Founded in 2004 and based in Toronto, AXS Studio is a medical & scientific animation studio. They turn complicated science into animations that could make even mitochondria look glamorous. Their work combines scientific knowledge with the kind of visuals that win awards from the Association of Medical Illustrators. If you’ve ever wanted to see nanoparticle delivery look like it belongs in a blockbuster trailer, this is where it happens.

Their studio is stacked with medical writers, board-certified illustrators, animators, interactive developers, designers, and producers. A good chunk of them hold Master of Science degrees in Biomedical Communications. The services? Oh, just the small stuff. Medical and scientific animations, mechanism of action videos, medical device explainers, illustrations, plus interactive experiences like AR and VR apps that can liven up a conference booth.

And of course, the recognition doesn’t hurt. AXS Studio has collected awards over the years, including an Award of Excellence in 2025 for a nanoparticle animation. They’ve become a trusted partner for biopharma, med-tech, and scientific communications.

AXS Studio makes science look like art without anyone needing a PhD to understand it. They take complicated concepts and turn them into animations that helps people learn something. Clients call their work precise, creative, and engaging, which is impressive when you consider the material they’re dealing with.

AXS Studio gets praised for being reliable. Words like “game changer” and “true partner” has popped up in their reviews. Add in their fancy procedural animation workflows that let them fix last-minute changes, and you get a team that’s genuinely enjoyable to work with.

Skyship Entertainment is a Toronto animation studio that makes content for kids. This powerhouse has been at it for over a decade, balancing broadcast experience with digital expertise. The numbers are wild. Skyship has more than 68 million YouTube subscribers and a jaw-dropping 82.4 billion lifetime views. Their shows are now staples for families, teachers, and kids everywhere. If you’ve got a preschooler who suddenly knows all their letters, odds are Skyship had something to do with it.

Their Toronto HQ, nicknamed “Skyship Rhino,” is a 10,000-square-foot playground for creativity. The studio can whip up 2D and 3D animation, stop motion, live action, and even puppetry. As for their shows, they’ve animated “Caitie’s Classroom” (a live-action preschool series) and “Captain Seasalt and the ABC Pirates” (where phonics meets pirate treasure hunts). They know how to sneak education into entertainment without making kids roll their eyes.

Skyship has teamed up with global heavyweights. Their content reaches China through a partnership with UYoung, and their music is licensed by Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division. Their brand knows how to spread its beloved characters everywhere.

Skyship Entertainment is one of the most famous animation studios in Toronto. Their Super Simple Songs empire has parents, teachers and toddlers wrapped around its animated little finger. Reviewers love that they make their own high-quality children’s content, upload it, and boom, kids everywhere are singing about ducks.

The studio itself is basically a creative playground. Their Toronto base is kitted out for 2D, 3D, stop-motion, live-action and even puppetry. That kind of versatility means they can pivot between styles. Parents also rave about their app, which is ad-free, safe and educational. On top of all that, Skyship’s team culture gets props for valuing artistry and collaboration. One employee even said departments support each other instead of competing.

Industrial Brothers is a Toronto animation studio that has been cooking up kids’ shows since 2010. Co-founded by Matthew Fernandes and Arthur Spanos, the place is powered by artists and producers. They mix 2D and 3D animation like it's no big deal. The studio specializes in original children’s content. Their work has popped up in Disney Junior, CBC, Netflix, and even Universal Kids.

One of their biggest creations is Dino Ranch. Each episode's adventures combine humour, action, and enough lessons about teamwork to keep parents happy. The show has been nominated for awards. It even has a spinoff in 2026 called Dino Ranch: Island Explorers. Clearly, dinosaurs plus cowboy hats was the right gamble.

The studio also knows how to play well with others. Back in 2015, Boat Rocker Media scooped up a minority stake. Thanks to that partnership, their projects travelled much further than a single Canadian studio could manage on its own.

Industrial Brothers has great reviews. Employees rave about supportive colleagues and management teams. One former contractor even said they’d come back “in a heartbeat.” Add in the flexible hours, pet-friendly setup, and general “lovely people” vibe. No wonder most of the animators are working here.

And yes, let’s not forget the little perks. Reviews mention flexibility, accommodation, and even the fact that the place is pet friendly. Somewhere out there, a golden retriever might actually be napping under a storyboard desk while its owner animates a dragon.

Elliott Animation is a full-service animation studio that has been cranking out 2D and 3D animation since 2000. Based in Toronto’s Junction Triangle and founded by George Elliott, the place runs on creative direction that comes from people who are passionate about drawing. Their track record is ridiculous. Over 1,000 animated episodes, direct-to-video features, TV series, and interactive projects have rolled through their pipeline. They handle everything from concept and storyboarding to design and key animation.

They’ve also got a sibling partnership with Fresh TV, which is where some of the best-known Canadian shows were born. Together, they created Total Drama Island, Stoked, My Babysitter’s a Vampire, Grojband, and Backstage. If you ever spent too many hours glued to a cartoon that made you snort-laugh, there’s a good chance Elliott Animation had something to do with it.

Elliott Animation has a great reputation as a workplace. Many employees say they’d recommend working there. High marks for culture, values, and work-life balance suggest it’s a genuinely decent place to work. Unfortunately, the compensation side doesn’t get quite as much applause. Career growth options also leave room for improvement. Even so, most people seem happy enough to trade rigid ladders for a bit of creative freedom.

Elliott Animation has serious industry cred as an animation studio. This is the company behind Total Drama Island, Stoked, Grojband, and 6teen. All these iconic shows made an impact on a generation of kids.

Jam Filled Entertainment started in 2007 in an attic in Manotick, Ontario. Three founders took a 400-square-foot space and turned it into a mini animation factory. Fast forward, and that scrappy attic has expanded into Ottawa, Toronto, and Halifax. In 2016, Jam Filled was scooped up by Boat Rocker Media and later absorbed the assets of Arc Productions, giving them serious CGI firepower. By 2019, they’d also opened a shiny new 10,000-square-foot Halifax facility for 2D animation.

As for their work, the credits list reads like the animation version of a brag wall. They’ve handled The Loud House, The Casagrandes, DC Super Hero Girls, and Thomas & Friends. Today, Jam Filled is firmly rooted in Canada with headquarters in Ottawa. They also operate animation studios in Toronto and Halifax.

Jam Filled Entertainment is running a studio with many happy creatives. Employees rave about culture, values, and inclusion, giving the place high scores in many categories. The management gets nods of approval. Even during crunch times, reviewers highlight how leadership looks out for professional growth and personal well-being.

On top of the feel-good culture, Jam Filled backs it all up with serious technical chops. Their adoption of Qumulo’s fancy file data platform means less downtime, smoother deadlines, and higher quality work.

Guru Studio kicked off in 2000 when Frank Falcone, Anne Deslauriers, and Chuck Gammage set up shop in downtown Toronto. What began as a modest operation turned into one of Canada’s leading animation houses. They're best known for turning quirky ideas into shows that kids actually obsess over. Back in the early days, they cut their teeth on commercials, including a five-year run with Kraft’s “Cheese-a-saurus Rex.” By 2006, they levelled up into episodic TV, helping with Nickelodeon’s The Backyardigans.

Their claim to fame? A list of hits that looks like a Saturday morning playlist. They co-developed PAW Patrol with Spin Master and Nickelodeon. They created True and the Rainbow Kingdom for Netflix. They brought us shows like Pikwik Pack, Big Blue, Mecha Builders, and My Magic Pet Morphle. They even had a hand in the Oscar-nominated feature The Breadwinner, showing they can do serious prestige work when they’re not animating dogs saving towns.

Guru Studio has carved out a serious reputation. Their shows have gone global, AND their brand of heartfelt storytelling connects. Founder Frank Falcone has been clear that depth of character and emotional resonance are what drive their work, not just churning out shiny content.

Guru Studio'S workplace vibe IS like the art room in school. It's relaxed, colourful, but with enough structure to keep projects going. Their Animation Director calls the atmosphere collaborative and supportive. Employees admit the schedules can be tight and the expectations high. Nonetheless, the team knows how to keep each other afloat.

Ajax Creative burst onto the scene in 2016 with a mission to kick mediocrity out the door. They run as a boutique animation studio but with offices scattered across Canada. Their whole team has one goal. Make branded stuff people actually watch instead of clicking “skip.” Their work runs from commercials to documentaries to explainers to slick social videos. Whatever the format, they treat it like a mini blockbuster.

The people behind it? A team of directors, producers, editors, and other creatives who clearly thrive on trying new things. Ajax Creative has turned bold ideas into their trademark. Basically, if you want safe, go somewhere else. If you want your project to have a bit of swagger, they’re your lot.

Ajax Creative is artsy and incredibly organized. Clients rave about their professionalism. Reviews describe them as easy to talk to, collaborative, and good at listening. The team also delivers emotionally compelling videos, and they always do it on time. Even when the pandemic tried to make deadlines impossible, Ajax pulled through.

Ajax Creative's animations are polished. One client even called their videos “absolutely stellar” and praised the attentionm. The studio's philosophy is all about pairing bold storytelling with technical precision. They make sure the final cut resonates with the audience.

Yowza! Animation has been buzzing in Toronto since 1996, when Claude Chiasson first set it up as Yowza Digital. They quickly carved out a name for themselves in traditional, digital, and hybrid 2D/3D animation. The studio's pipeline covers everything. Ink-and-paint, clean-up, extra animation, and art finishing. They’re fluent in Toon Boom Harmony, ZBrush, Blender, and traditional techniques. Whatever the medium, Yowza has the gear and the skills to pull it off.

Globally, Yowza collaborates with big-name studios and legacy brands. Their résumé of projects is a flex. We’re talking Hercules back in 1997, the Oscar-nominated Klaus in 2019, plus modern revivals of Animaniacs and Looney Tunes Cartoons. They also work with clients like Warner Bros, Cartoon Network, CBC Kids, and Paramount.

Yowza is a long-standing animation studio. Known for mixing traditional techniques with hybrid 2D/3D wizardry, they’ve delivered work for Disney, Warner Bros, and Nickelodeon. That kind of portfolio speaks for itself. The studio is technically versatile, creatively driven, and clearly trusted by giants of the industry.

Employees rave about the perks at Yowza! Animation. They get strong health and vision benefits. Yes, the classical workload can be demanding, but supervisors are supportive. Plus, the mythical “Yowza Day” is a paid day off when the calendar skips a holiday. It’s a clever way of saying, “Go nap, you’ve earned it.” No wonder staff describe management as caring and appreciative.

Little Blackstone Studios was founded in 2009 by Jocelyne Meinert, who has ten Emmys under her belt and clearly decided one studio wasn’t enough. Spun off from her sister company Bigstudios Inc, Little Blackstone carved out its own lane with original animated storytelling. Everything they make is done in-house, from the doodles on napkins to full productions. That commitment has paid off with Emmy nods and even an Oscar shortlisting.

From their Toronto studio, Little Blackstone runs as a mid-sized animation studio. With a team skilled in 2D, 3D, VFX, and original development, their portfolio is varied. Projects like Kingdom Builders, Mike Judge Presents: Tales From The Tour Bus, Mixed Up, and Toon Bops show off their range. Each one carries a style that feels unmistakably theirs.

Their development slate is stacked with projects like TOTEM (a fantasy adventure rooted in Indigenous themes), Rocket & Friends (inclusive and emotional), Monster Problems (STEM meets online safety with jokes), Camp Canuck (summer camp plus superheroes), and even wildcards like Jesus The Awkward Years and BIONC.

Founded in 2009 by Emmy-winner Jocelyne Meinert, Little Blackstone has built an excellent reputation. From development to final production, it’s all handled under one roof, which means their projects scream originality. The studio’s versatility is another bragging point. They’re equally skilled at making children’s animation as they are tackling grown-up projects.

Reviews are positive. GoodFirms calls them “fast developing” with a reputation for original works. The fact that they handle everything internally adds to the studio's credibility. Clients know what they’re getting with Little Blackstone. The work feels creative, polished, and authentically unique.

Snowball Studios has been running since 2004, creating animation and visual effects. With bases in Toronto, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, the studio has produced 3D animation and VFX for film, TV, games, commercials, and even mobile content. Snowball also handles brand character development, visual effects, digital production, design, and content creation.

Their portfolio proves they don’t mess around. Snowball has created commercials for brands like NBC, Cisco, Verizon, and Orange. They have worked on children’s programming like VIPO, which aired in more than 140 countries. They’ve even created a preschool series for the BBC, proving they can switch from boardroom campaigns to kid-friendly chaos with ease.

As an animation studio, Snowball is no lightweight. Their portfolio includes commercials, film, games, and mobile content. They're trusted by some of the biggest names out there. Whether it’s global campaigns or TV productions, they can deliver at scale without losing their creative edge.

Employee reviews paint a mostly positive picture. Around 76% of staff say they’d recommend working there, which is a decent batting average in this industry. People highlight good communication from leadership and a strong creative values. However, some feedback calls out tension in middle management, with certain teams feeling more toxic than others.

House of Cool has been running since 2004, started by Ricardo Curtis and Wes Lui. Ricardo brought the animation chops, Wes brought the finance brains, and together they built a studio in Toronto that turned into one of the go-to spots for pre-production in animation. If a movie or series looks slick from the start, odds are House of Cool had something to do with the planning.

The culture is artist-first. Curtis and Lui still lead from the front, and the place runs more like a creative family than a corporate machine. Designers, story artists, editors, and producers work side by side, all chipping in to fuel the studio’s storytelling energy.

Their service list covers pretty much everything before animation goes into full swing: story development, digital storyboarding, editorial, production management, character and environment design, prop work, and art direction. Basically, they lay the entire foundation so other teams can run with it. And their credits? Massive. They’ve worked on films like Despicable Me, The Angry Birds Movie, PAW Patrol: The Movie, and The Peanuts Movie,.

House of Cool is the top animation studio for pre-production work. They've earned a reputation for refining stories, visuals, and designs. Internally, the vibe sounds surprisingly lovely for a place that holds so much creative power. Glassdoor reviews give them a great score for culture, diversity, and work-life balance. Employees also describe management as attentive.

Toronto staff love the company even more. Reviews include references to the “lovely community” and “fun projects.” Also, the hybrid flexibility works. The main drawbacks? Contract-based employment and the occasional nudge to be in-studio more often than you’d like. Still, it’s a small price to pay for being part of one of the most respected studios in the city.

Viva Media Inc. has been making videos since 2015. They’ve built themselves into an award-winning production company and animation studio out of Toronto. They create everything from healthcare explainers to slick finance promos. One week it’s healthcare, the next it’s IT. They adapt to whatever industry walks through the door. If a business sector exists, Viva has probably filmed something for it.

They handle the whole process from start to finish. They come up with the concept, filming, editing, adding animation, motion graphics, and visual effects. Behind the work is a hardworking crew who genuinely love what they do. Instead of just clocking in, they’re the type to argue over which camera angle makes a story land harder. That shared passion bleeds into everything they make, which is why their videos don’t feel cookie-cutter.

Based in Toronto, Viva Media is a one-stop shop for commercials, corporate videos, social ads, and whatever else a client throws at them. Their specialty is storytelling with visual polish. The animated content looks good and is engaging enough to get people to pay attention.

This studio has the industry's respect. Viva Media is praised for being creative, reliable, and good at listening to what clients need. They have the talent, the portfolio, and the award-winning angle to back up their reputation.