Cartoon Network Studios

Cartoon Network Studios is an American animation production studio developing original television series, specials, shorts and feature films. Based in Burbank, California, it operates within Warner Bros. Television Studios, part of Warner Bros. Discovery. Its work spans children's, tween and family programming, alongside preschool productions and collaborations in young adult and adult animation.

Established in 1994 as an internal production division of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, the studio initially created original programming for Cartoon Network. The What a Cartoon! shorts showcase helped launch early series including Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo. In 2000, the studio opened a dedicated standalone production building in Burbank, establishing the base for its subsequent expansion in original animation.

Original series and films

The studio's catalogue includes Samurai Jack, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Ben 10, Chowder, Adventure Time, Regular Show, Steven Universe, Over the Garden Wall, We Bare Bears and Craig of the Creek. Its productions also include television movies and theatrical work, such as The Powerpuff Girls Movie, Regular Show: The Movie, Steven Universe: The Movie and Craig Before the Creek. These projects reflect a production history built around original characters, distinctive visual approaches and creator-led series development.

Production capabilities

Its capabilities cover traditional hand-drawn 2D animation and CGI hybrid approaches, character design, visual development, storyboarding, animatics and series conception. Production work extends from scripts, color development and design through animation direction, timing, production management and pipeline coordination. The studio also supports voice casting and direction, with supervision of post-production, sound and music.

Programming is developed for television, streaming and film distribution. Preschool work includes productions associated with the Cartoonito banner, while collaborations with Adult Swim extend its range into older-audience animation. In 2022, business and production management were consolidated with Warner Bros. Animation while Cartoon Network Studios retained its own creative production label. The studio relocated to Warner Bros.' Second Century facility in Burbank in 2023 and continues operating there.