View source for Marvel Productions

{{Short description|American production company}}
{{About|the animation company primarily active from 1981 until 1993||Marvel Animation (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox company
| name = {{ubl|Marvel Productions Ltd.|New World Animation}}
| former_name = {{ubl|[[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]] (1963–1981)|Marvel Productions Ltd. (1981–1993)}}
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| logo = New World Animation logo.png
| logo_caption = New World Animation's logo, which was used from 1993 to 1996
| fate = Acquired by [[News Corporation]] and folded into [[Fox Family Worldwide]]
| predecessor = [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]]
| successors = Studio:<br>[[20th Century Animation]]<br>[[Marvel Animation]]<br>[[Marvel Studios Animation]]<br>Library:<br>[[The Walt Disney Company]] (majority)<br>[[Hasbro Entertainment]] (assets from [[Sunbow Entertainment]] and [[Claster Television]])<br>[[Amazon MGM Studios]] (via [[United Artists]])
| foundation = {{start date and age|1981}}
| defunct = {{end date and age|1996}}
| founder = {{Plainlist|
* [[David H. DePatie]]
* [[Lee Gunther]]}}
| location = [[Hollywood, Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| industry = {{Plainlist|
* [[Film]]
* [[Television]]}}
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
* [[Stan Lee]]
* David H. DePatie
* [[Margaret Loesch]]
* [[Tom Tataranowicz]]}}
| products = {{Plainlist|
* [[Animated series]]
* [[Television show|Television programs]]
* [[Television special]]s
* [[Film|Theatrical films]]}}
| parent = {{Plainlist|
* [[Cadence Industries]] (1981–1986)
* [[Marvel Entertainment Group]] (1986–1989)
* [[New World Pictures|New World Entertainment]] (1989–1996)}}
}}

'''Marvel Productions Ltd.''', later known as '''New World Animation''', was an American [[production company]] owned by the [[Fox Entertainment Group]] subsidiary of [[News Corporation]] which was founded in 1981 as the television and film studio subsidiary of the [[Marvel Entertainment Group]], based in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].<ref name="lt">{{cite news|title=Marvel Productions Plans Move to West Los Angeles|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 2, 1989|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-02-fi-2453-story.html|access-date=October 22, 2010}}</ref> It later became a subsidiary of [[New World Pictures|New World Entertainment]] and eventually of News Corporation.

The company as Marvel Productions produced animated television series, films and television specials such as ''[[Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]'', ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1982 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', ''[[My Little Pony: The Movie (1986 film)|My Little Pony: The Movie]]'', ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', and ''[[G.I. Joe: The Movie]]'' as well as ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]'' and ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985 TV series)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' television series. Most of Marvel Productions/New World Animation's non-Hasbro-related back catalog is currently owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]].

== History ==
=== DePatie–Freleng Enterprises (1963–1981)===
The company began in 1963 as [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises|DFE Films]], and was sold to [[Cadence Industries]], [[Marvel Comics]] Group's owner, in 1981 after DFE founder and company executive [[Friz Freleng]] departed the company to return to his former job at [[Warner Bros. Animation]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Mangel|first=Andy|title=Marvel Age Issue 100 |date=May 1991 |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] |url=https://www.andymangels.com/marvelage.html|editor=Jim Salicrup|access-date=October 25, 2011|chapter=Reel Marvel|via=[[Andy Mangels|AndyMangels.com]]}}</ref><ref name="mgih">{{cite news|last1=Gilroy|first1=Dan|title=Marvel Grows Into $100-Million Hulk|url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-9Sx_QkCoE/TpcRkt4j6cI/AAAAAAAAAgg/-8yZ0qOWI3U/s1600/variety25-7.jpg|access-date=October 18, 2011|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 17, 1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720122946/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-9Sx_QkCoE/TpcRkt4j6cI/AAAAAAAAAgg/-8yZ0qOWI3U/s1600/variety25-7.jpg|archive-date=July 20, 2013|page=92 |format=jpeg |url-status=dead }}</ref> Freleng's business partner and DFE co-founder [[David H. DePatie]] continued to work for the company under the Marvel banner for several years until his retirement.<ref name="DePatie, David H">{{cite web|title=DePatie, David H. |url=http://www.cartoonhalloffame.org/2006/04/depatie-david-h.html |work=ASIFA-Hollywood Cartoon Hall Of Fame |publisher=The International Animated Film Society: ASIFA-Hollywood |access-date=May 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109134019/http://www.cartoonhalloffame.org/2006/04/depatie-david-h.html |archive-date=November 9, 2011 }}</ref>

=== Marvel Productions (1981–1993) ===
[[File:Marvel Productions logo.png|thumb|right|Logo for Marvel Productions, New World's former name.]]
Marvel Productions opened its Los Angeles studio in 1981.<ref name="mgih" /> In 1984, [[Margaret Loesch]] joined Marvel Productions as president and chief executive officer.<ref name=awn>{{cite news|last1=Godfrey|first1=Leigh|title=Loesch Steps Down From Crown|url=https://www.awn.com/news/loesch-steps-down-crown|access-date=February 16, 2018|work=Animation World Network|date=October 10, 2001|language=en}}</ref> Marvel Comics Group, owned by Cadence Industries Corporation since 1968, was sold to [[New World Pictures]] in 1986 along with Marvel Productions and incorporated as Marvel Entertainment Group.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news|first1=Jonathan P. |last1=Hicks|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Marvel Comic Book Unit Being Sold for $82.5 Million|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 8, 1988 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/08/business/the-media-business-marvel-comic-book-unit-being-sold-for-82.5-million.html|access-date=October 22, 2010}}</ref>

With New World having cash flow problems, MEG was sold in January 1989 to [[MacAndrews & Forbes#Andrews Group|Andrews Group]], a MacAndrews and Forbes subsidiary, owned by [[Ronald Perelman]]. However, New World kept Marvel Productions and merged it with its own television business.<ref name="nyt" /> MP moved their offices from Van Nuys to West Los Angeles in May 1989.<ref name="lt" />

New World's problems continued, which led them to also be acquired by the Andrews Group within the year.<ref name="fu">{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/macandrews-forbes-holdings-inc-history/ |title=History of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. |publisher=FundingUniverse |access-date=January 22, 2016}}</ref> Loesch left for [[Fox Kids]] in 1990.<ref name="Y!">{{cite web|title=Margaret Loesch Biography|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movie/contributor/1808576254/bio|work=[[Yahoo! Movies]]|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|access-date=May 19, 2011}}</ref> In December 1992, New World formed New World Family Filmworks and New World Action Animation, headed by Marvel Productions president [[Rick Ungar]], to produce $20 million worth of family entertainment programming.<ref name="variety">{{cite news|title=New World forms two new kidvid banners|url=https://variety.com/1992/film/news/new-world-forms-two-new-kidvid-banners-101945/|access-date=May 27, 2014|periodical=Variety|date=December 8, 1992}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Times Staff|title=New World Expands TV Program Activities|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-09-fi-1636-story.html|access-date=May 27, 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 9, 1992}}</ref>

=== New World Animation (1993–1996) ===
Marvel Productions was renamed New World Animation in November 1993.<ref>{{cite news|last=Freeman|first=Mike|title=New world of animation: former Marvel Entertainment chief Rick Ungar will head new division concentrating on original animated series, including upcoming 'Stealth Warriors.'|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14701883.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629120645/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14701883.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2014|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=November 1, 1993}}</ref> In 1994, Marvel and New World established [[Marvel Studios#Marvel Films|Marvel Films]] including Marvel Films Animation.<ref name="nyt" /><ref>{{cite press release|title=MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT AND AVI ARAD TO DEVELOP MEDIA PROJECTS |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MARVEL+ENTERTAINMENT+AND+AVI+ARAD+TO+DEVELOP+MEDIA+PROJECTS-a013140213|date=April 21, 1993|publisher=[[Marvel Entertainment]] Group|agency=[[PR Newswire]]|access-date=April 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=John Semper on "Spider-Man": 10th Anniversary Interview|url=http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/semperinterview4.htm|work=Marvel Animation Age|publisher=Toonzone|access-date=May 5, 2011|archive-date=May 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514224707/http://marvel.toonzone.net/spideytas/semperinterview4.htm}}</ref><ref name="cac">{{cite web|last=Cawley|first=John|title=Marvel Films Animation 1993–1997|url=http://www.cataroo.com/020104.html|work=Home of John Cawley|publisher=Cataroo|access-date=5 May 2011|archive-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522140322/http://www.cataroo.com/020104.html}}</ref> New World Animation (''[[The Incredible Hulk (1996 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]''), [[Saban Entertainment]] (''[[X-Men: The Animated Series|X-Men]]''), and Marvel Films Animation (''[[Spider-Man (1994 TV series)|Spider-Man]]''), each produced a Marvel series for television.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldman|first=Michael|title=Stan Lee: Comic Guru|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.4/awm2.4pages/2.4goldmanlee.html|work=Animation World Magazine|publisher=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=May 5, 2011}}</ref> [[Tom Tataranowicz]] was in charge of both Marvel Films Animation and New World Animation during this period.<ref>{{cite news|last=Materna|first=Marisa|title=Gang of Seven Goes Employee-Owned Route|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/gang-seven-goes-employee-owned-route|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Network|date=February 24, 2005}}</ref>

=== News Corporation subsidiary (1996) ===
[[News Corporation]]/[[Fox Entertainment Group]] acquired New World Entertainment, along with New World Animation and Marvel Films Animation for $2.5 billion in August 1996.<ref>{{cite news|title=August Issue News Section – Time Warner-Turner Merger Approved and Fox to Take Over New World|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/newsmag1.5.html|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Magazine|date=August 1996}}</ref> At the same time, Saban Entertainment secured the rights from Marvel Entertainment Group for ''[[Captain America]]'', ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]]'', and ''[[Silver Surfer]]'', and additional characters to be developed into four series and 52 episodes over the next seven years.<ref>{{cite news|title=August Issue News Section – Marvel Super Heroics To Continue On Fox Kids Network|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.5/articles/newsmag1.5.html|access-date=July 19, 2011|newspaper=Animation World Magazine|date=August 1996}}</ref>

Fox Children's Productions and Saban Entertainment merged to form [[ABC Family Worldwide|Fox Kids Worldwide]], a holding company and joint venture, in November 1996,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hillier |first=Barry|title=Fox Kids Worldwide is born|url=https://kidscreen.com/1996/11/01/17341-19961101/ |access-date=November 21, 2010|website=Kidscreen|date=November 1, 1996}}</ref> while Fox retained ownership of New World Animation.<ref>{{cite web|title=10-K Annual Report for the Period Ending 06/30/14|url=https://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NWS/0x0xS1564590-14-3642/1308161/filing.pdf|website=shareholder.com|publisher=[[21st Century Fox]]|access-date=January 21, 2016|page=181|date=August 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126084617/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NWS/0x0xS1564590-14-3642/1308161/filing.pdf|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Postscript ===
In July 2001, Fox Family Worldwide and its assets, including the Marvel Productions library and Saban Entertainment, were purchased by [[The Walt Disney Company]] for $5.2 billion.<ref name="lat">{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-02-fi-disney2-story.html |title=Disney Is Sued Over Copyrights|agency=[[Reuters]] |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 2, 2004 |access-date=February 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hofmeister|first1=Sallie|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-21-fi-24859-story.html |title=Walt Disney to Acquire Fox Family |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 21, 2001 |access-date=February 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first1=Carl| last1=DiOrio|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-family-costs-mouse-less-cheese-in-final-deal-1117854788/|title=Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal|date=October 24, 2001|periodical=Variety|access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref>

After getting its 2002 profit participation statements for the Marvel Productions library, Marvel Enterprises sued The Walt Disney Company over royalties in August 2004 after Disney would not open their books. This was followed by a November 2004 suit which claimed that the purchase of Fox Family did not transfer the shows' copyrights to Disney as the purchase was done without Marvel's approval. As part of both suits, Marvel claimed library income concealment and failure to exploit the characters.<ref name="lat" />

On August 31, 2009, Disney acquired [[Marvel Entertainment]] for $4 billion, reunifying the Marvel Productions library and Marvel Entertainment under the same corporate banner.<ref name="Disney">{{cite news|last1=Wilkerson|first1=David B.|title=Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4B|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-to-acquire-marvel-entertainment-for-4b-2009-08-31|website=[[MarketWatch]]|date=August 31, 2009|access-date=August 31, 2009}}</ref> After [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox]] on March 20, 2019, the Marvel Productions and Fox Kids/Saban Entertainment libraries reunited with the New World Animation library.

== Filmography ==
=== Animated series ===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width: auto; style="width:100%;" table-layout: fixed;" |
!style="width:20%;"|Show
!style="width:10%;"|Year
!style="width:10%;"|Network
!style="width:40%;"|Notes
|-
|''[[Spider-Man (1981 TV series)|Spider-Man]]''
|1981
|[[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]
| Marvel property<ref name="ign">{{cite web|last1=Fickett|first1=Travis|last2=Goldman|first2=Eric|last3=Iverson|first3=Dan|last4=Zoromski|first4=Brian|title=Spider-Man on TV|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/03/spider-man-on-tv?page=3|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=September 9, 2010|date=May 3, 2007}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]''
|1981–1983
|NBC<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100 Animated Series. 59. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends|url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series/59|website=IGN|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=May 18, 2016|page=59}}</ref> || Marvel property, paired with ''The Incredible Hulk''<ref name="ign" /><ref name="ign1">{{cite web|title=The Incredible Hulk (1982)|url=https://www.ign.com/tv/the-incredible-hulk-1982|website=IGN|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|''[[The Incredible Hulk (1982 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]''
| rowspan="3" |1982
|NBC
|Marvel property, paired with ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends''<ref name="ign" /><ref name="ign1" />
|-
|''[[Meatballs & Spaghetti]]''
|rowspan="3"|CBS
|co-production with [[Fred Silverman|InterMedia Entertainment Company]], Pan Sang East Co. Ltd, and [[MGM Television|MGM/UA Television]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Leszczak|first1=Bob|title=Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide|date=2016|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|isbn=978-1-4766-2384-9|page=99|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=70szDAAAQBAJ&q=Marvel+%22Intermedia+Entertainment%22+news+-youtube&pg=PA99|access-date=October 24, 2017|language=en|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Pandamonium (TV series)|Pandamonium]]''
|co-production with InterMedia Entertainment Company and MGM/UA Television{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
|-
|''[[Dungeons & Dragons (TV series)|Dungeons & Dragons]]''
|1983–1985
|co-production with [[TSR (company)|TSR Entertainment/Dungeons and Dragons Entertainment Corp]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dungeons & Dragons|url=https://www.ign.com/tv/dungeons-dragons|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref><br>currently co-owned by Disney and [[Hasbro Entertainment]]
|-
|''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983 TV series)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]''
|1983–1986
|Syndication
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name with [[Sunbow Entertainment|Sunbow Productions]]<ref name="vty" />
|-
|''[[Muppet Babies (1984 TV series)|Muppet Babies]]''
|1984–1991
|CBS
|based on Jim Henson's Muppets<ref name="os">{{cite news|last1=Solomon|first1=Charles|title= Animation Industry Finding Cost Of Laughter Is In Serious Trouble|newspaper= [[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=May 11, 1988|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-05-11-0040070279-story.html|agency=Entertainment News Service|access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref>
|-
|''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]''
|1984–1987
|Syndication
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name with Sunbow Productions<ref name="vty">{{cite news|last1=Gelman|first1=Morrie|title=Sunbow Takes To Marvel Like Duck To Water In Animation|url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehenm6Qnx2g/TpcQJrcCJII/AAAAAAAAAgA/77b39kyZftM/s1600/variety25-2.jpg |access-date=October 18, 2011 |periodical=Variety|date=September 17, 1986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214162145/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehenm6Qnx2g/TpcQJrcCJII/AAAAAAAAAgA/77b39kyZftM/s1600/variety25-2.jpg |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |page=81 |format=jpeg |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|''[[Little Muppet Monsters]]''
| rowspan="2" |1985
|CBS
|based on Jim Henson's Muppets, co-produced with [[The Jim Henson Company|Henson Associates]]<ref name="vty" />
|-
|[[Super Sunday (TV series)|''Super Sunday'' (a.k.a. ''Super Saturday'')]]
* <small>''[[Robotix]]''</small>
* <small>''[[Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines]]''</small><ref name="cbr0" />
* <small>''[[Jem (TV series)|Jem and the Holograms]]''</small><ref name="sst">{{cite web|last1=Swenson|first1=John|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1987-12-22-8702130145-story.html |title=Cartoon Character Puts Singer Into Spotlight |newspaper=[[Sun Sentinel]]|agency=[[United Press International]]  |date=December 22, 1987 |access-date=February 24, 2017}}</ref>
* <small>''[[Inhumanoids]]''</small><ref name="cbr">{{cite web|first1=Tim |last1=Webber |url=https://www.cbr.com/moving-pictures-15-cartoon-superheroes-who-jumped-to-comic-books/ |title=15 Cartoon Superheroes Who Jumped To Comic Books |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=December 10, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2017}}</ref>
|Syndication
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name co-produced with Sunbow Productions<ref name="vty" />
|-
|''[[The Young Astronauts]]''
|rowspan="5" |1986
|CBS
|Licensed from the Young Astronaut Council and planned to be adapted into a comic book by [[Marvel Comics]];<ref>{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Jack|title=Young Astronaut Program Is Taking Off|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19850111&id=WjodAAAAIBAJ&pg=2301,1996505&hl=en|access-date=June 25, 2014|newspaper=[[The Tuscaloosa News]]|issue=111|page=4|date=January 11, 1985}}</ref> one episode aired January 25, 1986.  Series was cancelled after [[Rogers Commission Report|Rogers Commission investigation]] into [[STS-51-L]] ([[Space Shuttle Challenger]] explosion) three days after episode was broadcast, resulting in litigation between the parties settled in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carter|first1=Robert L.|title=Marvel Entertainment Group v. Young Astronaut Council|url=https://www.leagle.com/decision/19901692747fsupp94511561.xml|website=Leagle.com|publisher=Leagle, Inc.|access-date=August 7, 2016|date=August 1, 1990|quote=Because of this, the show was postponed by CBS from the fall projected airing, although it was not cancelled. Eventually, YAC restrained the consultant and gave Marvel the freedom to go ahead with CBS' plans, and there was a meeting with CBS, Marvel and YAC in January, 1986, to discuss the show. The day after this meeting the space shuttle exploded and CBS notified the parties that the show was being cancelled.}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Jem (TV series)|Jem and the Holograms]]''
| rowspan="3" |Syndication
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name co-produced with Sunbow Productions<ref name="sst" />
|-
|''[[Inhumanoids]]''
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name co-produced with Sunbow Productions<ref name="cbr" />
|-
|''[[My Little Pony (TV series)|My Little Pony 'n Friends]]''
* <small>''[[The Glo Friends]]''</small>
* <small>''[[MoonDreamers]]''</small>
* <small>''[[Potato Head Kids]]''</small>
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name, coproduced with Sunbow Productions;<ref name="vty" /> first half of the show was My Little Pony while the second half was a [[wheel series]]<ref name="cbr0" />
|-
|''[[Defenders of the Earth]]''<ref name="sr">{{cite news|last1=Reddish|first1=David|title=15 Animated Superhero TV Shows You Completely Forgot About|url=https://screenrant.com/animated-superhero-tv-shows-you-forgot-about-unknown/?view=all|access-date=February 24, 2017|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>
|Syndication
|co-production with [[King Features Syndicate]] (owner)<ref name="cbr0" />
|-
|''[[Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series]]''
| rowspan="3" |1987
|NBC
|based on ''[[Fraggle Rock]]''<ref name="os" />
|-
|''[[Little Wizards]]''
| rowspan="2" |ABC
|co-production with [[New World Pictures|New World International]]<ref name=cbr0 />
|-
|''[[The Little Clowns of Happytown]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yoshihara|first1=Nancy|title='Little Clowns' Find Happytown Outside Japan : Korea, Brazil Among Countries Drawing Animation Work as Yen Grows Stronger|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-02-fi-12086-story.html|access-date=February 16, 2018|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 2, 1987}}</ref>
|co-production with [[Murakami-Wolf-Swenson]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lenburg|first1=Jeff|title=Who's who in Animated Cartoons: An International Guide to Film & Television's Award-winning and Legendary Animators|date=2006|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-1-55783-671-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/whoswhoinanimate0000lenb/page/n384 359]|url=https://archive.org/details/whoswhoinanimate0000lenb|url-access=registration|quote=Little Clowns of Happytown 1987 ABC.|access-date=February 15, 2018|language=en|via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref><br>currently owned by [[WildBrain]]
|-
|''[[Dino-Riders]]''<ref name="sr" />
| rowspan="2" |1988
| rowspan="2" |Syndication
|co-produced by [[Tyco Toys]]; aired as part of the ''[[Marvel Action Universe]]'' block<ref name="cbr0">{{cite news|last1=Imbesi|first1=Pete|title=15 CLASSIC Cartoons Marvel SECRETLY Produced|url=https://www.cbr.com/15-cartoons-you-didnt-know-marvel-produced/|access-date=February 16, 2018|website=Comic Book Rescoures|date=May 5, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|''[[RoboCop (animated TV series)|RoboCop]]''
|co-production with [[Orion Pictures]]; aired as part of the ''Marvel Action Universe'' block<ref name=cbr0 />
|-
|''[[Rude Dog and the Dweebs]]''<ref name=cbr0 />
| rowspan="2" |1989
|CBS
|
|-
|''[[X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men]]''
|Syndication
|aired on the ''Marvel Action Universe'' block as a pilot for an X-Men series{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
|-
|''[[Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (TV series)|Attack of the Killer Tomatoes]]''
| rowspan="2" |1990–1991
|FOX
|co-production with [[Fox Kids|Fox Children's Productions]]<ref name="cbr0" />
|-
|''[[Kid 'n Play (TV series)|Kid 'n Play]]''
|NBC
|co-production with [[Saban Entertainment]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
|-
|''[[Space Cats]]''
| rowspan="2" |1991–1992
|NBC
|co-production with Paul Fusco Productions{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
|-
|''[[Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars!]]''<ref name="sr" />
|Syndication (U.S.)
|co-production with Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, [[Continuity Comics]], IDDH, and Sunbow Productions
|-
|''[[Little Shop]]''
|1991
|Fox
|co-production with [[Saban Entertainment]], [[SIP Animation|Saban International N.V.]], BIL Participations S.A. and Gorfy Corporation N.V.
|-
|''[[Biker Mice from Mars]]''<ref name="cbr" />
|1993–1996
|Syndication
|studio known as New World Animation onwards, released as Marvel Productions, distributed by New World (internationally), Genesis Entertainment (domestically),<ref name="variety" /> co-production with Brentwood Television Funnies, Worldwide Sports & Entertainment, Inc. and [[Philippine Animation Studio|Philippine Animation Studios]]<ref>{{cite news|title=A Bedrock of U.S. Cartoon Production: TV: The Philippines' low costs and understanding of American culture are luring studios big and small|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-28-fi-39721-story.html|access-date=May 28, 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 28, 1995|agency=[[Associated Press]]|location=Manila}}</ref>
|-
|''[[The Incredible Hulk (1996 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]''
|1996
|[[UPN]]
|season 1, co-production with [[Marvel Films]] and [[Saerom Animation]]
|}
* ''Stealth Warriors''<ref>Freeman, Mike. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14701883.html New world of animation: former Marvel Entertainment chief Rick Ungar will head new division concentrating on original animated series, including upcoming 'Stealth Warriors.'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629120645/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14701883.html |date=2014-06-29 }} November 1, 1993. Broadcasting & Cable.</ref>

=== TV specials ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Airdate
!Title
!Network
!Notes
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|February 14, 1981
|''[[The Pink Panther in: Pink at First Sight|Pink at First Sight]]''
| rowspan="2" |[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|production inherited from [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]]
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|May 20, 1982
|''[[The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat]]''
|production inherited from [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]], co-production with [[Dr. Seuss]]
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|October 25, 1983
|''[[The Charmkins]]''
| rowspan="2" |syndication
| rowspan="2" |based on Hasbro toyline of same name
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|April 14, 1984
|''[[Rescue at Midnight Castle|My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle]]''
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|September 12, 1984
|''The Secret World of the Very Young''
|CBS
|co-production with Sunbow Productions
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|March 23, 1985
|''[[My Little Pony (TV series)#Original standalone episodes|My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina]]''
|syndication
|based on Hasbro toyline of same name
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|1987
|''[[Blondie (comic strip)#Animation|Blondie and Dagwood]]''
| rowspan="3" | CBS
| rowspan="2" |co-production with [[King Features Syndicate]]
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|1989
|''Blondie and Dagwood: Second Wedding Workout''
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|1993
|''The Magic Paintbrush''
|CBS prime time special sponsored by [[McDonald's]]<ref name="variety" />
|-
|style="text-align:right;"|November 28, 1996
|''Party Town Friends''
|Syndication
|
|}

Except for ''Fraggle Rock'', the rights to series based on Jim Henson properties are now held by [[The Muppets Studio]], a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.<ref name="corporate">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2004/2004_0217_kermit.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207182316/http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2004/2004_0217_kermit.html |archive-date=2004-12-07 |title=Disney Newsroom |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |date=February 17, 2004 |access-date=September 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rossen|first1=Jake|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/75596/her-name-was-skeeter-mystery-missing-muppet |title=Her Name Was Skeeter: The Mystery of the Missing Muppet |publisher=Mental Floss |date=2016-02-17 |access-date=2016-03-07}}</ref>

All programs based on [[Hasbro]] properties were co-productions with Sunbow Productions. These programs are now owned by Hasbro through its [[Hasbro Entertainment|entertainment unit]].

=== Theatrical and DTV films ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Airdate
!Title
!studio
!Notes
|-
|November 28, 1984
|''[[Gallavants]]''
|
|Direct-to-Video
|-
|June 20, 1986
|''[[My Little Pony: The Movie (1986 film)|My Little Pony: The Movie]]''
| rowspan="3" |with Sunbow Productions<ref name="vty" />
| rowspan="2" |Theatrical
|-
|August 8, 1986
|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''
|-
|April 20, 1987
|''[[G.I. Joe: The Movie]]''
|Direct-to-Video planned for theatrical release.
|-
|January 1993
|''[[Gahan Wilson]]'s Diner''
|
|Theatrical short<ref name="variety" />
|}

=== Film titles ===
* ''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]'' (1982) (inherited from [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]])
* ''[[Curse of the Pink Panther]]'' (1983) (inherited from DePatie–Freleng Enterprises)

=== TV pilots ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: left"
|-
! Title !! Original broadcast !! Network
|-
| ''[[Solarman#In other media|Solarman]]''
| 1988
|rowspan=2| [[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]
|-
| ''[[X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men]]''
| 1989
|}

== Executives ==
* [[David H. DePatie]] – president and chief executive officer (1980–1984)<ref name="DePatie, David H" />
* [[Margaret Loesch]] – president and chief executive officer (1984–1990)<ref name="Y!" />
* [[Rick Ungar]] – president and chief executive officer (1991–August 1995)<ref name="bc">{{cite news|title=Rick Ungar, president of New World Animation since 1991|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17254157.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629120604/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17254157.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2014|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=August 28, 1995}}</ref>
* [[Lee Gunther]] – senior vice president, production (1986)<ref name="mdtx">{{cite news|last=Gilroy |first=Dan|title=Marvel Now A $100-Million Hulk: Marvel Divisions And Top Execs|url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehenm6Qnx2g/TpcQJrcCJII/AAAAAAAAAgA/77b39kyZftM/s1600/variety25-2.jpg|access-date=October 18, 2011|periodical=Variety|date=September 17, 1986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214162145/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehenm6Qnx2g/TpcQJrcCJII/AAAAAAAAAgA/77b39kyZftM/s1600/variety25-2.jpg |archive-date=14 February 2012 |page=81 |format=jpeg |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Stan Lee]] – vice president, creative affairs (1986)<ref name="mdtx" />
* Michael Wahl – vice president, business affairs (1986)<ref name="mdtx" />
* Peter Knepper – vice president and chief financial officer (1986)<ref name="mdtx" />
* Hank Sarovan – vice president (1986)<ref name="mdtx" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{YouTube|acyUJQpuXNg|Marvel Productions and Sunbow Entertainment logo history}}

{{Walt Disney Television}}
{{BVS Entertainment}} 
{{Fox Kids}}
{{Marvel animation|state=expanded}}
{{Marvel Action Universe|state=expanded}}
{{Hasbro cartoons mid 80s}}
{{DePatie-Freleng Enterprises}}
{{Animation industry in the United States}}

[[Category:Marvel Productions| ]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1996 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1981]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:American animation studios]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Defunct film and television production companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics animation]]
[[Category:Marvel Entertainment]]
[[Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1981]]