Best Animation Studios in New York (2024)

Believe me when I say there are many, many animation studios in New York. Just hop on Google, search for “animation studios NYC,” and you’ll see what I mean. However, finding the right partner to entrust your project to is no easy chore, especially if you’ve never worked with a professional video company before.

Luckily for you, I’ve curated this diverse and handy list of the top 20 NYC animation studios so that you can easily find one that suits your video needs. Now, without further ado, let me introduce them to you!

How to Find the Best Animation Studio in New York

In my opinion, the key to choosing the right animation studio in New York lies in determining what works best for your company and then narrowing down your options. That’s why, before we begin, I’d like to share with you some of the key attributes I think you should pay attention to when evaluating different providers:

• Quality and expertise: Looking through a studio’s portfolio can help you discover whether their content’s quality is up to your standards.
• Customization: The best animation studios in New York will create a unique, fully customized video promo that’s tailored to your business’s specific needs and goals to ensure your success, so don’t settle for anything less.
• Feedback: Online reviews, video testimonials, previous customers’ feedback can give you a solid idea of what it’d be like to work with a particular company. 
• Communication: Good communication during the production process is crucial to achieving great videos everyone’s happy with. That’s why, when contacting a potential video animation services provider, you’ll want to keep an eye on their availability and response time. This way, you’ll get an idea of how they’ll handle future interactions. 

NYC Animation Studios: What to Look For in 2024

To help sort out the difficulties of finding the right animation studios in New York, we came up with some pointers to consider today:

• Forget About Huge Productions: The animation industry has a lot to learn from Holywood. While people are watching animation more than ever, trust in video producers and media has been falling. To take advantage of video, companies have been developing expensive, overspent productions with unsatisfying results. The lesson to learn is simple: quality is always paramount. And quality doesn’t equal bigger budgets.
• Always Look for Creativity: The independent scene is thriving, with artists and businesses expanding their styles and productions. While hiring a freelancer is risky, looking for animation studios in New York that have a philosophy of innovation can offer you all of the benefits without the risks. In 2024, look for companies that never abandon their creative style. Today’s audiences spend more time on YouTube than watching traditional TV, but you need to stand out among the thousands of videos being published every day. To achieve that, imagination is vital.
• Avoid AI Content:  In the last year, AI has changed the way we work and even how we live our lives. In the same line as the previous point, AI is still underdeveloped, providing pieces that are repetitive, boring, and lack creativity. While you may notice an attractive difference in budget for animation studios NYC that use IA, at the end of the day, the result you get won’t be as satisfying, and the video you get won’t be enough to fulfill your needs.
• Look for Experience more than Location: Animation is a type of video content that can be done from anywhere—you don’t need a studio that’s based where you are, with a production crew and equipment. What’s important, though, is that they have experience working with NYC-based companies and from institutions within your industry. This will serve as proof that they’re accustomed to your hours, your work culture, and your audience’s needs.

Top 20 Animation Studios NYC

Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s take a look at some of the most prominent names in the animation New York industry.

1. Yum Yum Videos — Animation Studios NYC

Founded: 2010

Team Size: 10 – 20 employees.

Clients: McKesson Corporation, Walmart, American Express, Vodafone, Red Bull.

Pricing: $8,000+

Who we are: We’re an explainer video company made by a passionate team of creative artists, experienced marketers, and driven professionals with a deep love for all things video. We believe that effective video production can not only make an impact but also bring your business closer to your audience. Our mission is to create unique pieces that bring your message to life with compelling animations and relatable video storytelling.

Even though our headquarters are not located in NYC, we have been working with NYC companies for more than 12 years, so we understand the unique work culture that permeates this city. 

We’ve partnered with all kinds of companies that are based in the Big Apple and California. We’ve created hundreds of fully-tailored animated explainer videos, video graphics, and more across many industries and for different video marketing strategies. Need some proof? Here’s an animation video we’re especially proud of:

On it, we created a custom explainer for Collaboration Squared, a NYC-based company—with a very NYC-type of service. Getting to know them and how they contribute to this city’s unique business environment was very exciting for us. Luckily, they felt the same way, or at least that’s what they told us when we traveled to the Big Apple to record this testimonial:

But you don’t have to take our—and Collaboration Squared’s—word for it; we let our work do the talking for us, and our previous clients vouch for our team’s talent and passion for the medium.

2. Shoot You — Animation Studio in New York

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Founded: 2000

Team Size: 50 – 100+ employees.

Clients: Aggreko, Willis Towers Watson, State Street, Amadeus IT.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: An NYC animation studio that boasts an award-winning team of producers, animators, editors, creative directors, and camera/sound operators. Their goal is to create unique productions for their clients, which is why their animators are highly skilled in techniques such as 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and drawn animation styles. On top of that, this animation NYC company offers a wide range of additional services, such as podcasts, live event streaming, and user-generated content.

3. Flow Production and Post — Animation Studios NYC

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Founded: 1998

Team Size: 10 – 49 employees.

Clients: Dassault Systèmes, Comcast, Aquafina, Denny’s.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: One of the oldest animation studios in New York, the Flow Production and Post team has an extensive track record and an excellent portfolio reflecting their skill level. Their mission is to make their clients look good, which is why they’ve developed a more elegant, streamlined, and handcrafted approach to the animation process.

4. Luminoustudios — Animation Studios in NYC

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Founded: 2015

Team Size: 2 – 9 employees.

Clients: Splacer, Everytable, Joybird, Phototile.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: If you’re looking for animation studios NYC that are always on the hunt for stories that inspire them, teach them something new, or just make them think—well, you can stop searching. Like us, the female-led team at Luminostudios offers full-service New York animation services. So, they care for every stage of the production process, starting from creative development and going all the way to final video delivery.

5. Quite Frankly Productions — Animation Studio in New York

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Founded: 2007

Team Size: 10 – 49 employees.

Clients: BCG, Diageo, Burberry, Deloitte.

Pricing: $15,000+

Who they are: A small NYC animation studio that defines itself as a group of “content creators for global brands.” As such, it provides quality video production, broadcast video, social media video content, and corporate photography services to help brands connect with their audiences. This animation studio NYC may be the answer to “how to bring customers to your business,” as it offers the full production service, taking care of everything, from the creation to the distribution of each piece.

6. Idea Rocket Animation — Animation Studios NYC

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Founded: 2012

Team Size: 2 – 9 employees.

Clients: Tavant, Delix, Estlink, Intuit.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: An animation studio in New York that specializes in communicating new business models, unfamiliar technologies, and complex science concepts through animation. But while they prefer taking on projects in the HR, technology, and healthcare industries, they also make animated commercials for various niches. If you’re in one of these sectors, though, they will help you create the best corporate videos!

7. PUSH Collaborative — Animation Studio in New York

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Founded: 2011

Team Size: 2 – 9 employees.

Clients: BlueYonder, Payability, Wordfence, Canavan Foundation.

Pricing: $8,000+

Who they are: A small yet diverse team of graphic designers, illustrators, and animators who make up one of the best New York animation studios. They “enjoy solving visual problems and creating engaging marketing videos,” which is why they offer a wide variety of video services. This studio focuses on creating animated ads mainly for companies in the business, finance, and education sector.

8. Prodigium Pictures — Animation Studios in New York

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Founded: 2011

Team Size: 2 – 9 employees.

Clients: Ava Scribe, ExtremeReach, Kakaxi, Remode.

Pricing: $25,000+

Who they are: Prodigium Pictures specializes in social impact entertainment, non-profit videos, and cause marketing videos, making room for themselves among high-quality animation studios in New York. With the mission of amplifying purpose-led initiatives, they’re enthusiastic about taking on projects that “foster critical thought through entertainment” and benefit both the business and the planet.

9. Videorize — Animation Studios NYC

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Founded: 2014

Team Size: 2 – 9 employees.

Clients: Geodis, Cherwell, Tanger Outlets, CloudWave.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: A small yet very passionate group of animators and marketers who, like the other animation studios in New York I’ve mentioned so far, live and breathe video. Despite being the youngest company on this list, they have ample experience in the industry. Moreover, they’ve developed a unique animation style that allows them to deliver beautiful pieces that are not only eye-catching but also effective.

10. Indigo Productions — Animation New York

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Founded: 1991

Team Size: 10 – 49 employees.

Clients: QTS Global, Burberry LA, ATL Private Equity, Unice.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are:

A company that certainly deserves a place among the most renowned animation studios in New York, thanks to their vast track field and a portfolio full of compelling pieces that showcase their dedication. Their specialty lies in creative animated advertisements, broadcast television, feature film, journalism, video games, and social media. Moreover, they offer a wide range of services, from live-action shoots and educational videos to documentary video production, corporate training video production, and even still photography.

11. Brand New School — Animation Studio in New York

Founded: 2000

Team Size: 2 – 9 employees.

Clients: WarbyParker, White Claw, Bitkey, Slack.

Pricing: –

Who they are: One of the top animation studios in New York, Brand New School specializes in design, animation, and live-action work, with a particular focus on branding, commercials, and marketing campaigns for all kinds of clients. They’re known for their innovative approach to animation and for producing visually compelling content across various platforms. 

12. Roof Studio — Animation Studios NYC

Founded: 2013

Team Size: 10  – 49 employees.

Clients: Monier Solar Roofing, Canna Gardening, INSMED.

Pricing: –

Who they are: A boutique animation company in New York that creates visually striking content for marketing and advertising by combining various forms of media. They’re known for producing artistic and visually captivating pieces, which is no surprise as the studio was founded by a group of directors with diverse backgrounds in art, design, and animation.

13. Art&Graft — Animation Studios in New York City

Founded: 2010

Team Size: 10 –  40 employees.

Clients: Virgin Media, Soho House, Boing, The Flynn.

Pricing: –

Who they are: This creative 2D animation studio is based in London, but it also has an office in New York. Since it’s widely recognized for its distinctive approach to animation and design, it certainly deserves a spot among the top animation studios in New York. The team can create engaging, character-driven content for brands, blending creativity with strategic communication.

14. FEVR — Animation Studios NYC

Founded: 2018

Team Size: 2 – 9+ employees.

Clients: Twilio, SPIN, Coinbase.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: A list of the best names when it comes to animation NYC wouldn’t be complete without this agency. With artistic direction, visual storytelling, and animation as the main pillars of their creative process, the folks at FEVR have produced numerous emblematic pieces that have successfully nailed their clients’ goals.

15. Froth & Fur — Animation Studios in New York

Founded: 2019

Team Size: 2 – 9+ employees.

Clients: Accenture, tipalti, CapitalOne, MassMutual.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: An award-winning animation studio NYC, Froth & Fur stands out for its data-informed storytelling that results in effective commercials, brand videos, anthem films, customer stories, and more. This agency offers a complete suite of services, including creative development, production, and post.

16. Animatus Studio — Animation Studios NYC

Founded: 1989

Team Size: 1 – 10 employees.

Clients: WXXI Arts in Focus, Stevens Institute of Technology, VA Medical Center, House of Guitars.

Pricing: –

Who they are: This animation company almost needs no introduction, as they’ve been operating since 1989! With so many years in the industry, they’ve done it all: from traditional animation for film and video, to web animation, 3D and 2D graphics. Still, they’re best at old-school film techniques in video and the digital arena.

17. Nathan Love — Animation Studio NYC

Founded: 2005

Team Size: 11 – 50 employees.

Clients: Pokemon, Candy Crush, Katy Perry, NBA.

Pricing: –

Who they are: Nathan Love is an iconic production company, known for detailed storytelling and creating lovable characters. Their services range from 3D, 2D, and 2.5D animation to traditional animation. From developing the idea to final editing and adapting the video to all the platforms the client wants, Nathan Love can help anyone with complex and extensive projects!

18. Designomotion  — Animation Studios in New York

Founded: 2006

Team Size: 1 – 10 employees.

Clients: Edelman, ADP, Ceridian, FedEx.

Pricing: $10,000+

Who they are: Designmotion creates motion graphic videos for websites and television. They can be trusted to handle every step of the video production process, from vocal and animation to scripting and design. Due to their dedication and detailed service, they’ve worked with leading companies in the banking, cybersecurity, and other sectors!

19. Augenblick Studios  — Animation Studios NYC

Founded: 1999

Team Size: 1 – 10 employees.

Clients: MTV, Comedy Central, Fox, Adult Swim.

Pricing: $25,000+

Who they are: Located in Brooklyn, Augenblick Studios is a leading independent animation company, well known for its unique brand of cartoon comedy. Their videos have been seen in film festivals throughout the world—and even won the grand prize for best film at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

20. Two Animators! LLP — Animation Studio NYC

Founded: 2001

Team Size: 1 – 10 employees.

Clients: Pokémon, Meat Loaf, AOL, Colgate-Palmolive, USDA

Pricing: –

Who they are: This full-service animation production and development studio was founded by brothers Tom Costantini and Joe Costantini in the New Jersey area. Two Animators!—or 2A!, for the friends—creates content for animated series, shorts, explainer videos, commercial spots, and more! When looking for a versatile company, they can be a sure bet, as their 15+ years in business have provided them with all kinds of experiences, from full-blown television series to online virtual worlds (MMOs) and mobile apps.

Animation Companies in NYC: FAQ

In NYC, shops are open until midnight, taxis are always busy, and people never sleep. In this bustling city, it makes sense that several video animating companies are competing to create compelling videos for their clients.

However, sometimes, having a variety of options to choose from simply makes making a decision harder. To help you make up your mind, we wanted to answer some frequently asked questions about animation studios in New York.

1. How much does it cost to hire animation studios in New York?

The price of animation varies, depending on factors like the film’s duration, the animation style used, or even animation companies in New York’s own policies. You don’t need us telling you that, in a city like New York, things tend to become a little expensive.

However, the cost of creating animation can go from as low as $8,000 to over $15,000 per minute. To find one that adapts to your needs, it’s important to set up an appropriate budget beforehand and then search for a company within that range.

2. What is the average cost for high-quality 2D animated video per minute in NYC?

2D animation is a simpler style that doesn’t involve as many hours of production and editing as 3D, which is why many institutions wonder “how much does animation cost per minute?” with interest.  The cost of 2D animation ranges from $4500 to $6500 per minute, making it a cost-effective but highly attractive option for NYC companies.

Still, even within 2D animation, there’s a wide variety. For example, explainer video cost can range, in total, between $8,000 and $15,000 per minute of video. 

On the other hand, a whiteboard animation is often easier to produce and can go from $1,000 to $3,000 per minute. You can discuss your needs and options with animation studios in New York, though, and they’ll try to find the best animation style within your budget and your project’s needs.

3. What should I look for in an animation company in New York?

When it comes to animation companies in New York, there’s no perfect fit. What’s important is that you find a producer that’s right for your company and that answers to your feedback and needs adequately. To ensure you find that, here are some extra pointers:

• Quality and expertise. Examining a studio’s portfolio allows you to determine whether or not the content satisfies your requirements. Check if they’ve worked with other businesses within your industry if they have testimonial videos attesting to their effectiveness, and what their reputation within the industry is overall.
• Effective communication: Companies that place the focus on quality communication achieve more direct, productive feedback channels, which is crucial to creating a video that fulfills your needs. When reaching out to potential animation studios NYC, pay attention to responsiveness and availability, as even during early stages this is a useful indicator.
• Tailored solutions: Choosing a completely customized, bespoke design that fits your company’s unique needs and goals is essential to success; anything less would be inferior.
• Don’t make location a limiting factor: Animation is a content type that can be easily developed from a distance. Instead of their location, check whether or not they have experience working with other NYC-based businesses: this is often proof enough that they can work with institutions with this city’s unique work culture and times.

A Bit More about Yum Yum Videos — An Animation Company in New York

In this video marketing agency, we like to let our passion and dedication be the foundation of every piece we work on. That way, we can make effective animated videos that show just how much we love what we do. If you’d like to be a part of this and are ready to get an awesome video for your company, let’s talk about it! We’re always available 😉.

With over a decade of experience in the industry, we’ve partnered with numerous companies across all verticals to produce effective pieces that not only delight their audiences, but also bring results. We now proudly stand as a recognized industry leader, having had the privilege of working with brands such as Amazon, Walmart, McKesson, Red Bull, and more!

I can assure you that regardless of your industry or the complexity of your topic, we can find a way to tackle it effectively with wonderful video content that makes an impact. So, let us bring your message to life and help you leverage the many benefits of animated videos! 😊

Wrapping Up

The City that Never Sleeps offers plenty of options not only when it comes to coffee shops but also regarding animation studios. While this is by no means an extensive list of animation studios in New York, I’ve made sure to include enough variety of highly skilled providers so you can get the results you need. 

Finding “the one” is not easy, but I promise it gets easier once you know what to look for and how to compare what each provider brings to the table.