Who are some of the most popular animators?

Animation has been a focal point of pop culture for decades, bringing people closer together through comedy, storytelling and even heartbreak (we’re looking at you Mufasa…) Over the years, animation has not only come a long way, but who are the geniuses that can translate such intricate storytelling to the big screens? Who are some of the most popular animators? Let us help you draw out all the answers you need.

Walt Disney brought a whole new world of animation into play. Disney began working as a commercial artist and created a company called Laugh-O-Gram studio, which focussed on animating classic fairy tales. When the studio shut down in 1923, Walt moved to California and founded the Walt Disney Studios with his brother.

Disney became the first company to introduce synchronised sound to animation with the iconic Steamboat Willie in 1928. Disney took these successes a step further and in 1937 created the first ever full-length animation film with the first of many Disney princesses, Snow White.

Disney paved a way for animation and holds the record for the most Oscars won, with a whopping twenty-six awards! Even after Disney ed, his legacy and influence still live on with Disney becoming a multibillion dollar franchise that keeps the ion and love of animation alive.

Benda Chapman helped shape some of the most iconic animated films in history. Working with Disney, DreamWorks, and Pixar, she became a powerhouse in the animation industry.

Chapman began her career at Disney as a story artist, contributing to well-known classics like Beauty and the Beast (1991). She quickly made her mark, and by 1994, she became the first woman to work as head of story on an animated feature film – The Lion King. This role placed her at the forefront of storytelling in animation, setting the stage for future successes.

Following the success of The Lion King, Chapman left Disney and moved to DreamWorks. In 1998, she became the first woman to direct an animated feature film with The Prince of Egypt before taking a break from the industry for maternity leave.

Chapman returned to animation in 2003, ing Pixar. She worked on projects like Cars but gained widespread recognition for directing Brave (2012). This achievement made her Pixar’s first female director. For this film, Chapman earned an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature—making her the first woman to ever win in this category.

Brenda Chapman’s career has paved the way for future generations of female filmmakers, proving that storytelling knows no boundaries.

Across the globe, in Japan, japanimation or anime, was on the rise, and one of its greatest visionaries was emerging - Hayao Miyazaki. Best known as the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki began his career at Toei Doga, where he began his craft.

During his time at Toei, he contributed to projects such as The Wonderful World of Puss 'n Boots and the Moomin series. Yet, despite his growing success, Miyazaki became frustrated with the industry's creative limitations and ultimately decided to leave in search of greater artistic freedom.

Determined to bring his own vision to life, Miyazaki co-founded Studio Ghibli. His films often featured strong female protagonists, inspired by his mother, and carried powerful messages such as the devastation of war and the importance of looking after the environment. Miyazaki was committed to creating films with profound themes, including the heartbreaking Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbor Totoro.

His films captivated global audiences, proving that Japan's animation industry is a powerhouse worth celebrating, which has become even more evident in recent years, due to the popularity of anime.

John Lasseter began his career at Disney. With a profound ion for animation, he sought to introduce innovative ideas with the concept of 3D animation, although these were not always met with enthusiasm. Lasseter was eventually fired from Disney; however, this became a pivotal moment that would reshape his career and significantly impact the animation landscape.

Lasseter began working at Lucasfilm, where he ed the computer graphics division which allowed him to blend technology with filmmaking. A significant turning point occurred when Steve Jobs bought a small division for 10 million dollars and transformed it into Pixar.

In 1991, Pixar entered into a contract agreement with Disney to produce three feature-length 3D animated films. Under Lasseter's leadership, this collaboration created the Toy Story franchise which, upon its release, completely changed the animation industry, representing a significant departure from traditional 2D animation and showcasing the possibilities of cutting-edge 3D animation.

John Lasseter helped transform Pixar into a leading animation powerhouse and elevated industry standards.

Want to know more about animation or even test your knowledge? Check out the links below.

. How well do you know animation?

. Real stories behind Disney classics

. Easy stop motion animation for beginners