Zag is positioning 'Ghostforce Evolution' as the natural heir to 'Miraculous,' leveraging their proven formula of teen heroes, supernatural threats and relatable coming-of-age drama. The studio emphasizes its track record with Ian Lambur's quote about crafting stories where everyday teens rise as extraordinary heroes.
Industry watchers note Zag faces mounting pressure after years of trying to build another franchise on par with 'Miraculous.' Sources suggest Netflix in particular has been aggressive about locking down premium animated content as competition from Disney+, Amazon and Apple intensifies. The 2021 original 'Ghostforce' had decent viewership but didn't break through globally—can evolution deliver?
The deal covers 26 half-hour episodes plus a 44-minute special, confirmed by Variety's June 15, 2026 report. 'Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir' currently reaches over 150 countries through Miraculous Corp., the joint venture between Mediawan and Zag formed in 2024.
Zag is loading up its animation arsenal with streaming firepower—and if 'Ghostforce Evolution' can capture even a fraction of 'Miraculous' global magic, this partnership could reshape the kids' content landscape. But after years of franchise-building attempts that haven't landed, the pressure is unmistakably on.
Paris-based Zag Animation Studios is doubling down on supernatural teen heroes with "Ghostforce Evolution," a new chapter in its youth-focused portfolio that has just secured distribution deals with Netflix, France's TF1 and Germany's Super RTL. The series, currently in production, expands upon the 2021 original "Ghostforce" show that introduced audiences to a trio of high schoolers secretly battling fear-driven ghosts across New York City. The timing is hardly coincidental.
With "Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir" dominating animation circles—spanning more than 150 countries under the Miraculous Corp. banner, a joint venture between Mediawan and Zag formed just last year—the studio needs another franchise to anchor its future. A second "Miraculous" movie is already in development with producer John Cohen ("Despicable Me," "The Angry Birds Movie") and writer Matt Roller ("Rick and Morty," "Community"), but Zag clearly isn't putting all its eggs in one magical ladybug basket.
"Ghostforce Evolution" follows teens Andy, Liv and Mike as they navigate school, friendships and first crushes—all while serving as members of the Ghost Force tasked with protecting New York from supernatural threats. Guided by scientist Luna Jones, the trio confronts villains unleashed by Prince Onara and the imprisoned ghost king Buriburi. Each of the 26 half-hour episodes centers on a different fear—storms, snakes, technology, the unknown—that the young heroes must overcome to prevent Manhattan from falling under supernatural control.
Ian Lambur, executive vice president of series at Zag, framed the expansion as a natural evolution. "The original 'Ghostforce' introduced audiences to a superhero trio protecting New York City from fear-driven ghosts, quickly building a global fanbase with its blend of comedy, action, and relatable teen dynamics," he said. "With 'Ghostforce Evolution,' we're leaning into what Zag and Jeremy Zag do best—crafting stories filled with magic, heart, and adventure." The streaming partners are clearly buying that pitch.
Dominique Neudecker, editor-in-chief of kids and family programming at Super RTL, called the series "a standout" combining distinct characters, adventure and relatable storytelling. Yann Labasque, head of youth programming at TF1 Group, pointed to its blend of action and sitcom with a ghost-hunting vibe that should keep viewers hooked. Whether that translates to subscriber numbers remains to be seen—but in an animation market increasingly crowded by Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ competing for young audiences, securing all three platforms simultaneously represents a significant vote of confidence from the industry.
