The Top Animated Video Companies in the UK (2023)

[Updated: 19/04/2023]

The UK's animation scene is thriving. Today, not only do we produce some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters here - think Star Wars and Batman for example, we also have some of the world's top animation companies based here too.

 To celebrate their existence and continued great work, the team at Venture thought we'd name-check a few of these and give them the recognition they deserve:

Venture Videos

Venture is a video production agency that helps businesses and brands to achieve more with video, and we have a team of skilled motion graphics specialists who bring fantastic ideas to life through 2D and 3D animation.

We are a full-service content agency, not only collaborating with brands and businesses to create video content but also helping them to create the best video strategy and optimising their video marketing and distribution to ensure it reaches all the right people.

We have a track record of producing fantastic corporate work, for internal and external use. We create adverts, promotional videos, case study videos, training videos, corporate communications and recruitment videos.

We've worked with many loved brands, such as Natwest, Boots and Experian to bring their brand story to life through animation. We believe animation is a powerful way to communicate your brand story, product, or process!

We provide more than animation services, we believe in forming collaborative partnerships that allow us to communicate your messages in the most engaging way. To do this, we take the time to understand you, your goals and your team.

Whatever animated or motion graphics content you're planning, we help you create video that speaks to your audience & curate experiences that resonate with your viewers.

Our tried and tested process, developed over 15 years of experience, ensures that we can provide you with the results you want.

The team at Venture are proud to be among the UK's top animation production companies, helping world-famous brands to tell their brand stories using 2D and 3D animation.

If you think we'd be the right agency to tackle your business or brand's upcoming animation project (and we're sure we'd nail it!) please get in touch! We'd love to hear from you.

Passion Animation

Passion Animation is well loved in the UK thanks to their cute Christmas adverts. What put's their adverts apart is that they often deliver a deeper message.

A notable example of their work is their recent 2D short film with Greenpeace, based around deforestation due to palm oil. The cute style of the film, combined with a striking message, and controversy about it being denied TV broadcast for being too political, resulted in a very effective campaign. The short film also used a combination of 2D and 3D techniques to give it a unique look.  

Alongside their content marketing work, they have also worked on short and feature-length films.

Passion Animation is an important example of how a the best animation production companies can take on 2D and 3D animation - their variety of work and skill in both 3D and 2D animations is what puts them on our list of top animation production companies in the UK.

Framestore

Framestore is a video production studio who specialises in realistic animation services. They have worked mainly on feature films, with some TV. Although they occasionally work in 2D, they are primarily a 3D animation company.

Framestore works on long-form content and has worked with global clients, with notable examples including Fantastic Beasts.

They made our list of best animation production companies because despite being UK based, their work reaches all around the world (much like our own here at Venture!)

BlinkInk

 BlinkInk is one of the top 2D animation companies in the UK. They thrive on the weird and wacky and have translated this into adverts, short films and music videos.

They are most well known for their work on the Gorillaz music videos, creating fantastic 2D and live action combos. They mainly work on short-form content, and love to create very bizarre concepts, which certainly makes their content memorable!

StudioAKA

Studio AKA is well known to parents for their animation on pre-school animated series Hey Duggee.

Despite being a leader in 2D animation companies, they still have a good 3D department and can produce high-quality video in both areas. They like the focus of their animations to be story, design and characters, which in their case really shines through in their 2D work.

They are passionate about their artists and even showcase disregarded concepts on their website to further share their work. Each artist has their own page on the site, which is used to display the work they are most proud of.

The Venture team all agree that everyone needs to hear the Stick song from Hey Duggee at least ONCE in their life.

Jellyfish Pictures

Jellyfish are a 3D animation company who also specialise in VFX.

They have a passion for Sci-fi projects and are very skilled at making visual effects look completely real.

Their main focus is animation for film and TV, and their more recent work includes Star Wars and Black Mirror. Their work is mainly long-form content, but they have dabbled with ads in the past.

At Venture we have a soft spot for their intricate CGI work. 

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT UK ANIMATION STUDIO FOR YOUR BUSINESS

If you're looking to create an animated project, finding the right animation studio is crucial to ensuring that your vision comes to life. The UK has a thriving animation industry, but finding the best animation studio for your project can be overwhelming. But don't worry, I've got you. Here are some tips on how to find the best animation studio for your business in the UK.

1. Identify your needs & budget

Firstly, you need to identify your needs and budget. What type of animation do you require? Is it 2D, 3D or stop motion? What is the purpose of the animation? Is it for entertainment, education or marketing? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you narrow down your search and find a studio that can cater to your needs. Additionally, it is important to determine your budget as animation can be a costly venture. Finding a studio that can deliver high-quality work within your budget is crucial.

2. Research UK animation studios (we've done the hard work for you here!)

Next, you should research the animation studios in the UK. The internet is a great place to start. Check out the websites of various animation studios, look for portfolios, client testimonials and case studies to get an idea of their work and capabilities. You can also check out animation directories and industry publications to get a list of the top animation studios in the UK.

3. Check out their work

It's important to check out the previous work of the animation studios you're interested in. Most studios have a portfolio of their work on their website or social media channels. Look for animation projects that are similar to your needs and see how they have executed them. You can also check out their showreel or demo reel to get an idea of their skills and capabilities.

4. Check their expertise

Experience and expertise are crucial when it comes to animation. Look for animation studios that have been in the industry for a considerable amount of time and have worked with clients from various sectors. A studio with experience in your industry or niche can be an added advantage as they will have a better understanding of your needs and requirements. Also, check out the studio's team and their expertise. Do they have animators, illustrators and designers who specialize in the type of animation you need?

5. Check their tech

Animation requires state-of-the-art technology and equipment to deliver high-quality work. Check out the animation studio's technology and equipment to ensure they have the necessary tools to execute your project. Also, look for studios that use the latest software and tools to ensure their work is up-to-date and of high quality.

6. Look for a collaborative approach

A collaborative approach is essential when it comes to animation. Look for a studio that takes a collaborative approach and involves you in the entire process. They should be open to feedback and suggestions and keep you updated on the progress of your project. A studio that values communication and collaboration can help ensure that your project is delivered on time and meets your expectations.

7. Get a quote

Pricing and timelines are critical when it comes to animation. Look for animation studios that offer transparent pricing and timelines. They should provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs and timelines involved in your project. Also, ensure that the studio can deliver your project within the stipulated time frame.

8. Check their reviews

Finally, customer service is another essential factor to consider when choosing an animation studio. Look for a studio that values customer satisfaction. They should be responsive to your queries and concerns and provide you with excellent customer service throughout the project.

In conclusion, finding the best animation studio in the UK can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By following these tips, you can narrow down your search and find a studio that can deliver high-quality work within your budget and timeline.

Remember to identify your needs and budget, research animation studios, check out their previous work, look for experience and expertise, check their technology and equipment, look for a collaborative approach, consider their pricing and timelines and check their customer service.