A pivotal figure in modern animation, Ramsey Naito concludes her impactful tenure as President of Paramount Animation, marking a new phase for the studio as it navigates a major merger and a renewed focus on streamlining operations, profoundly affecting its celebrated animated universe.
The animation industry is abuzz with news of Ramsey Naito’s departure as President of Paramount Animation, effective October 30, 2025. Her exit signals a significant shift within Paramount, coming as part of a broader restructuring following the studio’s recent merger with Skydance Media. This move is indicative of the new leadership’s drive for efficiency and a fresh executive lineup under Chairman and CEO David Ellison.
Ellison’s directive outlined extensive staffing reductions, impacting approximately 1,000 to 2,000 positions in the U.S. and additional roles internationally. These changes, as explained in an internal memo, aim to eliminate redundancies and align roles with the company’s evolving priorities for long-term success. Naito’s departure, alongside other high-profile executives such as global marketing & distribution boss Marc Weinstock and domestic distribution president, underscores the scale of this corporate overhaul, as reported by Deadline.
A Storied Career in Animation
Ramsey Naito’s career trajectory is nothing short of legendary in the animation world. She first joined Nickelodeon in 2018 as Executive Vice President (EVP) of Animation Production and Development, where she spearheaded a remarkable resurgence in the studio’s animation content. Her leadership saw the launch of Nickelodeon’s largest animation slate in its 40-plus year history, boasting over 70 projects and securing deals with top creative talent. Under her purview, fan favorites like The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, along with spinoffs Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years and The Patrick Star Show, flourished. Other notable Nickelodeon successes during her tenure included Paw Patrol: The Movie, Baby Shark’s Big Show, Blue’s Clues & You!, Santiago of the Seas, The Loud House Movie, and the 2021 revival of Rugrats.
In September 2021, Naito expanded her influential role, adding President of Paramount Animation to her title. This move tasked her with developing Nickelodeon’s rich library of properties into major animated motion pictures. Her impact was swift and significant, breathing new life into iconic franchises for theatrical release.
Impactful Projects Under Naito’s Leadership
During her time at Paramount Animation, Naito oversaw the release of several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: Produced in collaboration with Point Grey Pictures, this animated feature, released in summer 2023, grossed nearly $182 million worldwide and generated over $1 billion in global retail sales in its calendar year, revitalizing the beloved franchise. A sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, is slated for September 17, 2027.
- PAW Patrol: The Movie and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie: These two films achieved a combined gross of close to $350 million, solidifying the franchise’s global appeal.
- Transformers One: Grossing $129.4 million worldwide.
- Smurfs: The most recent release under her leadership.
The studio’s upcoming slate, developed during Naito’s tenure, promises continued excitement for animation fans. These projects include The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants (December 19), Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (August 14, 2026), The Angry Birds Movie 3 (December 23, 2026), and The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender (October 9, 2026), as reported by Animation Magazine.
Before Nickelodeon and Paramount: A Legacy of Excellence
Prior to her transformative roles at Nickelodeon and Paramount Animation, Naito’s career was already distinguished. She earned an Oscar nomination for producing DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed feature The Boss Baby, along with a Producers Guild of America (PGA) nomination for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures. Her extensive resume also includes producer roles at Blue Sky Studios, serving as Head of Movies at Cartoon Network, and Vice President of Development & Production at Nickelodeon Movies. Her executive and producer credits span a wide range of iconic animated films, including:
- Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009)
- Barnyard (2006)
- The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004)
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
- Hey Arnold! The Movie (2002)
- Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)
- Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000)
- South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
Naito is also a rare studio executive with a deep artistic background, holding a Master of Fine Arts from CalArts, where she specialized in sculpture.
Naito’s Farewell and the Road Ahead
In a heartfelt note to her team, Naito expressed immense pride in their collective achievements over the past eight years. “Leading this incredible team of talented storytellers, artists and dreamers, and watching the magic that you’ve spun from your imagination and dedication, has been one of the great joys of my career,” she wrote. She highlighted her honor in revitalizing beloved characters from the Paramount and Nickelodeon libraries and fostering a new slate of originals.
She concluded her message by stating, “Not only am I endlessly proud of what we’ve built, but even more so the spirit behind it — the collaboration, creativity, and kindness that define this team. Though I’m moving on, I’ll always be cheering you on.” This sentiment was echoed by Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, who praised Naito as an “incredible partner and leader” whose “creativity, dedication, and lasting influence” will continue to resonate within the studio, according to Variety.
Her departure, amidst a broader corporate restructuring and Skydance’s integration into the Paramount ecosystem, signals a new chapter for the animation division. While Skydance Animation remains a separate entity due to its existing Netflix output deal commitment, the future of Paramount Animation will undoubtedly be shaped by these sweeping changes. Fans and industry observers alike will be keenly watching to see how the studio continues to innovate and build upon its rich legacy in the evolving landscape of animated entertainment.
