Cartoon Network Files Leak Reveals Animation Production Assets Online

Hundreds of gigabytes of Cartoon Network production materials have appeared online, exposing behind-the-scenes assets from more than 30 animated shows after files spread through shared links and online platforms. According to Mashable, the leak includes internal animation resources from series such as The Amazing World of Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, and The Looney Tunes Show.

The leaked material reportedly exceeds 200GB, according to IndiaTimes, and includes storyboards, character model sheets, backgrounds, digital puppet rigs, source files, and internal production guides. Mashable said it accessed a Google Drive folder containing materials and independently confirmed its contents.

The circulation of the files began days after Skydance completed its roughly $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on October 6. The combined company now controls Warner Bros., HBO, DC Studios, CNN, Paramount, CBS News, and Cartoon Network, according to Mashable.

The leak appears connected to an anonymous X account called "totallynotaburner," which Mashable said was created this month and did not respond to requests for comment. Additional shared documents reportedly linked to material from shows including Teen Titans, Dexter’s Laboratory, Robot Chicken, and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.

Animation production assets provide artists with references used throughout the creation process. Model sheets show characters from multiple angles, while puppet rigs allow animators to move digital character parts without redrawing every frame, according to Mashable.

Reports from Gizmodo and Mashable said fans have been examining the materials online, while copyright-related takedowns have affected some shared links. The files remain unauthorized studio materials created through years of professional production work.

Animator Pasquale D’Silva responded to the spread of the files by highlighting the amount of human-created animation material involved.

"Bless it and let the fans cook," said Pasquale D’Silva, animator.

Warner Bros. and Paramount were contacted by Mashable and Gizmodo for comment but had not provided responses at the time of publication. There is no evidence that the leak originated from Paramount or Warner Bros. systems.

The incident follows previous entertainment industry leaks involving animation materials, including a 2023 Nickelodeon production file leak and a 2024 Disney animation division leak, according to Gizmodo and Mashable. Links connected to the Cartoon Network files have continued to be removed as copies spread online.