Nelvana Limited is a Canadian entertainment company that animates The Backyardigans and other Nicktoons. It was founded in 1971 known for its work in children's animation. It was named by founders Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert and Clive A. Smith after a Canadian comic book superheroine created by Adrian Dingle in the 1940s. Corus Entertainment, a spin-off from Shaw Communications, has owned the company since September 2000. Nelvana started in 1971 when two graduates of York University, Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert, teamed up with a British animator-designer Clive A. Smith in Toronto, Ontario.

Most of its films, shows and specials are based on licensed properties, mainly children's literature, but original programming is also part of its roster. It ventured into the world of live action from its establishment up until the late 1990s.

Well-known franchises include Care Bears, Mythic Warriors: Guardians of the Legend, Babar, Tintin, JumpStart Superheroes, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, Rupert, Fievel's American Tails, Little Bear, Eek! The Cat, The Terrible Thunderlizards, Franklin, Elliot Moose and 6teen, along with the North American dubs of the anime series Beyblade, Cardcaptor Sakura, Medabots, and Bakugan. The company has also tried miniseries.

Nelvana distributes the Cartoon Network original series My Gym Partner's a Monkey, Disney Channel original series Handy Manny, and others such as Webkinz Jr., Webkinz, Club Penguin, Line Rider, and My Friend Rabbit outside the United States. As of 2001, its library comprises more than 1,650 cumulative half-hours of original programming. The company has international offices in France, Ireland and Japan.