Netflix Secures Animation Deal with Super Mario & Teen Titans Creators

Netflix announced a multi-year overall deal with Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath, the writers-directors of “Teen Titans Go!” and the “Super Mario Bros.” films. The pair will create animated series and feature films exclusively for Netflix, and Netflix will receive first-look rights on any live-action projects they pitch.

The WrapHollywood ReporterNetflix Forges Creative Partnership with Animation Duo Michael Jelenic & Aaron Horvath

Jelenic and Horvath gained fame on Cartoon Network’s “Teen Titans Go!” (nine seasons since 2013) and its 2018 film “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.” Their work with Illumination and Nintendo produced “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023) and its sequel “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” Both titles have become Netflix staples, with the first film in the global Top 10 for 24 weeks.

Hollywood ReporterNetflix Forges Creative Partnership with Animation Duo Michael Jelenic & Aaron HorvathThe Wrap

Michael Jelenic, an Emmy- and Annie-nominated writer-producer, began at Warner Bros. Animation, later serving as executive producer on “Teen Titans Go!” and co-writing the hit song “Peaches.” Aaron Horvath, also Emmy-nominated, held senior roles at Warner Bros. Animation and supervised “Teen Titans Go!” and “UniKitty.” Both are represented by CAA; Allison Binder handles them at Goodman Genow and Angela Cheng Caplan at Cheng Caplan Company.

Netflix Forges Creative Partnership with Animation Duo Michael Jelenic & Aaron Horvath

The original “Super Mario Bros. Movie” grossed about $1.3 billion worldwide (some reports $1.36 billion). Reported earnings for the sequel range from $966.5 million to $1.36 billion. On Netflix, the first film logged over 240 million views from Dec 2023 to end-2025; “Teen Titans Go!” seasons 1-5 and its film together earned more than 80 million views in the same period.

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Netflix VP of Animation Series and Kids & Family TV John Derderian said the deal reflects confidence that the creators’ “unique brand of storytelling” meets global demand. Jelenic and Horvath said they are eager to deliver “captivating and immersive” content to Netflix’s worldwide audience.

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Sources disagree on the sequel’s release: one cites an April 1 launch “this year” without a year, another lists April 2026. Box-office figures also vary between $966.5 million and $1.36 billion. No details on upcoming projects, budgets, or release schedules have been released.

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• “Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath are visionary creators who remind us why we fell in love with animation.” — John Derderian, Vice President, Netflix

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• “After the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. movies and Teen Titans Go! on our service, it’s clear our global audience craves their unique brand of storytelling. We are thrilled to embark on this partnership and can’t wait to see what they dream up next for Netflix members.” — John Derderian, Vice President, Netflix

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• “We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to create captivating and immersive series and films over the coming years.” — Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath, Directors

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• “We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to entertaining the world’s largest audience!” — Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath, Directors

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The deal gives Netflix first-look rights on any live-action concepts the duo creates, indicating upcoming live-action projects. Jelenic and Horvath plan to develop new animated series and films for Netflix in the coming months, though titles and release dates remain undisclosed.

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