GITNUXREPORT 2025

Animation Statistics

Global animation industry valued at $370 billion; rapidly growing worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Kids aged 4-11 spend an average of 30 minutes daily watching cartoons

Statistic 2

In 2022, 65% of all Netflix viewers watched animated series

Statistic 3

70% of children under 12 prefer watching cartoons on streaming platforms rather than traditional TV

Statistic 4

45% of animated films produced in the US are superhero-themed, with Disney and Marvel leading the genre

Statistic 5

80% of animated series targeted at children are available on at least three streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu

Statistic 6

60% of viewers prefer animated content with high-quality visuals and detailed characters, emphasizing the importance of production values

Statistic 7

The average age of animated feature film audiences is 12 years old, with teenagers and young adults comprising over 50% of viewers

Statistic 8

The most popular animated character globally is Mickey Mouse, recognized by over 85% of people worldwide

Statistic 9

Over 300,000 people are employed in the animation industry worldwide

Statistic 10

The average age of a professional animator is 36 years old

Statistic 11

In 2022, animation education programs reported a 15% increase in enrollment worldwide, reflecting industry growth

Statistic 12

The average salary for a senior animator in the US is approximately $85,000 per year

Statistic 13

The number of female professionals in animation has grown by approximately 20% since 2018, promoting diversity

Statistic 14

The animation industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030

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The average budget for a major animated feature film is around $150 million

Statistic 16

The most common animation software used in the industry is Adobe Animate, followed by Toon Boom Harmony

Statistic 17

The Oscars for Best Animated Feature has been awarded annually since 2002, with a total of 21 winners as of 2023

Statistic 18

Over 170 animated movies have been released worldwide in 2022, representing a 15% increase from 2021

Statistic 19

The animation industry in China has grown by over 20% annually since 2018, making it one of the fastest-growing markets

Statistic 20

The rise of 3D animation saw a 25% increase in production studios worldwide between 2015 and 2022

Statistic 21

The average production time for a feature-length animated movie is approximately 3-4 years

Statistic 22

The fantasy and sci-fi genres dominate the animated streaming content, accounting for more than 60% of titles

Statistic 23

The use of virtual production techniques in animation increased by 30% in the last five years, enhancing real-time rendering

Statistic 24

Indie animated films make up about 12% of global animation productions, gaining popularity for their unique storytelling

Statistic 25

In 2022, about 80% of animated movies were released both theatrically and on digital platforms simultaneously, reflecting changing distribution methods

Statistic 26

The number of animation festivals held worldwide increased by 40% between 2015 and 2022, showcasing global talent

Statistic 27

The use of AI-driven animation tools increased by 35% in the last three years, streamlining tasks like lip-syncing and in-betweening

Statistic 28

Approximately 25% of all animated series are adapted from comic books and graphic novels, highlighting cross-media storytelling

Statistic 29

More than 50% of animation content is now created using global outsourcing, reducing costs but raising concerns about labor practices

Statistic 30

In 2023, more than 150 new animated series were launched on streaming platforms worldwide, nearly doubling the number from five years prior

Statistic 31

The global animation industry market was valued at approximately $370 billion in 2022

Statistic 32

The U.S. animation industry generates over $200 billion annually

Statistic 33

The top 10 animated movies of 2022 grossed over $3 billion worldwide

Statistic 34

37% of animation studios in North America are located in California, especially Los Angeles

Statistic 35

Japan's anime exports are valued at over $19 billion annually

Statistic 36

The global mobile gaming market segment that features animated characters is valued at over $40 billion

Statistic 37

The average viewership for adult animated series on cable is approximately 1.2 million viewers per episode

Statistic 38

The top-grossing animated film of 2022 was "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," earning over $480 million worldwide

Statistic 39

The global e-learning market incorporating animated content is valued at over $250 billion, expanding quickly

Statistic 40

The global augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market in animation is projected to reach $30 billion by 2028, expanding industry possibilities

Statistic 41

More than 80% of animated movies in the last decade have been made using CGI techniques

Statistic 42

The first animated feature film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," was released in 1937, changing the industry forever

Statistic 43

Over 50% of animated content is now produced using cloud-based rendering services, making the process more efficient

Statistic 44

Over 90% of animation projects utilize some form of motion capture technology, especially for character animation

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Key Highlights

The global animation industry market was valued at approximately $370 billion in 2022
The animation industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030
Kids aged 4-11 spend an average of 30 minutes daily watching cartoons
In 2022, 65% of all Netflix viewers watched animated series
Over 300,000 people are employed in the animation industry worldwide
The U.S. animation industry generates over $200 billion annually
The average budget for a major animated feature film is around $150 million
The top 10 animated movies of 2022 grossed over $3 billion worldwide
The most common animation software used in the industry is Adobe Animate, followed by Toon Boom Harmony
More than 80% of animated movies in the last decade have been made using CGI techniques
The average age of a professional animator is 36 years old
37% of animation studios in North America are located in California, especially Los Angeles
Japan's anime exports are valued at over $19 billion annually

Did you know that the $370 billion global animation industry is booming, driven by an ever-growing demand from audiences of all ages and advancements in technology like CGI and AI that are transforming the way animated stories are created and consumed worldwide?

Consumer Behavior and Audience Preferences

Kids aged 4-11 spend an average of 30 minutes daily watching cartoons
In 2022, 65% of all Netflix viewers watched animated series
70% of children under 12 prefer watching cartoons on streaming platforms rather than traditional TV
45% of animated films produced in the US are superhero-themed, with Disney and Marvel leading the genre
80% of animated series targeted at children are available on at least three streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu
60% of viewers prefer animated content with high-quality visuals and detailed characters, emphasizing the importance of production values
The average age of animated feature film audiences is 12 years old, with teenagers and young adults comprising over 50% of viewers
The most popular animated character globally is Mickey Mouse, recognized by over 85% of people worldwide

Consumer Behavior and Audience Preferences Interpretation

As animated content captivates a diverse audience—from 4-year-olds glued to streaming superheroes to teenagers bingeing Disney classics—it's clear that high-quality visuals and pervasive platform availability have transformed cartoons from simple children's fare into multi-generational digital phenomena that shape global pop culture.

Education, Employment, and Industry Demographics

Over 300,000 people are employed in the animation industry worldwide
The average age of a professional animator is 36 years old
In 2022, animation education programs reported a 15% increase in enrollment worldwide, reflecting industry growth
The average salary for a senior animator in the US is approximately $85,000 per year
The number of female professionals in animation has grown by approximately 20% since 2018, promoting diversity

Education, Employment, and Industry Demographics Interpretation

With over 300,000 employed globally and a growing, diversifying talent pool averaging 36 years in age, the animation industry is undeniably flourishing—scripting a story of creative expansion, increased educational investment, and gender equity that points to a vivid, animated future.

Industry Growth and Trends

The animation industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030
The average budget for a major animated feature film is around $150 million
The most common animation software used in the industry is Adobe Animate, followed by Toon Boom Harmony
The Oscars for Best Animated Feature has been awarded annually since 2002, with a total of 21 winners as of 2023
Over 170 animated movies have been released worldwide in 2022, representing a 15% increase from 2021
The animation industry in China has grown by over 20% annually since 2018, making it one of the fastest-growing markets
The rise of 3D animation saw a 25% increase in production studios worldwide between 2015 and 2022
The average production time for a feature-length animated movie is approximately 3-4 years
The fantasy and sci-fi genres dominate the animated streaming content, accounting for more than 60% of titles
The use of virtual production techniques in animation increased by 30% in the last five years, enhancing real-time rendering
Indie animated films make up about 12% of global animation productions, gaining popularity for their unique storytelling
In 2022, about 80% of animated movies were released both theatrically and on digital platforms simultaneously, reflecting changing distribution methods
The number of animation festivals held worldwide increased by 40% between 2015 and 2022, showcasing global talent
The use of AI-driven animation tools increased by 35% in the last three years, streamlining tasks like lip-syncing and in-betweening
Approximately 25% of all animated series are adapted from comic books and graphic novels, highlighting cross-media storytelling
More than 50% of animation content is now created using global outsourcing, reducing costs but raising concerns about labor practices
In 2023, more than 150 new animated series were launched on streaming platforms worldwide, nearly doubling the number from five years prior

Industry Growth and Trends Interpretation

As the animation industry accelerates at a 4.4% CAGR and spends around $150 million per blockbuster, it's clear that blending cutting-edge tech like AI and virtual production with diverse storytelling—from indie gems to sci-fi epics—transforms a globally outsourcing-driven, festival-boosted, $150 billion landscape where Hollywood’s golden statuette remains fiercely competitive amid a booming, multi-platform empire.

Market Size and Revenue

The global animation industry market was valued at approximately $370 billion in 2022
The U.S. animation industry generates over $200 billion annually
The top 10 animated movies of 2022 grossed over $3 billion worldwide
37% of animation studios in North America are located in California, especially Los Angeles
Japan's anime exports are valued at over $19 billion annually
The global mobile gaming market segment that features animated characters is valued at over $40 billion
The average viewership for adult animated series on cable is approximately 1.2 million viewers per episode
The top-grossing animated film of 2022 was "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," earning over $480 million worldwide
The global e-learning market incorporating animated content is valued at over $250 billion, expanding quickly
The global augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market in animation is projected to reach $30 billion by 2028, expanding industry possibilities

Market Size and Revenue Interpretation

With a valuation nearing $370 billion and ventures from blockbuster films to burgeoning AR—coupled with California producing nearly 40% of studios—animation continues to animate both our entertainment and technological futures, proving that in a world driven by pixels, studio heads are still royalty.

Technological Advancements and Production Techniques

More than 80% of animated movies in the last decade have been made using CGI techniques
The first animated feature film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," was released in 1937, changing the industry forever
Over 50% of animated content is now produced using cloud-based rendering services, making the process more efficient
Over 90% of animation projects utilize some form of motion capture technology, especially for character animation

Technological Advancements and Production Techniques Interpretation

With over 80% of animated films now crafted in CGI and a staggering 90% leveraging motion capture, it's clear that animation has evolved from hand-drawn artistry to a high-tech symphony orchestrated in the cloud—proving that in the digital age, even fairy tales are rendered with pixel-perfect precision.