LAIKA

What LAIKA does

LAIKA is a privately-held, feature-film animation studio founded in 2005 and headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, specializing in stop-motion animation. Over 20 years the studio has produced six original feature films — Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Missing Link (2019), and the upcoming Wildwood (October 2026) — accumulating six Academy Award nominations, one Scientific and Technical Oscar (for rapid-prototyping facial animation, awarded 2016), two BAFTA Awards, ten Annie Awards, and one Golden Globe.

The studio's core technology is a proprietary 3D rapid prototyping system that prints unique replacement faces for stop-motion puppets, enabling thousands of distinct expressions per frame. This is paired with in-house puppet fabrication (sculptors, mold makers, armaturists, costume, hair/fur, scenic painters), stereoscopic 3D cinematography, and color 3D printing — capabilities LAIKA pioneered commercially. In 2023 LAIKA expanded into live-action production via a wholly-owned LA-based subsidiary, LAIKA Live Action, developing films and series with attached prestige talent (Emma Stone, Barack Obama's Higher Ground, Lulu Wang).

LAIKA generates revenue primarily through theatrical distribution of its animated features, handled by specialized partners (Fathom Entertainment domestically, FilmNation Entertainment internationally for Wildwood), with secondary revenue from downstream streaming/home video licensing, direct-to-consumer merchandise via the LAIKA Shop, Rizzoli-published art books, and fees from institutional exhibitions (e.g., Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 2026-2027). The customer base is general audiences (film consumers) reached through distributor partners; Live Action projects target streaming and theatrical buyers. The studio employs 101-250 people across Oregon and Los Angeles, maintains a 20+ year talent pipeline through partnerships with Bowie State University, Portland Community College, and Portland State University, and earned Certified B Corporation and Gold Level Green Seal status in 2026.

Name

LAIKA

Legal name

Laika LLC

Website

https://laika.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stop-Motion Animation

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Stop-Motion Animation Production (MPADACAC)

Keywords

• Stop-motion animation
• Feature film production
• Live-action production
• Rapid prototyping animation
• Animated entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Hillsboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Film Distribution: LAIKA generates revenue through theatrical releases of its animated feature films. Distribution partnerships include Fathom Entertainment for domestic and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales. Films are released theatrically and later made available through streaming and home video platforms.
2. Live Action Film & Series Production: LAIKA's Live Action division develops and produces original live-action films and series for theatrical and streaming distribution, with projects in development including adaptations and originals with attached producers and talent.
3. Merchandise and Licensing: LAIKA operates a retail shop selling products inspired by its films including apparel, plush toys, home goods, and art books. The studio also has a publishing collaboration with Rizzoli for art and behind-the-scenes publications.
4. Exhibitions and Events: LAIKA generates revenue through exhibitions at institutions like the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, public art events, and touring exhibitions at animation festivals.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LAIKA is a stop-motion animation studio that produces original animated feature films using proprietary 3D rapid prototyping technology for facial animation combined with handcrafted puppet fabrication. The studio has released six animated features over 20 years and expanded into live-action films and series through LAIKA Live Action. Revenue is generated through theatrical distribution, merchandise licensing, museum exhibitions, and publishing collaborations.

Product overview

LAIKA is a stop-motion animation studio that creates a portfolio of animated feature films, including Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Missing Link (2019), and the upcoming Wildwood (2026). The studio pioneered 3D-printed facial replacement technology and combines handcrafted artistry with advanced visual effects. In 2023, LAIKA expanded into live-action production through its LA-based subsidiary LAIKA Live Action, developing original films and series adaptations. The studio also operates a merchandise shop and partners with educational institutions through its animation accelerator program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coraline LAIKA's first stop-motion animated feature film (2009), a darkly enchanting tale based on Neil Gaiman's novella about a girl who discovers a secret door to an alternate reality. Aimed at family audiences and animation enthusiasts; the first stop-motion film conceived in stereoscopic 3D with integrated visual effects and 3D-printing technology.
• ParaNorman LAIKA's second stop-motion feature film (2012), a spooky adventure about a boy who can see ghosts, and the first color 3D-printed stop-motion film. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and targeted at family audiences and animation enthusiasts.
• The Boxtrolls LAIKA's third stop-motion feature film (2014), based on Alan Snow's book Here Be Monsters, about a boy raised by underground trolls. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and targeted at family audiences.
• Kubo and the Two Strings LAIKA's fourth stop-motion feature film (2016), an epic set in ancient Japan featuring a boy with a magical shamisen. Won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film and received Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects. Targeted at family audiences and animation enthusiasts.
• Missing Link LAIKA's fifth stop-motion animated feature film (2019), a globe-trotting adventure about a hairy creature searching for his long-lost relatives. Won the 2020 Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and was nominated for an Academy Award. Targeted at family audiences and animation enthusiasts.
• Wildwood LAIKA's sixth stop-motion animated feature film, a fantasy epic based on Colin Meloy's novel and set in Portland, Oregon. Directed by Travis Knight and scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026, with voice cast including Angela Bassett, Carey Mulligan, and Mahershala Ali. Distributed domestically by Fathom Entertainment and internationally by FilmNation Entertainment.
• LAIKA Live Action LA-based subsidiary launched in 2023 that produces original live-action films and series with notable talent and producers attached. Current slate includes Exit Party (with Fruit Tree/Emma Stone/Dave McCary), Audition (with Higher Ground, directed by Lulu Wang), Atmosphere, Crumble, and Seventeen. Content targets streaming platforms and theatrical release for general audiences and prestige viewers.
• LAIKA Shop

Quantifiable outcome

• First stop-motion film conceived and photographed in stereoscopic 3D (Coraline, 2009)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Fruit Tree (Emma Stone and Dave McCary)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026LAIKA's Live Action division acquired Exit Party with Emma Stone and Dave McCary's Fruit Tree attached as executive producers. Fruit Tree will shepherd the project, marking LAIKA's first live-action TV production.
• Gotham Film & Media InstituteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026LAIKA and the Gotham Film & Media Institute launched an animation accelerator program to support animation artists. The collaboration aims to foster emerging talent and create opportunities in the animation industry.
• Fathom EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 January 2026LAIKA partnered with Fathom Entertainment for domestic theatrical distribution of Wildwood. Fathom provides operational strength for U.S. theatrical releases, helping LAIKA reach domestic audiences while preserving the studio's independence.
• FilmNation EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 January 2026LAIKA partnered with FilmNation Entertainment for international theatrical sales of Wildwood. FilmNation leverages its global expertise to handle worldwide distribution outside the U.S., supporting LAIKA's international rollout.
• RizzoliflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025LAIKA and Rizzoli formed a multi-project publishing collaboration to celebrate LAIKA's 20th anniversary. The collaboration includes art books, behind-the-scenes publications, and collectible decks, with the first book set for release in 2026.
• Higher Ground (Barack Obama)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAIKA Live Action and Barack Obama's Higher Ground are teaming up on a feature adaptation of Audition, the Booker Prize-longlisted novel by Katie Kitamura. The film will be directed by Lulu Wang.
• Women In AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAIKA works with Women In Animation to foster future talent and create a more inclusive industry.
• Bowie State UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAIKA partners with Bowie State University to mentor students, build robust talent pipelines, and expand access to the film industry. LAIKA and BSU partnered to build the first stop-motion animation studio at an HBCU.
• Portland Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAIKA works with Portland Community College to nurture and grow the local community of talent and provide access to training and mentorship.
• Portland State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAIKA collaborates with Portland State University to expand the region's creative workforce.
• Film Independent's Project InvolvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAIKA partners with Project Involve to support early career filmmakers in bringing their animated stories to the screen.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DreamWorks Animation: Major feature-animation studio producing 2–3 films per year. Overlaps with LAIKA on family theatrical animation but operates at significantly higher output and broader demographic reach through CGI.
• Pixar Animation Studios: Industry-defining feature animation studio owned by Disney. Competes with LAIKA in the feature-animation market but uses CGI pipelines at vastly greater scale, throughput, and box-office magnitude.
• Illumination: Universal-owned animation studio producing low-cost CGI features at high cadence (Despicable Me, Minions, The Secret Life of Pets). Competes for family-animation theatrical attention but with a fundamentally different cost structure and franchise model.

Direct peers

• Blue Zoo: UK-based animation studio producing children's series and specials with strong stop-motion and CGI capability. Comparable in scale and craft, though predominantly TV/short-form rather than feature-length theatrical.
• ShadowMachine: U.S. stop-motion studio known for Anomalisa, BoJack Horseman stop-motion sequences, and various adult-animation projects. Comparable in craft and stop-motion focus, though with a more episodic/independent profile than LAIKA's family features.
• Factory Transmedia: Independent stop-motion and animation studio producing feature work and brand content. Operates in the same craft niche as LAIKA with similar full-service fabrication and production capability, at smaller scale.
• Aardman Animations: Bristol-based stop-motion animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, and Shaun the Sheep. Closest direct peer to LAIKA in craft, scale of feature production, and brand positioning within stop-motion features.
• Stoopid Buddy Stoodios: Emmy-winning stop-motion studio behind Robot Chicken and Moral Orel. Comparable in stop-motion craft and willingness to operate in adjacent formats, though primarily TV/short-form versus LAIKA's feature focus.
• Mackinnon and Saunders: UK puppet fabrication and stop-motion animation company that built puppets for Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, and Mars Attacks!. Directly comparable to LAIKA's in-house puppet and armature fabrication capability, though more supplier/specialist than full studio.

Regional players

• Triggerfish Animation Studios: South Africa's largest animation studio, producing feature films (Adventures of Zambezia, Seal Team) using a mix of CGI and stop-motion. Comparable in feature-animation ambition but focused primarily on the African market and CGI pipelines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LAIKAStudios
• Facebookfacebook.com/laikastudios
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laika
• Instagraminstagram.com/laikastudios
• TikToktiktok.com/@laikastudios
• Xx.com/laikastudios

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LAIKA