Big Shot Pictures Secures Sony First-Look Deal as Brian Robbins Launches New Studio

Former Paramount Global co-CEO Brian Robbins has officially launched Big Shot Pictures, a next-generation animation company focused on family entertainment. The venture has secured approximately $100 million in backing from investors including Greycroft, Sony Pictures, MarcyPen Capital Partners, ValueAct Capital, and CAA. Robbins’ plans to launch a new company were first reported on January 15.

Alongside its launch, Big Shot Pictures has entered into a first-look theatrical distribution deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment covering animated and live-action/animated hybrid features. As part of the agreement, Big Shot has also acquired the rights to Kay Thompson’s classic 1955 children’s book Eloise at the Plaza.

The company plans to adopt a digital-first strategy, developing and testing content on platforms like YouTube before expanding successful properties across theatrical releases, television, gaming, consumer products, and live experiences. Big Shot expects to begin releasing digital content as early as this summer. By partnering with creators, acquiring existing channels, and launching new ones, the studio aims to use audience data to determine which characters and stories resonate before committing to large-scale productions.

Robbins previously explored opportunities at Lionsgate but ultimately chose to pursue a non-traditional studio model, drawing inspiration from AwesomenessTV, the Gen Z–focused digital and TV studio he co-founded and later sold to Viacom. Following his departure from Paramount, Robbins closely studied evolving viewing habits, particularly among the 6–12 demographic, to inform Big Shot’s approach.

“Big Shot believes that scaled audiences on YouTube are crucial to building awareness and fan love that will create tomorrow’s beloved IP,” Robbins said. “We will build for how kids actually discover and connect today.”

Eloise at the Plaza, illustrated by Hilary Knight, follows a precocious six-year-old living at New York’s iconic Plaza Hotel and has sold more than 15 million English-language copies. Big Shot plans to further develop the property into a multi-platform franchise.

During his tenure at Paramount Global and Paramount Pictures, Robbins oversaw major family franchises including Sonic the Hedgehog, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and PAW Patrol. He joined Paramount in 2017 as founding president of Paramount Players, became president of Nickelodeon in 2018, and was named head of Paramount Pictures in 2021. Earlier in his career, Robbins co-founded AwesomenessTV and Tollin/Robbins Productions, producing hit series such as All That, Kenan & Kel, and Smallville.