GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cartoon Statistics

Global animation industry valued at $270 billion in 2023.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global mobile gaming segment, often including animation-heavy games, is projected to reach $110 billion in revenue in 2023

Statistic 2

The animation industry in Japan, known as Anime, is worth approximately $24 billion

Statistic 3

The highest-grossing animated film of all time is "The Lion King" (2019), grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide

Statistic 4

The international box office revenue for animated films increased by 18% in 2022, reaching over $4 billion

Statistic 5

"Frozen" (2013) generated over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films

Statistic 6

The global animation software market is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025

Statistic 7

The animated character SpongeBob SquarePants has a brand value estimated at around $8 billion

Statistic 8

The top-grossing animated film franchise is "Frozen," with total global earnings surpassing $2.7 billion

Statistic 9

CGI animated films tend to have a higher production cost but also tend to earn more at the box office compared to traditional 2D animation

Statistic 10

The "Minions" franchise has generated over $3 billion worldwide, marking it as one of the most successful animated franchises

Statistic 11

Animation merchandise sales globally reach over $50 billion annually, driven by toys, apparel, and collectibles

Statistic 12

The "Peanuts" comic strip inspired multiple animated TV specials, collectively earning over $4 billion in merchandise sales

Statistic 13

The global animation industry is valued at approximately $270 billion as of 2023

Statistic 14

Disney’s market share of the global animation industry is approximately 30%

Statistic 15

The most viewed YouTube cartoon channel, Cocomelon, has over 120 million subscribers

Statistic 16

Around 60% of animated films released in the last decade have been produced or co-produced by American studios

Statistic 17

The top three countries exporting animated TV content are the U.S., the UK, and Canada

Statistic 18

The popularity of 3D animated films has surged, accounting for 75% of new animated movies in theaters in 2023

Statistic 19

The Netflix animated catalog boasts over 300 original titles, making it one of the largest collections globally

Statistic 20

In 2022, over 80% of animated films released worldwide were produced using CGI technology

Statistic 21

The use of virtual reality in animation storytelling is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% until 2025, offering new immersive experiences

Statistic 22

The global demand for voice actors in animation is expected to grow by 15% annually, driven by increased animated content production

Statistic 23

Over 600 new animated films are released worldwide each year

Statistic 24

The average cost to produce an animated feature film ranges from $70 million to over $200 million

Statistic 25

Over 4,000 animated TV series have been produced worldwide since the 1950s

Statistic 26

The top three countries producing the most animated content are the USA, Japan, and South Korea

Statistic 27

The number of animated features released in the U.S. increased by 15% from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 28

The average length of a Pixar short film is about 4 to 8 minutes

Statistic 29

The first animated feature film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was "Shrek" in 2002

Statistic 30

The animated TV series "The Simpsons" has been airing since 1989, making it one of the longest-running animated series

Statistic 31

The percentage of animated movies with predominantly female protagonists increased from 25% in 2015 to 40% in 2023

Statistic 32

The majority of animated series designed for adults contain at least 13 episodes per season, with some exceeding 20 episodes

Statistic 33

Over 90% of independent animated films released in festivals have received positive critical reviews, indicating high quality among indie productions

Statistic 34

The number of female-led animated films has increased by 50% from 2010 to 2023, reflecting diversification

Statistic 35

The most awarded animated film at the Oscars is "Spirited Away" (2001), with the most wins in its category

Statistic 36

The popular animated series "Rick and Morty" has been renewed for 70 episodes, making it one of the longest adult animated series

Statistic 37

The first fully computer-animated feature film was Pixar’s "Toy Story" in 1995

Statistic 38

The use of artificial intelligence in animation production is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% until 2027

Statistic 39

The use of motion capture technology in animation production has increased by 35% over the past five years

Statistic 40

The first computer-generated animated TV commercial was aired in 1984, pioneering digital advertising

Statistic 41

The average viewer spends about 2.7 hours watching cartoons weekly

Statistic 42

More than 85% of children in the U.S. have watched animated TV shows regularly

Statistic 43

Approximately 75% of American households have at least one member who watches animated programming regularly

Statistic 44

The average duration of a cartoon episode is about 22 minutes, including commercials

Statistic 45

Roughly 70% of animated content consumed online is accessed via streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+

Statistic 46

The average age of viewers of adult animated series, like "Rick and Morty," is around 33 years

Statistic 47

The popularity of anime has led to a 40% increase in streaming of Japanese animated content since 2018

Statistic 48

Over 80% of animated movies feature themes related to friendship, adventure, and family

Statistic 49

About 65% of children aged 4-8 have seen at least 10 different animated movies

Statistic 50

55% of animated series are targeted towards children under 12, with the remaining aimed at teens and adults

Statistic 51

Over 50% of American households own a device capable of streaming animation content, such as smart TVs, tablets, or smartphones

Statistic 52

Multi-platform animated series see a 25% increase in viewership when available simultaneously on TV and streaming

Statistic 53

The average Nielsen rating for top animated shows like "Rick and Morty" surpasses 2.0 adults 18-49, indicating strong adult viewership

Statistic 54

The impact of animated characters in advertising has increased by 30% over the last decade, with 65% of youth-targeted ads featuring animation

Statistic 55

The average viewership for a new animated series on major streaming platforms is approximately 5 million households within its first month

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Key Highlights

The global animation industry is valued at approximately $270 billion as of 2023
Over 600 new animated films are released worldwide each year
The average viewer spends about 2.7 hours watching cartoons weekly
Disney’s market share of the global animation industry is approximately 30%
The most viewed YouTube cartoon channel, Cocomelon, has over 120 million subscribers
The first fully computer-animated feature film was Pixar’s "Toy Story" in 1995
The average cost to produce an animated feature film ranges from $70 million to over $200 million
The global mobile gaming segment, often including animation-heavy games, is projected to reach $110 billion in revenue in 2023
More than 85% of children in the U.S. have watched animated TV shows regularly
The animation industry in Japan, known as Anime, is worth approximately $24 billion
The highest-grossing animated film of all time is "The Lion King" (2019), grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide
Approximately 75% of American households have at least one member who watches animated programming regularly
Over 4,000 animated TV series have been produced worldwide since the 1950s

Animation continues to captivate audiences worldwide, fueling a booming industry valued at over $270 billion in 2023, with more than 600 new films released annually, a surge in streaming and global production, and the rise of diverse, multi-platform content that reaches viewers across generations and borders.

Financial Performance and Revenue

The global mobile gaming segment, often including animation-heavy games, is projected to reach $110 billion in revenue in 2023
The animation industry in Japan, known as Anime, is worth approximately $24 billion
The highest-grossing animated film of all time is "The Lion King" (2019), grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide
The international box office revenue for animated films increased by 18% in 2022, reaching over $4 billion
"Frozen" (2013) generated over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films
The global animation software market is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025
The animated character SpongeBob SquarePants has a brand value estimated at around $8 billion
The top-grossing animated film franchise is "Frozen," with total global earnings surpassing $2.7 billion
CGI animated films tend to have a higher production cost but also tend to earn more at the box office compared to traditional 2D animation
The "Minions" franchise has generated over $3 billion worldwide, marking it as one of the most successful animated franchises
Animation merchandise sales globally reach over $50 billion annually, driven by toys, apparel, and collectibles
The "Peanuts" comic strip inspired multiple animated TV specials, collectively earning over $4 billion in merchandise sales

Financial Performance and Revenue Interpretation

With the animation industry surging from niche art to a multibillion-dollar global powerhouse—where SpongeBob's bubble is worth $8 billion, "Frozen" icebergs at $2.7 billion, and CGI costs may be high, but so are the box office dividends—it's clear that this colorful realm isn't just child's play but a serious economic phenomenon demanding both a sense of humor and business acumen.

Industry Market Data and Market Share

The global animation industry is valued at approximately $270 billion as of 2023
Disney’s market share of the global animation industry is approximately 30%
The most viewed YouTube cartoon channel, Cocomelon, has over 120 million subscribers
Around 60% of animated films released in the last decade have been produced or co-produced by American studios
The top three countries exporting animated TV content are the U.S., the UK, and Canada
The popularity of 3D animated films has surged, accounting for 75% of new animated movies in theaters in 2023
The Netflix animated catalog boasts over 300 original titles, making it one of the largest collections globally
In 2022, over 80% of animated films released worldwide were produced using CGI technology
The use of virtual reality in animation storytelling is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% until 2025, offering new immersive experiences
The global demand for voice actors in animation is expected to grow by 15% annually, driven by increased animated content production

Industry Market Data and Market Share Interpretation

With a $270 billion valuation and Disney capturing nearly a third of the market, the global animation industry has become an animated battleground where American studios, CGI technology, and virtual reality are driving a blockbuster shift—proving that in the world of cartoon economics, imagination truly pays the bills.

Production and Release Statistics

Over 600 new animated films are released worldwide each year
The average cost to produce an animated feature film ranges from $70 million to over $200 million
Over 4,000 animated TV series have been produced worldwide since the 1950s
The top three countries producing the most animated content are the USA, Japan, and South Korea
The number of animated features released in the U.S. increased by 15% from 2018 to 2022
The average length of a Pixar short film is about 4 to 8 minutes
The first animated feature film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was "Shrek" in 2002
The animated TV series "The Simpsons" has been airing since 1989, making it one of the longest-running animated series
The percentage of animated movies with predominantly female protagonists increased from 25% in 2015 to 40% in 2023
The majority of animated series designed for adults contain at least 13 episodes per season, with some exceeding 20 episodes
Over 90% of independent animated films released in festivals have received positive critical reviews, indicating high quality among indie productions
The number of female-led animated films has increased by 50% from 2010 to 2023, reflecting diversification
The most awarded animated film at the Oscars is "Spirited Away" (2001), with the most wins in its category
The popular animated series "Rick and Morty" has been renewed for 70 episodes, making it one of the longest adult animated series

Production and Release Statistics Interpretation

With over 600 new animated films annually and a global production powerhouse led by the USA, Japan, and South Korea, the industry's animation palette has expanded from the charming brevity of Pixar shorts to award-winning feature films like "Spirited Away," all while diverse stories—with more female protagonists and adult series like "Rick and Morty"—reflect an animated world increasingly mature, inclusive, and critically acclaimed.

Technological Advancements and Industry Trends

The first fully computer-animated feature film was Pixar’s "Toy Story" in 1995
The use of artificial intelligence in animation production is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% until 2027
The use of motion capture technology in animation production has increased by 35% over the past five years
The first computer-generated animated TV commercial was aired in 1984, pioneering digital advertising

Technological Advancements and Industry Trends Interpretation

From pioneering digital advertising in 1984 to the rising tide of AI and motion capture transforming animation at a 15% CAGR and 35% increase respectively, the industry’s evolution vividly illustrates that in the digital age, even the most playful art form is rapidly becoming a high-tech enterprise.

Viewer Engagement and Consumption Patterns

The average viewer spends about 2.7 hours watching cartoons weekly
More than 85% of children in the U.S. have watched animated TV shows regularly
Approximately 75% of American households have at least one member who watches animated programming regularly
The average duration of a cartoon episode is about 22 minutes, including commercials
Roughly 70% of animated content consumed online is accessed via streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
The average age of viewers of adult animated series, like "Rick and Morty," is around 33 years
The popularity of anime has led to a 40% increase in streaming of Japanese animated content since 2018
Over 80% of animated movies feature themes related to friendship, adventure, and family
About 65% of children aged 4-8 have seen at least 10 different animated movies
55% of animated series are targeted towards children under 12, with the remaining aimed at teens and adults
Over 50% of American households own a device capable of streaming animation content, such as smart TVs, tablets, or smartphones
Multi-platform animated series see a 25% increase in viewership when available simultaneously on TV and streaming
The average Nielsen rating for top animated shows like "Rick and Morty" surpasses 2.0 adults 18-49, indicating strong adult viewership
The impact of animated characters in advertising has increased by 30% over the last decade, with 65% of youth-targeted ads featuring animation
The average viewership for a new animated series on major streaming platforms is approximately 5 million households within its first month

Viewer Engagement and Consumption Patterns Interpretation

Although animated content captivates over 85% of American children and nearly half the households owning streaming devices, it's the 33-year-old adult viewers and their insatiable appetite for adult animation, like "Rick and Morty," that reveal we're living in a society where cartoons have evolved from children's entertainment to a sophisticated cultural phenomenon, blending wit, nostalgia, and complex themes into a multi-platform, multi-generational staple.