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
→ 1997: Space Goofs – The series that started it all (produced by Gaumont, later acquired by Xilam).
→ 1998: Oggy and the Cockroaches – The iconic, non-verbal slapstick comedy that became a global phenomenon and Xilam’s flagship franchise.
→ 2003: Kaena: The Prophecy – Xilam’s first animated feature film, marking their move into CGI.
→ 2006: Shuriken School – A ninja-themed series that found international success on Jetix.
→ 2007: A Kind of Magic – The start of a long-running fantasy-comedy franchise.
Expansion and Maturation (2008-2017): Building a Library
→ 2008: Rahan – Ambitious series based on the iconic French comic.
→ 2010: Zig & Sharko – A new hit franchise was born, blending classic chase humor with vibrant animation.
→ 2010: The Daltons – Bringing another beloved comic book property (Lucky Luke) to animated life.
→ 2016: Paprika – A charming preschool series that found a home on Disney Junior.
→ 2016: Grizzy and the Lemmings – A massively popular non-verbal comedy about a bear vs. lemmings.
Recent Acclaim and Modern Direction (2018-2026+): Prestige & Partnership
→ 2018: Athleticus – A stylish, non-verbal series where wild animals compete in Olympic sports.
→ 2019: I Lost My Body – The Oscar-nominated animated feature that redefined the studio’s creative ambitions.
→ 2020: Where’s Chicky? – A simple, engaging hide-and-seek format for preschoolers.
→ 2020: Moka’s Fabulous Adventures! – A comedy about a reckless crocodile prince and his guardian.
→ 2020: Coach Me If You Can – A soccer-themed series about a boy and his magical ball.
→ 2021: Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life – A major partnership with Disney+ to reboot the classic chipmunks.
→ 2021: Lupin’s Tales – Reimagining fairy tales with the wolf as the hero.
→ 2021: Oggy Oggy – A preschool reboot of the classic character for Netflix.
→ 2022: Karate Sheep – A Netflix original series about a disruptive sheep in a peaceful flock.
→ 2024: Piggy Builders – A show about sibling pigs tackling big construction projects.
→ 2025: The Doomies – A new supernatural series for Disney+ with strong studio faith behind it.
→ 2025: Toon Box Launch – Xilam launches its own kids-safe, ad-free streaming app with over 1,000 pieces of content.
→ 2026: Turbo Twins – An upcoming title from the studio’s modern slate.
Key Notes
→ 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.
→ 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.
→ 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.
→ 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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