The eagerly awaited animated adaptation of the globally successful 'Warrior Cats' book series is officially moving forward, with esteemed talents A.C. Bradley and Rodrigo Blaas at the helm. This development signifies a major step for the beloved feline fantasy saga, promising to bring the intricate world of battling cat clans to screens in a fresh, animated format. The production, a collaboration between Coolabi Group and Tencent Video, is expected to attract both long-time fans and a new generation of viewers, capitalizing on the franchise's immense popularity across various digital platforms.

Celebrated Creatives Join 'Warrior Cats' Animated Production

On June 1, 2026, it was announced that A.C. Bradley, known for her work on 'What If...?' and 'Ms. Marvel', will serve as the showrunner for the 'Warrior Cats' animated TV series. Joining her is Emmy-winning director Rodrigo Blaas, celebrated for his contributions to 'Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia'. The series is a direct adaptation of Erin Hunter's acclaimed children's fantasy novels, which have achieved remarkable global sales exceeding 90 million copies. This venture represents the inaugural authorized animated interpretation of the 'Warrior Cats' universe, specifically focusing on the foundational stories from 'Warrior Cats: The Prophecies Begin'. Publishers Coolabi Group and the Chinese digital entertainment giant Tencent Video have given the green light to this ambitious project. An earlier attempt to produce a live-action and CGI 'Warrior Cats' film with Alibaba Pictures and producer David Heyman has since been discontinued. Production has officially commenced with Blaas' El Guiri Studios, located in Madrid. The series is slated for a 2028 debut on Tencent Video's platforms, reaching audiences throughout China and Southeast Asia. Tina Ma, Co-President & COO of Tencent Video, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Coolabi, highlighting 'Warrior Cats' as a franchise that epitomizes the future of global storytelling. She emphasized their collective goal to introduce the cherished 'Warrior Cats' world to new platforms and markets in a manner that feels both familiar and innovative, aiming to captivate existing fans and cultivate new ones. The 'Warrior Cats' phenomenon extends beyond books, with user-generated content generating over 50 million YouTube views and nearly 3 billion TikTok views monthly, according to Coolabi. Furthermore, the 'Warrior Cats' game on Roblox boasts over 728 million plays. This animated series follows a successful retail collaboration between Coolabi and Bonkers Toys in the U.S., which led to the introduction of the first licensed 'Warrior Cats' merchandise. Allison Watkins, Director of Consumer Products and TV Distribution at Coolabi Group, anticipates a highly active year ahead for the brand.

The commissioning of an animated series for 'Warrior Cats' underscores the enduring appeal and expansive reach of the franchise. It highlights the growing trend of adapting successful literary works into visually engaging formats, leveraging established fanbases while aiming to attract new viewers in diverse markets. The involvement of seasoned professionals like A.C. Bradley and Rodrigo Blaas signals a commitment to quality, promising a faithful yet fresh interpretation of the beloved stories. This project also exemplifies the increasing cross-cultural collaborations in the entertainment industry, particularly between Western content creators and Asian distribution platforms, indicative of a globalized media landscape.