Best Toon Network Podcasts (2025)

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How “The Small One” Became a Very Big Problem for Disney (Ep. 338) 36:14

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5d ago36:14

36:14

With Drew Taylor sidelined by a nasty case of the Christmas crud, Jim Hill flies solo for this end-of-year edition of Fine Tooning. After a bit of seasonal vamping, Jim dives into animation news before kicking off the first half of a deep-dive holiday history lesson. This week’s episode sets the stage for a story that begins with a modest Disney fe…

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Disney’s 200-Character OpenAI Bet and a Detour Down the Yellow Brick Road (Ep. 337) 52:19

12d ago52:19

52:19

Drew Taylor and Jim Hill kick off this week’s show with a genuinely wild media landscape where holiday releases, awards season, and corporate maneuvering are all colliding at once. From a brewing battle over Warner Bros. Discovery to Disney’s latest tech-flavored swing, the first half is a rapid tour through what’s breaking (and what might be break…

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Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery and an Animated Trip Over the Rainbow (Ep. 336) 48:24

19d ago48:24

48:24

Jim and Drew unpack one of the biggest industry shakeups in years as Netflix snaps up Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that reshapes everything from Adult Swim to the broader animation marketplace. Then the guys follow the yellow brick road into this week’s feature, exploring the strange, stop-and-start history of Hollywood’s many attempts to revisit…

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Zootopia 2 Runs Wild in China and Oz Takes Over the Holidays (Ep. 335) 44:06

26d ago44:06

44:06

Jim goes solo this week while Drew speeds back toward LA for an early press screening of “Avatar: Fire & Ash.” In the meantime, Jim catches us up on a very eventful week in animation news, from the monster launch of “Zootopia 2” in China to Disney Parks animatronics already slipping into B mode. He also spotlights new shorts, holiday specials, and …

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Inside the Animation Money Machine: Zootopia 2, Frozen Paydays & the New Economics of Disney Franchises (Ep. 334) 49:56

1M ago49:56

49:56

As Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down just hours before Zootopia 2 preview screenings begin, they dig into the film’s early reactions, the surprising box-office shape of the holiday season, and the escalating economics behind today’s animated franchises.HIGHLIGHTS Early reactions to Zootopia 2 and what Drew learned from scoring sessions and long-lea…

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Trailers, Box Office Surprises & SpongeBob’s Return: Animation’s Holiday Push (Ep. 333) 43:55

1M ago43:55

43:55

As the long Thanksgiving weekend approaches, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into a flurry of newly dropped animation trailers, surprising box office projections, and the industry shifts shaping Spring and Summer 2026. Recorded just as holiday season ramps up, this week’s Fine Tooning mixes news, nostalgia, and some unexpected industry history. HIGHLI…

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When the Sky Fell: The Turbulent Legacy of Chicken Little (Ep. 332) 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor salute Veterans Day and talk about Xavier “X” Atencio, the new Disney Editions book celebrating the Imagineer behind the Haunted Mansion’s “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Then, Drew and Jim dive into the weekend box office — from Predator: Badlands breaking franchise records to the upcoming Zootopia 2 — before Jim goes solo to fini…

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When “Chicken Little” Took Flight: Disney’s First CGI Gamble and What Came Next (Ep. 331) 51:51

2M ago51:51

51:51

This week on Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor mark the 20th anniversary of Chicken Little — Disney’s first fully computer-animated feature — and trace how the film’s rocky launch reshaped the studio’s animation strategy in the mid-2000s. Recorded the morning after Daylight Savings Time kicked in, this episode mixes history, h…

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How Disney’s “Pinocchio” Became the Studio’s Most Terrifying Classic (Ep. 330) 1:00:31

2M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor celebrate Halloween week by taking a deep dive into Disney’s darkest fairy tale — and the long, strange legacy of “Pinocchio.” From canceled attractions and creepy Hong Kong mazes to Julie Taymor’s unrealized Broadway musical, this little wooden boy has haunted Disney history for over 80 years. Why Walt Disney once scrapped…

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From Disneyland to “Charlotte’s Web”: The Sherman Brothers’ Forgotten Tunes (Ep. 329) 53:53

2M ago53:53

53:53

This week on Fine Tooning, Drew Taylor and Jim Hill explore how Disney’s most beloved songwriting duo—the Sherman Brothers—found new creative life after leaving the Mouse House in 1968. From the heartfelt melodies of Snoopy Come Home to the timeless charm of Charlotte’s Web, Jim revisits how their music carried Disney’s spirit into other studios’ a…

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Inside the Animation Is Film Festival with Matt Kaszanek (Ep. 328) 49:19

2M ago49:19

49:19

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor welcome special guest Matt Kaszanek, Program Director for the Animation Is Film Festival, to talk about what fans can expect at this year’s event at the TCL Chinese Theatre. From exclusive screenings and panels to the state of the animation industry, this episode dives deep into the heart of Hollywood’s celebration of anima…

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Inside “Zootopia 2” – Drew’s First Look at Disney’s Next Big Sequel (Ep. 327) 52:00

3M ago52:00

52:00

By Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

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The Long, Strange Journey of The Cobbler and the Thief (Ep. 326) 51:46

3M ago51:46

51:46

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor wrap up September with a packed episode of Fine Tooning. From this year’s sold-out Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood to the long, winding saga of Richard Williams’ unfinished opus The Cobbler and the Thief, the guys cover the latest in animation news, box office battles, and even a courtroom clash over Steamboat Willie. …

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How Mighty Mouse Accidentally Invented Saturday Morning Cartoons (Ep. 325) 48:47

3M ago48:47

48:47

This week on Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor rewind to the mid-1950s to uncover how a forgotten studio sale and one scrappy rodent changed television forever. Along the way, they’ll cover everything from box office updates to Paw Patrol holiday specials, plus the latest shake-ups inside Disney corporate. The Disney-related twist behind CBS l…

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Demon Slayer Shatters Records, Toy Story 5 Sneak Peek, and Skydance Eyes Warner Bros (Ep. 324) 54:36

3M ago54:36

54:36

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with another packed episode of Fine Tooning. From anime shattering records at the box office to Pixar showing off the future of Toy Story, the duo break down the biggest stories shaping animation this week. Demon Slayer’s record-breaking $70 million North American debut and what set this release apart Toy Story’s 3…

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From Venice to Toronto: Festival Favorites and Fall Film Buzz (Ep. 323) 48:01

4M ago48:01

48:01

Awards season is heating up, and Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are here to break it all down. From the Venice Film Festival and TIFF premieres to box office shocks and studio shakeups, this episode dives into the films and animated projects making headlines around the globe. Highlights include: Venice Film Festival winners and early buzz from TIFF “The …

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Inside Netflix’s Biggest Animated Hit and What’s Next for Aardman & Pixar (Ep. 322) 47:17

4M ago47:17

47:17

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor kick off September with a packed episode of Fine Tooning, covering the biggest stories in the world of animation: The record-shattering success of KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix and what’s next for the franchise Updates on Big Mouth, its Emmy legacy, and the upcoming series Mating Season Aardman’s latest projects, including …

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Box Office Surprises, “KPop Demon Hunters” Rise, and Muppets on Broadway (Ep. 321) 38:59

4M ago38:59

38:59

Jim Hill is solo this week and breaks down the end of the 2025 summer movie season and why traditional blockbusters are struggling at the box office. From shocking second-weekend drop-offs to Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” taking the No. 1 spot in theaters, Jim covers the hits and misses of the season. How films like Fantastic Four: First Steps and…

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The Voice of Your Childhood: Jim Cummings Joins Fine Tooning (Ep. 320) 46:26

4M ago46:26

46:26

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with a packed episode of Fine Tooning, highlighted by an interview with legendary voice actor Jim Cummings. From Pooh and Tigger to Darkwing Duck, Jim shares behind-the-scenes stories from a career that shaped generations of animation fans. The shifting release date of Shrek 5 and what it means for DreamWorks Why Dis…

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From Dog Stars to “Fixed” and What’s Next for The Bad Guys (Ep. 319) 44:41

5M ago44:41

44:41

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor return with another jam-packed episode of Fine Tooning, covering everything from Sirius the Dog Star to the latest in animated film and TV news. This week’s stories span box office winners, Netflix premieres, and the challenges of recasting beloved characters. • The history of the “Dog Days of Summer” and why Sirius is more…

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How “The Simpsons” Took Over America (with Author Alan Siegel) (Ep. 318) 59:13

5M ago59:13

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Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down with Alan Siegel from The Ringer to discuss his new book Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television and America Forever. Together, they revisit how Matt Groening’s crude interstitials on The Tracey Ullman Show evolved into a cultural juggernaut, what nearly derailed the series b…

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Chris Sanders Returns for Lilo & Stitch 2 After Billion-Dollar Success (Ep. 317) 43:03

5M ago43:03

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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor wrap up July with box office milestones, Comic-Con exclusives, and some major animation developments: Chris Sanders returns to write Lilo & Stitch 2 – After the billion-dollar success of the live-action film, Disney is moving forward with a sequel, with Sanders bringing fresh ideas from the …

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Get ready for a very animated San Diego Comic-Con (Ep. 316) 55:24

5M ago55:24

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Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by discussing “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” that new show at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. examineThey then look at how Paramount Pictures’ new “Smurfs” film performed at the domestic box office. For this episode, listeners will learn about: Who did Chris Buck & Kevin Lima originally want to voice Ta…

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SpongeBob Returns with Flying Dutchman and a Star-Studded Teaser (Ep. 315) 43:22

6M ago43:22

43:22

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into a wide-ranging conversation about box office trends, Comic-Con reveals, and the growing debate around casting A-list celebrities in animated films. Highlights include: Paramount debuts the first teaser for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – Mark Hamill joins as the Flying…

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Jurassic World Breaks Records, Elio Stalls, and Looking Back at 'The Mouse Factory' (Ep. 314) 51:07

6M ago51:07

51:07

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into a packed slate of animation and entertainment news—including box office wins, deep animation history, and Broadway updates: Universal celebrates a huge opening for Jurassic World Rebirth with $318M globally, while How to Train Your Dragon crosses the half-billion mark. Disney’s Lilo…

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Lilo & Stitch 2 Announced, Elio Holds, and Akira’s Live-Action Deal Expires (Ep. 313) 35:24

6M ago35:24

35:24

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor reunite (despite a case of post-Annecy crud) to cover a wide range of animation and industry news, including: Disney officially announces Lilo & Stitch 2 after the live-action original crosses $945M globally. Elio holds better than expected with a solid second weekend as it climbs past $42M …

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Annecy, Disneyland Paris, and the Animation News You Missed While Drew Was in France (Ep. 312) 41:56

6M ago41:56

41:56

On this week’s jet-lagged edition of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor keep things quick but packed with insight. Drew is back from his travels—and despite the sleep deprivation, he’s ready to recap his time at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and his first-ever visit to Disneyland Paris. How Annecy 2025 addressed AI concerns a…

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Beauty and the Beast at 30, Elio Projections, and the Live-Action Dragon’s Box Office (Ep. 311) 51:57

6M ago51:57

51:57

In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill covers the latest from the animation and box office world while Drew Taylor wraps up his trip to Annecy and Disneyland Paris. This week’s highlights include: Live-action How to Train Your Dragon opens to $197M globally, including a $83M domestic debut that surpasses every previous entry in the franchis…

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Lilo & Stitch Still Soars, Dragon Whoppers Reviewed, and Fantasia’s Forgotten Soundtrack (Ep. 310) 41:21

7M ago41:21

41:21

In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill covers a whirlwind of animation news, box office milestones, and fast food tie-ins—while Drew Taylor checks in from Annecy. Topics include: Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch nears $800M globally, but with How to Train Your Dragon, Elio, and Jurassic World approaching, can it hold on? A live-action Tan…

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Pixar’s Elio Revealed, Coco 2 Confirmed & Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Sparks Debate (Ep. 309) 52:17

7M ago52:17

52:17

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor unpack the biggest stories in the animation world, including Drew’s visit to Pixar for an exclusive look at Elio. The upcoming original film continues to evolve creatively, now led by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, and features bold technical advances and emotional storytelling. The duo also confirms Coco 2 is officially…

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Lilo & Stitch Surprises at the Box Office, Toy Story 5 Adds Conan, and Epic Universe Impressions (Ep. 308) 50:31

7M ago50:31

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In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor reunite to cover a packed Memorial Day weekend full of animation and theme park headlines, including: Disney’s Lilo & Stitch stuns with a $183M opening, far surpassing projections and proving the power of theatrical releases. Conan O’Brien joins Toy Story 5 as Smarty Pants, revealed during D…

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Gumby Turns 70, DreamWorks Eyes Cocomelon, and Peppa Pig Teams Up with Walmart (Ep. 307) 41:34

7M ago41:34

41:34

In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into a packed week of animation news while Drew Taylor covers the opening of Epic Universe in Florida. Topics include: The 70th anniversary of Gumby – A look back at Art Clokey’s clay-animated classic and upcoming updates like Gumby Kids. Faith-based animation on the rise – Following the box offi…

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Lilo & Stitch Controversy, Frozen 3’s Castle Reveal, and Fox Doubles Down on Adult Animation (Ep. 306) 37:36

8M ago37:36

37:36

In this solo episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill covers a wide range of animation news and commentary while Drew Taylor is away covering the global premiere of Mission: Impossible 8. Topics include: Controversy around Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch – Director Dean Fleischer Camp shares concept art of Pleakley in a dress after Disney reportedly ve…

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Simpsons Renewed Through Season 40, Thunderbolts Tops the Box Office, and Disney’s Broadway Plans (Ep. 305) 42:54

8M ago42:54

42:54

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor explore a wide range of animation and entertainment industry news, including: The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and American Dad each get renewed for four more seasons—an unprecedented move ensuring job security and a pipeline of adult animation through the end of the decade. Marvel’s…

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FanFest at Universal Hollywood, King of the Hill Returns, and Animation Highlights from Annécy (Ep. 304) 45:55

8M ago45:55

45:55

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor cover a busy week in animation and theme park news, including: Drew’s full report from FanFest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, including Back to the Future Hill Valley experiences, new anime tie-ins, and what could be coming to the East Coast. King of the Hill revival update – A new p…

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Not Just a Goof: Celebrating A Goofy Movie with the Filmmakers Behind the Disney+ Documentary (Ep. 303) 58:01

8M ago58:01

58:01

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down with filmmakers Eric Kimelton, Christopher Ninness, and Scott Seibold to talk about the making of Not Just a Goof, the heartfelt new Disney+ documentary celebrating the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie. They discuss lost footage, creative challenges, pop culture legacy, and their u…

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How long was “Black Cauldron” actually in the works at Disney (Ep 302) 50:40

9M ago50:40

50:40

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by offering birthday greetings to a modern animation master. They then welcome Neil O’Brien, author of “After Disney,” to discuss what it was like to work on the Burbank Lot back in the Late 1970s / Early 1980s Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: When did “BOOP: The Musical” do its …

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Minecraft Breaks Records, Disney Pauses Tangled, and Animation Takes Over CinemaCon (Ep. 301) 48:25

9M ago48:25

48:25

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the biggest stories shaking up the animation world, including: The explosive box office debut of A Minecraft Movie – Surpassing expectations with $157 million, becoming the biggest opening ever for a video game adaptation. Disney pauses its live-action Tangled remake – After Snow …

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Princess Mononoke Returns, The Critic Revival Buzz, and What’s Next for Looney Tunes (Ep. 300) 47:57

9M ago47:57

47:57

In this milestone 300th episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into the biggest animation stories of the week, including: GKIDS’ 4K re-release of Princess Mononoke – How this Studio Ghibli classic led the box office in per-screen average nearly three decades after its debut. Disney’s Snow White struggles at the box office – What the 66% second-week …

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Snow White’s Box Office, Coco 2, and Pixar’s Elio Gets a Rewrite (Ep. 299) 53:25

9M ago53:25

53:25

In this episode of Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew dive deep into the latest news and developments in the world of animation: Snow White’s Slow Start – Disney’s live-action remake stumbles at the box office, and Drew shares his take after seeing the film. Coco 2 Announced (and Unannounced) – A sequel to Pixar’s Coco is confirmed by…

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Snow White’s Box Office Concerns and the Future of Disney’s Live-Action Remakes (Ep. 298) 52:30

9M ago52:30

52:30

In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into the latest animation and entertainment news, including: Disney braces for a rough opening weekend for Snow White – How revised box office projections signal trouble for the live-action remake. The Lilo & Stitch trailer breaks records – Why it’s Disney’s second-most viewed live-action trailer ever.…

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Disney Cancels Tiana Series and Favreau’s Oswald Project (Ep. 297) 52:09

10M ago52:09

52:09

In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down a massive week in animation news, including: Disney’s shocking decision to cancel the Tiana series for Disney+ and why the studio is stepping away from long-form streaming content. Ne Zha 2’s unprecedented box office run – How the Chinese animated film crossed $2 billion and is climbing the list …

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“Flow,” “In the Shadow of the Cypress” take home Oscar gold (Ep.296) 48:12

10M ago48:12

48:12

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the 97th Academy Awards. They then offer up a tribute to the late great publicist & animation champion, Fumi Kitahara Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: When is “Ne Zha 2” expected to blow through the $2 billion barrier at the worldwide box office Which produced-by-Marvel…

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Ne Zha 2 Breaks Records, Mufasa Hits Streaming, and The Future of Adult Animation (Ep. 295) 47:06

10M ago47:06

47:06

In this episode, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down the latest in animation news, including: Ne Zha 2’s historic box office run – How the Chinese animated epic became the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, surpassing Frozen 2. Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and DreamWorks’ Dog Man hit digital – What their home release means for the industry…

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How to Train Your Dragon’s Live-Action Leap and The Race for Best Animated Feature (Ep. 294) 46:57

10M ago46:57

46:57

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into the biggest stories in animation, including: The live-action How to Train Your Dragon – Drew shares behind-the-scenes details from his visit to the Universal lot, where he sat in the editing bay with director Dean DeBlois. The Academy Awards race heats up! With the Oscars just two …

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Episode 16: Phantom Stupid, Link and Zelda, Fault Our Lives, Dating for Leah 11:00

11M ago11:00

11:00

Phantom Stupid, Link and Zelda, Fault Our Lives, Dating for Leah

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The Wild Robot Sweeps the Annies and The Lost Coyote vs. Acme Movie (Ep. 293) 58:42

11M ago58:42

58:42

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor break down one of the biggest nights in animation as The Wild Robot dominates the Annie Awards, winning eight major categories. They also dive into the frustrating fate of Coyote vs. Acme, the Warner Bros. live-action/animated film that was shelved despite glowing reviews. Plus, they discuss…

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How Dog Man Became DreamWorks’ First Big Hit of 2025 (Ep. 292) 47:38

11M ago47:38

47:38

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: Dog Man’s impressive $36M opening weekend and what it means for DreamWorks Animation. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the fascinating history behind Splash Mountain’s reimagining. Will Ferrell’s viral Buddy the Elf moment at an LA Kings game and his surprising reason for rejecting Elf 2…

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Animated Oscars Buzz: The Wild Robot, Flow, and Surprising Snubs (Ep. 291) 51:39

11M ago51:39

51:39

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: Warner Bros. Animation’s ambitious adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and its 2028 release plans. The marketing genius behind DreamWorks’ Dog Man, including a new The Bad Guys short premiering with the film. Animated Academy Award nominees, from The Wild Robot to Flo…

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How Hades Became the Star of Disney’s Hercules (Ep. 290) 44:37

11M ago44:37

44:37

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: A behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s Hercules, from the creation of Hades to Jeffrey Katzenberg’s surprising influence on the character. The passing of legendary filmmakers David Lynch and Robert Verrall, celebrating their lasting impact on cinema and animation. Box office highlight…