, Morph) to licensees worldwide for products in giftware, clothing, homeware, and publishing sectors.
- Interactive & Games: Developing apps, games, AR, and VR experiences for mobile, web, console, and immersive formats. Partnerships with Outright Games for console games like Chicken Run: Eggstraction.
- Attractions & Live Experiences: Licensing characters to attraction, stage show, exhibition, and event licensees for theatrical shows, theme park rides, and immersive experiences globally.
- Workshops & Training: Educational and entertainment workshops (model making, storyboarding, animation) offered to schools, museums, festivals, and corporate away days. Day rate workshops priced at £795-895 + VAT.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Day Rate Workshop - up to 3 x 1 hour model making sessions for up to 60 participants |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | 2HR Away Day - team building with character creation |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Full Away Day - model making and stop-frame animation film creation |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Online Away Day - 2-hour virtual session with activities |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Aardman Animations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aardman Animations is a Bristol-based animation studio that creates feature films, TV series, games, interactive apps and AR/VR experiences using stop-motion, 2D and CGI animation. Its core output is the production and global distribution of Aardman-owned franchises (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, Morph, Timmy Time, Lloyd of the Flies) plus animated commercials, character licensing programmes, attractions and live experiences, and educational workshops for schools, museums and corporate events.
Product overview
Aardman Animations is a world-leading British animation studio based in Bristol that creates entertainment across films, TV series, games, and interactive experiences using stop-motion, CGI, and 2D animation. The company's product portfolio includes major franchises such as Shaun the Sheep (with multiple feature films and TV series), Wallace & Gromit (Academy Award-winning shorts and feature films), and Chicken Run (feature films and console games). Additional properties include Robin Robin (Netflix musical), Morph (revived classic), Lloyd of the Flies (CGI series), Timmy Time (preschool series), and Adventures of ArachnoFly (CGI series). The company also produces interactive experiences including VR games (Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway), mobile games (Chicken Run: Eggstraction, Jamtastic), educational apps (StorySign with AI-powered sign language), and AR trail apps (Lloyd of the Flies Bug Hunt, Wallace & Gromit: All Systems Go). Beyond content creation, Aardman offers services including commercial production for global brands, character licensing, immersive attractions and live experiences, global content distribution, and educational workshops. The studio employs over 500 people and operates from headquarters at Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, with a secondary studio at Aztec West.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shaun the Sheep Franchise Stop-motion animated franchise featuring Shaun the Sheep, including multiple TV series, specials, and feature films.
- Wallace & Gromit Franchise Academy Award-winning stop-motion franchise including shorts and feature films featuring inventor Wallace and his intelligent dog Gromit.
- Chicken Run Franchise Stop-motion feature film franchise about chickens escaping a farm, including original film, sequel Dawn of the Nugget, and console game Eggstraction.
- Lloyd of the Flies CGI comedy series for 7-11 year olds following housefly Lloyd B Fly. First entirely CGI series produced from Aardman's Bristol headquarters.
- Morph / Epic Adventures of Morph Classic clay animation character from 1970s Take Hart programme, revived in new series The Epic Adventures of Morph for Sky Kids.
- Timmy Time Preschool animated series following Timmy, the lamb from Shaun the Sheep, attending nursery school.
- Robin Robin Stop-motion musical short film produced for Netflix about a robin raised by a family of magpies, featuring awards recognition.
- The Very Small Creatures Animated series produced in partnership with Sky.
- Creature Comforts Award-winning animated series featuring interviews with real people dubbed onto animated animals.
- Adventures of ArachnoFly Animated CGI series for Sky Kids and YouTube following a young spider's adventures.
- Chicken Run: Eggstraction Stealth action-adventure console game published with Outright Games, continuing the story from Dawn of the Nugget.
- Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway Virtual reality adventure game for Meta Quest featuring Wallace and Gromit, nominated for an Emmy.
- StorySign Award-winning app using AI to help deaf children learn to read by translating text into sign language using a friendly panda character.
- 11-11: Memories Retold Narrative-driven console game developed with Digix and nwave, featuring artwork inspired by paintings.
- Character Licensing Programme Licensing programme managing iconic Aardman characters including Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit across products, events, promotions, and partnerships globally.
- Attractions & Live Experiences Development of immersive experiences including theatrical shows, theme park rides, exhibitions, and AR trail apps in partnership with global attractions.
- Content Distribution Global distribution of Aardman's own shows and selective third-party animated content for TV, DVD, streaming, and digital platforms.
- Short Form & Commercials Production Brand content production using stop-frame, 2D, and CGI animation for advertising agencies and third-party brands globally.
- Aardman Workshops Educational workshops offering model making, storyboarding, and animation sessions for schools, museums, festivals, and corporate events, with day rates of £750-£1,250 + VAT.
- Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu Upcoming stop-motion animated series in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, following Sirfetch'd and Pichu on comedic quest through Galar region. Scheduled for 2027 premiere.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96 campaigns scored in top 1% for creative effectiveness
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aardman Animations
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Aardman Animations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aardman Animations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- SkycoreSky is exclusive UK distributor for Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, releasing in cinemas and on Sky Cinema. Partnership with Aardman, Studiocanal and GKIDS.
- Royal College of ArtcoreNew MFA Animation postgraduate programme in partnership with Aardman. Students will split time between RCA's London studios and Aardman's Bristol facilities. First intake planned for September 2027. Builds on existing Aardman Academy expertise and RCA's 40 years of animation teaching experience.
- BBC / CBeebiescoreBBC commissioned new animated series 'Let's Go Timmy!' - 30 episodes of 5 minutes each. Series blends stop-motion and 2D animation, set in Mossy Bottom world. Targeting 3-5 year olds. Scheduled to air in 2027.
- CAA Brand ManagementcoreCAA Brand Management appointed to handle Aardman's brand licensing, partnerships, live experiences and promotions in Japan and across Greater China (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau). Effective April 1, 2026. Replaced previous agents Tohokushinsha Film Corporation (Japan) and U-Young (China).
- StudiocanalcoreGlobal distribution partner outside UK for Aardman films including Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. Retains distribution rights in France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Benelux, and Poland.
- GKIDScoreGKIDS acquired U.S. distribution rights to Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom from Studiocanal. First-ever collaboration between Gkids and the British stop-motion studio.
- The Pokémon Company InternationalcoreJoint project with The Pokémon Company International on stop-motion series 'Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu.' Series set in Galar region, combining Aardman's stop-motion techniques with Pokémon universe. Premiering 2027.
- Outright GamescorePartnership to develop and release Chicken Run: Eggstraction game. Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. Launched October 2025.
- The LEGO GroupstrategicPartnership to inspire young builders through stop-motion creativity. Created animated short featuring character 'Boop' made from clay in LEGO brick world. Challenge on LEGO Play app invites kids to create stop-motion stories. Monthly mini films released.
- TikTokstrategicShaun the Sheep superfan competition offering winner the chance to be immortalized in clay in Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom feature film. Fan engagement campaign leveraging TikTok platform reach.
- NestminorPension awareness campaign featuring animated birds representing Nest members. Two animated stories narrated by Bill Bailey, targeting 13 million+ Nest members.
- EburyminorPublishing partnership for Gromit autobiography 'Grand' as told to Nick Park. Memoirs told from Gromit's perspective with brand new adventure content.
- BarbourcoreAnnual Christmas advertising partnership. 2025 featured Wallace & Gromit with Gift-o-matic invention. Includes limited-edition Re-loved wax jackets with proceeds to Oxfam. Multi-year ongoing collaboration.
- LongleatstrategicFestival of Light 2025 featuring Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, and Wallace & Gromit in large-scale lantern installations. Partnership demonstrates IP collaboration in cultural tourism.
- WWT (Wildlife Trusts)minorTimmy Time partnership for The Hedgehog Walk initiative, encouraging children and families to engage with nature conservation.
- System1minorJoint book launch 'Putting On a Show: Exploring The Aardman Effect' analyzing 96 campaigns from 40 years of commercial work. Research demonstrates top 1% creative effectiveness scores.
- Create LondonminorAardman participated in creator economy conference alongside YouTube, TikTok, Fremantle, and Banijay France to discuss strategies for vertical entertainment and generative AI.
- INLIGHTminorINLIGHT partnered with Aardman for Longleat project featuring iconic characters in large-scale lantern installations, attracting 1.5 million overseas visitors in 2025.
- P&O CruisesstrategicWallace & Gromit: All Hands On Deck! live experience on P&O Cruises ships, bringing characters to cruise ship entertainment.
- MattelstrategicCo-development partnership with Mattel to create new Pingu animated TV series. Aardman and Mattel collaborating on creative direction and production.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aardman Animations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Laika: US-based stop-motion animation studio producing feature films (Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link). Closest direct comparable to Aardman in craft specialization, feature-film output model, and family-oriented IP strategy.
- Cartoon Saloon: Irish animation studio behind Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells. Same artisanal 2D/hand-crafted animation approach, similar family-oriented franchise strategy and comparable awards profile (multiple Oscar nominations).
- Locksmith Animation: UK-based animation studio that produced Ron's Gone Wrong. UK-headquartered, family-focused CGI/animated feature films with a similar target audience and theatrical release model as Aardman's slate.
- Animal Logic: Australian animation/VFX studio (Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians, Peter Rabbit 1/2). Comparable family-feature animation studio with both original IP and franchise adaptations.
- Mikros Animation: Animation studio producing feature, TV and commercial work (Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Provides studio-for-hire and co-production services overlapping Aardman's commercials and TV animation offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Illumination: Universal-owned animation studio behind Despicable Me, Minions, Sing and The Secret Life of Pets. Mass-market CGI family animation incumbent; competes for the same theatrical, licensing and family entertainment revenue pools as Aardman.
- DreamWorks Animation: Major animation studio (Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda). Now under NBCUniversal; broad animation incumbent directly competing for family theatrical share, TV commissions and licensing shelf space.
- Sony Pictures Animation: Animation arm of Sony behind The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Spider-Verse and Hotel Transylvania. Wide animation portfolio overlapping Aardman's family-theatrical and character-licensing territory.
- Pixar: Disney-owned animation studio and benchmark for the global animation industry (Toy Story, Inside Out). Premium feature animation incumbent addressing the same kids-and-family box office and licensing channels.
Regional players
- Folimage: French stop-motion/2D animation studio (The Big Bad Fox, Raining Cats and Dogs). European stop-motion studio with similar craft positioning; operates in French and international co-production markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aardman Animations social profiles
Digital presenceAardman Animations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aardman Animations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Aardman Animations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aardman Animations M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aardman Animations
What does Aardman Animations do?
Aardman Animations is a Bristol-based animation studio that creates feature films, TV series, games, interactive apps and AR/VR experiences using stop-motion, 2D and CGI animation. Its core output is the production and global distribution of Aardman-owned franchises (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, Morph, Timmy Time, Lloyd of the Flies) plus animated commercials, character licensing programmes, attractions and live experiences, and educational workshops for schools, museums and corporate events.
Is Aardman Animations a public or private company?
Aardman Animations is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Aardman Animations founded?
Aardman Animations was founded in 1972. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Aardman Animations based?
Aardman Animations is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Aardman Animations make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Film & Television Production & Distribution is the primary driver. The others are commercials & Branded Content, character Licensing & Consumer Products, interactive & Games, attractions & Live Experiences and workshops & Training.
Who are Aardman Animations's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Laika, Cartoon Saloon, Locksmith Animation, Animal Logic and Mikros Animation. Broad incumbents are Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation and Pixar. Folimage is listed as a regional player.
Does Aardman Animations have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aardman Animations.
What industry is Aardman Animations in?
Aardman Animations's product category is Animation Studio Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAE, Character & Creature Animation, with a secondary code of MPADACAA, 2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production. Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.