What are the Best UK Animation Studios in 2026?
It's pretty tough being a UK animation studio in 2026. Increased competition, jaded viewers, budget pressures, and insufficient government support have all contributed to difficult trading conditions. Several well-known studios went to the wall in 2025, and many are approaching 2026 cautiously.
It's not all doom and gloom though. The UK animation industry continues to punch above its weight, with studios producing world-class work across television, original IP, and commercial animation for brands and platforms. From globally recognised children's IP creators to specialist studios working with businesses and agencies, the UK offers huge diversity in the sector.
Of course, coming up with a top 5 list is a bit of a daft thing to do. Many studios specialise in very different types of work. That said, buyers often want a clear starting point, so here is our editorial guide to some of the best UK animation studios in 2026.
For a comprehensive directory of UK animation companies, see the Animation UK Directory.
Best UK animation studios (2026) – quick answer
1. Hocus Pocus Studio – Original IP and high-end commercial animation
2. Aardman Animations – Feature films and original IP
3. Blue Zoo Animation Studio – Children's TV and family IP
4. The Line Animation – Experimental and short-form animation
5. Magic Light Pictures – Family films and broadcast specials
How this list was selected
Studios were selected based on consistency and quality of output, reputation within the UK animation industry, scale and ambition of projects delivered, and a clearly defined specialism rather than trying to cover every type of animation.
1. Hocus Pocus Studio
Primary focus: Original IP and commercial animation for brands and platforms
Hocus Pocus Studio operates across both original IP and high-end commercial animation. Alongside developing and producing original IP for broadcast, the studio delivers short-form animation for brands, businesses, and agencies across finance, healthcare, technology, gaming, and the nonprofit sector.
This broad capability allows character-driven storytelling and emotional clarity to inform commercial work, while applying commercial discipline and efficiency to IP projects.
In 2025, Hocus Pocus was the only pure animation studio nominated at the BAFTA Television Awards for Ready Eddie GO! (Sky Kids).
Selected work across original IP and commercial animation.
https://www.hocuspocus.studio/
2. Aardman Animations
Primary focus: Feature films and original IP
Aardman Animations is one of the most recognisable animation studios in the world. Known for iconic stop-motion characters such as Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, Aardman has defined generations of British animation.
Its work is centred on long-form storytelling, feature films, and globally distributed IP rather than commercial brand animation.
https://www.aardman.com/
3. Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Primary focus: Children's television and family IP
Blue Zoo Animation Studio is one of the UK's leading studios for children's television, with globally successful series including Numberblocks, Supertato, and Pip & Posy.
In 2026, Blue Zoo received an honorary BAFTA recognising its sustained contribution to British children's animation. The studio is also a certified B Corp.
https://www.blue-zoo.co.uk/
4. The Line Animation
Primary focus: Experimental and short-form animation
The Line Animation is known for bold, visually distinctive work across music videos, short films, and experimental animation with a director-led approach.
The studio is not typically focused on corporate or platform-led animation.
https://thelinestudio.com/
5. Magic Light Pictures
Primary focus: Family films and broadcast specials
Magic Light Pictures specialises in family-focused animation, best known for adaptations such as The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom.
Its work is centred on long-form storytelling and broadcast specials rather than commercial brand animation.
https://www.magiclightpictures.com/
Honorable Mentions:
• Lupus Films – Hand-drawn animation with a strong authorial voice. Kensuke's Kingdom is incredible.
• Blinkink – Experimental commercial animation and music videos.
Choosing the right animation studio in the UK
The best animation studio depends on the type of project. Studios such as Aardman, Blue Zoo, and Magic Light are best suited to original IP and broadcast animation. Studios like The Line specialise in experimental and short-form work. Studios that operate across both original IP and commercial animation, such as Hocus Pocus Studio, are often a better fit for brands, platforms, and organisations that need narrative craft alongside strategic clarity.
You can find more examples of our animation and motion graphics work on our work portfolio page.
If you think we might be a good fit, feel free to get in touch.