Discover the hidden evolution of Xilam, the French animation powerhouse that grew from acquiring a single cat-and-roach show to producing global hits for Disney+ and Netflix. From slapstick beginnings with Oggy to Oscar-nominated films and their own streaming service, this is the complete history of the studio with a name that’s a secret love letter.
The Complete Xilam Animation Evolution Timeline
Foundation and Early Success (1999-2007): The Acquisition Era
β 1997: Space Goofs β The series that started it all (produced by Gaumont, later acquired by Xilam).
β 1998: Oggy and the Cockroaches β The iconic, non-verbal slapstick comedy that became a global phenomenon and Xilam’s flagship franchise.
β 2003: Kaena: The Prophecy β Xilam’s first animated feature film, marking their move into CGI.
β 2006: Shuriken School β A ninja-themed series that found international success on Jetix.
β 2007: A Kind of Magic β The start of a long-running fantasy-comedy franchise.
Expansion and Maturation (2008-2017): Building a Library
β 2008: Rahan β Ambitious series based on the iconic French comic.
β 2010: Zig & Sharko β A new hit franchise was born, blending classic chase humor with vibrant animation.
β 2010: The Daltons β Bringing another beloved comic book property (Lucky Luke) to animated life.
β 2016: Paprika β A charming preschool series that found a home on Disney Junior.
β 2016: Grizzy and the Lemmings β A massively popular non-verbal comedy about a bear vs. lemmings.
Recent Acclaim and Modern Direction (2018-2026+): Prestige & Partnership
β 2018: Athleticus β A stylish, non-verbal series where wild animals compete in Olympic sports.
β 2019: I Lost My Body β The Oscar-nominated animated feature that redefined the studio’s creative ambitions.
β 2020: Where’s Chicky? β A simple, engaging hide-and-seek format for preschoolers.
β 2020: Moka’s Fabulous Adventures! β A comedy about a reckless crocodile prince and his guardian.
β 2020: Coach Me If You Can β A soccer-themed series about a boy and his magical ball.
β 2021: Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life β A major partnership with Disney+ to reboot the classic chipmunks.
β 2021: Lupin’s Tales β Reimagining fairy tales with the wolf as the hero.
β 2021: Oggy Oggy β A preschool reboot of the classic character for Netflix.
β 2022: Karate Sheep β A Netflix original series about a disruptive sheep in a peaceful flock.
β 2024: Piggy Builders β A show about sibling pigs tackling big construction projects.
β 2025: The Doomies β A new supernatural series for Disney+ with strong studio faith behind it.
β 2025: Toon Box Launch β Xilam launches its own kids-safe, ad-free streaming app with over 1,000 pieces of content.
β 2026: Turbo Twins β An upcoming title from the studio’s modern slate.
Key Notes
β From Acquisition to Powerhouse: Xilam didn’t create its first mega-hit; it smartly acquired Oggy and the Cockroaches and Space Goofs from Gaumont in 1999, using them as the foundation for a global empire.
β Strategic Evolution: The studio mastered non-verbal physical comedy (Oggy, Zig & Sharko), then expanded into preschool (Paprika), prestigious film (I Lost My Body), and major studio partnerships with Disney and Netflix.
β Vertical Integration: With the 2020 acquisition of Cube Creative (the studio behind Athleticus) and the 2025 launch of their own streaming service Toon Box, Xilam now controls production, IP, and direct distribution.
β Global Faith: Disney has “a lot of faith” in new projects like The Doomies, asking for a second season to enter pre-production even before the first aired, signaling deep partnerships.
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