January 30, 2026
Streaming the Hype
Netflix Animation Studios Joins the Blender Development Fund as Corporate Patron
Netflix backs Blender—fans swoon, gamers nitpick, Maya crowd asks 'Really?'
TLDR: Netflix Animation Studios is funding Blender’s core development, signaling mainstream support for the free 3D tool. Fans celebrate and share showcase shorts, while debates flare over Maya comparisons and game‑dev “jank,” with hopes the Netflix boost will polish workflows and push Blender deeper into pro studios.
Netflix just backed Blender as a corporate patron, and the internet immediately yelled “Blenderflix!” The open‑source 3D app that millions love just got a big nod from a mega streamer, and fans are throwing heart emojis like confetti. One user linked the studio short Spring and called it “absolutely phenomenal,” basically turning the comments into a watch party.
The hype train’s main take: Blender went from “free alternative” to “serious tool” after its big 2.8 user interface makeover (that’s the look-and-feel artists click through). “On the map” energy is strong, with people saying Netflix’s money proves the glow-up. Cue the drama: someone asks, “How does it compare to Maya these days?” and the thread instantly becomes a cage match—Blender stans flex, Maya loyalists squint.
But the game-dev crowd throws a reality check. They say the process of making assets for games still feels “janky,” with too many manual steps to bake and preview textures and a painful export-test loop. The mood? Celebratory with side-eye. Open‑source believers cheer this huge win, while power users demand fixes. The running joke: “Protect the Blender!” and “Netflix and skill.” If this cash smooths those rough edges, expect fewer arguments and more jaw-dropping shorts.
Key Points
- •Netflix Animation Studios joined the Blender Development Fund as a Corporate Patron.
- •Support is directed toward general Blender core development to enhance content creation tools.
- •The membership reflects Blender’s increasing integration in high-end animation studio workflows.
- •Francesco Siddi (Blender) and Darin Grant (Netflix Animation Studios) provided statements highlighting open-source support and industry adoption.
- •Blender is maintained by the Blender Foundation; Netflix operates globally with over 300 million paid memberships.