Fans of animation are getting a promising year full of fan-favorite animated movies and newcomers ready to top the box office. Hotel Transylvania, Sing, and Minions are set to release sequels this year. These already established franchises can expect competition with animation powerhouses, Disney and Pixar, releasing their newest animated film, Luca. While these movies make a splash this summer, those who prefer streaming from the comfort of their own home can look forward to reboots of some of their childhood favorite shows. Revivals of Rugrats, The Proud Family, and Monsters Inc. are hitting streaming services this year.
Luca
Set in summer on the Italian Riviera, Luca promises a heartwarming story full of friendship, adventure, and gelato! The film features a star-studded cast including the voices of Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Maya Rudolf, and Jim Gaffigan. Fans have pointed out similarities to Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name film, which coincidentally is also set during a summer in Italy.
While the film brings all the aspects of any Disney/Pixar film, Luca makes summer unforgettable as the best friends and protagonists, Luca and Alberto, are sea monsters! Despite the massive success of Pixar’s Soul being released on Disney+, Luca is intended to hit theatres this June.
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Illumination Studios is bringing the adorable yellow creatures back in action in the newest Minion’s installment, The Rise of Gru. The film explores the “untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.”
That supervillain can only be Gru, who we learn to love from the Despicable Me trilogy. After being delayed for a year, the Minions sequel will now release in theatres the same day as Luca, bringing in a little competition. Time will tell who will take the crown for the biggest opening weekend.
Hotel Transylvania 4
We are transported back to a place where monsters can live freely, away from human contact in a getaway hotel in Transylvania. Dracula, who is voiced by Adam Sandler, was last seen hosting a getaway cruise for his monster friends, ending in the unexpected: Dracula finding love again.
The main cast, including Andy Samberg (Johnny) and Selena Gomez (Mavis), are set to return. Gomez now doubles up as Mavis and executive producer for the fourth installment. As of now, the latest chapter of the saga does not have a synopsis but we can expect Dracula, Johnny, and Mavis to bring new adventures and spooky fun to their audience. Hotel Transylvania 4 is premiering in theatres in December 2021.
Beyond the Silver Screen
Streaming services are having a moment with the rise of subscriptions this past year. The highly-anticipated revival of The Proud Family, which aired on Disney Channel, is now making its way to Disney+. Disney doesn’t stop there! A Monsters, Inc. series is coming to the streaming service soon. Paramount+ is listening to the fan’s nostalgia and rebooting another childhood favorite, Rugrats.
Louder and Prouder
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, gives the characters a sleeker and fresh look for the revival. This week, the executive producers of the show, Bruce Smith and Ralph Farquhar, gave existing fans of the show and potential new ones a rundown of the character featuring a new one. Aside from the Penny Proud we know, we are introduced to the “new kid on the block,” Maya Lebowitz-Jenkins, voiced by Keke Palmer. She is described as a “woke” character by Farquhar. While the show is still in production, Farquhar assures us that the series will include all existing characters. So get your “Proud Snacks” ready because The Proud Family is coming to Disney+!
Rugrats
Nickelodeon announced that their new Rugrats animated series will bring back all its original voice actors. “Having the voice cast behind these special characters come together is one of the essential pieces to making the show recognizable and we can’t wait to watch this talented group bring them to life again,” said Ramsey Naito, President of Nickelodeon Animation.
Our first look at the new #Rugrats series coming to Paramount+.
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) February 24, 2021
Nickelodeon is reuniting members of the original voice cast for the CG-animated series premiering later this year. pic.twitter.com/f588kXxmnZ
The new edition of the Rugrats “follows the toddlers as they explore the world and beyond from their pint-sized and wildly imaginative point-of-view.” The “new style of animation” has changed the look of the show from 2D to a smoother 3D finish. This change was met with mixed responses on social media. The CG-animated series is set to debut on the future steaming service, Paramount+.
Monsters at Work
Mike and Sully are back in the new Monsters Inc. series, Monsters at Work. The series, which will stream on Disney+ this July, shifts its focus from the twosome and spotlights a new character, Tylor Tuskmon. Tylor is a mechanic at the Monsters Inc. factory who admires Mike and Sully and wants to be on the laugh floor like them instead of the facilities team.
The series picks up “six months after the original movie with the power plant at its center now harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis.” Both original voice actors for Mike and Sully will return with the addition of Ben Feldman, Kelly Marie Tran, Henry Winkler, Lucas Neff, Alanna Ubach, Stephen Stanton, and Aisha Tyler to the family.
