If you grew up in the ’90s or early 2000s, there’s a good chance you watched Wallace & Gromit or Chicken Run.
The studio behind those hits, Aardman, raked in over $1 billion at the box office and pioneered the genre "clay animation."
But after losing millions on recent flops like Lloyd of the Flies, Aardman is turning to TikTok to test ideas before turning them into movies.
From Big Studio to Scrappy YouTuber?
Instead of guessing what audiences might like, Aardman now tests characters by making mini-animated videos on TikTok.
Their characters that get traction get green lit for bigger productions — with a built-in fanbase already waiting.
Or they test older characters, like those in the 1990's hit Creature Comforts, which led to 1M+ views and fans calling for a reboot.
Crowdfunding Might Be Next
Rather than relying solely on networks like BBC (which funded the studio for years), Aardman wants to invite fans to directly invest in new characters and shows.
The upside? More ownership. More flexibility. And a stronger connection with the people who matter most.
Our Take
Aardman is doing something few legacy studios have the guts to try: launching new IP in short-form, community-driven spaces before scaling it into million-dollar productions.
It’s a smart bet — and not without precedent.
Indie studio American High used TikTok to test storylines and tone before landing a Hulu deal.
Meanwhile, studios like Fox Animation clung to old models — and folded after flops like Titan A.E.
If short-form prototypes lead to better, cheaper, fan-funded films, Aardman’s model could redefine how animation survives in the digital age.