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Titan Books offers a deep dive into the animated musical film Spellbound with The Art & Making of Spellbound, and ScreenRant has a look at some key pages. The Skydance Animation movie came to Netflix in November as the company’s second full-length feature film (after 2022’s Luck), and features an impressive cast led by Rachel Zegler as the young Princess Ellian. The movie tells the story of Ellian setting out across the magical world of Lumbria to reverse a curse that has turned her parents into literal monsters.

ScreenRant is excited to offer a look at select pages from The Art & Making of Spellbound that highlight the movie’s visual style and explain how certain artistic decisions were made. The book was written by Ramin Zahed, an LA-based author and journalist whose past film books include Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The Art of the Movie and The Art of Love,...

Now burning up on Netflix: a new spin on the classic TV yule-log.

With less than two weeks to go before Christmas, Netflix has launched three themed virtual yule logs, each 60 minutes in length, based on Shonda Rhimes’ “Bridgerton” series, South Korean hit “Squid Game” (with Season 2 set to premiere Dec. 26) and animated film “Spellbound” from director Vicky Jenson with music by Alan Menken.

The yule logs are available for Netflix members worldwide. The Bridgerton Fireplace is (naturally) set in the Bridgerton living room and features background music from the series. Squid Game’s version is set in the Front Man’s office, while the Spellbound Fireplace is not a fireplace at all — it’s a campfire in the magical wilderness of the movie’s fantasy kingdom of Lumbria.

Netflix has outfitted each yule log with Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. In the “Bridgerton” scene, you’ll find Lady Whistledown’s quill pen,...

“Spellbound,” now on Netflix, is an animated fairytale about a princess from a far away land (voiced by Rachel Zegler) whose parents (Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman) are mysterious turned into monsters. That premise starts young princess Ellian on a journey – to not only break the spell, but to also figure out what turned her parents into monsters in the first place.

And putting some spring in her step along the way are a collection of killer tunes from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, the songwriting team behind Disney gems like “Tangled” and “Home on the Range”.

TheWrap spoke to Menken and Slater about the process of writing music for the movie, rolling with the punches (as the movie went through some dramatic changes) and the specific challenges that went along with “Spellbound.”

Where does this process start for you?

Alan Menken: Our first relationship to this project was getting...

Quick Links What Is Netflix’s 'Spellbound' About? 'Spellbound' Could Have Worked But Sort of Failed Rachel Zegler Carries the New Netflix Animation

Everyone’s heart usually makes a tiny, or perhaps even a big, jump when Netflix releases a new animated film. No matter what age, there is something about animated movies that brings up some lovely nostalgia and builds up excitement about what important themes are tackled. In recent years, Netflix has released various successful animations, such as The Sea Beast, Leo, or Orion and the Dark, which draw people of all ages.

On November 22, yet another animation was added to Netflix, and the expectations were certainly high. The fantasy animation Spellbound was said to draw people in right away, captivating them with the movie’s magical world and important themes. However, the opposite is the case. Netflix’s Spellbound failed on many levels, but at least there was one great thing,...

Spellbound is not to be confused with the 1945 Alfred Hitchcock film noir of the same name. Nor is it to be confused with the 2002 spelling bee documentary of the same name. Nor the 2011 South Korean film of the same name about a man whose girlfriend can see ghosts. This is, in fact, the second film from Skydance Animation, the new animation outfit headed by former Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter, who left his previous company after allegations of sexual misconduct. Skydance seems to have deep pockets and grand ambitions of making moves on its competitors: its first film, the 2022 fantasy Luck, seemed to be an attempt to ape Pixar’s formula. This sophomore effort is going for the big guns: it’s the studio’s take on Walt Disney Animation.

There is much here that feels plucked from the Mouse House. It’s a high-concept high-fantasy, awash with Hans Christian Andersen-ian tropes,...

Filmmaker Vicky Jenson is part of the two powerhouse teams that brought us the off-beat animated classics of a generation: Shrek and Shark Tale. On both projects, she served as a co-director, and 20 years later, her next animated feature — under her solo direction — is streaming on Netflix. As with the previous two, Spellbound boasts a star-studded vocal cast and plenty of musical numbers to keep the whole family singing through the holidays.

Netflix’s exclusive musical fantasy Spellbound is stealing the limelight as of late among streamers after finally hitting the screens seven years after its announcement back in 2017. While the critics are already bombarding it with their mixed reviews storm, Princess Ellian’s animated piece, tamed by Vicky Jenson, is still being given a chance by the general audience.

Set in the magical kingdom of Lumbria, it tells the tale of Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), whose parents, King Solon (Javier Bardem) and Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman), had been transformed into feral monsters a year ago following their journey in the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness. Now, it lies in the princess’ hands to turn things back to the way they were and escape herself becoming the new Queen on her 15th birthday.

Spellbound. | Credits: Netflix.

As interesting as that sounds, it’s the saga’s end that had a lot of people in its clutches.

Spellbound is a new animated film from Skydance Animation currently streaming on Netflix. Directed by Shrek director Vicky Jenson, the movie tells the story of a young princes, Ellian, who must go to great lengths to try and reverse a mysterious curse that has turned her parents into monsters. The movies cast includes Rachel Zegler, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, Jenifer Lewis, and John Lithgow.

Spellbound is a movie musical, and it enlisted two A-listers for help in creating its soundtrack. Disney legends Alan Menken and Glenn Slater teamed up to provide score and lyrics, respectively, and worked closely with Jenson to ensure the movie hit all the required beats of a musical. Menken and Slater have collaborated on a number of projects together in the past, most notably the Disney animated film Tangled and the TV series Galavant.

Related Spellbound Parents Guide: Is The Netflix Movie Suitable For Kids?...

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The Disney Renaissance composer Alan Menken and his frequent collaborator Glenn Slater (Tangled) discusses their new movie for Netflix, Spellbound, and the themes and styles of its score.

Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. Spellbound is directed by Oscar-winner Vicky Jenson (Shrek) with original score from Egot-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled).

A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, Spellbound boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. Spellbound is written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda and produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bruce Anderson for Skydance Animation.

John Lithgow has been a staple in Hollywood movies and TV shows for decades now. Though he has played a handful of leading roles, Lithgow is best known for his memorable supporting characters and villains. He played villains in Cliffhanger (1993), Dexter, and Shrek (2001), and appeared in a supporting capacity in titles like The Crown, Perry Mason, Pet Sematary (2019), Interstellar (2014), and How I Met Your Mother.

At 79 years old, Lithgow continues to stay busy in the world of entertainment, and 2024 has been a standout year for him. He appears, for example, in the acclaimed Conclave, which is a buzzy title in terms of awards potential, in addition to appearing in Cabrini, The Rule of Jenny Pen, and The Old Man season 2. His most recent role, however, hasn't been been in the realm of live-action and instead marks a return to the world of animation.

Spellbound's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed...

Warning: Spoilers for Spellbound.Spellbound is a traditional-feeling animated film with a message that is anything but. The second release from Skydance Animation follows Ellian, a young princess who sets off to reverse a mysterious curse that has transformed her parents into monsters. Ellians journey with her monster parents across a whimsical landscape turns into something more serious as new reVellations threaten to alter her family dynamic forever. The movies star cast includes Rachel Zegler, Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, Nathan Lane, Jenifer Lewis, and John Lithgow.

Spellbound was brought to the screen by veteran animation director Vicky Jenson, who also co-wrote the script. Jenson is well-known as the finishing director of the 2001 mega-hit Shrek, and also directed 2004s Shark Tale. On Spellbound, Jenson helmed her first movie musical, working with legendary songwriters Alan Menken and Glenn Slater on the soundtrack.

Related Spellbound Borrows One Genius Part Of Disney Musicals That's...

Acclaimed animation director Vicky Jenson tackles tough themes of divorce and broken homes in Spellbound, a CGI adventure about a teenage princess, Ellian (Rachel Zegler), whose bickering royal parents have been transformed into unruly monsters. The new Netflix film cleverly uses fairy tale elements to address how children's feelings are often ignored when adult relationships are irrevocably broken. Despite backlash from more conservative audiences, the movie was a global chart-topper and its themes (and music) are unique.

Jenson graciously spoke with MovieWeb about the new film and opened up to us about its Golden Globe-winning star, Rachel Zegler, who is proudly and boldly outspoken regarding the outcome of the US presidential election, regardless of the publicity consequences. She had to publicly apologize after saying on social media, "There is a deep, deep sickness in this country that is shown in the sheer amount of people who showed up for this man who threatens our democracy.

He’s back, and this year before Thanksgiving, and even as #1 at iTunes.

We’re talking about the Grinch. Two Universal hits featuring the Dr. Seuss character — one live-action (Ron Howard’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring Jim Carrey), one animated (“The Grinch” from 2018) — both have returned to top 10 VOD lists. And with a vengeance — “How the Grinch” is #1 at iTunes (which ranks by transactions) but even more impressively #7 at Fandango. With that site calculating by revenue, the $3.99 rental cost at 20 percent of the normal $19.99 level (eight of their 10 films have that), it means a huge volume that likely made it tops in transactions there.

Netflix originals continue their hot hand, with five of the top six positions on their U.S. movie chart Monday. “The Piano Lesson,” from August Wilson’s play and featuring Danielle Deadwyler’s award-touted lead performance, is #6 at the moment after debuting at #5 over the weekend.

Veteran director Vicky Jenson, best known as one of two helmers of Oscar winning “Shrek,” returned to the storybook world for her latest project: Skydance Animation’s sophomore feature, the musical “Spellbound,” which is now available on Netflix. But it was its contemporary theme that attracted her to the project.

“The story was about a family going through a very difficult time and coming out on the other end with love and better understanding — even in a hard situation, the family itself, it’s bound by love, regardless of whether they end up together or not by the end of the movie,” she says.

In the story, a spell transforms the King and Queen of Lumbria (Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman) into monsters, and their tenacious daughter Ellian, voiced by Rachel Zegler, take on the responsibly to save her family.

“She is the hero,” Jenson says of her young protagonist.

Acclaimed animation director Vicky Jenson (Shrek) tackles tough themes of divorce and broken homes in Spellbound, a CGI adventure about a teenage princess, Ellian (Rachel Zegler), whose bickering royal parents have been transformed into unruly monsters. The new Netflix film cleverly uses fairy tale elements to address how children's feelings are often ignored when adult relationships are irrevocably broken. Reviews from conservative and far-right audiences have been slamming the film for its discussion of divorce. One user on Rotten Tomatoes called Spellbound, "a moronic ploy to help normalize divorce to children. Don't normalize divorce. It's not normal. Jenson pointedly responds:

It's so crazy, because you can kill a parent in an animated movie, but you can't say that maybe they won't end up together.

Basically: Grow up. "Everybody responded really well to the intentions of the movie [but] there was always sort of a nervousness about that ending," added Jenson. Spellbound...

“Spellbound” is a Netflix animation movie directed by Vicky Jenson.

The latest film from Netflix curiously transports us to a universe that is strikingly reminiscent of Disney’s signature style. This isn’t surprising, considering the songs are composed by none other than Alan Menken, the musical genius behind classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Little Mermaid. With such a stellar track record of Disney titles, you can already imagine the standout feature of this movie: the songs.

But it’s not just the songs that give off a Disney vibe; the entire magical, festive, and jovial atmosphere of Disney is captured in this Netflix production. The similarities in essence are so pronounced that it’s impossible not to draw comparisons.

Plot

The story revolves around a princess with a rather unusual problem: her parents are literal monsters. This isn’t the...

Netflix’s latest musical fantasy animated feature, Spellbound, carries the lineage of Dreamworks and Pixar classics in its narrative treatment, tone, mesmerizing visuals, and characterization—and carries the tradition of allegorizing important real-life issues with the metaphors and imageries of a fantasy scape. Directed by Vicky Jenson, whose previous works include iconic titles like Shrek, the core of Spellbound is firmly strengthened by the mature handling of the theme of parental connection and lack of it, making it a delightful watch for not only the younger audience but for their parents as well. It is the second major animated feature by Skydance Animation, the studio that previously animated the Apple TV+ series WondLa, Luck, and despite their visual style being occasionally similar to the aforementioned animation movie giants, there is ingenuity in their craft, which is noticeable as well. With an original fairytale setting, the world design is simple yet vivid and appealing,...

John Lithgow has opened up about how his new animated movie triggered feelings of anxiety after previously being recast in two major voice roles. In animation, the final product that audiences see does not necessarily reflect the extensive and complex creative process that brought it to the screen. This includes the fact that the voice-casting process is relatively fluid. Characters take shape over several years, and as a project progresses, studios can sometimes make significant changes to the cast, since re-recording lines is much easier than reshooting live-action scenes.

While this has affected Lithgow more than once, the two-time Oscar nominee has voiced his fair share of animated characters. Although he is likely best known for his live-action roles in projects like the six-season sitcom Third Rock from the Sun and the iconic 1984 dance movie Footloose, he has voiced a wide range of roles including Jean-Claude in 2000's Rugrats in Paris,...

John Lithgow reveals how he forgot he was in Spellbound. The upcoming Netflix animated movie was helmed by Vicky Jenson, the co-director of 2001's Shrek (in which Lithgow voiced Lord Farquaad), and follows a young girl who must save her kingdom from a spell that has turned her parents into monsters. In addition to Lithgow (as Minister Bolinar), the upcoming Spellbound also stars Rachel Zegler as the lead character Princess Ellian, Nicole Kidman as Ellian's mother, Javier Bardem as Ellian's father, Jenifer Lewis as Minister Nazara Prone, Tituss Burgess as Ludo, Nathan Lane as Sunny, and Jordan Fisher as Callan.

Screen Rant's Owen Danoff recently had the opportunity to sit down with John Lithgow for an interview. While the actor expressed enthusiasm for the project, calling it "stirring and ambitious and possibly even important," he revealed that he at one point forgot he had signed on to do it.

Spellbound is a beautiful story about transformation and resilience. The film follows Princess Ellian, a vibrant and determined young royal, as she sets out on a perilous journey to save her family and her kingdom. Vicky Jenson, known for her work on Shrek, directed it, and Skydance Animation produced it. Ellian must carry the burden of royal duty while keeping her parents, the king and queen, secret because a curse has transformed them into monstrous creatures.

With its heartwarming storytelling, stunning visuals, and memorable music by Alan Menken, the famous Egot-winning composer behind Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, this animated musical fantasy is sure to captivate audiences.

Thanks to its stellar voice cast, which includes Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and John Lithgow, Spellbound is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. The film was released on Netflix and in a few theaters in the U.S. on...

When it comes to princess songs, there’s no bigger name in the game than Alan Menken. That’s why Skydance Animation turned to the legendary eight-time Oscar winner to write music for and score its sweeping new animated musical “Spellbound.”

In the film, streaming now on Netflix, Rachel Zegler stars as Princess Ellian, a teenager who seeks to break a spell that’s turned her royal parents (Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) into monsters. John Lithgow, Jennifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess and Nathan Lane also lend their voices to the whimsical fairytale epic.

“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast” composer Menken was joined by frequent collaborator Glenn Slater (“Tangled”), who served as the project’s lyricist. “Glenn Slater really captures the feeling that goes along with Alan’s music in such a beautiful way,” Zegler says in an exclusive new featurette about the making of the film’s music.

Spellbound (2024) is a captivating musical adventure drama set in the enchanting kingdom of Lumbria. The story follows Princess Ellian, a spirited fifteen-year-old who dreams of living a normal life. However, her wish is far from reality, as her parents, the King and Queen of Lumbria, have been cursed and transformed into monstrous beings.

Ellian must hide their condition to protect the royal secret, fearing the kingdom’s reaction, where the cursed monarchs might face capture or destruction. Determined to save her parents, Ellian enlists the help of the wise advisors Bolinar and Nazara. Despite their efforts, the solution remains elusive—until Ellian is guided by the Oracles of the Sun and Moon.

The Oracles reveal that the King and Queen can only regain their human forms if they have the will to change. They must journey to the mystical Lake of Light, where their transformation hinges on their own desire to break the curse.

With all the behind-the-scenes makings of an animated classic, Spellbound features a talented voice cast and a can’t-miss creative team for a family movie with a whole lot of heart.

Directed by DreamWorks alum Vicky Jenson, Spellbound marks John Lasseter and Skydance Animation’s follow-up to Luck (2022), after he was ousted from Disney/Pixar following an impressive filmography that included Toy Story (1995), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), Tangled (2010) and many more. His latest feature, now streaming on Netflix, certainly lives up to that tenure.

In Spellbound, teen princess Ellian of Lumbria wants to spend her days flying griffins around the kingdom with her friends, but for the past year, she’s had to cover for the king (Javier Bardem) and queen (Nicole Kidman) after they were magically transformed into monsters in the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness. When the kingdom learns their secret, Ellian escapes with her...

Plot: One year after her parents are cursed and become literal monsters, Princess Eilian ventures into the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness to find a cure that brings her parents back to their rightful forms before the kingdom discovers their secret.

Review: Princess-led animated films are a dime-a-dozen. Since 1937, when Snow White shacked up with seven dwarves and introduced the concept of a spell-breaking “true love kiss” to the masses, we’ve met many beauties in various states of distress and self-discovery. As Father Time has marched through ticks and tocks, his aging bones quivering inside his loosening skin, princesses evolved, gaining grace and agency in the face of mediocre princes and opportunistic father figures. Today, the Elsas, Meridas, Tianas, and Mulans of the world help redefine the princess in fiction and the eyes of adoring young women. We’ve reached a point when a princess can be a conduit...

Princess Ellian and her family got an unconventional happy ending in Spellbound, as the curse on the king and queen was broken in an unexpected way. The animated fantasy adventure introduced the royal family of a magical kingdom, who, for a whole year, had been hiding a secret. The king and queen, Solon and Ellsmere (Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman), entered an enchanted forest and were turned into monsters. Their daughter Ellian (Rachel Zegler) took on the heavy weight of this burden, desperately searching for a way to free her parents from the curse and return their family to normal while pretending everything was okay.

Spellbound's monstrous king and queen seemed to have no memory of their daughter and did nothing but attempt to destroy one another and the surrounding castle. It was finally determined by the few who knew Ellian's secret that the monsters should be sent away...

Produced by Skydance Animation for Netflix, Spellbound unites many well-known actors to give voice to a cast of interesting characters in a fantasy setting. The project is directed by Vicky Jenson, who has a long track record with animation films. Spellbound is a musical that acquired the talents of the legendary Alan Menken and longtime collaborator, lyricist Glenn Slater, to help create this fairytale-like adventure.

The story of Spellbound takes place in the magical land of Lumbria. It follows the princess of the Lumbria Kingdom, Eilian, whose parents are transformed into monsters. In the movie, she has to reverse the curse to save her family and future kingdom. The new Netflix fantasy animated film features a cast of high-end talents from the acting and singing worlds.

Spellbound Voice Cast

Actor

Character

Rachel Zegler

Princess Ellian

Nicole Kidman

Queen Ellsmere

Javier Bardem

King Solon

John Lithgow

Minister Bolinar

Jenifer Lewis

Minister...

Musical Wicked is hoping to bewitch audiences this weekend, coming out in 698 sites for Universal.

The first of a two-part adaptation of the stage musical stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, with Jon M Chu directing.

Elphaba (Erivo), a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda (Grande), a more conventional and popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. Their friendship is taken in a new direction after they cross paths with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Wicked is the third in a trio of blockbuster November...

Regardless of how many times directors like Guillermo del Toro, Phil Lord, and Chris Miller try to kill the stereotype that the medium of animation isn’t just for kids but for adults as well, and establish that “animation is cinema,” the evidence points to the fact that most animated properties are primarily aimed towards children. Just as an experiment, if I look at some of my favorite animated projects from the 2020s, I’ll come across stuff like Wolfwalkers, Cryptozoo, Luca, Mad God, Turning Red, Apollo 10 ½, The Bad Guys, My Love Affair with Marriage, The Sea Beast, Entergalactic, Oni: Thunder God’s Tale, Gdt’s Pinocchio, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Across the Spider-Verse, Nimona, Carol & the End of the World, The Peasants, Orion and the Dark, and Ultraman Rising. And maybe only 7 of them can be considered unsuitable for children. The rest are uncomplicated and digestible enough for little kids.

Weve come to expect a lot from animated films heart, humor, and character growth that blossom into a moving and memorable story. Not every film rises to the occasion, but some are less forgettable than others simply because they aimed to do something a bit different. Spellbound, the Skydance Animation-produced Netflix film, touches upon the themes of family and the changing dynamics that could potentially make or break it. That is its greatest strength, but for some reason, it takes too long to make its point and underwhelms in other areas in the process.

Spellbound, directed by Vicky Jenson, follows Princess Ellian on her adventurous quest to rescue her family and kingdom. As a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters, Ellian must navigate this perilous journey to restore the King and Queen of Lumbria.

Director Vicky JensonRelease Date November 22, 2024Studio(s) Skydance AnimationWriters Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, Vicky JensonCast Isabelle McCalla,...

2024 has been a particularly good year for animated films. From Inside Out 2 becoming a box office giant in the summer to The Wild Robot enchanting us with the DreamWorks magic, the pressure was on for Spellbound, Netflix's latest collaboration with Skydance Animation. Thankfully, the streaming service's efforts paid off, as the film delivers a charming spin on fairytales and happy-ever-afters that sets itself a part from other animations we've seen before. The latest directorial effort from Vicky Jenson follows Princess Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler), a teenage monarch who has quite literally felt the weight of her crown ever since her parents were transformed into monsters.

The kid’s gonna be fine. It’s the parents who are not all right in “Spellbound,” a straight-to-Netflix computer-animated fairy tale with a smart concept (what’s a girl to do when her home life is shattered?) and its heart in the right place. If only the movie were transparent about its premise from the outset, as opposed to burying the explanation — as a real-world relevant twist — till nearly the end.

The film takes place in the fantasy kingdom of Lumbria, where the royal couple have been cursed. Once a reasonable ruler, King Solon (Javier Bardem) is now a speechless blue beast — albeit the cartoon-cute version of a rhinoceros-size creature, sporting an endearing underbite and an easily distractable, dog-like personality. His wife, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman), suffers from an equivalent affliction. Gone is the fair-featured matriarch, replaced by a puffy green dragon with flamingo-pink feathers, gold horns and ridiculously small wings.

There’s a scene midway through “Spellbound,” the new Netflix animated movie musical starring Rachel Zegler, where we briefly wander through an expansive forest captured in an oddly throwaway montage. Looking down at a group of characters venturing into the vast unknown, we glimpse a shot of butterflies all taking off into the sky.

At this moment, my mind immediately flew to this year’s beautiful “The Wild Robot,” where a similar scene plays out. However, though alike in the broad strokes, the execution of each could not be more different. Where the wondrous “The Wild Robot” patiently permits us to sit with its stunning and vibrant visuals, allowing us to fully take in the awe of the moment, “Spellbound” just lets this slip away. It is without any wonder or whimsy, the animation all looking rather flat to the eye rather than bursting with depth that takes the breath away.

It’s clear from the start that Spellbound wants to be seen in the same light as the animated greats. You can draw many similarities between this and many of your favorite animated movies, Disney movies in particular. And while it has the framework to reach those heights, the inner workings aren’t entirely there.

Related Wicked Review — Wonderful Movie Musical Is Absolutely Magical Spellbound plot

Set in the magical world of Lumbria, Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler) has had a rough year. Her parents, King Solon (Javier Bardem) and Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman), were afflicted by a mysterious curse that turned them both into monsters.

Ellian and the royal staff are growing short of excuses for why the King and Queen have not been seen in public for the last year. With time running out before the curse cannot be reversed, Ellian must take on a daring and dangerous quest...

Not all magic works as it should, and not all fairy tales have tidy endings. Families aren’t much different. While not the most consistently enchanting film, Skydance Animation’s Netflix offering Spellbound attempts to bring magic and family together in order to conjure a story about healing that fits our current moment.

Javier Bardem has just left a movie theater in Madrid, where he screened his new animated musical movie “Spellbound” for his kids — Leo, 13, and Luna, 11 – and 15 of their friends. “They loved it,” Bardem tells me during a phone conversation. “But they were fed up with me rehearsing at home because I was singing all day long just to make sure that I could more or less get a vowel together. They were like, ‘Stop it, dad! Stop it!” But then when they saw the animation, they were absolutely mesmerized.”

“Spellbound” marks the Oscar winner’s first animated film. Directed by Vicky Jenson with music by Alan Menken, Bardem stars alongside Nicole Kidman and Rachel Zegler. The story follows a teenage princess on a mission to break a curse that has transformed her parents. I won’t spoil the movie, so let’s just say the story tackles heavier issues not...

Spellbound is a bold fairytale that reaches for a different vision of a happy ending. The movie stars Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) as the young Princess Ellian, who sets off in search of a solution to a curse that has turned her parents into literal monsters. It was directed and co-written by Vicky Jenson, whose past directorial credits include Shark Tale and the pop culture phenomenon Shrek.

Spellbound also marks the reunion of Jenson and Shrek star John Lithgow, who plays the Bolinar, the royal advisor to Ellian. While Spellbound is a rare appearance for Lithgow in a movie musical, the actor has a long history with music and musical theater including a leading role in the original Broadway production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Lithgow is also known for his work in films and TV series like 3rd Rock From the Sun, The Old Man, and The World According to Garp.

Hankering for your family’s new favorite movie? We’ve got just the thing for you: Spellbound is a fantasy adventure with all the animation pedigree you could wish for. Directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek), featuring songs by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled), and starring Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), this is a dream come true for anyone longing to enter a magical new animated world.

Read on for more information about Spellbound, now streaming on Netflix.

On the eve of her 15th birthday, Ellian (Zegler) should be celebrating like royalty. Instead, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria harbors a secret: a mysterious spell has transformed her parents, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman) and King Solon (Javier Bardem), into monsters. When they escape the palace, panic spreads throughout the kingdom and Ellian must go on a daring quest to undo the spell before...

“Spellbound” is a new animated musical comedy feature, directed by Vicky Jenson, starring Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman, streaming November 22, 2024 on Netflix:

“…set in a world of magic known as ‘Lumbria’…

“… a young girl, ‘Ellian’ must break the spell that has transformed her parents into monsters and split her kingdom…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

A pioneering animated musical that transforms family grief into a moving narrative of hope and reconciliation is about to be released on Netflix. “Spellbound,” directed by Vicky Jenson, takes viewers on a wonderful journey through familial dynamics.

The film follows Princess Ellian, played by Rachel Ziegler, whose parents, Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman, are inexplicably converted into monsters. This supernatural twist is a metaphor for family dysfunction, requiring the young protagonist to mend her broken family.

“We wanted to create something beyond a traditional fairy tale,” Jenson told me. The film delves further than normal animated fables, tackling complicated emotional experiences. To achieve realism, the filmmakers worked with JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, a child psychologist who brings a nuanced understanding of family connections.

The film’s musical score, composed by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, gives the narrative emotional depth. A major song, “The Way It Was Before,” expresses the protagonist’s desire for familial stability.

It’s Musicals Week at IndieWire. With “Wicked” about to sparkle over theaters, we’re celebrating the best of the movie-musical genre.

“Spellbound,” the second feature from John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation, offers a new twist on the modern fairy tale: It allegorically explores divorce through magical and often-adventure-filled family therapy. Here, the king (Javier Bardem) and queen (Nicole Kidman) of mythical Lumbria have been transformed into monsters, forcing their only child, teen Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), to embark on a journey to break the spell and reconcile their differences.

“Spellbound” experienced a compelling evolution under director Vicky Jenson (“Shrek”). It first began as “Split,” a non-fairy tale about worlds at war, scripted by Linda Woolverton (“Beauty and the Beast”). Then, when Lasseter took over, it became a Disney-esque musical fairy tale, built around Egot winner Alan Menken’s score and songs co-written with lyricist Glenn Slater (“Tangled”).

“Everything fell...

For as long as I can remember, fairy tales have been an integral part of storytelling in animation. In my youth, I remember Disney princesses and nightmarish monsters bringing new twists on the stories of Grimm, Andersen, Aesop, Carroll, and more to life with vibrant colors, engaging characters, and endless amounts of imagination. As Grandfather Time traversed the timeline, the tradition of reimagining cautionary tales endured, bringing characters like Alice, Aurora, Pinocchio, Rapunzel, and Saoirse to screens. Today, fairy tales feel as if they’re few and far between. So, it’s fitting to see Vicky Jensen, the director of Shrek, a film that invites many characters to join the adventure, bringing the genre back to form with Skydance Animation‘s enchanting new film Spellbound.

JoBlo recently attended a sneak peek at Spellbound, where several of the project’s filmmakers shared their insight and passion for Skydance Animation’s latest foray into a fairytale kingdom.

Netflix is well known for its original content, and many of those titles are geared toward families. In November 2024, the streamer has a massive list of new releases, including several family favorites, including a new fantasy Spellbound, The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, Pokémon Horizons: The Series part 4, and more.

Check out some of the best family movies to watch on Netflix this month as the holiday season nears, beginning below with the new animated fantasy film Spellbound.

Spellbound

Spellbound is a new Netflix original family adventure fantasy film with the voice talents of Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman.

The movie comes from the creators of Toy Story, the co-director of Shrek, Vicky Jenson, and The Little Mermaid Egot-winning composer Alan Menken. Set in the magic world of Lumbria, where a magical spell has been cast over a kingdom, Princess...

“Spellbound” is a new animated musical comedy feature, directed by Vicky Jenson, starring Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane and Nicole Kidman, streaming November 22, 2024 on Netflix:

“…set in a world of magic known as ‘Lumbria’…

“… a young girl, ‘Ellian’ must break the spell that has transformed her parents into monsters and split her kingdom…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

“Shrek” director Vicky Jenson celebrated the premiere of her new Netflix film “Spellbound,” the second animated feature from John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation, in New York City on Monday November 11. The story stars Rachel Zegler, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman in a fairy tale that takes place in the mythical kingdom of Lumbria as Princess Ellian embarks on “an invigorating quest” to break the spell.

Bardem has had quite a busy last couple of months following the September premiere of Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” Following the buzz from the show, the famous true crime case got a viral amount of attention nearly 30 years since the brothers were sentenced. On October 24, the Los Angeles district attorney recommended that Lyle and Erik Menendez be resentenced after being convicted of murdering their parents over three decades ago.

“Well, I think the reaction has been big,” Bardem told IndieWire.

Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman y Javier Bardem encabezan el reparto de voces en la versión original. © Netflix

Netflix ha publicado un nuevo tráiler y póster de la nueva película animada de Skydance, Hechizados.

Hechizados sigue las aventuras de Ellian, la tenaz hija de los gobernantes de Lumbria, que debe emprender una arriesgada búsqueda para salvar a su familia y su reino, después de que un misterioso hechizo transforme a sus padres en monstruos.

La película de animación, dirigida por Vicky Jenson (Shrek) y está escrita por Lauren Hynek (Mulán), Elizabeth Martin (Mulán) y Julia Miranda (Luck), cuenta con un reparto de voces en Vo encabezado por Rachel Zegler (Los juegos del hambre: Balada de pájaros cantores y serpientes), Nicole Kidman (Un asunto familiar), Javier Bardem (Dune: Parte dos), John Lithgow (El mundo según Garp), Jenifer Lewis (Tiana y el sapo), Nathan Lane (El rey león) y Tituss Burgess (Central Park).

Además,...

The best Donkey quotes in the Shrek franchise show why the big green ogre's noble steed is one of the funniest characters in the franchise. The film franchise which includes six movies, one television series, and a stage musical follows Mike Myers' Shrek, a misanthropic ogre who gets thrust into the role of a hero. Shrek features a star-studded cast led by Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and as Donkey, legendary comedian Eddie Murphy. The franchise takes familiar fairytales and turns them on their heads, adding in slapstick humor and larger-than-life characters not found in any other story fairytale or otherwise.

This includes Eddie Murphy's head-turning performance as the annoying, gullible, and loving Donkey. While Shrek is the lead character of the franchise, there's no way to deny Eddie Murphy's Donkey, Shrek's devoted and hilarious sidekick, is also a star of the films. With sharp wit, pop culture commentary, and endless enthusiasm,...

Skydance and Netflix are coming after Disney and Pixar. On Tuesday, the studios released a new trailer for “Spellbound,” Skydance Animation’s first original film for Netflix since the upstart studio exited its Apple TV+ deal last year.

“Spellbound” tells the story of Ellian (Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler), princess of Lumbria, who goes on a quest to free her parents, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman) and King Solon (Javier Bardem), from a curse that has turned them into monsters and split the kingdom in two. The voice cast also includes John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, and Tituss Burgess.

The film is directed by Academy Award winner Vicky Jenson (co-director of “Shrek”) with a script by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda. It features original music by eight-time Academy Award winner and Egot achiever Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater (“Tangled”). Producers include Academy Award-winning Skydance Animation head John Lasseter,...

Can Ellian save an entire kingdom? A young hero’s journey is at the heart of Netflix’s “Spellbound.” The animated project hails from director Vicky Jenson, whose previous work includes “Shrek” and “Shark Tale.” Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda are co-writers on the upcoming film.

Read More: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

Rachel Zegler stars as the strong-willed Ellian.

Continue reading ‘Spellbound’ Trailer: Rachel Zegler, Javier Bardem & Nicole Kidman Star In Netflix’s Animated Adventure at The Playlist.

At some point or another, most children view their parents as monsters — but for Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), a spell really did transform her royal parents (Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) into monsters in the upcoming animated Netflix film “Spellbound” (streaming November 22). Watch the new trailer below.

The second animated feature from John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation (part of the impending Paramount-Skydance Media merger), the musical fantasy from director Vicky Jenson (“Shrek”) is a modern fairy tale that takes place in the mythical kingdom of Lumbria as Princess Ellian embarks on “an invigorating quest” to break the spell. Boasting bright, eye-catching animation from Skydance Animation Madrid, the look of Lumbria (production designed by Brett Nystul) was influenced by the iconic architecture of ancient Spain, known for its domed rooftops and Moorish arches.

There is a decidedly Disney-esque musical spectacle propelling this modern fairy tale, led by eight-time Oscar...

A young princess must go on an invigorating quest to break a dark spell in Netflix’s Spellbound. The new trailer shows Ellian is ready to do whatever it takes to rescue her mom and dad, and save her kingdom.

John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, and Nathan Lane also lend their voices to the animated fairy tale. Being the Ricardos stars Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman reunite to voice Ellian’s parents.

“Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters,” reads Netflix’s synopsis.

Spellbound premieres on Netflix on November 22, 2024.

“Mythology and fairytales have always been part of my life and upbringing. My father, the son of immigrant Romanian parents, was an aspiring writer and my mother, raised in Costa Rica by literary parents,...