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As animation continues to show its power on the big screen and in streaming, Netflix has brought one of the media’s iconic creative teams into its fold.
The streaming giant has entered into a creative partnership, also known as an overall deal in Netflix parlance, with Michael Jellinek and Aaron Horvath, the creators of the long-running series. Teen Titans Go! The series and most recently the duo behind the billion-dollar gross Super Mario Bros. Films produced by Universal and Illumination.
The deal will see Jelenic and Horvath develop animated series and films exclusively for Netflix. As a bonus, the duo will also be dipping their toes into the live-action set, with Netflix giving a first look at those projects.
“Michael Jellinek and Aaron Horvath are visionary creators who remind us why we fall in love with animation,” said John Derderian, vice president of animated series, kids and family television at Netflix. “After the great success it achieved Super Mario Bros. movies and Teen Titans Go! At our service, it’s clear that our global audience craves their own unique brand of storytelling. We’re thrilled to embark on this partnership and can’t wait to see what Netflix members dream up next.”
Jellinek and Horvath have gained attention for their innovative, fast-paced work over nine seasons (and counting) on Cartoon Network. Teen Titans Go!which launched in 2013 and is based on DC characters. spacer film, Teen Titans Go! To the movieswas released theatrically by Warners in 2018.
The duo also worked on directing the 2023 film with Pierre Leduc Super Mario Bros moviewhich became a surprise juggernaut, opening with $146.3 million domestically and grossing $1.3 billion. sequel, Super Mario Galaxy movieIt opened this year and has grossed $966.5 million since its April 1 release.
These titles have also proven to be huge players on Netflix. Super Mario Bros movie It appeared in the top 10 movies on Netflix globally for 24 weeks and garnered more than 240 million views from December 2023 through the end of 2025, according to the streamer. Meanwhile, Teen Titans Go! Seasons 1 to 5 and Teen Titans Go! To the movies It received more than 80 million views on the platform from 2023 to 2025.
“We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to create captivating and immersive series and films over the coming years,” Jellinek and Horvath said together. “We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to entertaining the largest audience in the world!”
Jellinek and Horvath are repped by CAA, Allison Bender at Goodman Geno and Angela Cheng Kaplan at Cheng Kaplan.
