WunderWerk
WunderWerk GmbH is a privately-held German film and TV production company founded in 2002 in Unterföhring, specializing in animated and live-action children's and family entertainment adapted from established German-language book franchises, licensed to German broadcasters and international distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersUnterföhring, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What WunderWerk does
WunderWerk GmbH is a privately-held German film and television production company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Unterföhring near Munich, operating under sole managing director Stefanie Hufschmidt. The company specializes in children's and family entertainment, producing animated feature films (2D and CGI), stop-motion shorts, animated television series, and live-action productions enhanced with VFX and animation. Its core catalog is built around adaptations of established German-language children's book franchises — including Felix the Hare, Princess Lillifee, Little Knight Trenk, the Moon Bear, the Olchis, and Yakari — supplemented by original concepts; since 2002 it has delivered more than fifteen feature films and twenty television series, with individual theatrical releases attracting between roughly 300,000 and 1.3 million German viewers.
The company's underlying production capability spans 2D animation, CGI, stop motion, and live-action with VFX, with hybrid formats such as 'Groove High' (live-action plus animation for Nickelodeon) and 'Beutolomäus und der wahre Weihnachtsmann' (live-action plus CGI for KiKA). It participates in co-productions and co-financing arrangements with European animation studios and publishers (Caligari Film, blue eyes Fiction, MotionWorks, DKM, Dargaud Media, GRID Animation, Fabrique d'Images) and draws on German and European film funding bodies (FFF, FFA, MDM, FFHSH, DFFF, Filmstiftung NRW, MEDIA).
Commercially, WunderWerk monetizes through B2B licensing and rights sales rather than direct-to-consumer distribution. Revenue streams are project-based, with broadcasters (ZDF, KiKA/ARD, WDR, Nickelodeon Germany/Netherlands/Sweden, ProSieben, ORF) pre-commissioning series and films, theatrical distribution handled by Universum Film (Walt Disney), LEONINE, and Constantin Film, home entertainment (DVD/Blu-ray and audio) via Universum Film and Edel:Kids, and international sales through Beta Film/Wunderbox, Global Screen, ZDF Enterprises, and ARRI Media International. The company does not publicly disclose pricing, revenue, or headcount, and is not party to disclosed venture capital or private equity investment.
WunderWerk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WunderWerk
- Legal name
- WunderWerk GmbH
- Website
- https://wunder-werk.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WunderWerk GmbH is a privately-held German film and TV production company founded in 2002 in Unterföhring, specializing in animated and live-action children's and family entertainment adapted from established German-language book franchises, licensed to German broadcasters and international distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WunderWerk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Film and Television Production
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live-Action Kids & Family Production (MPADABAF)
Keywords
Where WunderWerk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Unterföhring
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
WunderWerk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Film & TV Production Licensing: WunderWerk produces animated and live-action family entertainment films and TV series, earning revenue through licensing to broadcasters (ZDF, KiKA, ARD, Nickelodeon, ProSieben), theatrical distribution (Universum Film, LEONINE, Constantin), DVD/Blu-ray sales, digital/VoD distribution, and international sales via partners such as Beta Film and Global Screen.
- Co-production and Co-financing: WunderWerk participates in co-productions with other studios (Caligari Film, blue eyes Fiction, MotionWorks, DKM, etc.) and co-financing arrangements with film funds (FFF, FFA, MDM, FFHSH, DFFF, Filmstiftung NRW, MEDIA, etc.) to fund production costs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
WunderWerk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WunderWerk is a German film and television production company that produces animated and live-action children's and family entertainment content. The company acquires rights to successful children's book brands, develops original ideas, participates in co-productions and co-financing arrangements, and delivers the full spectrum of filmmaking from concept through scriptwriting to production. Its output spans feature films and television series distributed through theatrical release, broadcast licensing, home entertainment (DVD/Blu-ray), and digital/VoD platforms across the German-speaking market and internationally.
Product overview
WunderWerk GmbH is a German film and television production company specializing in children's and family entertainment. The company operates as a diversified content studio producing animated feature films (both 2D and CGI), animated television series, live-action productions, and hybrid formats combining live-action with animation. Their portfolio spans adaptations of established children's book properties (Felix the Hare, Princess Lillifee, Ritter Trenk, Der Mondbär) as well as original concepts. The company offers complete production services from concept development through scriptwriting to final production, and participates in co-productions and international co-financing arrangements. Notable products include Der Mondbär feature films and TV series, Felix animated films, Prinzessin Lillifee franchise, Ritter Trenk adaptations, and more recent productions like Die Olchis feature film and Yakari theatrical release.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Briefe von Felix 2D animated TV series of 52 episodes (12 minutes each) in which a young girl receives letters from her toy hare Felix as he travels the world; broadcast on German television.
- Felix – Ein Hase auf Weltreise 2D animated feature film in which Felix the hare journeys home from Norway, encountering mythical creatures and friends along the way; reached over 1.3 million viewers in Germany.
- Felix – Der Hase und die verflixte Zeitmaschine 2D animated feature film sequel in which Felix the hare, a baby mammoth, and a turtle travel through human history using a malfunctioning time machine.
- Der Mondbär (TV Series) CGI animated TV series of 48 episodes featuring Moon Bear and his woodland animal friends on adventures; broadcast on ZDF and KiKA.
- Der Mondbär – Das große Kinoabenteuer Animated CGI family feature film in which Moon Bear and his animal friends search for the missing moon; reached over 800,000 viewers in Germany.
- Prinzessin Lillifee (Feature Film) 2D animated feature film in which Princess Lillifee restores harmony in her fairy kingdom of Rosarien; reached over 1 million viewers in the German-speaking region.
- Tiger-Team – Der Berg der 1000 Drachen Live-action adventure feature film in which the Tiger-Team searches for the Elixir of Life in Beijing and the Mountain of 1000 Dragons; based on Thomas Brezina's book series.
- Die Abenteuer des jungen Marco Polo 52-episode animated adventure TV series following young Marco Polo as he searches for his missing father, traveling through exotic lands with friends Luigi and Princess Shi La Won; broadcast on ARD via MDR.
- Prinzessin Lillifee und das kleine Einhorn 2D animated feature film in which Princess Lillifee must return a baby unicorn to its mother and break a curse on the neighboring land of Bluetopia.
- Prinzessin Lillifee (TV Series) 26-episode animated TV series for girls based on Monika Finsterbusch's books, featuring Princess Lillifee learning to use her good qualities for her subjects.
- Der kleine Ritter Trenk (TV Series) 26-episode animated TV series adaptation of Kirsten Boie's books about young knight Trenk and his piglet friend; aired on ZDF and KiKA.
- Die Wilden Kerle Anime-influenced animated TV series of 26 episodes based on Joachim Masannek's books, following the adventures of the Wild football team.
- Der kleine Medicus Animated feature film in which young Nano shrinks to travel inside his grandfather's body to defeat a robot villain, combining edutainment with family entertainment.
- Wir Kinder aus dem Möwenweg Two-season animated TV series (52 episodes total) based on Kirsten Boie's books depicting everyday adventures of children living in a newly built housing development; aired on KiKA.
- Ritter Trenk (Feature Film) Animated feature film in which peasant boy Trenk seeks to become a knight to free his father from unjust imprisonment; 89 minutes of adventure.
- Rosalie und Trüffel Stop-motion short film about two pigs who fall in love at first sight, based on Katja Reider and Jutta Bücker's book series.
- Tilda Apfelkern 26-episode animated preschool TV series featuring church mouse Tilda Apfelkern and her village friends, based on Andreas H. Schmachtl's books.
- Zacki und die Zoobande 3D animated TV series about Zacki the Australian freshwater crocodile and his zoo animal friends who commute between their secret volcanic island home and the city zoo; distributed internationally by ZDF Enterprises.
- Ringelgasse 19 26-episode TV series depicting everyday life stories in an apartment building in the fictional town of Sonderberg; produced in collaboration with WDR.
- Beutolomäus und der wahre Weihnachtsmann 24-episode advent calendar TV series combining live-action and CGI animation, in which gift sack Beutolomäus must find the true Santa Claus to save Christmas.
- Loggerheads
Companies that use WunderWerk
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
WunderWerk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WunderWerk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Beta Film / WunderboxcoreBeta Film is a major international film and TV distributor that handles sales and distribution for WunderWerk productions through its Wunderbox brand. Beta Film distributes WunderWerk content internationally to broadcasters and platforms worldwide.
- ndF – neue deutsche Filmgesellschaft mbHcorendF (neue deutsche Filmgesellschaft) is WunderWerk's parent company and a significant co-production partner. ndF also serves as WunderWerk's data protection officer (Datenschutzbeauftragter).
- Caligari FilmcoreCaligari Film is a co-production partner for WunderWerk productions including Der Mondbär – Das große Kinoabenteuer and Prinzessin Lillifee und das kleine Einhorn.
- Universum Film (Walt Disney)majorUniversum Film (now part of Walt Disney) handles theatrical distribution and/or home entertainment for WunderWerk productions including Der Mondbär, Ritter Trenk, and Tilda Apfelkern DVD releases.
- Constantin FilmmajorConstantin Film handles theatrical distribution for Tiger-Team – Der Berg der 1000 Drachen and is a co-production partner for the Tiger-Team film via Familiy Pictures and other entities.
- Global ScreenmajorGlobal Screen handles worldwide distribution for WunderWerk productions including Ritter Trenk (via Global Screen) and Beutolomäus und der wahre Weihnachtsmann.
- ZDF EnterprisesmajorZDF Enterprises handles international distribution for WunderWerk productions including Zacki und die Zoobande.
- ARRI Media InternationalmajorARRI Media International handles international distribution for WunderWerk productions including Die Olchis – Willkommen in Schmuddelfing!
- LEONINEmajorLEONINE Studios handles theatrical distribution and Verleih for Yakari – Der Kinofilm (via LEONINE) and Die Olchis – Willkommen in Schmuddelfing! (ARRI Media International distribution). LEONINE also co-produced Die Olchis.
- MotionWorksmajorMotionWorks is a co-production partner for WunderWerk productions including Ringelgasse 19, Die Abenteuer des jungen Marco Polo, and provides animation services for Beutolomäus und der wahre Weihnachtsmann.
- Dargaud MediacoreDargaud Media is the co-producer of Yakari – Der Kinofilm alongside WunderWerk. Dargaud is a major French comic book publisher and the home of the Yakari franchise.
- blue eyes Fictioncoreblue eyes Fiction is the lead co-production partner for Der kleine Ritter Trenk (TV series and film) and Ritter Trenk (2015 feature film), working alongside WunderWerk.
- Mondo TVminorMondo TV is listed as a distributor for Briefe von Felix alongside Beta Film.
- GRID Animation / Fabrique d'ImagesminorGRID Animation (Belgium) and Fabrique d'Images (France) are co-production partners for Zacki und die Zoobande, which is also distributed by ZDF Enterprises.
- Edel:KidsminorEdel:Kids handles DVD and audio (hörspiel) releases for WunderWerk productions including Die Wilden Kerle and Beutolomäus und der wahre Weihnachtsmann.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WunderWerk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Gaumont Animation: Animation arm of the larger Gaumont group, producing and distributing animated kids' and family content internationally. A broader incumbent that competes for the same broadcaster commissions and IP options as WunderWerk, but from a much larger corporate platform.
Direct peers
- Blue Zoo: UK-based animation studio producing original kids' IP (Q Pootle 5, Digby Dragon, The Boy With Pink Hair). Comparable to WunderWerk as a mid-sized European animation studio targeting preschool and family audiences with broadcaster-led productions.
- Telegael: Irish animation and kids' content production studio (The Deep, Jessica's Big Little World) producing CGI and 2D series for international broadcasters. Comparable to WunderWerk as a mid-sized European animation house serving similar broadcaster and co-production partners.
- Mondo TV: Italian producer and distributor of animated children's content (Sylvanian Families, YooHoo). A direct comparable to WunderWerk in European kids/family production; also listed among WunderWerk's distribution partners for Briefe von Felix.
- Lupus Films: UK animation studio known for The Snowman and the Snowdog, Ethel & Ernest and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Comparable to WunderWerk as a book-to-screen animation specialist producing premium family content for UK and international broadcasters.
- Cyber Group Studios: French independent animation studio producing kids' and family series and feature films (Gigantosaurus, Zorro). Comparable to WunderWerk as a mid-sized European animation producer targeting the same kids/family broadcaster and SVOD buyer set.
- Studio 100 Animation: Belgian-headquartered animation major (Maya the Bee, Heidi, Blinky Bill) producing and distributing children's and family entertainment globally. Directly comparable to WunderWerk as a European studio that adapts beloved children's book and comic IPs into animation for kids/family broadcasters.
- Zodiak Kids & Family (Banijay): European kids/family production and distribution division of Banijay, producing series and films for global broadcasters. Comparable to WunderWerk as a pan-European kids content supplier operating in similar broadcast and SVOD channels.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WunderWerk social profiles
Digital presenceWunderWerk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WunderWerk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
WunderWerk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WunderWerk 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 WunderWerk
What does WunderWerk do?
WunderWerk is a German film and television production company that produces animated and live-action children's and family entertainment content. The company acquires rights to successful children's book brands, develops original ideas, participates in co-productions and co-financing arrangements, and delivers the full spectrum of filmmaking from concept through scriptwriting to production. Its output spans feature films and television series distributed through theatrical release, broadcast licensing, home entertainment (DVD/Blu-ray), and digital/VoD platforms across the German-speaking market and internationally.
Is WunderWerk a public or private company?
WunderWerk is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was WunderWerk founded?
WunderWerk was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is WunderWerk based?
WunderWerk is headquartered in Unterföhring, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does WunderWerk make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Film & TV Production Licensing is the primary driver. The others are co-production and Co-financing.
Who are WunderWerk's main competitors?
Gaumont Animation is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Blue Zoo, Telegael, Mondo TV, Lupus Films, Cyber Group Studios, Studio 100 Animation and Zodiak Kids & Family (Banijay).
Does WunderWerk have an API?
No public API is recorded for WunderWerk.
What industry is WunderWerk in?
WunderWerk's product category is Children's Film and Television Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADABAF, Live-Action Kids & Family Production.