Multi Award-Winning Composer, Danny Elfman, Joins All Star Creative Team for Kartoon Studios’ “Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends,” to Compose Original Theme Song
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) has announced that legendary composer Danny Elfman will join the creative team of 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends' to compose the original theme song. Elfman, whose film scores have contributed to over $16.8 billion in worldwide box office earnings, joins an all-star creative team including Linda Woolverton (Executive Producer) and John Rivoli (Creative Director).
The ambitious franchise will launch with 208 seven-minute episodes and five Holiday specials, reimagining A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation. The first special is scheduled to premiere in December 2026, with a sneak peek on Christmas Eve 2025. The original Winnie-the-Pooh property has historically generated approximately $80 billion in retail sales.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) ha annunciato che il leggendario compositore Danny Elfman entrerà a far parte del team creativo di 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends' per comporre la canzone tema originale. Elfman, le cui colonne sonore hanno contribuito a oltre $16.8 miliardi di incassi in tutto il mondo, si unirà a un team creativo stellare che comprende Linda Woolverton (Executive Producer) e John Rivoli (Creative Director).
La ambiziosa franchigia verrà lanciata con 208 episodi di sette minuti e cinque speciali di Natale, reinventando Winnie-the-Pooh di A.A. Milne per una nuova generazione. Il primo speciale è previsto per il debutto a dicembre 2026, con un'anteprima il giorno di Natale del 2025. La proprietà originale Winnie-the-Pooh ha storicamente generato circa $80 miliardi in vendite al dettaglio.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) ha anunciado que el legendario compositor Danny Elfman se unirá al equipo creativo de 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends' para componer la canción tema original. Elfman, cuyas partituras han contribuido a más de $16.8 mil millones en taquilla mundial, se une a un equipo creativo de primer nivel que incluye a Linda Woolverton (Executive Producer) y John Rivoli (Creative Director).
La ambiciosa franquicia se lanzará con 208 episodios de siete minutos y cinco especiales navideños, reinventando Winnie-the-Pooh de A.A. Milne para una nueva generación. El primer especial tiene previsto estrenarse en diciembre de 2026, con un adelanto en la Nochebuena de 2025. La propiedad original Winnie-the-Pooh ha generado históricamente alrededor de $80 mil millones en ventas minoristas.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON)은 전설적인 작곡가 Danny Elfman이 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends'의 창작 팀에 합류해 원곡 주제를 작곡할 예정이라고 발표했습니다. 전 세계 박스오피스 수익에 기여한 Elfman은 Linda Woolverton(Executive Producer)과 John Rivoli(Creative Director) 등 올스타급 크리에이티브 팀과 함께합니다.
이 대담한 프랜차이즈는 7분 길이의 에피소드 208편과 다섯 편의 홀리데이 스페셜로 시작하며, A.A. 밀ne의 Winnie-the-Pooh를 새로운 세대에 맞춰 재구성합니다. 첫 번째 스페셜은 2026년 12월에 초연될 예정이며, 2025년 크리스마스 이브에 예고편이 공개됩니다. 원래 Winnie-the-Pooh 저작권은 역사적으로 약 $800억 달러의 소매 매출을 창출해 왔습니다.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) a annoncé que le compositeur légendaire Danny Elfman rejoindra l’équipe créative de 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends' pour composer le morceau témoin original. Elfman, dont les partitions ont contribué à plus de $16.8 milliards de recettes mondiales au box-office, rejoint une équipe créative de premier plan comprenant Linda Woolverton (Executive Producer) et John Rivoli (Creative Director).
La franchise ambitieuse sera lancée avec 208 épisodes de sept minutes et cinq specials de Noël, réinventant Winnie-the-Pooh d’A.A. Milne pour une nouvelle génération. Le premier spécial est prévu pour une première diffusion en décembre 2026, avec un avant-goût le soir de Noël 2025. La propriété originale Winnie-the-Pooh a historiquement généré environ $80 milliards de ventes au détail.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) hat bekannt gegeben, dass der legendäre Komponist Danny Elfman dem Kreativteam von 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends' beitreten wird, um den Original-Thema-Song zu komponieren. Elfman, dessen Filmmusik zu über $16.8 Milliarden weltweiten Kinoeinnahmen beigetragen hat, schließt sich einem All-Star-Kreativteam an, zu dem Linda Woolverton (Executive Producer) und John Rivoli (Creative Director) gehören.
Das ambitionierte Franchise wird mit 208 siebenminütigen Episoden und fünf Weihnachtsspecials starten und Winnie-the-Pooh von A.A. Milne für eine neue Generation neu interpretieren. Das erste Special soll im Dezember 2026 Premiere feiern, mit einer Vorschau am Heiligabend 2025. Die ursprüngliche Winnie-the-Pooh-Marke hat historisch gesehen rund $80 Milliarden an Einzelhandelsumsätzen generiert.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) أعلن أن الملحن الأسطوري Danny Elfman سينضم إلى فريق الإبداع في 'Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends' لكتابة الأغنية الرئيسية الأصلية. انضمام Elfman، الذي ساهمت ألحانه في أكثر من $16.8 مليار من عائدات شباك التذاكر العالمية، إلى فريق إبداعي يضم ليندا وولفيرتون (المنتجة التنفيذية) وجون ريفولي (المدير الإبداعي).
ستطلق السلسلة الطموحة بسلسلة من 208 حلقة مدة كل منها سبع دقائق وخمس ف specials عيد الميلاد، لإعادة تخيل Winnie-the-Pooh من A.A. Milne لأجيال جديدة. من المقرر عرض أول خاص في ديسمبر 2026، مع معاينة في ليلة عيد الميلاد 2025. تمتلك الملكية الأصلية لـ Winnie-the-Pooh تاريخياً حوالي $80 مليار من مبيعات التجزئة.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON)宣布传奇作曲家 Danny Elfman 将加入 Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends 的创意团队，创作原始主题曲。Elfman 的电影配乐为全球票房贡献超过 $16.8 亿美元 的收入，他将与包括 Linda Woolverton（执行制片人）和 John Rivoli（创意总监）在内的明星创意团队合作。
这个雄心勃勃的系列将以 208 集七分钟的剧集和 五部圣诞特别篇启动，以全新方式重新演绎 A.A. Milne 的 Winnie-the-Pooh，面向新一代。第一部特别篇计划于 2026 年 12 月 首播，2025 年圣诞夜将有预告片。 Winnie-the-Pooh 的原始版权在历史上大约带来 $800 亿美元的零售销售额。
- Secured renowned composer Danny Elfman, whose work has contributed to $16.8B in box office earnings
- Assembled high-profile creative team including Linda Woolverton (Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) and John Rivoli
- Large-scale production with 208 episodes and 5 holiday specials planned
- Building on Winnie-the-Pooh's proven commercial success of $80B in retail sales
- Long wait time until first special premiere (December 2026)
- Significant production commitment requiring substantial resources
Insights
Kartoon Studios adds composer Danny Elfman to high-profile "Winnie and Friends" franchise, signaling serious investment in premium content production.
Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) has secured Danny Elfman to compose the theme song for their upcoming "Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends" franchise. This strategic creative appointment is significant as Elfman joins an already impressive team featuring Linda Woolverton (writer of
The scale of this content initiative is substantial: 208 seven-minute episodes and 5 holiday specials, with the first special premiering in December 2026 and a sneak peek planned for Christmas Eve 2025. This represents Kartoon's most ambitious franchise project to date.
What's particularly notable is the commercial foundation of this investment. The company is leveraging the Winnie-the-Pooh IP, which has historically generated approximately
The strategic timing aligns with the 100th anniversary of A.A. Milne's original publication, potentially amplifying marketing opportunities. CEO Andy Heyward explicitly frames this as a long-term value creation initiative for shareholders, indicating the company views this as a transformative project rather than a one-off production.
Photo Credit: Amber Navarro
Elfman Joins Linda Woolverton, Writer of “Lion King,” “Beauty and The Beast,” “Maleficent,” and “Alice In Wonderland,” who will Guide Production as Executive Producer; and John Rivoli, Creative Force Behind Consumer Product Programs for “Harry Potter,” “Batman,” ‘SpongeBob,” “The Lord of The Rings,” and “Wicked, Leads as Creative Director
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) today announced that multi-award-winning Danny Elfman, one of the most acclaimed and versatile composers in film history whose work has helped drive more than
Multi-Academy Award nominated and Emmy & Grammy Award-winning Elfman—whose iconic scores for films such as “Batman,” “Beetlejuice,” “Men in Black,” “the Spider-Man trilogy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “The Grinch,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as well as the instantly recognizable theme for “The Simpsons,” have become ingrained in the fabric of modern cinema—will compose the original theme song.
Planned as the most ambitious franchise initiative in Kartoon Studios’ history, the project will launch with a package of 208 7-minute episodes, and a package of five Holiday specials that reimagine A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation. The first special is set to premiere in December 2026, with an early sneak peek arriving Christmas Eve 2025—timed to celebrate after the100th anniversary of the original publication of Milne’s beloved classic.
Elfman joins previously announced Executive Producer Linda Woolverton, the visionary screenwriter behind “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Maleficent;” and Creative Director John Rivoli, the celebrated creative force behind consumer product programs for “Harry Potter,” “Batman,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and “SpongeBob SquarePants”, among others.
“The stories of Winnie-the-Pooh hold a timeless innocence and quiet magic that I deeply admire,” said Elfman. “My goal with the theme is to honor A.A. Milne’s enduring spirit, while giving Kartoon Studios’ new interpretation a melody that will feel instantly familiar yet fresh for today’s audiences.”
“Working with Danny Elfman again, after our collaboration on Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ is a privilege,” said Woolverton. “Danny’s music brings imagination and emotional depth like no one else and to have him join us in reimagining Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation is a gift.”
“Danny’s music has always defined moments of magic, mystery, and wonder,” said Rivoli. “Bringing his artistry into the ‘Winnie and Friends’ gives our creative team a voice that perfectly balances nostalgia with something new.”
“Danny Elfman is one of the most iconic composers in film history, and we are honored to have him bring his genius to ‘Winnie and Friends,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Kartoon Studios. “Having Danny’s artistry, Linda’s brilliance, and John’s creative vision is an extraordinary moment for our studio. Winnie-the-Pooh is one of the most beloved and commercially successful properties in the world, having generated approximately
About Kartoon Studios
Kartoon Studios (NYSE AMERICAN: TOON) is a global leader in children’s and family entertainment, delivering premium content and high-value intellectual property to millions of viewers worldwide. The company’s portfolio features globally recognized brands including the Stan Lee IP, including Stan Lee’s Universe, Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends Rainbow Rangers, and more. Kartoon Studios operates Mainframe Studios—one of North America’s largest animation producers—with more than 22,000 minutes of award- winning programming delivered.
Through its Toon Media Networks division, including Kartoon Channel!, Kartoon Channel Worldwide in over 60 territories, Ameba, and Frederator Network, Kartoon Studios reaches audiences across linear television, AVOD, SVOD, FAST channels, and top streaming platforms. Kartoon Channel! is consistently rated the #1 kids’ streaming app on the Apple App Store.
Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding: planned number of episodes and specials of Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends; expected timing of the first special to premier in December 2026 with an early sneak peek arriving Christmas Eve 2025, the goal of the theme song is to honor A.A. Milne’s enduring spirit, while giving Kartoon Studios’ new interpretation a melody that will feel instantly familiar yet fresh for today’s audiences; the launch of the Company’s first Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends special marking what the Company expects will be the beginning of a global franchise that will endure for decades and create long-term shareholder value. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to the Company on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the Company’s ability to launch Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends when expected; the Company’s ability to produce the content as anticipated; audience reaction to the sneak peek in Christmas 2025 and the first special scheduled to premiere in December 2026; the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; general economic and financial conditions; the Company’s ability to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of content and within the retail market; the Company’s reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios; the Company’s ability to market and advertise its products; the Company’s reliance on third-parties to promote its products; the Company’s ability to keep pace with technological advances; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
MEDIA CONTACT:
pr@kartoonstudios.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
ir@kartoonstudios.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a736f27-0030-4a25-8a16-0cefe2822307
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26fef56b-aa41-4fe8-aa2d-5fd284a4c83b
FAQ
When will Kartoon Studios' (TOON) new Winnie and Friends special premiere?
Who are the key creative team members for Kartoon Studios' Winnie and Friends?
How many episodes are planned for Kartoon Studios' Winnie and Friends series?
What is the historical retail sales value of the Winnie-the-Pooh property?
What is Danny Elfman's box office track record for Kartoon Studios' new project?
