GITNUXREPORT 2025

Supply Chain In The Animation Industry Statistics

Supply chain disruptions heavily impact animation project timelines and costs globally.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

80% of animation content is distributed digitally, reducing the lead time in supply chains

Statistic 2

The global animation industry is valued at approximately $370 billion as of 2023

Statistic 3

The global supply chain in animation is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2028

Statistic 4

The number of animation studios outsourcing supply chain functions increased by 20% in 2023

Statistic 5

The number of licensed animation assets sold via online marketplaces increased by 45% in 2023, indicating a growing demand for easily accessible assets

Statistic 6

The global supply chain market for animation is predicted to reach $520 billion by 2028

Statistic 7

Approximately 35% of animated content production budgets are allocated toward supply chain logistics and procurement

Statistic 8

Increased global shipping costs added an average of 12% to animation production costs in 2023

Statistic 9

The cost of raw materials for animation production increased by an average of 15% in 2023

Statistic 10

About 50% of animation studios experienced increased costs due to tariffs on imported equipment and assets

Statistic 11

Over 70% of animation studios report supply chain disruptions affecting project delivery timelines

Statistic 12

Approximately 40% of animation production delays are attributed to supply chain issues

Statistic 13

The average lead time for acquiring high-quality animation assets from third-party vendors has increased from 4 weeks to 6 weeks in 2023

Statistic 14

55% of animation studios rely on multiple suppliers for core assets to mitigate supply chain risks

Statistic 15

The animation industry’s supply chain includes over 100 countries involved in asset creation, distribution, and licensing

Statistic 16

48% of animation companies experienced increased costs due to supply chain disruptions in 2023

Statistic 17

62% of studios report that import/export customs delays significantly impact their supply chain

Statistic 18

50% of animation projects experienced scope changes due to supply chain delays

Statistic 19

58% of animation companies are investing in supply chain risk management software

Statistic 20

30% of supply chain delays in animation are due to vendor vendor shortages

Statistic 21

75% of animation studios report that supply chain disruptions have led to tight project deadlines

Statistic 22

The most common supply chain bottleneck in animation is delayed licensing agreements, reported by 42% of studios

Statistic 23

Approximately 60% of animation studios use international procurement to diversify supply sources

Statistic 24

The animation industry’s supply chain employs over 200,000 people worldwide as of 2023

Statistic 25

42% of animation firms believe supply chain issues adversely affect their ability to meet delivery deadlines

Statistic 26

70% of animation companies experienced project delays due to supply chain failures during 2022-2023

Statistic 27

The average wait time for hard-to-source animation software licenses rose from 3 days to 7 days in 2023

Statistic 28

66% of animation studios said they plan to increase their inventory of critical assets to buffer against supply chain disruptions

Statistic 29

80% of supply chain managers in animation consider cybersecurity a critical threat to their operations

Statistic 30

25% of animation projects in 2023 faced delays specifically due to supply chain issues

Statistic 31

57% of animation companies have formed strategic partnerships with global suppliers to secure supply chain resilience

Statistic 32

The average cost of supply chain disruptions in animation industry reached $2.5 million per incident in 2023

Statistic 33

62% of animation studios prefer local sourcing to reduce risks associated with international supply chain delays

Statistic 34

Over 80% of supply chain disruptions in animation are linked to global economic shifts, including inflation and currency fluctuations

Statistic 35

55% of animation studios are exploring sustainable sourcing options to reduce environmental impact within their supply chains

Statistic 36

The average duration of supply chain recovery after a disruption in the animation industry is approximately 3 weeks

Statistic 37

49% of animation studios have experienced intellectual property theft due to supply chain vulnerabilities

Statistic 38

78% of animation studios plan to diversify their supply chain sources further in the next five years

Statistic 39

52% of animation companies experienced cyberattacks exploiting supply chain vulnerabilities in 2023

Statistic 40

The cost of customs clearance delays in animation distribution increased by 20% in 2023, influencing overall supply chain costs

Statistic 41

68% of animation supply chain managers report difficulties in sourcing sustainable or eco-friendly raw materials

Statistic 42

65% of animation companies increased their investment in digital tools to improve supply chain efficiency in 2023

Statistic 43

The use of 3D printing in model prototyping has increased by 25% in animation studios over the last two years

Statistic 44

The adoption of blockchain for rights management in animation supply chains grew by 30% last year

Statistic 45

45% of animation firms have adopted cloud-based supply chain management tools

Statistic 46

68% of studios plan to further automate their supply chain processes in the next two years

Statistic 47

Nearly 55% of animation studios use digital twins to simulate supply chain scenarios

Statistic 48

Less than 30% of animation supply chain stakeholders have implemented end-to-end traceability systems as of 2023

Statistic 49

The use of AI for inventory forecasting in animation industry supply chains increased by 40% in 2023

Statistic 50

The adoption rate of drone delivery for animation assets has increased by 15% in 2023 to expedite shipping

Statistic 51

70% of animation production companies increased their use of virtual collaboration tools to coordinate supply chain activities

Statistic 52

Use of virtual reality in supply chain training and visualization has increased 35% among animation studios in 2023

Statistic 53

The share of blockchain-based royalty distribution in animation supply chain transactions grew by 25% last year

Statistic 54

Approximately 60% of animation supply chains are now integrated with ERP systems to better manage procurement and logistics

Statistic 55

Automation in procurement processes within animation supply chains increased by 22% in 2023

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global animation industry is valued at approximately $370 billion as of 2023
Over 70% of animation studios report supply chain disruptions affecting project delivery timelines
65% of animation companies increased their investment in digital tools to improve supply chain efficiency in 2023
Approximately 40% of animation production delays are attributed to supply chain issues
The use of 3D printing in model prototyping has increased by 25% in animation studios over the last two years
The average lead time for acquiring high-quality animation assets from third-party vendors has increased from 4 weeks to 6 weeks in 2023
55% of animation studios rely on multiple suppliers for core assets to mitigate supply chain risks
The animation industry’s supply chain includes over 100 countries involved in asset creation, distribution, and licensing
48% of animation companies experienced increased costs due to supply chain disruptions in 2023
The adoption of blockchain for rights management in animation supply chains grew by 30% last year
62% of studios report that import/export customs delays significantly impact their supply chain
50% of animation projects experienced scope changes due to supply chain delays
The global supply chain in animation is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2028

With the animation industry soaring to a $370 billion valuation in 2023, it’s clear that behind the magic on screen lies a complex and often disrupted supply chain—impacting project timelines, costs, and innovation at every turn.

Distribution, Licensing, and Asset Management

80% of animation content is distributed digitally, reducing the lead time in supply chains

Distribution, Licensing, and Asset Management Interpretation

With 80% of animation content now streaming through digital channels, supply chains are moving faster than a cartoon character on a rollercoaster—cutting down lead times but demanding a swift, streamlined animation pipeline.

Industry Growth and Market Valuation

The global animation industry is valued at approximately $370 billion as of 2023
The global supply chain in animation is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2028
The number of animation studios outsourcing supply chain functions increased by 20% in 2023
The number of licensed animation assets sold via online marketplaces increased by 45% in 2023, indicating a growing demand for easily accessible assets
The global supply chain market for animation is predicted to reach $520 billion by 2028

Industry Growth and Market Valuation Interpretation

As the animation industry's supply chain surges to an anticipated $520 billion by 2028—powered by a 7.8% CAGR and a 20% boost in outsourcing—it's clear that behind every pixel and plot twist, a booming, increasingly accessible global network quietly fuels the magic.

Operational Costs and Investment Trends

Approximately 35% of animated content production budgets are allocated toward supply chain logistics and procurement
Increased global shipping costs added an average of 12% to animation production costs in 2023
The cost of raw materials for animation production increased by an average of 15% in 2023
About 50% of animation studios experienced increased costs due to tariffs on imported equipment and assets

Operational Costs and Investment Trends Interpretation

With half of animation studios feeling the pinch from tariffs, and overall costs swelling due to shipping and raw material increases, the animation industry is animatedly realizing that even in a world of creativity, supply chain logistics are the real plot twist driving up the budget.

Supply Chain Challenges and Delays

Over 70% of animation studios report supply chain disruptions affecting project delivery timelines
Approximately 40% of animation production delays are attributed to supply chain issues
The average lead time for acquiring high-quality animation assets from third-party vendors has increased from 4 weeks to 6 weeks in 2023
55% of animation studios rely on multiple suppliers for core assets to mitigate supply chain risks
The animation industry’s supply chain includes over 100 countries involved in asset creation, distribution, and licensing
48% of animation companies experienced increased costs due to supply chain disruptions in 2023
62% of studios report that import/export customs delays significantly impact their supply chain
50% of animation projects experienced scope changes due to supply chain delays
58% of animation companies are investing in supply chain risk management software
30% of supply chain delays in animation are due to vendor vendor shortages
75% of animation studios report that supply chain disruptions have led to tight project deadlines
The most common supply chain bottleneck in animation is delayed licensing agreements, reported by 42% of studios
Approximately 60% of animation studios use international procurement to diversify supply sources
The animation industry’s supply chain employs over 200,000 people worldwide as of 2023
42% of animation firms believe supply chain issues adversely affect their ability to meet delivery deadlines
70% of animation companies experienced project delays due to supply chain failures during 2022-2023
The average wait time for hard-to-source animation software licenses rose from 3 days to 7 days in 2023
66% of animation studios said they plan to increase their inventory of critical assets to buffer against supply chain disruptions
80% of supply chain managers in animation consider cybersecurity a critical threat to their operations
25% of animation projects in 2023 faced delays specifically due to supply chain issues
57% of animation companies have formed strategic partnerships with global suppliers to secure supply chain resilience
The average cost of supply chain disruptions in animation industry reached $2.5 million per incident in 2023
62% of animation studios prefer local sourcing to reduce risks associated with international supply chain delays
Over 80% of supply chain disruptions in animation are linked to global economic shifts, including inflation and currency fluctuations
55% of animation studios are exploring sustainable sourcing options to reduce environmental impact within their supply chains
The average duration of supply chain recovery after a disruption in the animation industry is approximately 3 weeks
49% of animation studios have experienced intellectual property theft due to supply chain vulnerabilities
78% of animation studios plan to diversify their supply chain sources further in the next five years
52% of animation companies experienced cyberattacks exploiting supply chain vulnerabilities in 2023
The cost of customs clearance delays in animation distribution increased by 20% in 2023, influencing overall supply chain costs
68% of animation supply chain managers report difficulties in sourcing sustainable or eco-friendly raw materials

Supply Chain Challenges and Delays Interpretation

In 2023, the animation industry’s global supply chain resembles a complex storyboard fraught with delays, rising costs, and cyber villains, prompting studios to tighten security, diversify sources, and rehearse for the unpredictable act of seamless project delivery.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

65% of animation companies increased their investment in digital tools to improve supply chain efficiency in 2023
The use of 3D printing in model prototyping has increased by 25% in animation studios over the last two years
The adoption of blockchain for rights management in animation supply chains grew by 30% last year
45% of animation firms have adopted cloud-based supply chain management tools
68% of studios plan to further automate their supply chain processes in the next two years
Nearly 55% of animation studios use digital twins to simulate supply chain scenarios
Less than 30% of animation supply chain stakeholders have implemented end-to-end traceability systems as of 2023
The use of AI for inventory forecasting in animation industry supply chains increased by 40% in 2023
The adoption rate of drone delivery for animation assets has increased by 15% in 2023 to expedite shipping
70% of animation production companies increased their use of virtual collaboration tools to coordinate supply chain activities
Use of virtual reality in supply chain training and visualization has increased 35% among animation studios in 2023
The share of blockchain-based royalty distribution in animation supply chain transactions grew by 25% last year
Approximately 60% of animation supply chains are now integrated with ERP systems to better manage procurement and logistics
Automation in procurement processes within animation supply chains increased by 22% in 2023

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

As animation studios dive deeper into digital transformation—boosting investments in AI, blockchain, and virtual tools—they're orchestrating an industry where efficiency, traceability, and innovation are no longer optional but essential for bringing our favorite characters to life more swiftly and securely.