This is the Age of Animation which started in the early '00s with the end of the Renaissance Age and has continued to the present day. The usage of traditional 2D animation methods that thrived in the previous eras is now seemingly all but abandoned, at least when it comes to American works; rendered 3D and Flash animation are the rule, not the exception, just as Limited Animation ruled the Dark Age during the '60s, '70s, and early '80s (especially animation not coming from the USA or Japan). A lot of these shifts resulted from the constant deterioration of the global recession, which came to a head in 2008 and resulted in cheaper production procedures like outsourcing, studios taking safer bets, higher competition, bankruptcy, and massive layoffs. It didn't help that any fan of content from the Renaissance Age couldn't get any decent work in the field by the time they were finally grown up and out of school. Studios hired unpaid interns by the hundreds, and veterans from the past eras were either out of work, doing their own thing, or dead.
One notable feature of this era is its near-total lack of continuity with earlier eras, at least on the viewer side – during the Dark Age, Golden-era shorts regularly aired alongside contemporary fare; and during the Renaissance Age, cartoons from both previous eras had wide exposure (although Golden-era shorts often had edits for content). Today, Values Dissonance is the usual offered explanation for the general disappearance of classic cartoon shorts from television. Many of these may be perceived as not politically correct by modern audiences... and DVD compilations of classic cartoon shorts often contain an unskippable foreword to stress this point. The ever-expanding news hole on local broadcast stationsnote has also played a role in displacing cartoons.
Disney began to experience its first box office failures since the early '80s. Treasure Planet is often cited as the film where the downward spiral began, though some say it began earlier with Pocahontas (which made money but was a critical disappointment, while also having the added misfortune of being put up against the immensely successful CGI-pioneering film we know as Toy Story). The company's next films would each do worse than its predecessor with the sole exception of Lilo & Stitch. After the failure of Home on the Range, Disney announced that it would discontinue traditional animation for good (blaming the medium itself instead of, perhaps, the marketing that went on for most of these movies). For the next five years, they certainly tried to kill 2D animation; their second attempt at producing a rendered 3D film of their own, Chicken Little, had a mediocre showing (but ended up making a profit)—then there was a two-year gap before their next canon entry, Meet the Robinsons, was released. That film was followed in 2008 by Bolt, which achieved (at least) critical success in spite of having languished in Development Hell after a much-needed Executive Meddling by John Lasseter.
While this was going on, Disney was undergoing a shake-up in upper management. Since the release of Toy Story, Disney had been the distributor for all of Pixar's films, which were making much more money for them than most of their in-house fare. There was prolonged wrestling between the two companies over creative control, IP rights, and financial stakes over the films. In 2004, Pixar announced that they would be seeking other distribution partners when their contract with Disney was up—despite this, the two companies continued to negotiate in an attempt to patch things up. While this was going on, Michael Eisner left Disney in 2005—some say "pushed out", as Disney was struggling across the board and Eisner was one of the main obstacles to cooperation with Pixar. Ultimately, Disney bought Pixar outright in 2006, though Pixar was allowed to remain a separate entity; as part of the deal, Pixar co-founder John Lasseter became Disney's Chief Creative Officer and Pixar studio president Edwin Catmull also became president of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Allegedly, one of Lasseter's first executive actions was to discontinue the rampant Direct to Video sequels of Disney's back catalog and put that specific animation division - Disneytoon Studios - to work on new properties (such as the current CG Tinker Bell series). Under Lasseter's watch, traditional animation also got a second chance with The Princess and the Frog. The movie was successful enough to make Disney agree to greenlight a new traditionally animated film every two years, starting with Winnie the Pooh (2011). Around this time, a number of Disney classics got converted to the 3D format using the same process as Pooh and were re-released theatrically in short runnings, the first title of which - The Lion King 3D - has been met with rave success. Their next 2D release was to be an adaptation of Mort; however, the film was cancelled due to rights issues, most likely because of the upcoming Discworld live-action TV series. On March 23, 2012, 38-year Disney animator and producer Glen Keane officially resigned, signalling that Lasseter has yet failed to bring traditional animation back to the forefront, and proving that despite his efforts, Disney still has no hand-drawn animation on the pipeline! Their other originally planned hand-drawn movies, based on Rapunzel and The Snow Queen, were taken off the shelf and made and released as CG features. Tangled and Frozen ended up huge successes for the Disney Animated Canon, and as of 2013, Bob Iger announced there are no hand-drawn animated Disney movies in the foreseeable future from their main feature animation department.
Network Decay has had a devastating effect on television animation. Many basic cable channels have jettisoned their Saturday Morning Cartoons and after-school blocks due to cable competition and increasing restrictions on advertising. For the longest time, 4Kids Entertainment was the only player left in the game, and even they would face financial problems before bankruptcy came and forced them to sell part of their empire to Saban Brands, including their block on The CW, which was renamed Vortexx, which was ultimately the final traditional Saturday morning cartoon block. Meanwhile, syndicator Litton Entertainment created a monopoly over what was left, first taking over ABC's airtime, then replacing preschool cartoon block Cookie Jar TV on CBS, then taking over the five-hour timeslot where Vortexx resided, and finally replacing NBC's block of shows culled from sister network Sprout. As a result, the only major over-the-air networks still airing animation are Foxnote and PBSnote .
Cartoon Network was hit by this for a period of time. While 2001 and 2004 have been considered turning points of mixed reception for the network, 2007 is generally agreed to be where CN suffered a serious blow thanks to an executive purge brought about by an ill-advised [adult swim] viral marketing campaign being interpreted by humorless Bostonians as a terrorist threat. This resulted in the network's new top brass pushing increasingly towards live-action kids' shows for a time in order to compete with Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, which in turn had become increasingly dependent on their respective Cash Cow Franchises (live-action Kid Coms for Disney and SpongeBob for Nick), while [adult swim] also followed suit by increasingly pushing live-action comedies while at the same time becoming over-reliant on its Cash Cow Franchises to keep all of CN afloat such as Family Guy and American Dad!. Thankfully, though, this trend has decreased since 2010, at least during the day, thanks to shows like Adventure Time and Steven Universe, but the trend of serious action/adventure cartoons has seen a decline outside of the revived Toonami. Over the course of the 2010s, Cartoon Network would gradually discard or cancel most of its action cartoons in favor of comedy series such as Teen Titans Go! and The Amazing World of Gumball. Toon Disney, meanwhile, was consumed by Jetix and eventually scrapped altogether to make way for Disney XD. Cartoons from previous eras were either shoved onto Boomerang or not shown at all, relegated chiefly to DVD releases. While home video releases of classic cartoons thrived during the early-to-mid 2000s, this trend eventually came to a crawl when a combination of piddling sales, the high cost of restoring the cartoons, and the general state of the economy caused many companies to pull back or scale down future releases of old cartoons, much to the chagrin of many collectors.note Even many 1990s shows have found it hard to find a foothold on cable or DVD, with studios like Warner Bros. preferring to reinvent their core and acquired Golden and Dark Age franchises (Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo) through new productions for the direct-to-video, cable, and occasionally theatrical markets with extremely mixed success.
Anime dubbing has struggled too. Geneon and ADV Films both folded from poor sales, Network Decay resulting in disappearing anime blocks on television, and competition from online subtitled episodes (which could be posted shortly after their Japanese premieres) released by fans and streaming services such as Crunchyroll. Funimation was probably the only dubbing studio to remain prosperous—it acquired a number of Geneon, ADV, and 4Kids' titles, while continuing to license new titles—but even they have had financial issues. After its fold, ADV eventually formed Sentai Filmworks, and along with Funimation, Aniplex, NIS America and (who else?) Disney, are currently holding licenses to the majority of essential anime titles on this side of the Pacific (though NIS America only started dubbing them in 2014). Around New Years Day 2012, Bandai Entertainment announced their end releasing prints and DVDs of manga and anime, focusing on digital distribution, broadcast and merchandising instead.
There are exceptions to these hardships though. Avatar: The Last Airbender started a growing trend of high-budget animated action series for TV. Often, these series are anime-influenced, in which the influence of anime on American shows is largely the reason for the rise of shows with continuous, overarching story lines such as the aforementioned Avatar, which may be a Trope Codifier in this regard. Further examples of shows of this type include Star Wars: Clone Wars (the non-canon Tartakovsky 2D cartoon), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (the canonical Lucas CGI series), Samurai Jack, The Spectacular Spider-Man, The Batman, Sym-Bionic Titan, Thunder Cats 2011, and Young Justice, a number of them becoming smash successes in their own right. One could very well say that, generally speaking, action cartoons produced in America have actually reached a higher medium standard than what was the case during the Renaissance Age (back then, while mature action cartoons did exist, the vast majority were quite juvenile and rarely had very complex storylines). A looser continuity is still the norm when it comes to comedy shows however, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, which rose to the position of Nickelodeon's Cash-Cow Franchise, and Disney's Phineas and Ferb. There are also shows that do have a mix of both serial and episodic elements such as My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, a series from the 2010s based on the popular toy line for girls which created a stir in large part because it played a major role in blurring the line between "girl shows" and "general audience shows". That and the show itself created an unexpected Periphery Demographic of adult male fans.
In contrast to the problems that animation for television has faced, the theatrical feature film market is thriving. Up through the Renaissance, it was a high-risk field with intimidating high stakes that has eventually crushed all comers outside of Disney, even greats like the Fleischer Brothers and Don Bluth. Now, it has become a highly competitive field with more animated features being produced by more major American companies as viable, sustained competitors than any time in history. The opening signal could be considered when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) introduced the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film starting in 2001, indicating a new level of respect and vibrancy for the art form; it could also be considered an aid to encourage more films, since they now have an Oscar of their own to shoot for. This presented a problem, too: with animation in its own category, there is an implication that an animated film will never be considered for plain old "Best Picture".note This trend was reversed thanks to Pixar and the Academy's expansion of the Best Picture category to up to ten nominees—Up and Toy Story 3 got nominated for Best Picture in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
The big champion in the field of American animated films is undoubtedly Pixar; it still flourishes and finds success to this day, thanks to their extremely solid track record in regards to the quality of their films, at least until Cars 2 proved a critical embarrassment in 2011. However, the company that blew open the field was DreamWorks Animation (the spiritual successor to Steven Spielberg's earlier animation studio, Amblimation). Although its Renaissance Era traditionally-animated films like Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas all flopped (the exception being The Prince of Egypt), the company's partnership with Aardman Animations (with features like Chicken Run and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) proved a real success. However, it was their runaway success of Shrek in 2001 that finally helped get the company begin to wrestle down the All Animation Is Disney stereotype while taking the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Alas, while Shrek 2 was an artistic success, the company's fortunes sank through the decade until they hit their nadir in 2007 with critically derided embarrassments like Shark Tale, Shrek the Third, and Bee Movie (although the latter eventually garnered a cult status due to Memetic Mutation), while alienating Aardman into ending their partnership when Flushed Away underperformed. However, everything changed between 2008 and 2012, when the studio grew its beard with hailed new franchises like Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon that signaled a new commitment to good storytelling even as the Shrek series wound down and the Madagascar series made the transition beautifully with improving films. After 2012, they seem to suffer from creating films that are not so well received whether critically or financially (although, there were a few exceptions) compared to their films prior and a string of box office bombs during that period resulted the company to layoff numerous of their staff members. DreamWorks eventually found it own success again thanks to films like Trolls and The Boss Baby, as well as through Netflix series like Tales of Arcadia and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. At the same time, they were also brought out by Comcast, the parent company of Universal.
There are also the efforts of production studios like Blue Sky Studios' (for 20th Century Fox) Ice Age series (who would eventually became defunct in 2021 due to the Disney-Fox merger); Warner Brothers' Happy Feet and The LEGO Movie; Sony Pictures Animation's Open Season (who would eventually produce one of the most hated and one of the most beloved animated movies); and Illumination Entertainment's Despicable Me (who would eventually become Disney's biggest animation rival in the 2010s (more about this below)). Even ILM got in on the action with its debut film, Rango, which encouraged Paramount to get into the animation game with their own department 40+ years after they fired Ralph Bakshi in closing their old one in 1967. (Incidentally, Avatar isn't listed here because, despite the fact that the bulk of it is computer-generated, it does have live-action human characters, so it is not considered an animated film.) Going further, Reel FX started their own line of animated rendered 3D features with Free Birds, and then The Book of Life from the creator of the Nicktoon El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, and more smaller studios are bound to start in the game too.
By the mid-2010's, the film medium of this era had been highlighted by increasing competition from the major film studios, hoping to take down Disney/Pixar as the king of the box office in terms of animated movies. Perhaps the most successful of the bunch was long-time Disney rival Universal, owners of Illumination. Their success in terms of box office competition with Disney was deemed a head-scratcher by many, as Universal hadn't had a successful animation track record for over a decade, and didn't release a computer-animated film until 2008, with The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (and that was a distribution-only effort, having had no involvement in production whatsoever). In 2015, Universal/Illumination's sole release that year, Minions, out-grossed not just both of Disney/Pixar's films released during that year (Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, the latter of which was a rare box office misstep for Pixar), but the entire competition in terms of animated movies didn't stand a chance as well. Disney regained the upper hand the following year with hits like Zootopia and Finding Dory, but with Universal's high-profile $3.8 billion acquisition of DreamWorks Animation (which led to comparisons of that and Disney's acquisition of Pixar the decade before) and the substantial success of Illumination's The Secret Life of Pets and Sing, it's safe to assume that the increasingly-heated rivalry between Disney and Universal will be here to stay for a while.
The 2000s have also been experiencing a minor stop-motion renaissance. In addition to DreamWorks and Aardman's features, Laika formed out of the long-dormant Will Vinton Studios, creator of the classic claymation shorts. They first aided on Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and then produced three of their own feature films, Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, and Kubo and the Two Strings, which all enjoyed critical approval (Boxtrolls a bit less so). In addition, Tim Burton partnered with Disney again to do another stop-motion film, Frankenweenie. Director Wes Anderson has also applied his talents to the field of stop motion twice so far, with both features receiving critical (and, in the latter's case, financial) acclaim. Aardman, meanwhile, has slowly but surely carved out a small niche for themselves both on television and film. Although the company's most iconic duo have eaten their last Wensleydale and retirednote , since 2010, the company has produced new works at the rate of approximately one film every three years or so. Henry Selick, director of both Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas, has his projects often go through Development Hell since releasing Coraline up until he released Wendell & Wild.
On the Direct to Video market, the fans of the DC Animated Universe franchise found a new source of sophisticated Super Hero animation with the DC Universe Animated Original Movies—and, to a lesser extent, the Marvel Universe videos. All of these films were explicitly produced for the formerly Periphery Demographic of teens and adults.
European traditional animation, meanwhile, has made a comeback with the development of several new studios and directors who have produced critically acclaimed films, including The Secret of Kells and The Triplets of Belleville. These films tend to address serious or artistic subjects in an avant-garde style (influenced by John Hubley and lost animated classics such as The Thief and the Cobbler) while still going out of their way to appeal to families with small children. On the Japanese side of things, Hayao Miyazaki and his colleagues have carried the torch for traditional, movie-plotted, fully-animated films in Japan, returning to hand-drawn films which Disney (and especially John Lasseter, a Ghibli fanboy) has taken it on to promote in the US, with mixed results.note The result has been a series of art films that didn't do well in the US, but were critically acclaimed enough to grow their studios. The challenge, of course, will be to determine how long the backers of such films insist on making art films restricted to families with children.
Other nations not previously known for a worldwide animation audience are also starting to show a stronger presence in the animation industry. In particular, 2015 saw a rising trend in viable, original Chinese animated feature films and anime-inspired video games, signaling a new player in international animation on the horizon. European countries such as France and Italy have also brought in anime-inspired series such as Totally Spies!, Code Lyoko, Winx Club, Wakfu and Miraculous Ladybug with some, like Winx and Miraculous, have also garnered mainstream popularity worldwide.
This era also saw "adult-aimed" cartoons, which started their comeback with The Simpsons in the 80s, reaching mainstream status with the ongoing success of shows like South Park, Futurama, Family Guy, as well as The Simpsons itself, along with many others. Fox's Animation Domination block brought adult animation to those without cable, while Cartoon Network's nighttime block, [adult swim], which turned out to be responsible for Family Guy and Futurama both getting Un-Cancelled, also brought innovation into the genre. After the fall of Toonami, Adult Swim continued airing adult-oriented anime as well, while 4Kids still aired watered-down dubs of anime on Saturday mornings for the kiddies up until the block ended in 2008. Syfy showed Anime for a period, but it was short lived, ending in 2011 as part of the network's shift from Sci-Fi in general. MTV brought back their '90s Liquidation animation block in 2011 with a revival of Beavis And Butthead, which also ended up being short-lived. Adult cartoons of the era were notorious for their reliance on pop culture references and Black Comedy, though this started to change in the mid-2010's with new adult shows like Rick and Morty and BoJack Horseman that forsake cheap shock humor for strong storytelling and Character Development. 2019 even saw the release of Primal, the first successful American adult animated drama. Overall, the Animation Age Ghetto is slowly disappearing, though there is still a long way to go yet.
Anime, on the other hand, continues to be popular among teens and young adults, although the effects of the Animation Age Ghetto polarize it just as it does Western Animation. The Anime industry was also successfully able to open a new front in subscription and ad-supported streaming (including same-day uploads with Japanese television broadcasts), both on their own websites such as Crunchyroll and Funimation; and on general video services such as Hulu and Netflix. Series such as Sword Art Online, Attack on Titan, One-Punch Man and My Hero Academia contributed to this by gaining success and popularity even before dubbing and home distribution. Due to the success of anime streaming (and in part due to Funimation releasing simuldubs in which other dubbing companies followed a similar practice, as well as being brought out by Sony Pictures), many more dubs have also been produced by dubbing studios in the mid to late 2010s having fully recovered from the effects of the closure of many distribution companies in the late 2000s (despite the fact that there's still the whole Subbing Versus Dubbing debate within the anime fandom).
On the Internet, a huge amount of Adobe Flash animation (most of which can be viewed for free) has arisen in various genres, with fewer restrictions on creativity than commercial releases. Leading the way here is the popularity of the Flash site Newgrounds. While the early 2000s saw a rise of ultraviolent genre series like Madness Combat, Lobo (Webseries) and Happy Tree Friends, more sophisticated series also appeared as time went on. In The New '10s, the techniques honed on the internet to make the animations would make the transition to television in successful shows animated in Flash or its sister program Toon Boom, allowing for a more streamlined production and, as a result, much better animation.
By far the most remarkable transformation in the industry during this period has been the rise of animated series—and even feature-length films— for streaming platforms such as Netflix. These include a number of works that tackle themes movie studios and TV networks would be understandably averse to including in animation. Many of them, such as BoJack Horseman, Castlevania and Undone, are bona fide adult animated dramas, of the sort that have rarely been seen before in the United States. Classic cartoons have made a comeback in a major way due to streaming, as the Classic Disney Shorts, Looney Tunes, Popeye, Tom and Jerry and The Flintstones are marquee titles of Disney+ and HBO Max and more accessible than ever before.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected animation like it has the rest of the entertainment industry. While live-action feature movies have mostly had their release dates postponed due to the Coronavirus's impact on movie theaters, Trolls World Tour made history by bypassing theaters completely for a direct-to-VOD release. SCOOB!, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, and Soul followed suit, resulting in almost all of 2020's schedule of animated features bypassing theaters entirely. In addition, due to the impact of the pandemic in the west, Japan actually managed to surpass all of the films released in 2020 with The Movie of the anime adaptation of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by becoming the highest grossing film of that year note . With that, it also became the highest grossing film in Japan of all time beating the Academy Award winning Spirited Away (which had held the title for nearly two decades).
However, in other respects, the Coronavirus has given animation an edge over live-action, as the former can be produced remotely and without human contact much more easily than the latter. Netflix and other streaming outlets have redoubled their committment to animation, promising even greater amounts of animated content for both child and adult audiences. Production on most shows has been able to continue during the pandemic with some adjustments, to the point where the Writers Guild of America has urged live-action writers left unemployed by the pandemic to pursue work on animated projects.
In a particularly noteworthy trend at the time, a couple of live-action shows spent their production working on completely animated episodes. The Season 7 finale of live-action series The Blacklist had segements produced with pre-visual 3DCG animation, stylized like a comic, as the virus precluded filming it as normal. The returning seasons of Blackish, PEN15, and One Day at a Time (2017) each had one special episode animated in 2D animation. The live-action series No Activity went further and had its entire fourth season produced in 3DCG animation, a rarity among adult animated series at the time. Based on these developments, it seems likely that animation will weather the pandemic stronger than ever.
In terms of art styles, CGI animation has undergone various modifications and innovations, similar to its 2D predecessor. During the late 2010s and the 2020s, an increasing number of 3D animated works have explored more stylized processes by blending CGI models with 2D effects and textures, thus emulating traditional hand-drawn animation styles found in media such as paintings, comic books, and 2D anime, and aiming to achieve a closer proximity to Concept Art. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is usually considered to be a Trope Codifier for theatrical films, using such blending techinques through the entirety of its length to evoke the style of superhero comic books.
- For anime series from this era, see:
- 3rd & Bird (2008)
- 6teen (2004)
- The 7D (2014)
- 9 (2009)
- 12 oz. Mouse (2005)
- 101 Dalmatians:
- Abby Hatcher (2018)
- The Addams Family (2019)
- The Addams Family 2 (2021)
- Adventure Time (2010): One of Cartoon Network's extremely popular animated shows.
- Adventure Time: Distant Lands (2020)
- Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (2023)
- Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon (2021)
- Alice's Wonderland Bakery (2022)
- Alma's Way (2021)
- Almost Naked Animals (2011)
- Alpha and Omega: Lionsgate's rendered 3D film about wolves.
- Alpha Teens on Machines (2005)
- Alphablocks (2010)
- Numberblocks (2017; shares creator with Alphablocks)
- Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007-2015): Receiving a new incarnation in seemingly every era of animation since their creation, now they're back as computer animated characters in a live-action setting—and because of this movie's success, other properties such as Yogi Bear and The Smurfs have already gotten similar treatments.
- ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks (2015): A full-CGI modern-day revival of the 1980s television series airing on Nickelodeon, likely brought on by the aforementioned films' success.
- The Amazing World of Gumball (2011): A Cartoon Network UK/US co-production made distinctive by its blending of many different animation styles.
- America: The Motion Picture (2021)
- American Dad! (2005)
- American Dragon: Jake Long (2005)
- Amphibia (2019)
- Andy Pirki (2017)
- Angela's Christmas (2017)
- Angela's Christmas Wish (2020)
- Angelina Ballerina (2001)
- Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (2009): All-CGI Cartoon reboot of the above show.
- Angry Birds franchise:
- Angry Birds Toons (2013)
- Piggy Tales (2014)
- Angry Birds Stella (2014)
- The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
- Angry Birds Blues (2017)
- Angry Birds MakerSpace (2019)
- Angry Birds Slingshot Stories (2020)
- Angry Birds Bubble Trouble (2020)
- Angry Birds: Summer Madness (2022)
- Animal Crackers (2017)
- Animaniacs (2020)
- Animated Inanimate Battle (2020)
- Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (2001)
- The Ant Bully (2006)
- Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2000): Aired under multiple different titles later in its run, though the premise always remained the same.
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters (2007)
- Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm (2022)
- Aquadonk Side Pieces (2022)
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters (2007)
- Archer (2009)
- Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021)
- I ♡ Arlo (2021)
- Arthur (1996-2022): One of the longest-running cartoons of this era.
- Arthur's Perfect Christmas (2000)
- Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (2002)
- Postcards from Buster (2004)
- Arthur's Missing Pal (2006)
- D.W. and the Beastly Birthday (2017)
- Arthur and the Haunted Tree House (2017)
- The Rhythm and Roots of Arthur (2020)
- An Arthur Thanksgiving (2020)
- Arthur's First Day (2021)
- Arthur Christmas (2011)
- As Told by Ginger (2000)
- Astro Boy (2009)
- Atomic Betty (2004)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
- The Legend of Korra (2012)
- Axe Cop (2013): Based on Ethan & Malachi Nicolle's popular webcomic.
- Baby Shark's Big Show! (2020)
- Back to the Outback (2021)
- The Backyardigans (2004)
- Bambi II (2006)
- Barbapapa: One Big Happy Family! (2019)
- Numerous Barbie animated films and series, beginning with Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001); see here for the full list.
- Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse (2012)
- Barbie Vlog (2015)
- Numerous installments of the Batman franchise, including:
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
- Gotham Girls (2000-2002)
- Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
- The Batman (2004)
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008): Re-invigorated the Silver Age essence of Batman and introduced this generation to more obscure DC characters (Blue Beetle, The Metal Men, Crazy Quilt, etc.). It found success despite debuting not too long after The Dark Knight.
- Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
- Batman vs. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
- Battle for Dream Island (2010)
- Battle for Dream Island Again (2012)
- IDFB (2016)
- Battle for BFDI (2017)
- BFDI Mini (2020)
- BB3B (2005)
- Beached Az (2009)
- Beavis and Butt-Head (the 2011 and 2022 revivals)
- The Bedfellows (2012)
- Being Ian (2004)
- Ben 10
- Ben 10 (2005)
- Ben 10: Secret of the Omnitrix (2007)
- Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens (2012)
- Ben 10: Alien Force (2008)
- Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (2010)
- Ben 10: Omniverse (2012)
- Ben 10 (2016) (2016)
- Ben 10 (2005)
- Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom (2009)
- Beowulf (2007)
- The Berenstain Bears (2002): Nelvana's adaptation of Stan and Jan Berenstain's book series of the same name.
- Big City Greens (2018)
- Big Mouth (2017)
- Human Resources (2022)
- Big Nate (2022)
- Biker Mice from Mars (the 2006 revival)
- Black Dynamite (2012)
- Blaze and the Monster Machines (2014)
- Blender Foundation short films:
- Elephant's Dream (2006)
- Big Buck Bunny (2008)
- Sintel (2010)
- Caminandes 1: Llama Drama (2013)
- Caminandes 2: Gran Dillama (2013)
- Caminandes 3: Llamigos (2016)
- Cosmos Laundromat (2015)
- Glass Half (2015)
- Agent 327: Operation Barbershop (2017)
- The Daily Dweebs (2018)
- Hero (2018)
- Spring (2019)
- Coffee Run (2020)
- Sprite Fright (2021)
- Charge (2022)
- Wing It! (2023)
- Blinky Bill's Around the World Adventures (2004)
- Blinky Bill's White Christmas (2005)
- Blinky Bill (2015): All-CGI Cartoon reboot of the original show.
- Blue's Clues (1996-2006)
- Blue's Clues & You! (2019)
- Bluey (2018)
- Bob the Builder (1999-2011, 2015-2018)
- Bob's Burgers (2011)
- The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022)
- BoBoiBoy (2011)
- BoBoiBoy: The Movie (2016)
- BoBoiBoy Galaxy (2016)
- BoBoiBoy Movie 2 (2019)
- Mechamato (2021; has connections to BoBoiBoy)
- BoJack Horseman (2014)
- The Boondocks (2005)
- Boonie Bears (2012)
- The Boxcar Children (2014)
- The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island (2018)
- Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese (2019)
- Brain Divided (2013)
- The Brak Show (2000)
- Brandy & Mr. Whiskers (2004)
- Bratz (2005)
- The Bravest Knight (2019)
- Brawl of the Objects (2013)
- Bread Barbershop (2019)
- Breadwinners (2013)
- Brickleberry (2012)
- Bromwell High (2005)
- Bubble Guppies (2011)
- Bunsen Is a Beast (2017)
- Burger Brawl (2020)
- Busytown Mysteries (2007)
- Butterbean's Cafe (2018)
- Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000)
- The Buzz on Maggie (2005)
- Caillou (1997-2010, 2023-present)
- Caillou's Holiday Movie (2003)
- Camp Camp (2016)
- Camp Lazlo (2005)
- Camp Lazlo: Where's Lazlo? (2007)
- Cans Without Labels (2019)
- Captain Flamingo (2006)
- Care Bears franchise:
- Care Bears Journey To Joke A Lot (2004)
- Care Bears: Big Wish Movie (2005)
- Care Bears: Oopsy Does It! (2007)
- Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-Lot (2007)
- Care Bears: Share Bear Shines! (2010)
- Care Bears: To The Rescue! Movie (2010)
- Care Bears: The Giving Festival (2011)
- Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot (2012)
- Care Bears & Cousins (2015)
- Care Package Chronicles (2017)
- Care Bears: Unlock the Magic (2019)
- Carl² (2005)
- Cartoonstitute (2010): (A multi-short cartoon showcase project that never got off the ground, yet still served as the lauchpad for two hit series.)
- Casper's Haunted Christmas (2000)
- Cat Burglar (2022)
- Cat City 2: The Cat of Satan (2007)
- A Cat in Paris (2010)
- The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010)
- The Cat Piano (2009)
- Catscratch (2005)
- Central Park (2020)
- ChalkZone (2002): Its pilot premiered in late 1999, near the end of The Renaissance Age of Animation. However, its series premiere was delayed until early 2002.
- Charlie and Lola (2005)
- Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure (2003)
- Chibi Tiny Tales (2020)
- Chibiverse (2022)
- Chip and Potato (2018)
- Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)
- Chop Socky Chooks (2008)
- Chowder (2007)
- A Christmas Carol: Three film adaptations of it are listed below:
- Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001)
- A Christmas Carol (2009)
- Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)
- Christmas is Here Again (2007)
- Chuck's Choice (2017)
- Chuggington (2008)
- Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002)
- City Island (2022)
- CJ the DJ (2009)
- Class of 3000 (2006)
- Clerks: The Animated Series (2000-2002): Short-lived, yet a Cult Classic, Animated Adaptation of Kevin Smith's 1994 low-budget feature.
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000)
- Clifford's Puppy Days (2003)
- Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)
- Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019): A Prime Video Continuity Reboot of the books.
- Clone High (2002)
- Close Enough (2020)
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
- Cocomelon (2006)
- Cocomelon Lane (2023)
- Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad Island (2005): A shameless knockoff of SpongeBob SquarePants, made by Warner Bros.; only lasted for 13 episodes.
- Code Lyoko (2003)
- Codename: Kids Next Door (2002)
- Operation: Z.E.R.O. (2006)
- Corduroy (2000)
- Corn & Peg (2019)
- Corpse Bride (2005)
- Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014) (Contains animated science history segments each episode)
- Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999-2002)
- The Fog of Courage (2014)
- Craig of the Creek (2018)
- Jessica's Big Little World (2023)
- Craig Before the Creek (2023)
- The Cramp Twins (2001)
- The Cuphead Show! (2022)
- Curious George franchise:
- Curious George (2006)
- Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! (2010)
- Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle (2015)
- Curious George: Royal Monkey (2019)
- Curious George: Go West, Go Wild (2020)
- Curious George: Cape Ahoy (2021)
- Curious George (2006): An Edutainment Show airing on PBS Kids.
- Curious George (2006)
- The Cyanide & Happiness Show (2010)
- Cyberchase (2002)
- Da Boom Crew (2004)
- The Daily Object Show (2020)
- Dan Vs. (2011)
- Danger Mouse (2015 revival)
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (2012)
- Danny Phantom (2003)
- Reign Storm (2005)
- The Ultimate Enemy (2005)
- Reality Trip (2006)
- Phantom Planet (2007)
- Daria: Is It Fall Yet? (2000)
- Daria: Is It College Yet? (2002)
- Dave the Barbarian (2004)
- Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas (2004)
- DC League of Super-Pets (2022)
- DC Super Hero Girls (2019)
- Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022)
- Despicable Me franchise:
- Despicable Me (2010)
- Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- Minions (2015)
- Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
- Despicable Me 4 (2024)
- Numerous animated shorts, beginning with Home Makeover (2010).
- Dexter's Laboratory: Returned for two seasons from 2001 to 2003.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021)
- Di-Gata Defenders (2006)
- Disenchantment (2018)
- Disney Animated Canon:
- It is debatable on whether or not Fantasia 2000 belongs in this era. While the film was premiered in December 1999 it did not see an official release until New Year's Day 2000.
- Dinosaur (2000): Blend of CGI characters on live-action film.
- The Emperor's New Groove franchise:
- The Emperor's New Groove (2000): Its Troubled Production was well documented.
- Kronk's New Groove (2005)
- The Emperor's New School (2006-2008)
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
- Atlantis: Milo's Return (2003)
- Lilo & Stitch franchise: The most active and successful franchise based on a 2000s-debuted DAC film.
- Lilo & Stitch (2002): The only animated film in Disney's "Experimental Era" to be a major hit.
- Stitch! The Movie (2003): The Pilot Movie to...
- Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006): This show notably had four crossover episodes in its second season with three other Disney Channel shows that were airing at the time and one show from the Renaissance era that had already ended before this show debuted. Thanks to a Shout-Out in Big Hero 6 (mentioned below), it's also the first and so far only Sequel Series to a DAC film to be referenced in a later DAC film, which might make this show canonical to the DAC.note
- Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005): Interquel between the first two released films.
- The Origin of Stitch (2005): The only canonical Short Film entry. Included with Lilo & Stitch 2 as a DVD and Disney+ extra.
- Leroy & Stitch (2006): The Grand Finale of The Series and the original 2002-06 Western continuity.
- "Stitch Meets High School Musical" (2007): A one-off TV short affectionately parodying High School Musical.
- Stitch! (2008–2011, 2012, 2015): An anime spin-off series that's quite different from the original continuity.
- Stitch & Ai (2017): A Chinese animated spin-off series co-produced with American animators, including those who worked on the franchise's first TV series.
- Treasure Planet (2002)
- Brother Bear (2003)
- Brother Bear 2 (2006)
- Home on the Range (2004): Almost killed traditional feature film animation at the company.
- Chicken Little (2005): Disney began experimenting with CG with this film, amidst pressures stemming from Pixar threatening to part ways with them and competition from DreamWorks Animation. This film in particular is often criticized for imitating the pop-culture-heavy humor in Shrek.
- Meet the Robinsons (2007)
- Bolt (2008)
- The Princess and the Frog (2009): Disney's return to hand-drawn features and the beginning of what's now called the Disney Revival (although some argue that Bolt started it). Also the first time Disney has a black princess and a prince who Really Gets Around.
- Tangled (2010)
- Winnie the Pooh (2011): Currently Disney's last hand-drawn feature.
- Wreck-It Ralph (2012): The defier of Video Game Movies Suck.
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
- Frozen franchise:
- Frozen (2013): The highest grossing animated film of all time until 2019.
- Frozen Fever (2015)
- Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017)
- Frozen II (2019)
- Big Hero 6 (2014)
- Big Hero 6: The Series (2017)
- Zootopia (2016): The second highest grossing film in the canon.
- Moana (2016)
- Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
- Encanto (2021)
- Strange World (2022)
- Wish (2023)
- Disney's Tinker Bell and its sequels. (2005)
- Doc McStuffins (2012)
- Doggy Poo (2003)
- Dogs in Space (2021)
- Dora the Explorer (2000)
- Go, Diego, Go! (2005)
- Dora and Friends: Into the City! (2014)
- Dot. (2016)
- Doug Unplugs (2020)
- Dragon Tales (1999-2005)
- Drawn Together (2004)
- The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! (2010)
- DreamWorks Animation films:
- The Road to El Dorado (2000)
- Chicken Run (2000): Co-production with Aardman Animations.
- Joseph: King of Dreams (2000)
- Shrek franchise:
- Shrek (2001)
- Shrek 2 (2004)
- Shrek the Third (2007)
- Shrek Forever After (2010)
- Puss in Boots (2011): Spinoff of the Shrek movies; spawned (among others) a Netflix animated series in 2015 and a sequel in 2022.
- Numerous short films and specials, beginning with Shrek 4D (2003).
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
- Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)
- Shark Tale (2004)
- Madagascar franchise:
- Madagascar (2005)
- The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (2005)
- Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
- The Penguins of Madagascar (2008): The first Nicktoon from DreamWorks Animation.
- Merry Madagascar (2009)
- Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
- Madly Madagascar (2013)
- Penguins of Madagascar (2014): The spin-off of the Madagascar film series.
- All Hail King Julien (2014)
- Madagascar: A Little Wild (2020)
- Over the Hedge (2006)
- Flushed Away (2006): Co-production with Aardman Animations.
- Bee Movie (2007)
- Kung Fu Panda franchise:
- Kung Fu Panda (2008)
- Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special (2010)
- Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
- Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011)
- Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny (2018)
- Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (2022)
- Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
- Monsters Vs. Aliens franchise:
- How to Train Your Dragon franchise:
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
- Dragons: Riders of Berk (2012)
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
- Megamind (2010)
- The Croods (2013)
- Dawn of the Croods (2015)
- The Croods: A New Age (2020) and The Croods: Family Tree (2021)
- Turbo (2013)
- Turbo F.A.S.T. (2013)
- Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
- Home (2015)
- Trolls franchise:
- Trolls (2016)
- Trolls Holiday (2017)
- Trolls: The Beat Goes On! (2018)
- Trolls World Tour (2020)
- Trolls Trolls Topia (2020)
- Trolls: Holiday in Harmony (2021)
- Trolls Band Together (2023)
- The Boss Baby (2017)
- Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)
- Abominable (2019)
- Spirit Untamed (2021)
- The Bad Guys (2022)
- Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
- The Drinky Crow Show (2007)
- DuckTales (2017)
- Duncanville (2020)
- Earwig and the Witch (2020)
- Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999)
- El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera (2007)
- The Book of Life (2014)
- The Electric Piper (2003) note
- Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (2014)
- Elinor Wonders Why (2020)
- Ella the Elephant (2014)
- Elliott from Earth (2021)
- Emily and the Baba Yaga (2005)
- The Emoji Movie (2017)
- Enchanted (2007): This movie had traditional animation only at the beginning and a few more times throughout; the rest was CG/live action hybrid. A Shout-Out and Affectionate Parody of classic Disney.
- Epic (2013)
- Escape from Planet Earth (2013)
- Esme & Roy (2018)
- Eureka! (2022)
- Extinct (2021)
- An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000)
- The Fairly OddParents! (2001)
- Abra-Catastrophe! (2003)
- The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour (2004-2006): Trilogy of hour-long specials; crossover with The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius.
- Channel Chasers (2004)
- School's Out! The Musical (2005)
- Fairy Idol (2006)
- Fairly OddBaby (2008)
- Wishology (2009)
- Timmy's Secret Wish! (2011)
- The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder (2022): Live-action/animation hybrid.
- Family Guy (1999): Though it was canceled twice (once in 2000 and again after the show's third season in 2002). Due to high ratings on Cartoon Network, high DVD sales, and FOX dropping all of their replacement live-action shows left and right, the show finally came back in 2005 and is still running to this day.
- The Cleveland Show (2009)
- Fanboy and Chum Chum (2009)
- Fancy Nancy (2018)
- Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes (2006)
- Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
- Father of the Pride (2004): The first totally-CG theatre-quality rendered network sitcom, this DreamWorks Animation effort starred John Goodman and Carl Reiner as white lions in Seigfred and Roy's Las Vegas act.
- Felix the Cat
- Baby Felix and Friends (2000): A Spinoff Babies anime of the series.
- Felix the Cat Saves Christmas: A 2004 direct-to-DVD Christmas special, and the last FtC work produced by Felix Productions Inc. before it was bought out by DreamWorks Animation in 2014 (and then acquired by NBC/Universal in 2016 once they bought out DreamWorks).
- Ferdinand (2017)
- Filly Funtasia (2019): Slated for a 2014 release, and constantly delayed due to Development Hell, the series would finally premiere in March 2019, and was initially criticized for its similarities to My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic before similar shows featuring horses or horse-like hybrids started to become common.
- Final Space (2018)
- Fireman Sam (2005 and 2008 revivials)
- Fish Hooks (2010)
- The Flight Before Christmas (2008)
- Foodfight! (2012)
- Foot 2 Rue (2005)
- Four Eyes! (2005)
- The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006)
- Frankenweenie (2012)
- Franklin (1997-2004)
- Franklin and the Green Knight (2000)
- Franklin's Magic Christmas (2001)
- Back to School with Franklin (2003)
- Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure (2006)
- Franklin and Friends (2011): All-CGI Cartoon reboot of the original show.
- Franny's Feet (2004)
- Freedom Fighters: The Ray (2017)
- Fugget About It (2012)
- Futurama (1999): Much like Family Guy, FOX dumped this show after screwing with its timeslot and gained a cult following that led to its revival — only Futurama now has new life on cable TV. It found a temporary home on Cartoon Network until 2007, when it lost the rights to Comedy Central and eventually Hulu.
- Gabby’s Dollhouse (2021)
- Gaju Bhai (2016)
- Garfield franchise:
- Garfield Animated Movie Trilogy (2007-2009)
- The Garfield Show (2009)
- Garfield Originals (2019-2020)
- The Garfield Movie (2024)
- George Shrinks (2000)
- Geronimo Stilton (2009)
- Get Ed (2005)
- GG Bond (2006)
- The Ghost and Molly McGee (2021)
- G.I. Joe: Renegades (2010)
- Girlstuff/Boystuff (2002)
- Gnome Alone (2018)
- Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
- Sherlock Gnomes (2018)
- Go Away, Unicorn! (2018)
- Go! Go! Cory Carson (2020)
- Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2000)
- Gravity Falls (2012)
- The Great North (2021)
- Green Eggs and Ham (2019)
- Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (2023)
- Grim & Evil (2001)
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2003)
- Billy & Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure (2007)
- Underfist: Halloween Bash (2008)
- Evil Con Carne (2003)
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2003)
- The Grinch (2018)
- Grojband (2013)
- Grossology (2006)
- Growing Up Creepie (2006)
- Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
- Hailey's On It! (2023)
- Hamster & Gretel (2022)
- Handy Manny (2006)
- Happy Feet (2006)
- Happy Feet Two (2011)
- Happy Heroes (2010)
- Happy Tree Friends (1999)
- Harley Quinn (2019)
- Harold and the Purple Crayon (2002)
- Harriet the Spy (2021)
- Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2000): A parody of cartoons from The Dark Age of Animation.
- Birdgirl (2021)
- Harvey Street Kids/Harvey Girls Forever! (2018)
- Hellaverse:
- Hazbin Hotel (2019)
- Helluva Boss (2020)
- The Headless Chicken (2018)
- Various installments of the Hello Kitty franchise, beginning with Hello Kitty Stump Village (2005).
- Help! I'm a Fish: Sort of as this movie was released in 2000.
- Henry Hugglemonster (2013)
- Hero Elementary (2020)
- Hey Arnold! The Movie (2002)
- Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2017)
- Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (2004)
- Higglytown Heroes (2004)
- High School U.S.A. (2013)
- Hilda (2018)
- Hilda and the Mountain King (2021)
- The Hollow (2018)
- Holly Hobbie and Friends (2006-2009)
- Homestar Runner (2000): Webseries adaptation of the original Homestar Runner books, which has since spawned three sub-series.
- Hoodwinked! (2005)
- Horrid Henry (2006)
- Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
- Hotel Transylvania
- Hotel Transylvania (2012)
- Goodnight Mr. Foot (2012)
- Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
- Hotel Transylvania: The Series (2017-2020)
- Puppy! (2017)
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)
- Monster Pets (2021)
- Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)
- The House (2022)
- HouseBroken (2021)
- House of Bloo's (2004): The Pilot Movie to...
- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (2004)
- Good Wilt Hunting (2006)
- Destination: Imagination (2008)
- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (2004)
- How Murray Saved Christmas (2014)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002)
- Huntik: Secrets & Seekers (2009)
- Ice Age:
- Ice Age (2002)
- Gone Nutty (2002)
- Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- No Time for Nuts (2006)
- Surviving Sid (2008)
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade (2016)
- Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
- The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022)
- Ice Age: Scrat Tales (2022)
- If Anything Happens I Love You (2020)
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (2017)
- Inanimate Insanity (2011)
- Fan's Fantastic Features (2020)
- Inanimate Insanity Invitational (2021)
- Infinity Train (2019)
- Inspector Gadget (2015)
- Invader Zim (2001)
- Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus (2019): One of two classic Nickelodeon throwbacks on Netflix.
- Invincible (2021)
- Irish Folklore Trilogy:
- The Secret of Kells (2009)
- Song of the Sea (2014)
- Wolfwalkers (2020)
- It's Oppo (2010)
- Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003)
- Jamie's Got Tentacles! (2009)
- Jay Jay the Jet Plane (1998-2005)
- Jelly Jamm (2011)
- Jellystone! (2021)
- Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)
- The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius (2002)
- Planet Sheen (2010)
- The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius (2002)
- Jimmy Two-Shoes (2009)
- Jingle All the Way (2011)
- Johnny Bravo (1997-2004)
- Johnny Test (2005)
- Jojo: The Violet Mystery (2000)
- JoJo's Circus (2003)
- Jorel's Brother (2014)
- The Jungle Book 2 (2003)
- Justice League/Justice League Unlimited (2001)
- Justice League Action (2016)
- Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (2019)
- Kaeloo (2012)
- Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters (2012): A tie-in series for the Western re-boot of the Duel Masters franchise, also known as Kaijudo, which in turn was made to be Wizards of the Coast's answer to Yu-Gi-Oh!note . This show is more in line with the idea Wizards wanted originally for Duel Masters: a show about the world of Magic itself, rather than the card battle show it eventually became.
- Kappa Mikey (2006)
- Kenny the Shark (2003)
- Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil (2010)
- Kid Cosmic (2021)
- Kid vs. Kat (2008)
- Kim Possible (2002)
- King of the Hill (1997-2010)
- King Shakir (2016)
- Klaus (2019)
- Klay World (2008)
- Koala Man (2023)
- Kong: The Animated Series (2000)
- Korgoth of Barbaria (2006): A famously violent cartoon that only lasted a pilot.
- Krypto the Superdog (2005)
- Kung Fu Wa (2021)
- Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001)
- Laika films:
- Coraline (2009)
- ParaNorman (2012)
- The Boxtrolls (2014)
- Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
- Missing Link (2019)
- Lamput (2017-present)
- The Land Before Time series:
- The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000)
- The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze (2001)
- The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002)
- The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration (2003)
- The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses (2005)
- The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006)
- The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends (2007)
- The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the Brave (2016)
- There is also a TV show adaptation of the series, simply titled The Land Before Time, that aired from 2007 to 2008.
- Land of Oz:
- Lion of Oz (2000)
- Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2014)
- Guardians of OZ (2015)
- Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz (2017)
- Lost in Oz (2017)
- The Steam Engines of Oz (2018)
- Dee and Friends in Oz (2024)
- The Last Days of Coney Island (2015)
- Leap Frog: Numerous DVD releases from 2003 onwards.
- The LeBrons (2011)
- Legend of the Three Caballeros (2018)
- The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)
- The LEGO Movie (2014): Warner Bros.'s first animated film since The Iron Giant. Major financial and critical hit, a first for an animated film by Warner Animation Group.
- The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
- The LEGO Ninjago Movie (2017)
- Unikitty! (2017)
- The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
- Leo (2023)
- Les Sisters (2017)
- Let's Go Luna! (2018)
- Liberty's Kids (2002)
- The Life and Times of Juniper Lee (2005)
- The Life & Times of Tim (2008)
- Lily the Witch (2004)
- The Lion King:
- The Lion King 1 ½ (2004): A midquel reinterpreting the original movie from the viewpoint of Timon and Pumbaa, this is another of Disney's more successful Direct to Video sequels, as it doesn't go by their standard rules of storytelling.
- The Lion Guard (2015): Interquel TV series set during the Time Skip of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride.
- The Lion King (2019): A photorealistic CGI remake of the original 1994 film. Currently the highest-grossing animated film of all time, like the original once was.
- Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)
- Little Angels: The Brightest Christmas (2004)
- Little Bill (1999-2004)
- Little Einsteins (2005)
- The Little Mermaid:
- The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008): Prequel to the original 1989 film.
- The Little Prince (2015)
- Little Princess (2006)
- The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree (2004)
- Littlest Pet Shop (2012)
- Llama Llama (2018)
- Lobo (2000): The very first DC Comics series geared towards adults.
- LoliRock (2014)
- Looney Tunes
- Tweety's High Flying Adventure (2000)
- Baby Looney Tunes (2001)
- Duck Dodgers (2003)
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
- Loonatics Unleashed (2005): A Darker and Edgier revival of the Looney Tunes cast.
- Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
- The Looney Tunes Show (2011): One of WB's latest attempts to revamp the franchise, which so far has been fairly well-received, although also hated to an extent by fans of the original cartoons and Tiny Toon Adventures.
- Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run (2015)
- Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Production/New Looney Tunes (2015): This return to the wackier version of the Tunes follows the previous show.
- Looney Tunes Cartoons (2019)
- Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021): Sequel to the original 1996 film; live-action/animation hybrid.
- King Tweety (2022)
- Bugs Bunny Builders (2022)
- Taz: Quest for Burger (2023)
- Tiny Toons Looniversity (2023): Reboot of Tiny Toon Adventures.
- Numerous webseries, beginning with Toon Marooned (2001); see here for more information.
- The Lorax (2012)
- Lost in Oz (2017)
- The Loud House (2016)
- The Casagrandes (2019)
- The Casagrandes Movie (2024)
- The Loud House Movie (2021)
- The Casagrandes (2019)
- Luck (2022)
- Lyla in the Loop (2024)
- MAD (2010): An animated sketch show based off MAD Magazine and may or may not be the revamped cable version of MADtv (a live-action sketch show on FOX that was canceled in 2009 due to low ratings, budget restrictions, and Seasonal Rot. Unlike MAD, MADtv was only tenuously related to MAD Magazine).
- Maggie and the Ferocious Beast (2000)
- The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017)
- The Magician’s Elephant (2023)
- Making Fiends (2003)
- Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart (2019)
- Mars Needs Moms (2011)
- Martha Speaks (2008)
- Martin Morning (2003)
- The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (2008)
- Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000)
- Masha and the Bear (2009)
- Masters of the Universe:
- Mavka: The Forest Song (2023)
- Max and Ruby (2002)
- Maya & Miguel (2004)
- Megas XLR (pilot broadcast in 2002, series premiere in 2004)
- Mia and Me (2011)
- Mickey Mouse (non-Disney Animated Canon)
- House of Mouse (2001): A crossover series about Mickey owning a club for Disney characters only and showing animated shorts.
- Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
- Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006)
- Minnie's Bow-Toons (2011)
- Mickey Mouse/The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2013)
- Mickey and the Roadster Racers/Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2017)
- Mickey's Tale of Two Witches (2021)
- Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021)
- Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021)
- Me & Mickey (2022)
- Mickey Saves Christmas (2022)
- Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats (2023)
- Middlemost Post (2021)
- Miffy and Friends (2003)
- Miffy the Movie (2013)
- Miffy's Adventures Big and Small (2015)
- The Mighty B! (2008)
- The Mighty Ones (2020)
- Migration (2023)
- Mike, Lu & Og (1999-2001)
- Mike Tyson Mysteries (2014)
- Milly, Molly (2006)
- Mini Wolf (2012)
- Mira, Royal Detective (2020)
- The Miracle Maker (2000)
- Miraculous Ladybug (2015)
- Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends (2004)
- The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
- The Modifyers (2007): Only aired half its pilot episode, before being dropped by Nickelodeon.
- Molly of Denali (2019)
- A Monster in Paris (Un Monstre à Paris, 2011): A French rendered 3D animated feature.
- Monster House (2006)
- Monster Mash (2000)
- Monsters at Work (2021)
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023)
- Moral Orel (2005)
- The Most Popular Girls in School (2012)
- Mother Up (2013)
- Motown Magic (2018)
- Motu Patlu (2012)
- The Mr. Men Show (2008)
- Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
- Mr. Pickles (2014)
- Mr. Puzzles Wants You to Be Less Alive (2021)
- ¡Mucha Lucha! (2002)
- Mulan II (2004)
- Muppet Babies (2018)
- My Father's Dragon (2022)
- My Gym Partner's a Monkey (2005)
- My Life as a Teenage Robot (2002)
- My Little Pony
- The G3 specials and films
- My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (2010): The best-known MLP series of this era, notable for its tremendous Periphery Demographic. Was followed by two specials and a movie.
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2013): A High School AU of the above series that spawned several sequels; see here for the full list.
- My Little Pony: Pony Life (2020)
- My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021)
- My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale (2022)
- Mutafukaz (2017): A co-production between French and Japanese animation studios.
- Nature Cat (2015)
- Nella the Princess Knight (2017)
- Ni Hao, Kai-Lan (2008)
- Nickelodeon Animated Shorts Program (2012)
- The Night B4 Christmas (2003)
- NIMONA (2023)
- Ninjago (2011)
- The Nut Job (2014)
- Object Overload (2013)
- The Oblongs (2001)
- Oddbods (2014)
- Oggy and the Cockroaches (1999)
- OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes (2017)
- Ollie & Scoops (2019)
- ONE. (2020)
- Onyx Equinox (2020)
- Opal (2020)
- Open Season (2006)
- Boog and Elliot's Midnight Bun Run (2006)
- Open Season 2 (2008)
- Open Season 3 (2010)
- Open Season: Scared Silly (2015)
- Open Season: Call of Nature (2023)
- Over the Garden Wall (2014)
- The Owl House (2020)
- Oscar's Oasis (2010)
- Osmosis Jones (2001)
- Ozzy & Drix (2002)
- Oswald (2001)
- Oswaldo (2017)
- Out There (2013)
- Over the Moon (2020)
- Pachamama (2018)
- Pacific Heat (2016)
- Packages from Planet X (2013)
- Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (2013)
- Pantheon (2022)
- Paprika (2018)
- PAW Patrol (2013)
- PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups (2018)
- PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021)
- PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023)
- Rubble & Crew (2023)
- Peanuts franchise:
- It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown (2000)
- A Charlie Brown Valentine (2002)
- Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales (2002)
- Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown (2003)
- I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (2003)
- He's a Bully, Charlie Brown (2006)
- Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown (2011)
- The Peanuts Movie (2015)
- Snoopy in Space (2019)
- The Snoopy Show (2021)
- Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021)
- Snoopy Presents: It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown (2022)
- Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love (2022)
- Snoopy Presents: Lucy's School (2022)
- Pearlie (2009)
- Peg + Cat (2013)
- Peppa Pig (2004)
- Pet Alien (2005)
- Pete the Cat (2017)
- Peter Rabbit (2012)
- Phineas and Ferb franchise:
- Phineas and Ferb (2007): Notable for its Periphery Demographic (many parents and teenagers admit to enjoying the show, despite the show being marketed mainly to 8-12 year olds).
- Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation! (2009)
- Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011)
- Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel (2013)
- Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars (2014)
- Milo Murphy's Law (2016)
- Pickle and Peanut (2015)
- Pikwik Pack (2020)
- Pink Panther and Pals (2010)
- Pinkalicious & Peterrific (2018)
- Pinky Dinky Doo (2006)
- The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists (2012)
- Pixar:
- Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- Cars (2006)
- Ratatouille (2007)
- WALL•E (2008)
- Up (2009): In 2010, this movie became the second animated movie ever to be nominated for Best Picture.
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
- Cars 2 (2011)
- Brave (2012)
- Monsters University (2013): A prequel to Monsters, Inc.
- Inside Out (2015)
- The Good Dinosaur (2015)
- Finding Dory (2016)
- Cars 3 (2017)
- Coco (2017)
- Incredibles 2 (2018)
- Toy Story 4 (2019)
- Onward (2020)
- Soul (2020)
- Luca (2020)
- Turning Red (2022)
- Lightyear (2022)
- Elemental (2023)
- Elio (2025)
- Inside Out 2 (2024)
- Pixar have also produced a handful of television series, namely:
- Dug Days (2021)
- Cars on the Road (2022)
- Win or Lose (2023)
- Numerous Pixar Shorts, beginning with For the Birds (2000).
- PJ Masks/PJ Masks: Power Heroes (2015)
- The PJs (1999-2001)
- Planes (2013)
- Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
- Planet Sketch (2005)
- Plastic Man (2006, 2013): An Animated Adaptation of Plastic Man that started off as a pilot, before eventually becoming a short-run of shorts.
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf (2005)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: The Super Adventure (2009)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: The Tiger Prowess (2010)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf - Moon Castle: The Space Adventure (2011)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf -- Mission Incredible: Adventures on the Dragon's Trail (2012)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf -- The Mythical Ark: Adventures in Love & Happiness (2013)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Meet the Pegasus (2014)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Amazing Pleasant Goat (2015)
- Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Dunk for Future (2022)
- Pocoyo (2005)
- The Polar Express (2004)
- Polly Pocket (2018)
- Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008) saw a US release in August of 2009, though it performed well under expectations.
- Pop Pixie (2011)
- Postman Pat (2004 revival)
- Postman Pat: Special Delivery Service (2008)
- Guess with Jess (2009)
- Postman Pat: The Movie (2014)
- The Powerpuff Girls
- The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005, 2009, 2014)
- The Powerpuff Girls Movie (2002)
- Powerpuff Girls Z (2006)
- The Powerpuff Girls (2016)
- The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005, 2009, 2014)
- Prep & Landing (2009)
- The Prince (2021)
- The Princess and the Pea (2002)
- The Problem Solverz (2011)
- The Proud Family (2001): The first animated TV show to feature an African American family,note and the first Disney Channel Original Series.
- The Proud Family Movie (2005)
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022)
- Puffin Rock (2015)
- Puppy Dog Pals (2017)
- Puppy in My Pocket: Adventures in Pocketville (2011)
- Purgatony (2019)
- Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty (2019)
- Rainbow High (2020)
- Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island (2010)
- Random! Cartoons (2008)
- Rango (2011)
- Ratatoing (2007): Mockbuster of Pixar's Ratatouille.
- Ratchet & Clank (2016)
- Ratz (2003)
- Ready Jet Go! (2016)
- Ready Jet Go! Space Camp (2023)
- Recess: School's Out (2001): Based off the animated series from The Renaissance Age of Animation, the film served as the Grand Finale for the shownote .
- Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade (2003): The sequel to Recess: School's Out, and the official Grand Finale.
- Red vs. Blue (2003)
- Regal Academy (2015)
- Regular Show (2010): One of Cartoon Network's 15-minute animated series to air on Monday nights (along with Adventure Time, MAD, The Problem Solverz, and The Amazing World of Gumball). Based on J.G. Quintel's "2 in the AM PM" and "The Naive Man From Lolliland," this show is notable for getting away with a lot of jokes fittingly aim towards adults than with kids.
- Regular Show: The Movie (2015)
- The Replacements (2006)
- Return To Neverland (2002)
- Rick and Morty (2013)
- Rick and Morty: The Anime (2023)
- Rio (2011)
- Rio 2 (2014)
- Rise of the Guardians (2012): The last DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by Paramount Pictures.
- Robin Robin (2021)
- Robot Chicken (2005)
- Robotomy (2010): Cartoon Network's shortest-lived cartoon series ever (and one of the only current shows it had that used traditional cel animation). It only lasted ten episodes (it would have been 12, but two episodes were never finished), and was canceled due to high production costs and lack of appeal in foreign markets. The show is also the very definition of Keep Circulating the Tapes (though a lot of episodes are available on iTunes): after the final episode ("From Wretchnya With Love") aired, Cartoon Network never reran the show and a week later, deleted all evidence that the show existed from their website. Seems like they were ashamed of it...
- Robots (2005)
- Aunt Fanny's Tour of Booty (2005)
- Rocket Power (1999-2004)
- The Rocketeer (2019)
- Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling (2019): One of two classic Nickelodeon throwbacks on Netflix.
- Rolie Polie Olie (1998-2004)
- The Great Defender of Fun (2002)
- The Baby Bot Chase (2003)
- Romeo & Juliet: Sealed with a Kiss: A 2006 independent animated feature done entirely by ex-Disney animator Phil Nibbelink.
- Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
- Rosie's Rules (2022)
- Ruby Gloom (2006)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
- Rugrats franchise:
- Rugrats (1991-2004): Nickelodeon's first Nicktoon to air for more than 10 years.
- Rugrats in Paris (2000)
- All Grown Up! (2003)
- Rugrats Go Wild! (2003): Crossover with fellow Klasky-Csupo-produced series The Wild Thornberrys.
- Rugrats Pre-School Daze (2005, 2008)
- Rugrats (2021)
- RWBY (2013): Rooster Teeth's Animesque CG web series created by the late Monty Oum. This has spawned an entire franchise.
- Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001)
- Sahara (2017)
- Samurai Jack (2001)
- Sanjay and Craig (2013)
- Santa Inc. (2021)
- Santa vs. the Snowman (2002)
- Sausage Party (2016): The world's first full-length R-rated computer-animated feature.
- Saving Me (2022)
- The Scarecrow (2000)
- Scaredy Squirrel (2011)
- Scooby-Doo
- What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002)
- Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue! (2006)
- Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010)
- Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! (2015)
- Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? (2019)
- SCOOB! (2020)
- Velma (2023)
- Numerous Direct to Video movies and TV specials, beginning with Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000).
- The Sea Beast (2022)
- Seal Team (2021)
- The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
- The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
- Secret Magic Control Agency (2021)
- Secret Mountain Fort Awesome (2011)
- The Secret of the Magic Gourd (2007): A CG and live action hybrid. Co-produced by Disney and China Movie Co Ltd and marketed towards mainland China.
- The Secret Saturdays (2008)
- The Secret Show (2006)
- The Secret World of Benjamin Bear (2003)
- Seven Little Monsters (2000)
- She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
- Sheep in the Big City (2000)
- Shelldon (2009)
- Sheriff Callie's Wild West (2013)
- Sherlock Yack (2011)
- Sid the Science Kid (2008)
- Sid the Science Kid: The Movie (2013)
- Sidekick (2011)
- Simple Samosa (2018)
- The Simpsons
- The Simpsons (1989-present): Longest-running American animated series of this era.
- The Simpsons Movie (2007): One of the only hand-drawn films in this era to be successful, and the most profitable movie to be based on a TV show.
- Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare" (2012)
- The Good, the Bart, and the Loki (2021): A crossover short film with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- The Simpsons in Plusaversary (2021): A crossover short film with various Disney properties to celebrate the 2nd-year anniversary of Disney+.
- Sing (2016)
- Sing 2 (2021)
- Sita Sings the Blues (2008)
- Skyland (2005)
- Skull Island (2023)
- Smallfoot (2018)
- Smiling Friends (2022)
- The Smurfs
- The Smurfs (2011): Live-action/CGI hybrid.
- The Smurfs 2 (2013)
- The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)
- The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013)
- Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017)
- The Smurfs (2021)
- Smurfs: The Rise of Purple Smurfs (2025)
- The Smurfs (2011): Live-action/CGI hybrid.
- Sofia the First (2012)
- Elena of Avalor (2016)
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic X (2003)
- Sonic: Night of the Werehog (2008)
- Ghost Tale (2023)note
- Sonic Boom (2014)
- Sonic Mania Adventures (2018)
- Team Sonic Racing Overdrive (2019)
- Chao in Space (2019)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (film series): Primarily live-action/CGI hybrids.
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
- Sonic Drone Home (2022): Fully CGI short.
- Knuckles (2024): A Paramount+ spinoff of the movies.
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
- Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps (2021)
- Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (2022)
- Sonic Prime (2022)
- South Park (1997-present)
- Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1994-2008)
- Space Goofs: Aired for a second season during 2005-2006.
- Spider-Man
- Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)
- The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009)
- Ultimate Spider-Man (2012-2017)
- Marvel's Spider-Man (2017-2020)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham (2019): A short film released as a bonus feature to Into the Spider-Verse.
- Spidey and His Amazing Friends (2021)
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
- Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (TBA)
- Spies in Disguise (2019)
- Spirited Away (2001): Both the only hand-drawn animated film and the only anime film to receive an Oscar for Best Animated Film.
- Splash and Bubbles (2016)
- Spliced (2009)
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- SpongeBob SquarePants (1999): Arguably the most popular show of this era.
- Christmas Who? (2000)
- The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)
- It's a SpongeBob Christmas! (2012)
- The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom (2017)
- Kamp Koral (2021)
- The Patrick Star Show (2021)
- Squidbillies (2005)
- Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten (2021)
- Stanley (2001)
- Star Beam (2020)
- Star Trek
- Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020)
- Star Trek: Prodigy (2021)
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2015)
- Star Wars:
- Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014)
- Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017)
- Star Wars Resistance (2018)
- Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures (2018)
- Lego-based installments:
- Static Shock (2000)
- Steven Universe (2013): The first Cartoon Network series to be solely created by a woman.
- Steven Universe: The Movie (2019)
- Steven Universe: Future (2019)
- Still Water (2020)
- The Stockholms (2020)
- Stōked (2009)
- Strange Magic (2015)
- Strawberry Shortcake: Various incarnations from 2003 onwards.
- Stuart Little: The Animated Series (2003)
- Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild (2005): Third installment of the Stuart Little film trilogy, animated in CGI.
- Summer Camp Island (2018)
- Sunny Day (2017)
- Super Best Friends Forever (2012)
- Super Duper Sumos (2002)
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
- Superjail! (2007)
- Supernatural Academy (2022)
- Super Noobs (2015)
- Super Why! (2007)
- Super Why's Comic Book Adventures (2023)
- Numerous sequels to The Swan Princess, beginning with The Swan Princess Christmas (2012).
- Sym-Bionic Titan (2010)
- The Tale of Despereaux (2008)
- Tales of Arcadia
- Trollhunters (2016)
- 3Below (2018)
- Wizards (2020)
- Tarzan franchise:
- The Legend of Tarzan (2001)
- Tarzan II (2005)
- Tarzan (2013)
- Tarzan and Jane (2017)
- Team Toon (2013)
- Team Umizoomi (2010)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
- Turtles Forever (2009)
- TMNT (2007)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014): Live-action/CGI hybrid.
- Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
- Teen Titans (2003)
- Thomas & Friends (1984-2021)
- Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)
- Calling All Engines (2005)
- The Great Discovery (2008)
- Hero of the Rails (2009)
- Misty Island Rescue (2010)
- Day of the Diesels (2011)
- Blue Mountain Mystery (2012)
- King of the Railway (2013)
- Tale of the Brave (2014)
- Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure (2015)
- The Adventure Begins (2015)
- Thomas & Friends: The Great Race (2016)
- Journey Beyond Sodor (2017)
- Big World! Big Adventures! (2018)
- Digs & Discoveries (2019)
- Thomas & Friends: Marvellous Machinery (2020)
- Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go (2021)
- Race for the Sodor Cup (2021)
- The Mystery of Lookout Mountain (2022)
- Three Delivery (2008)
- Thugaboo (2006)
- Thunder Cats 2011
- Tickety Toc (2010)
- Tik Tak Tail (2017)
- TimberWolf (2001): A short-lived 13 episode flash series, the very last work directed by Chuck Jones.
- Time Squad (2001)
- Timothy Goes to School (2000)
- Titan A.E. (2000): Don Bluth's final film. Its box office failure led to the closure of Fox's animation studio.
- Titan Maximum (2009)
- Tom and Jerry
- Tom and Jerry Tales: An interesting Shout-Out to the original Tom and Jerry shorts (something rare for this era), the series ran from 2006 to 2008, being cancelled when 4Kids took over Kids' WB!.
- There have also been several Tom and Jerry Direct to Video films released during this era (see here for more information), all of which seem to have been far more well received than T&J's first film.
- The Tom and Jerry Show: Another Tom and Jerry animated series, created in 2014. Aired on Cartoon Network. Later moved to Boomerang's SVOD service since its second season.
- Tom and Jerry: T&J's first feature film since 1992, released in 2021. Live-action/animation hybrid.
- Tom and Jerry in New York: An animated series set after the events of the above film, created in 2021. Airs on HBO Max.
- Tom and Jerry: A Southeast Asian-produced series, created in 2023. Airs on Cartoon Network Asia and HBO Go Asia.
- Tom Goes to the Mayor (2004)
- Toot & Puddle (2008)
- Total Drama (2007): Cartoon Network's saving grace of the later half of the first decade, which has since spawned the following spin-off series:
- Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race (2015)
- Total DramaRama (2018)
- Totally Spies! (2001)
- T.O.T.S. (2019)
- A Town Called Panic (2000)
- Transformers
- Transformers: Go-Bots (2003-2005): The most obscure and short-lived series in the franchise.
- Transformers: Animated (2007)
- Transformers: Prime (2010)
- Transformers: Rescue Bots (2012)
- Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015)
- Transformers: Cyberverse (2018)
- Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2020)
- Transformers: BotBots (2022)
- Transformers: EarthSpark (2022)
- Trash Truck (2020)
- The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
- Trollz (2005)
- True and the Rainbow Kingdom (2017)
- Tuca & Bertie (2019)
- T.U.F.F. Puppy (2010)
- Tuttle Twins (2021)
- 'Twas the Night (2002)
- The Twins (2000)
- Ugly Americans (2010)
- Uncle Grandpa (2013)
- Undergrads (2001)
- Unstable Fables (2008)
- Valiant (2005)
- Vampirina (2017)
- VeggieTales (1993-2015)
- Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008)
- VeggieTales in the House (2014)
- The VeggieTales Show (2019)
- The Venture Bros. (2003): A wildly popular [adult swim]-distributed tribute to '70s Hanna-Barbera action shows like Jonny Quest.
- Victor and Valentino (2019)
- Viva Piñata (2006)
- Vivo (2021)
- Voltron
- Voltron Force (2011)
- Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016)
- Wakfu (2008): From the French studio Ankama.
- Dofus: Kerub's Bazaar (2012): A Lighter and Softer spinoff based on a recurring character from Wakfu.
- Dofus Book 1: Julith (2016): An animated movie taking place around the end of the Dofus cartoon.
- Dofus: Kerub's Bazaar (2012): A Lighter and Softer spinoff based on a recurring character from Wakfu.
- Wacky Races (2017)
- Wallace & Gromit:
- Wallace and Gromit's Cracking Contraptions (2002)
- The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
- Shaun the Sheep (2007)
- Timmy Time (2009)
- Shaun the Sheep Movie (2014)
- Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas (2015)
- A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019)
- Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
- A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008)
- Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention (2010)
- Wanda and the Alien (2015)
- Wander over Yonder (2013)
- Watchmen (2009): The "Tales of the Black Freighter" subplot reinserted in the Ultimate Cut is mostly animated.
- Watership Down (2018)
- Wayside (2007)
- We Bare Bears (2015)
- We Bare Bears: The Movie (2020)
- We Baby Bears (2022)
- The Weekenders (2000)
- Wendell & Wild (2022)
- What About Mimi? (2000)
- What If…? (2021)
- What The F 101 (2019)
- What's with Andy? (2001)
- Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones? (2002)
- Where's Waldo? (2019)
- Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets (2015)
- The Wild (2006): A Disney-distributed film from Canada.
- Wild Kratts (2011)
- The Wild Thornberrys (1998-2004)
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
- The Willoughbys (2020)
- Winnie the Pooh (non-Disney Animated Canon)
- The Tigger Movie (2000)
- Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
- Piglet's Big Movie (2003)
- Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
- Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2005)
- My Friends Tigger & Pooh (2007)
- Super Sleuth Christmas Movie (2007)
- Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too (2009)
- Super Duper Super Sleuths (2010)
- Playdate with Winnie the Pooh (2023)
- Me & Winnie the Pooh (2023)
- Winx Club (2004)
- World of Winx (2016)
- Wish Dragon (2021)
- The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)
- WordGirl (2007)
- Work It Out Wombats! (2023)
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! (2006)
- Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum (2019)
- The X's (2005)
- Yakkity Yak (2003)
- Yin Yang Yo! (2006)
- Zevo-3 (2010)
- Notable Disney Regulars (writers, directors, composers and songwriters for Disney films):
- Bob Iger, current Chief Executive Officer
- Bob Chapek, former Chief Executive Officer
- Ed Catmull, current President
- Pete Docter, current Chief Creative Office of Pixar
- John Lasseter, former Chief Creative Officer of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios(also see Pixar below)
- Jennifer Lee, director of Frozen and Frozen II, current Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Mark Dindal and Randy Fullmer, directors (The Emperor's New Groove, Chicken Little)
- Stephen Anderson and Don Hall, directors (Meet the Robinsons, Winnie the Pooh)
- Chris Sanders, writer, director, and voice actor (Lilo & Stitch,note How to Train Your Dragon [the first film], The Croodsnote ). Left Disney for DreamWorks Animation, but indirectly returned in 2019 when Disney bought 20th Century Fox, which Sanders was working for at the time (for the live-action/CGI film The Call of the Wild).
- Dean DeBlois, writer and director of Lilo & Stitch and the How to Train Your Dragon film trilogy. Now at DreamWorks Animation.
- Ron Clements and John Musker, directors (The Princess and the Frog, Moana)
- Glen Keane, animator (Mulan [Mulan], Treasure Planet [Silver]), producer and conceptual designer (Tangled) Resigned as of March 23, 2012.
- Mark Henn, animator (Meet the Robinsons [Wilbur], The Princess and the Frog [Tiana], Winnie the Pooh (2011) [Pooh, Christopher Robin])
- Eric Goldberg, animator (The Princess and the Frog [Louis], Winnie the Pooh [Rabbit], Looney Tunes: Back in Action [all cartoon characters], Moana [Maui's tattoos], Flintstones Cocoa Pebbles commercials). Is now teaching.
- Tony Bancroft, director (Mulan), animator (The Emperor's New Groove [Kronk])
- Andreas Deja, animator (Lilo & Stitch [Lilo], The Princess and the Frog [Mama Odie and Juju], Winnie the Pooh [Tigger])
- Dale Baer, animator (The Emperor's New Groove [Yzma], Home on the Range [Alameda Slim and Junior], Winnie the Pooh'' [Owl])
- Bruce Smith, creator of The Proud Family, animator ('One by One' sequence for the scrapped Fantasia 2006, The Princess and the Frog [Doctor Facilier], Winnie the Pooh [Piglet, Kanga, Roo])
- Alan Menken, composer (Tangled)
- Henry Jackman, composer (Winnie the Pooh, Wreck-It Ralph, Monsters vs. Aliens)
- Rich Moore, director and writer (Wreck-It Ralph)
- Notable Pixar Regulars (writers, directors, composers and songwriters of Pixar films):
- John Lasseter (Toy Story, Cars)
- Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3, Coco)
- Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, Soul)
- Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille)
- Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL•E, Finding Dory)
- Joe Ranft (Monsters, Inc., Cars)
- Dan Scanlon (Monsters University, Onward)
- Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Coco)
- Randy Newman (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Cars)
- Thomas Newman (Finding Nemo, WALL•E)
- Seth MacFarlane
- Jeffrey Katzenberg
- Emily Hamshire
- Henry Selick - director (Coraline)
- Chris Wedge and Carlos Sandahla - directors (Blue Sky Studios)
- Chris Meledandri - executive producer (20th Century Fox, Illumination Entertainment)
- Tress MacNeille
- Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh - creators, voice actors, writers, and producers of Phineas and Ferb
- Noah Z. Jones - children's book illustrator, designer and creator of Almost Naked Animals, Fish Hooks, and The 7D
- Genndy Tartakovsky: Artist and creative director largely responsible for The Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, Dexter's Laboratory, and the original launch of Star Wars: Clone Wars (among others). He faded into obscurity with personal projects about 2005, but resurfaced in 2010 with Sym-Bionic Titan and directed Hotel Transylvania. Is currently helming his own studio.
- Spike Brandt: Animator at Warner Bros. who has directed much of the studio's output in recent years.
- Greg Weisman: The man behind Gargoyles has written for many recent animated titles seen above, such as The Batman, and has been heavily involved with The Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice.
- William Joyce: Children's book writer and illustrator whose stories were adapted by many studios (Meet the Robinsons and Rolie Polie Olie for Disney, Epic (2013) for Blue Sky Studios, and Rise of the Guardians for DreamWorks Animation).
- Peter De Seve: Illustrator and character designer (all of Blue Sky Studios' films, A Bug's Life, Hop).
- Lauren Faust: The wife of Craig McCracken (creator of The Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, who left Cartoon Network in 2009 thanks to CN Real) and the developer of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
- Rob Renzetti: The creator of My Life as a Teenage Robot and a director or story editor on several shows from this era including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, and Gravity Falls.
- Jeff Kline: Veteran animation producer, responsible for shows like Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, Jackie Chan Adventures, and Godzilla: The Series. Seemed to have vanished for a while throughout the mid-to-late 2000s, but re-emerged in 2010 to produce G.I. Joe: Renegades and Transformers: Prime, core series in The Hub's action block.
- Pendleton Ward: Creator of Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors.
- J. G. Quintel: Creator of Regular Show.
- His friend Sam Marin, who has also animated at Disney.
- Dave Filoni: Formerly Supervising Director of Star Wars The Clone Wars and Executive Producer of Star Wars Rebels, now head of Lucasfilm Animation.
- Alex Hirsch: Creator of Gravity Falls.
- Rebecca Sugar: Creator of Steven Universe. Cartoon Network's first LGBT and first solo-female creator.
- Patrick McHale: Creator of Over the Garden Wall.
- Butch Hartman, creator of The Fairly OddParents!, Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy and Bunsen Is a Beast.
- Harry Partridge
Tropes associated with this era include:
- 2D Visuals, 3D Effects: If a show wasn't CGI, it would often incorporate computer-generated visuals in some form or another.
- All Animation Is Disney: Or, to update this trope to the 21st Century, All Computer Animation Is Pixar/DreamWorks Animation.
- All-CGI Cartoon: Due to Technology Marches On, these became more common on TV during the 2000s; they were a lot less common in the 2010s as Thin-Line Animation became popular. That said, preschool shows continue to use this trope heavily.
- Animated Adaptation: Alive and well; The Mummy Trilogy and Jackie Chan randomly received animated shows, among a few others. Plus there is Star Wars: The Clone Wars and its successor Rebels, two series set in the Star Wars canon.
- Animated Shock Comedy: Shows like South Park and Family Guy made cartoons cool with older audiences by incorporating crude humor and social satire, but inspired a slew of more-reviled imitators. The genre's reputation received something of a rehabilitation in the 2010's with shows like Rick and Morty and Archer that kept the vulgarity but added Character Development and more complex storytelling.
- Animation Age Ghetto: While not as strong as it used to be, it still has quite the influence on works and viewership.
- Animesque: Justifiably more common. A lot of cartoonists during this era grew up on Anime and Western Animation, and have started blending the two art styles together as a result.
- Cerebus Syndrome: Cartoons made during this era (the 2010s in particular) tend to be more serious than those in previous eras, with deeper content and even overarching plots. Justified, since many creators during the decade grew up on anime, which had these to begin with.
- Celebrity Voice Actor: It's hard to find a mainstream animated film in this age without a well known on-screen actor. Even in some dubs of anime films and other independent features such as those made by Studio Ghibli and Cartoon Saloon you'll likely to find one in it.
- Cross-Dressing Voices is increasingly averted, with preteen male characters in major properties like Finding Nemo voiced by actual boys and series like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Adventure Time, and Chowder explicitly aging the characters in real time to accommodate deepening voices. However, this practice is still common in several American cartoons and in Anime.
- Dance Party Ending: A favorite ending to lot of animated movies (Shrek is a big example... and is probably the Trope Codifier) end with everyone dancing to old music kids have never heard before.
- Direct to Video: Had to release those Disney and The Land Before Time sequels somehow. Although, while it may still exist, this trope has become less relevant since the mid 2010s.
- DreamWorks Face: Phenomenon that changed how animated films are marketed. Characters who never sport a Fascinating Eyebrow in the movie will do so on movie posters to make the movie seem more edgy and comedic.
- Genre Throwback: In an attempt to regain the ground it lost to various CG animation studios in the 2000s, Disney appeared to be intentionally invoking this trope in their later films. The Princess and the Frog and Tangled are meant to be throwbacks to the Disney films of The Renaissance Age of Animation, and Winnie the Pooh (2011) eschews the style of the more recent Pooh movies in favor of the tone from the 1970s film. Even though we aren't very far removed from the Renaissance period, there's already enough nostalgia for the era for there to be a throwback.
- Hide Your Gays: This is the first era where children's TV can get away with Averting this trope, with shows like Steven Universe, The Owl House, Adventure Time, The Loud House, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power featuring LGBTQ+ characters and storylines.
- Human-Focused Adaptation: Just about every cartoon character given their own movie has this: Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Smurfs, Transformers, and so forth.
- Ink-Suit Actor: Already existed for traditional animation, but this became far more feasible (and common) among rendered 3D films as technology progressed.
- Limited Animation: Carried over from the previous ages. Serves as the norm for most (if not all) television-based and Flash animated shows.
- Limited Special Collector's Ultimate Edition: Disney did this a lot.
- Live-Action Adaptation: Or more increasingly, live action/CG adaptations.
- Long Runner: Popular animated shows which were either created or became popular during this era have a tendency to have absurdly long runs, to the point that viewers don't realize that new episodes are being made after a certain amount of time.
- The Movie: Continues to be strong from the Renaissance era.
- Memetic Mutation: Due to the rise of the internet and social media during this era, memes inspired by animated works are extremely common.
- Merchandise-Driven: Inverted; most animated shows don't have merchandise, and if they do, they're intended for the Periphery Demographic (such as Funko Pops). Cartoons from this era tell strong stories without the need for pushing toys — at least those for big kids. Preschool shows from this era (on Nick Jr and Disney Junior) became infamous for introducing nonsensical gimmicks to sell toys, rather than telling good stories or teaching things to kids. The era seems to be coming to a close, with more story-and-character-driven kids' TV on the horizon, but it's hard to tell.
- Non-Human Sidekick: An ubiquitous trope seen in pretty much any animated film, at least those made by a major studio. The sidekicks provide comedy and marketing opportunities.
- Painted CGI: While the blending of 3D and 2D animation had happened in small doses ever since the 1990s, the late 2010s and The New '20s saw an increasing number of animated films that blended CGI models with 2D effects in order to evoke a traditionally animated style, such as Cel Shading, stylized textures replicating sketches, watercolors, brush strokes, superimposed hand-drawn outlines and colors, and a lower frameratenote . This stands in contrast to the more photorealistic art style of 3D animation in the 2000s and 2010s.
- Parental Bonus / Demographically Inappropriate Humor: Cartoons from the late 2000s/early 2010s were really pushing the envelope of what can be shown on children's television. Even some preschool shows are getting a bit edgier.
- Prime Time Cartoon: This first became a notable programming block during this period. Inspired by the success of The Simpsons, Fox began airing a whole block of adult-oriented Animated Sitcoms in the evenings starting in the 2000's. Along the same lines, Cartoon Network launched [adult swim], their evening adult cartoon block, in 2001.
- Serkis Folk: The line between live-action and animation has become increasingly blurred. Computer-generated characters appear in movies of all genres.
- Shifted to CGI: In the early 21st century, animated films in North America gradually phased out 2D cel animation in favor of CGI. Similarly, the film industry would switch over to CGI as its main source of visual effects around this time, superseding models, traditional matte paintings, and puppets.
- Shipping: The 2010s have been known for several shows gaining "fandoms" that devote themselves to romantically pairing characters, whether the show they're in is romantic or not. This has led to accusations from casual viewers towards the creators of the show for exploiting this through debunking or ship teasing because the shipping fandom only intends to watch their work for "evidence" and nothing else. To say this criticism is controversial is an understatement.
- Sidekick Creature Nuisance: There is a character like this in many movies from a major studio. He is usually the sidekick.
- Tamer and Chaster: Like other visual media in the era, cartoons of The New '10s tend to be more conscientous about avoiding the Male Gaze and Ms. Fanservice characters. In extreme cases, major characters have been Adapted Out of reboots of legacy shows (i.e. Miss Bellum from The Powerpuff Girls (2016) and Hello Nurse from Animaniacs (2020)).
- Thick-Line Animation: During the Turn of the Millennium, if a cartoon wasn't Animesque or an All-CGI Cartoon, it was this.
- Thin-Line Animation: This style seems to have taken over for Thick-Line Animation as of The New '10s. Shows such as Gravity Falls and Steven Universe are arguably considered to demonstrate this art-style at its best.
- Toilet Humour: Very popular in CG animated films throughout most of the 2000s, thanks to most American animation studios copying DreamWorks' style (or more specifically, copying Shrek). Became less and less prevalent around 2007/2008 as the Shrek style started to lose popularity and as the other animation studios (including DreamWorks) began to look at Pixar as the studio to emulate. It still pops up in films occasionally, however.
- Vanilla Edition: Continuing from the Renaissance, if an animated movie from this age was not Disney, chances are the vanilla edition is the only one that exists.
- Villain Protagonist: Films such as Despicable Me, Megamind, and Wreck-It Ralph show this.