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Locksmith Animation
Locksmith Animation
from Wikipedia

Locksmith Animation Limited[3] is a British animation studio and film production company owned by Sister. Headquartered in London with an office in Los Angeles since 2023, Locksmith is best known for producing and developing independent computer-animated feature films.

Key Information

Locksmith Animation's first film, Ron's Gone Wrong, was released on 22 October 2021, distributed by 20th Century Studios (which had recently been acquired by Disney two years prior) with positive reviews. That Christmas, a holiday film based on the children's Christmas book trilogy That Christmas and Other Stories by British filmmaker Richard Curtis, was released by Netflix on 4 December 2024. The studio's next films are, Bad Fairies, a subversive original musical-comedy film set in contemporary London, to be released by Warner Bros. Pictures[4] on 21 May 2027, The Lunar Chronicles, based on the author Marissa Meyer's four young adult science fiction fantasy novels by the same name, to be released also by Warner Bros. Pictures on November 3, 2028,[5] and Wed Wabbit, based on the adventure fiction novel from Lissa Evans, and their first independent feature, to be funded and release by themselves.

History

[edit]

Locksmith Animation was founded in 2014 by media executive businesswoman Elisabeth Murdoch and two Aardman Animations collaborators Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart. Locksmith was named after Lockhart and Smith's surnames.[6] In April 2014, visual effects studio Double Negative (now known as DNEG) formed a deal with Locksmith to provide the computer animation for Locksmith's films, this led DNEG to found their own animation department, DNEG Feature Animation (now known as DNEG Animation).[7]

The early logo of Locksmith Animation used before 2017

In May 2016, Locksmith formed a production deal with Paramount Pictures, with Paramount acting as the distributor for Locksmith's films to be produced under the Paramount Animation label.[6] The following year, however, Paramount abandoned its deal with Locksmith when Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey was replaced by Jim Gianopulos.[8]

In September 2017, Locksmith formed a multi-year production deal with 20th Century Fox, which would distribute Locksmith's films; 20th Century Fox Animation was brought in to oversee the deal, as Locksmith was aiming to release a film every 12–18 months. The deal was to bolster Blue Sky's output and replace the loss of distributing DreamWorks Animation films, which are now owned and distributed by Universal Pictures, following its takeover by NBCUniversal in 2016.[8][9] The first film to be produced by Locksmith Animation was Ron's Gone Wrong which was released on 22 October 2021 by 20th Century Studios.[8][10] In February 2018, it was announced that Locksmith was developing Wed Wabbit, a live-action/animated hybrid film based on Lissa Evans' children's book, originally served as the first live-action/animated hybrid film from Locksmith.[11] In October 2019, after Disney took over 20th Century Animation, Locksmith formed a new multi-year production deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, which will distribute three Locksmith films under the Warner Animation Group label after the release of Ron's Gone Wrong, which was now the only theatrical Locksmith film to be distributed by 20th Century Studios.[2]

The original logo of Locksmith Animation (used from 2017 to 2023) with the Sister byline (used from 2021 to 2023)

Sister was announced as Locksmith Animation's parent company following the release of Ron's Gone Wrong in October 2021.

In June 2021, it was announced that Natalie Fischer, the former COO of Illumination Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation and Pixar would step in as CEO. Locksmith co-founder Sarah Smith exited the company to pursue her own creative endeavours. It was also announced that Locksmith is currently in production on That Christmas,[12] a holiday film based on the children's Christmas book trilogy That Christmas and Other Stories by British filmmaker Richard Curtis, and they are working on an original musical-comedy film.[13] That Christmas was unveiled in June 2022 as part of Netflix's slate of animated films.[14]

In January 2022, Locksmith had optioned to adapt Marissa Meyer's fantasy novel series The Lunar Chronicles.[15]

In June 2023, as part of the rebranding of Warner Animation Group (now called Warner Bros. Pictures Animation), it was announced that the studio had signed a first-look deal with Locksmith to develop and produce the animated feature films Bad Fairies, and The Lunar Chronicles for Warner Bros. Pictures.[16]

Films

[edit]

Feature films

[edit]

Released

[edit]
Release year Title Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Composer(s) Co-production with Distributor Animation service(s)
2021 Ron's Gone Wrong Sarah Smith
Jean-Philippe Vine
Co-director:
Octavio E. Rodriguez
Peter Baynham
Sarah Smith
Julie Lockhart
Lara Breay
Henry Jackman 20th Century Animation 20th Century Studios DNEG Animation
2024 That Christmas Simon Otto Based on the books by:
Richard Curtis and Rebecca Cobb
Nicole P. Hearon
Adam Tandy
John Powell N/a Netflix
Richard Curtis
Peter Souter

Upcoming

[edit]
Release year Title Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Composer(s) Co-production with Distributor Animation service(s) Ref.
2027 Bad Fairies Megan Nicole Dong
Co-director:
Olivier Staphylas
Deborah Frances-White Carolyn Soper Isabella Summers
(score)
Toby Marlow
Lucy Moss
(songs)
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation
Sketchshark Productions
Warner Bros. Pictures DNEG Animation [13][17]
2028 The Lunar Chronicles Noëlle Raffaele Based on the books by:
Marissa Meyer
Christina Steinberg TBA Warner Bros. Pictures Animation Industrial Light & Magic [18][19][20]
Lindsey Ferrentino
Kalen Egan
Travis Sentell
TBA Wed Wabbit Olly Reid Based on the book by:
Lissa Evans
Julie Lockhart
Andrew Baker
TBA Cantilever Media
Timeless Films
Sky Cinema N/a [11][21]
Gideon Defoe

Short films

[edit]
Release year Title Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Composer Animation service(s) Ref.
2025 Cardboard Jean-Philippe Vine Jean-Philippe Vine Michaela Manas Malina Hugo Brijs DNEG Animation
Ritzy Animation
[22]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]
Film Budget USA box office gross Worldwide box office gross
Ron's Gone Wrong TBA $23 million $60.7 million
That Christmas TBA N/a N/a

Critical and public response

[edit]
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Ron's Gone Wrong 82% (103 reviews)[23] 65 (23 reviews)[24] A[25]
That Christmas 66% (41 reviews)[26] 60 (13 reviews)[27] N/a

Accolades

[edit]
Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2021 Ron's Gone Wrong Outstanding Achievement for
Character Design in a Feature Production
Julien Bizat Nominated
Outstanding Achievement for
Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Aurélien Predal, Till Nowak and Nathan Crowley
2025[28] That Christmas Best Animated Feature That Christmas
Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Feature Uwe Heidschötter
Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Simon Otto
Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature John Powell, Ed Sheeran and Johnny McDaid
Outstanding Achievement for Production Design on an Animated Feature Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn and Mike Redman
Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Lorenzo Fresta, Ashley Boddy and Helen Schroeder

British Animation Awards

[edit]
Year Film Category Recipient(s) Result
2022 Ron's Gone Wrong Best Long Form Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine and Octavio E. Rodriguez Won
Best Design
Writers Award Sarah Smith and Peter Baynham Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Locksmith Animation is a British-American independent studio founded in 2014 by writer-director Sarah Smith and producer Julie Lockhart, with financial backing from media executive Elisabeth Murdoch. Headquartered in , , with additional offices in , , the studio specializes in producing high-quality (CGI) feature films and series for global audiences. As part of the entertainment group, Locksmith focuses on original storytelling and innovative animation techniques to deliver family-friendly content. The studio's debut feature film, (2021), co-produced with and Locksmith, follows a socially awkward boy who receives a malfunctioning companion, blending humor with themes of and in a digital world. Released theatrically on October 22, 2021, the film received positive reviews for its heartfelt narrative and quality, grossing $60.7 million worldwide despite challenges. Locksmith's second feature, (2024), written and executive-produced by , explores interconnected holiday stories in a coastal English town, featuring an ensemble voice cast including Brian Cox, , and . Premiering at the on October 19, 2024, and streaming on from December 4, 2024, it marks the studio's expansion into ensemble-driven animated tales with a focus on emotional depth. In addition to its released films, Locksmith maintains a robust pipeline of projects in development, including the animated musical Bad Fairies, set for theatrical release by Warner Bros. Pictures on May 21, 2027, featuring music by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss and voice talent such as Cynthia Erivo and Ncuti Gatwa. Other upcoming adaptations include The Lunar Chronicles, based on Marissa Meyer's bestselling book series and slated for November 3, 2028, and Wed Wabbit, an adaptation of Lissa Evans' book announced in early 2025. Through strategic partnerships with major studios like Warner Bros. and Netflix, Locksmith continues to position itself as a key player in the global animation industry, emphasizing creative independence and high production standards.

Overview

Founding and ownership

Locksmith Animation was founded in 2014 as an independent studio specializing in feature films and series. The studio was established by Sarah Smith, a director from , and Julie Lockhart, a producer from , with financial backing from media executive Elisabeth Murdoch. Locksmith later evolved to become part of the of companies, founded by Elisabeth Murdoch, , and ; this structure enables the studio to retain its creative independence while accessing the group's broader production resources.

Locations and facilities

Locksmith Animation's headquarters is situated in the neighborhood of , , at 113 Regents Park Road, NW1 8UR. This location serves as the primary base for the studio's operations in computer-generated animation production. The London facility opened in March 2018, encompassing 5,000 square feet of space across three floors. It is equipped to accommodate up to 70 artists, staff, and crew, providing dedicated workspaces for CG animation development and production. In addition to its headquarters, Locksmith Animation operates an office in , , located at 9255 West in West Hollywood. This secondary site supports transatlantic collaborations by integrating U.S.-based talent and resources with the studio's core European operations.

Leadership

Key executives

Natalie Fischer has served as (CEO) of Locksmith Animation since June 2021, where she oversees the studio's overall operations and strategic direction. Prior to joining Locksmith, Fischer was the (COO) at Illumination Entertainment for over a decade. Julie Lockhart is a co-founder and has been President of Production at Locksmith Animation since the studio's establishment in 2014, managing its production pipelines and providing creative oversight. Elisabeth Murdoch co-founded Locksmith Animation in 2014 and has held the position of Chair since then, offering executive guidance while integrating the studio with her media company, . Mary Coleman was appointed (CCO) in June 2022, focusing on the studio's artistic vision and talent recruitment. She previously served as Head of Creative Development at Animation Studios, where she contributed to story development for multiple projects.

Creative team

Locksmith Animation's creative team is led by co-founder Sarah Smith, who serves as a key director with a background in directing the feature * (2011). Smith transitioned from executive roles at to hands-on directing at Locksmith following the studio's debut production in 2021. Jean-Philippe Vine joined as co-director on the studio's first feature, bringing specialization in character animation honed through work on Pixar films such as Inside Out (2015) and Cars 3 (2017), as well as the Shaun the Sheep television series. For projects including That Christmas (2024), Simon Otto has taken on directing duties, leveraging his expertise in animation storytelling developed as head of character animation on DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. The studio's pipeline also features directors such as Megan Nicole Dong for the upcoming Bad Fairies (2027). The studio emphasizes recruiting artistic talent from established animation powerhouses, including Aardman, Pixar, and Illumination, to support its CG feature production pipeline.

History

Early years (2014–2018)

Locksmith Animation was established in April 2014 by former Aardman Animations executives Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart, who brought extensive experience from projects like Arthur Christmas and Shaun the Sheep, with principal financial backing from media entrepreneur Elisabeth Murdoch through her production company Sister and investment from visual effects studio Double Negative (DNEG). The initial team was assembled drawing heavily from UK animation talent, including Aardman alumni, to form a core creative group focused on high-end computer-generated feature films, with plans for an international board of animation experts to guide development. This seed funding enabled the studio to prioritize original intellectual property, particularly the scripting of its debut feature Ron's Gone Wrong, co-written by Smith and Peter Baynham, which explored themes of technology, friendship, and social awkwardness among children. During the pre-production phase from 2014 to 2018, Locksmith concentrated on building its pipeline in collaboration with , without opening a physical facility, to leverage the VFX house's expertise in creating a robust infrastructure for CG features. The studio's early efforts emphasized developing a slate of original stories aimed at rivaling major animation houses like and , while nurturing UK-based talent and resources. By 2017, these preparations advanced through key partnerships, including a multi-year production and distribution deal with 20th Century , which greenlit Ron's Gone Wrong as the first project under the agreement. The period culminated in March 2018 with the announcement and opening of Locksmith's in , a 5,000-square-foot facility designed to accommodate up to 70 artists and staff, marking the transition from planning to active production. This launch solidified the studio's foundation, enabling it to produce animated features at a pace of one every 12-18 months in partnership with for animation services.

Breakthrough and growth (2019–present)

In 2019, Locksmith Animation secured a multi-year multi-film development deal with to co-produce and distribute a slate of animated feature films, marking a significant milestone following the premature end of their prior agreement with 20th Century Fox due to Disney's acquisition. Locksmith's debut feature, , released theatrically in October 2021 through , represented the studio's inaugural entry into the market and demonstrated its capability for high-quality computer-generated production. By 2023, Locksmith renewed its partnership with through a , prioritizing projects such as Bad Fairies and for development and potential distribution. In 2024, Locksmith expanded into streaming platforms with the production of , an animated holiday film released exclusively on in December, highlighting the studio's growing versatility in partnering beyond traditional theatrical releases. Entering 2025, under the ownership of —the founded by Elisabeth —Locksmith announced its first independent animated feature, Wed Wabbit, launching sales at the European Film Market (EFM) in January, signaling continued pipeline expansion and a strategic shift toward self-financed projects. In June 2025, the studio premiered its first short film, , at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Later that month, and Locksmith announced a November 3, 2028, release date for The Lunar Chronicles. For Bad Fairies, was announced as a lead voice in October 2025, with joining the cast in November 2025.

Filmography

Released feature films

Locksmith Animation's debut feature film, , was released in 2021 and co-produced with . Directed by Sarah Smith and Jean-Philippe Vine, the film centers on Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler who receives a defective companion named Ron designed to help him make friends. With a runtime of 106 minutes, it features voice performances by as Barney and as Ron. The studio's second released feature, That Christmas, premiered as a Netflix original in 2024. Directed by Simon Otto in his feature debut, the 91-minute animated film presents interconnected holiday stories set in the coastal town of Wellington-on-Sea, where a snowstorm disrupts Christmas plans and Santa encounters an unexpected mishap. Adapted by Richard Curtis from his own children's books, it includes voice work by Brian Cox as Santa Claus and Jodie Whittaker as a local resident.

Upcoming feature films

Locksmith Animation's upcoming feature films are primarily developed under a with , signed in 2023, which prioritizes original and adapted intellectual properties for computer-generated animation production. Bad Fairies is an original animated musical comedy in development, centering on a subversive gang of mischievous fairies who break rules in a contemporary setting. Directed by Megan Nicole Dong and co-directed by Olivier Staphylas, the project features voice performances by and , with songwriting by and , and is slated for a May 21, 2027 theatrical release as the first film from the partnership. The Lunar Chronicles adapts Marissa Meyer's bestselling young adult book series, reimagining classic fairy tales like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood in a futuristic sci-fi world blending dystopian elements with romance and adventure. Directed by Noëlle Raffaele and produced in collaboration with Industrial Light & Magic, the feature is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation on November 3, 2028. Wed Wabbit, Locksmith's first independent feature outside major studio partnerships, is a family-oriented based on Lissa Evans' children's book, following 12-year-old Fidge as she enters the whimsical, "" world of her sister's alongside a . The project was announced at the 2025 European Film Market in , with the script written by Guy Bass, author of The Pirates! Next World series, and handled by sales agent Timeless Films. Beyond these announced titles, Locksmith Animation maintains a robust pipeline of additional unannounced feature films and series, all emphasizing high-quality CG animation to deliver innovative storytelling for diverse audiences.

Reception

Box office and commercial performance

Locksmith Animation's inaugural feature film, , distributed theatrically by , earned a worldwide gross of approximately $60.7 million following its October 22, 2021, release, with $23 million from the domestic market in the United States and . The film's box office performance was notably constrained by the , which reduced theater capacities and audience turnout during a challenging period for animated releases. In contrast, the studio's second feature, , premiered as a streaming exclusive on December 4, 2024, forgoing traditional theatrical distribution and thus generating no revenue. It achieved significant commercial success in the streaming space, amassing 60 million global views in the second half of 2024 according to Netflix's metrics, and demonstrated strong holiday season engagement by leading weekly top 10 charts in multiple regions. Post-2021, Locksmith Animation adapted its commercial approach by transitioning from primarily theatrical releases to hybrid models that incorporate streaming partnerships, exemplified by collaborations with for Ron's Gone Wrong and for That Christmas. This strategy expanded audience reach through diversified distribution channels, further evidenced by a 2023 first-look deal with Motion Picture Group for upcoming projects.

Critical reception

Locksmith Animation's debut feature, (2021), received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an 82% approval rating on based on 103 reviews, with an average score of 7/10. Reviewers praised the film's humorous take on social media addiction and technology's role in friendships, highlighting its silly gags, high-quality animation, and heartwarming narrative about a socially awkward boy and his malfunctioning companion. The movie's family-friendly appeal was widely noted, making it a timely exploration of isolation amid the , despite release delays due to the crisis. Audiences echoed this sentiment, giving it a 94% score on the site. The studio's second film, That Christmas (2024), garnered mixed critical responses, holding a 67% approval rating on from 43 reviews, with an average of 5.9/10. Critics appreciated its heartfelt interconnected holiday stories in a coastal English town, bolstered by a strong voice cast including Brian Cox, , and , which added emotional depth and charm to the ensemble tales of family and community. However, some faulted the screenplay for relying on formulaic Christmas tropes and feeling overstuffed with subplots, diluting its impact despite the visually detailed . Audience reception was more favorable, with a 96% score, valuing the film's warm, feel-good resonance during the holiday season. Overall, Locksmith Animation has earned recognition for its innovative approach to CG storytelling, drawing influences from British animation pioneer Aardman—where co-founder Sarah Smith previously served as —in blending humor, emotional nuance, and original narratives for global audiences. The studio's growing acclaim stems from diverse partnerships with major distributors like , , and , enabling fresh takes on family-oriented themes that distinguish it in the competitive animation landscape.

Accolades

Locksmith Animation's debut feature (2021) earned nominations at major animation awards ceremonies. It received a nomination for the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Feature Production (Julien Bizat) at the 49th . The film also received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production (Aurélien Predal, Till Nowak, and ) at the same awards. Additionally, it won Best Longform at the 2022 British Animation Awards. The studio's second feature That Christmas (2024) achieved broader recognition, accumulating eight nominations across multiple international awards in 2025. It was nominated for the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature. For its score by John Powell, the film earned a nomination from the International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA) for Best Original Score for an Animated Film. Additionally, it received a nomination at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) for Best Original Score in an Animated Film. Since its release in 2021, Locksmith Animation has seen emerging recognition in British and international animation awards, underscoring the studio's rapid growth and creative impact.

References

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