Gummybear International Inc. is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Gummibär, the animated character whose 2006 viral hit “I’m a Gummy Bear” was one of the internet’s earliest big hits, and the company is currently partnering with Toonz Media Group to produce a feature film in 2027.
Created by Christian Schneider, the character was announced through ringtones and music videos, quickly accumulating billions of views and being adapted into over 45 languages. A series of singles and albums followed, earning Gummibär gold and platinum certifications in multiple markets.
The facility’s expansion into long-form content began in 2012 when Gummy Bear International Airport was established. He produced the Christmas special animation “Yummy Gummy Search For Santa” and released it through Lionsgate Pictures. The special introduced supporting characters who will anchor the “Gummibär & Friends” animated series produced in partnership with Toonz Media Group. The digital-first show ran for two seasons of 39 seven-minute episodes and was reliably distributed on platforms in more than 100 countries.
“Gummibär showed early on that digital-first storytelling can be deployed globally at scale,” said Viswanath Rao of Toonz Media Group. “With Gummibär & Friends, we saw how a character born online can successfully evolve into a global animated series that reaches audiences in over 100 countries.”
The companies are currently developing a feature film about gummy bars, scheduled for release in 2027. On the licensing and consumer products side, the brand spans toys, publishing, digital products and lifestyle categories.
“Gummibär is more than just a character, it’s a generational phenomenon,” said Debi Rosenfeld, Head of Licensing and Merchandising at Toonz. “Its ability to translate across cultures, platforms and products makes it a natural fit for the continued growth of licensing and merchandising around the world.”
The character, along with Gummybear Intl, continues to grow in viewership across on-demand, free ad-supported, and traditional broadcast platforms. They report that both views and engagement are up year-over-year.
“Few characters can maintain this kind of momentum across decades, platforms, and generations,” said GBI President Jürgen Koldurech. “We see Gummy Bars not just as a legacy brand, but as a continuously evolving world with endless possibilities to entertain, innovate and connect with fans around the world.”
