Overview
Illumination was founded in 2007 by Chris Meledandri and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with its production studio, Illumination Studios Paris, in central Paris.[4] It has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures. The studio states that its franchises have grossed more than US$9 billion worldwide and that three of its films rank among the ten highest-grossing animated films, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).[4] Its films include the Despicable Me and Minions series, Sing, The Secret Life of Pets, Migration and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.[15]
Illumination strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Highest stated franchise gross among the studios listed
- Long-term distribution partnership with Universal Pictures
Limitations
- No Animated Feature nomination at the 2025 or 2026 Academy Awards
- Box-office claims are the company's own
Appears in
Illumination alternatives and competitors
Alternatives to Illumination: companies ranked in the same lists.
Pixar Animation Studios
Walt Disney Animation Studios
DreamWorks Animation
Studio Ghibli
Sony Pictures Animation
Aardman Animations
Toei Animation
MAPPA
Kyoto Animation
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