Photo: Netflix
As the streaming platform continues to grow its family entertainment offerings, Netflix announced six new animated TV series and movies over the next few years.
The movies include My Father’s Dragon, a 2-D animated film from director Nora Twomey (The Secret of Kells) in 2021 and The Willoughbys, based on the Lois Lowry novel of the same name from director Kris Pearn (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2) is set for a 2020 release. The Willoughbys boasts a star-studded cast including Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, Martin Short, Alessia Cara, and Jane Krakowski.
Additionally, Netflix greenlit three new TV series. Kid Cosmic, from The Powerpuff Girls creator Craig McCracken, focuses on a young boy who becomes a superhero after an encounter with cosmic stones as he struggles to harness his new powers, set for a 2020 release. Other new shows include Trash Truck about a young boy’s friendship with a trash truck, coming in 2020; and Go! Go! Cory Carson, based on the Go! Go! Smart Wheels line of toys from VTech Electronics, coming in 2019; both geared toward preschool-age children.
In addition, the streaming service will add limited series Maya and the Three from Book of Life’s Jorge Gutierrez that is billed as a “Mexican Lord of the Rings,” Gutierrez told Variety for a 2021 release date.
These announcements for new program continue Netflix’s push for more original animated content.
“We’re trying to take the Netflix philosophy of empowering creators and bring that into the animation space,” Melissa Cobb, who oversees Netflix’s kids and family division, said. “We’re not focused on creating a singular brand identity. We want to produce a broad range of content that appeals to kids and families all over the world.”
These new lineups accompany the network’s slew of anticipated projects, including Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion Pinocchio, animated fantasy film Over the Moon, and Jacob and the Sea Beast from Moana director Chris Williams.
Del Toro’s passion project Pinocchio, along with Henry Selick’s return to direct Wendell & Wild, both will release on the streaming site in 2021 as animated stop-motion films.
