LAIKA
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersHillsboro, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
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.
LAIKA firmographics
Firmographics- 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
LAIKA industry classification
Industry- 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
Where LAIKA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hillsboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
LAIKA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
LAIKA product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use LAIKA
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
LAIKA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
LAIKA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Fruit Tree (Emma Stone and Dave McCary)flagshipLAIKA'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 InstituteflagshipLAIKA 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 EntertainmentcoreLAIKA 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 EntertainmentcoreLAIKA 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.
- RizzoliflagshipLAIKA 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)flagshipLAIKA 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 AnimationcoreLAIKA works with Women In Animation to foster future talent and create a more inclusive industry.
- Bowie State UniversityflagshipLAIKA 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 CollegecoreLAIKA works with Portland Community College to nurture and grow the local community of talent and provide access to training and mentorship.
- Portland State UniversitycoreLAIKA collaborates with Portland State University to expand the region's creative workforce.
- Film Independent's Project InvolvecoreLAIKA 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
LAIKA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
LAIKA social profiles
Digital presenceLAIKA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
LAIKA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LAIKA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
LAIKA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
LAIKA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LAIKA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LAIKA
What does LAIKA do?
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.
Is LAIKA a public or private company?
LAIKA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LAIKA founded?
LAIKA was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is LAIKA based?
LAIKA is headquartered in Hillsboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does LAIKA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Theatrical Film Distribution is the primary driver. The others are live Action Film & Series Production, merchandise and Licensing and exhibitions and Events.
Who are LAIKA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DreamWorks Animation, Pixar Animation Studios and Illumination. Direct peers are Blue Zoo, ShadowMachine, Factory Transmedia, Aardman Animations, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and Mackinnon and Saunders. Triggerfish Animation Studios is listed as a regional player.
Does LAIKA have an API?
No public API is recorded for LAIKA.
What industry is LAIKA in?
LAIKA's product category is Stop-Motion Animation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAC, Stop-Motion Animation Production. Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.