Sony Pictures Animation Inc., also referred to as Sony Animation, and abbreviated to SPA, is an American animation studio owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment through their Motion Picture Group division and founded on May 9, 2002. The studio is based in Los Angeles, California. Most of the studio's films — either theatrical or streaming-service exclusive — are distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Releasing under Columbia Pictures or through Netflix, while direct-to-video releases are released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.