Pearl Studio
Pearl Studio is a Chinese animation production company specializing in feature films that blend international storytelling with Chinese cultural elements, headquartered in Shanghai and owned by CMC Inc.[1][2] Originally established on August 6, 2012, as Oriental DreamWorks, the studio was formed as a joint venture between DreamWorks Animation and Chinese investors, including China Media Capital (CMC) and Shanghai Media Group, with the aim of creating content for both Chinese and global audiences.[1][3] In 2016, DreamWorks Animation was acquired by NBCUniversal, which held a stake in the venture until 2018, when CMC Capital Partners purchased full ownership, leading to the rebranding as Pearl Studio in February of that year.[1] As of 2025, under President Catherine Ying, the studio has focused on high-quality animation production, copyright operations, merchandising, and interactive entertainment, while fostering global talent through initiatives like the "Dream Frame" accelerator program launched in 2021, and emphasizes blending Chinese cultural traditions with modern storytelling for global appeal.[2][3] Pearl Studio's notable productions include co-producing Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) and Abominable (2019) with DreamWorks Animation, the latter grossing approximately $16 million in China, as well as producing Over the Moon (2020) for Netflix.[1][2][4] The studio continues to develop original projects rooted in Chinese mythology and modern themes, including Anitya (exploring love and death through figures like Meng Po and Yue Lao), Ultraland (a sci-fi story about teenagers navigating virtual and physical worlds), In the Stars (delving into the origins of human wishes), and the upcoming Eight Immortals (set for release in 2026, based on the legend of eight immortals with special powers).[2][3] These efforts position Pearl Studio as a key player in Asia's growing animation industry, contributing to cultural soft power and global box office potential.[3]History
Founding as Oriental DreamWorks
Oriental DreamWorks was established on August 6, 2012, as a joint venture between DreamWorks Animation and a consortium of Chinese investors, marking a significant collaboration aimed at expanding animation production in China.[5] The venture was initially announced on February 17, 2012, with DreamWorks Animation holding a 45% stake and the Chinese partners—China Media Capital, Shanghai Media Group, and Shanghai Alliance Investment—collectively owning the remaining 55%.[6] The total initial investment amounted to $330 million, comprising cash and intellectual property contributions to support film development and operations.[7] The primary objective of Oriental DreamWorks was to create original animated and live-action films infused with Chinese cultural elements, targeting both the domestic Chinese market and international audiences.[8] By leveraging DreamWorks Animation's expertise in storytelling, technology, and global distribution, the studio sought to bridge Hollywood techniques with local narratives, fostering co-productions that could qualify for favorable treatment in China while appealing broadly.[9] This approach was designed to capitalize on China's growing entertainment industry and its status as the world's second-largest film market at the time.[10] The studio's initial headquarters were set up in Shanghai's Xuhui District, providing a strategic location for talent recruitment and proximity to key media partners.[5] Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, assumed the role of chairman for the joint venture, overseeing early strategic decisions alongside Chinese executives from the partner firms.[6] Launch events in August 2012 highlighted plans for developing original content, including animated features and potential co-productions, with an emphasis on building a creative pipeline for family-oriented entertainment.[11] These announcements underscored the venture's ambition to establish a leading production hub in Asia.[12]Rebranding and ownership changes
In February 2018, a consortium led by CMC Capital Partners acquired full ownership of Oriental DreamWorks from its joint venture partners, including DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal, thereby ending foreign involvement and establishing the studio as an independent Chinese entity.[13][14] The company was subsequently rebranded as Pearl Studio, with its official corporate name becoming Shanghai Pearl Studio Film and Television Technology Co., Ltd., reflecting its new focus on domestic leadership and creative autonomy.[15][16] Prior to the rebranding, key leadership changes laid the groundwork for the transition. In November 2015, Peilin Chou was appointed head of creative for feature animation at Oriental DreamWorks, bringing her extensive experience from roles at DreamWorks Animation and Nickelodeon.[17] She was promoted to chief creative officer in September 2017, where she oversaw the studio's creative direction and development slate.[18][19] Following the 2018 acquisition, Chou continued in her role at Pearl Studio, guiding the post-rebrand strategy toward culturally resonant storytelling and international partnerships.[20] To support global collaboration, Pearl Studio expanded its operations beyond Shanghai by establishing development offices in New York and Los Angeles shortly after the rebranding.[20][21] These locations facilitated talent recruitment and co-productions with Western studios while maintaining the headquarters in China.[22] Under Chinese ownership, Pearl Studio pivoted strategically to develop original intellectual property infused with Chinese cultural elements, aiming to create content appealing to both domestic and international audiences.[23] This shift was evident in project announcements from 2018 to 2021, including the 2019 reveal of films like The Legend of the Monkey Kid, inspired by the iconic Monkey King from Chinese folklore (though its development status remains unknown as of 2025), and subsequent 2021 slate unveilings such as Anitya (centering on the mythological figure Meng Po), Ultraland, and In the Stars.[24][2] These initiatives emphasized mythological and fantastical narratives rooted in Chinese heritage to build a distinctive global brand.[1]Productions
Feature films produced
Pearl Studio's feature films emphasize original storytelling infused with Chinese cultural elements, often in co-production with international partners to blend Eastern folklore and modern animation techniques. The studio's inaugural major project was the co-production of Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016, marking its entry into high-profile animated features. Subsequent releases like Abominable (2019) and Over the Moon (2020) showcased Pearl's focus on culturally resonant narratives, while The Monkey King (2023) and Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) continued this tradition with adaptations of classic Chinese tales and franchise expansions. These films highlight Pearl's role in bridging Chinese mythology with global audiences through collaborative animation processes.| Film | Release Year | Co-Production Partners | Distributor | Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kung Fu Panda 3 | 2016 | DreamWorks Animation | 20th Century Fox | $521 million |
| Abominable | 2019 | DreamWorks Animation | Universal Pictures | $190 million |
| Over the Moon | 2020 | Sony Pictures Animation | Netflix | N/A (streaming release) |
| The Monkey King | 2023 | Netflix Animation | Netflix | N/A (streaming release) |
| Kung Fu Panda 4 | 2024 | DreamWorks Animation | Universal Pictures | $548 million |