Netflix Announces New Animated Films and Series
Several big animation talents are coming to Netflix, the company announced as it unveiled a slate of animated series and films today.
Joining Guillermo del Toro's stop-motion "Pinocchio" project are "My Father's Dragon," a film from Nora Twomey ("The Secret of Kells," "The Breadwinner"); and a new TV series from "Powerpuff Girls" creator Craig McCracken.
Since we're talking animation, we'll have to wait until 2020 or 2022 for some of these.
Here's what to look forward to:
"MOTOWN MAGIC" (Nov. 20, 2018) The series follows Ben, an 8-year-old who uses a magic paintbrush to bring the street art in Motown to life. This family-friendly series from Josh Wakely ("Beat Bugs") brings together 52 newly recorded versions of classic Motown hits from such musicians as The Jackson 5, The Temptations, The Supremes, and Smokey Robinson, who serves as executive music producer.
"GO! GO! CORY CARSON" (2019), an animated preschool series based on the hit toy line Go! Go! Smart Wheels. It follows the adventures of kid car Cory Carson as he navigates the winding roads of childhood in Bumperton Hills.
"KID COSMIC" (2020), an animated series from Craig McCracken ("The Powerpuff Girls," "Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends"). A young boy who dreams of becoming a hero gets his wish, but being a hero is far more complicated than he realized.
"TRASH TRUCK" (2020), an animated series from Max Keane ("Dear Basketball") following the adventures of six-year-old Hank and his best friend, who happens to be a trash truck. Glen Keane ("The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Beauty and the Beast") is an executive producer.
"THE WILLOUGHBYS" (2020). From writer/director Kris Pearn ("Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2"). When the four Willoughby children are abandoned by their selfish parents, they must learn how to adapt to the contemporary world. Based on the book by Newbery Award-winning author, Lois Lowry. Starring Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, Martin Short, Alessia Cara and Jane Krakowski.
"MAYA AND THE THREE" (2021) is an animated limited series created, written, and directed by Jorge Gutierrez ("The Book of Life," "El Tigre"). Set in a mythical Mesoamerican-inspired world, where a warrior princess embarks on a quest to recruit three legendary fighters to help save the world of men and gods. Silvia Olivas ("Elena of Avalor") is co-writer and co-executive producer, and Jeff Ranjo ("Moana") is head of story.
"MY FATHER’S DRAGON" (2021) is a 2D animated family feature film from director Nora Twomey written by Meg LeFauve ("Inside Out," "The Good Dinosaur"). Based on the Newbery Honored children's novels by Ruth Stiles Gannett, "My Father’s Dragon" tells the story of young runaway Elmer Elevator, who searches for a captive dragon on Wild Island and finds much more than he could ever have anticipated.
Other Netflix family animated titles that have been previously announced:
"KLAUS" (Holiday 2019), a 2D animated family feature film from writer/director Sergio Pablos, co-creator of "Despicable Me." When a selfish young postman is assigned to a remote Scandinavian town, his unlikely friendship with a reclusive toymaker leads to the origin story of Santa Claus.
"MIGHTY LITTLE BHEEM" (2019), the first preschool series of the popular Bheem franchise. In production from director Rajiv Chilaka ("Chhota Bheem").
"OVER THE MOON" (2020), a CG musical adventure about a girl who builds a rocket ship to travel to the moon to prove to her father that a legendary Moon Goddess really exists. Directed by Glen Keane ("The Little Mermaid"), written by Audrey Wells ("Under the Tuscan Sun," "George of the Jungle").
"PINOCCHIO"(2021), the animated feature film directorial debut of Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.
"WENDELL & WILD" (2021), an animated feature film from writer/director Henry Selick ("Nightmare Before Christmas," "Coraline") and writer Jordan Peele. Two demon brothers (voiced by Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele) escape the Underworld and find themselves in a town where they must evade a demon-duster teenager, Kat, who is trying to destroy them.
"JACOB AND THE SEA BEAST" (2022), a CG animated feature film written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chris Williams ("Moana," "Big Hero 6," "Bolt"). It's the epic story of a charming seafarer who sails into uncharted waters and discovers an unlikely ally in a sea monster.