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Netflix Reveals 2023 Kids & Family Slate

New animated movies include ‘Leo,’ ‘Nimona,’ ‘The Monkey King,’ and ‘The Magician’s Elephant,’ with new and returning series including ‘My Dad the Bounty Hunter,’ ‘Princess Power,’ and ‘Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.’

Putting to rest a bit of the uncertainty surrounding which animated projects are still on track to hit the streamer, today Netflix announced its new 2023 Kids & Family slate, highlighting new films and series launching throughout the year. Features set to premiere this year include Leo, Nimona, The Monkey King, The Magician’s Elephant, and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. In addition, new series include My Dad the Bounty Hunter and Princess Power, along with returning favorites Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Sonic Prime, and Spirit Rangers.

Check out what’s new in animation for 2023 (dates subject to change):

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget – Coming in 2023

Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream – a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland, the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their hard-won freedom at risk, they’re breaking in this time!

The film is directed by Sam Fell, produced by Steve Pegram and Leyla Hobart, with Peter Lord, Carla Shelley, Karey Kirkpatrick, and Nick Park serving as executive producers. Writers are Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’ Farrell, and Rachel Tunnard.

The voice cast includes Thandiwe Newton; Zachary Levi; Bella Ramsey; Jane Horrocks; Imelda Staunton; Lynn Ferguson; Josie Sedgwick-Davies; David Bradley; Romesh Ranganathan; Daniel Mays; and Nick Mohammed.

Leo – coming November 22

Actor and comedian Adam Sandler (Hotel Transylvania, The Wedding Singer) delivers signature laughs in this coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school – as seen through the eyes of a class pet. Stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle (Bill Burr), the jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo (Sandler) learns he only has one year left to live. So, he plans to escape so he can experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students - including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever…

The film is directed by Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, and David Wachtenheim. Happy Madison produces.

The voice cast includes Sandler; Burr; Cecily Strong; Jason Alexander; Rob Schneider; Sadie Sandler; Sunny Sandler; Jackie Sandler; Heidi Gardner; Nick Swardson; Nicholas Turturro;  Smigel; Jo Koy; and Stephanie Hsu.

The Magician’s Elephant - coming March 17

When Peter (voiced by Noah Jupe), searching for his long-lost sister Adele (voiced by Pixie Davies), crosses paths with a fortune teller in the market square, there is only one question on his mind: is his sister still alive? The answer, that he must find a mysterious elephant and the magician (voiced by Benedict Wong) who will conjure it, sets Peter off on a harrowing journey to complete three seemingly impossible tasks that will change the face of his town forever and take him on the adventure of a lifetime. The Magician’s Elephant is based on Two-time Newbery Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo’s classic novel.

The film is directed by Wendy Rogers and produced by Julia Pistor. Martin Hynes is the writer.

The voice cast includes Sian Clifford; Davies; Natasia Demetriou; Dawn French; Brian Tyree Henry; Jupe; Aasif Mandvi; Mandy Patinkin; Miranda Richardson; Cree Summer; Lorraine Toussaint; and Wong.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always – coming April 19

Check out the newly released featurette:

Simon Bennett serves as executive producer, and Becca Barnes and Alwyn Dale are co-producers/head writers.

The voice cast includes David Yost; Walter E. Jones; Steve Cardenas; Catherine Sutherland; Karan Ashley; Johnny Yong Bosch; Barbara Goodson; Richard Horvitz; and Charlie Kersch.

The Monkey King – coming in 2023

The action-packed family comedy follows a monkey and his magical fighting Stick teaming up on an epic quest to go head-to-head against gods, demons, dragons, and the greatest enemy of all, Monkey's own ego!

The film is directed by Anthony Stacchi with Peilin Chou producing. Stephen Chow serves as executive producer.

The voice cast includes Jimmy O. Yang; Bowen Yang; Jolie Hoang-Rappaport; Jo Koy; Ron Yuan; Hoon Lee; Stephanie Hsu; Andrew Pang; Andrew Kishino; Jodi Long; James Sie; and BD Wong.

My Dad the Bounty Hunter Season 1 – coming February 1

The animated action-comedy series follows close-knit siblings Lisa and Sean, who stow away on their dad’s latest work trip, hoping to finally get some quality time together. Little do they know Dad’s been keeping a secret from them — he’s actually the toughest bounty hunter in the galaxy! Launched into the surprise space adventure of a lifetime, Lisa and Sean discover that their seemingly average dad’s job is anything but boring. Dodging dangerous aliens, robots, and laser fights galore, family bonding time becomes much more than they bargained for as they try to help their dad in pursuit of his toughest fugitive yet. With his kids along for the ride, Dad must show up for them when they need it most — and they’d better make it home before Mom finds out!

The show is created and executive produced by Everett Downing and Patrick Harpin; the voice cast includes Laz Alonso; Yvonne Orji; Priah Ferguson; Yvette Nicole Brown; JeCobi Swain; Leslie Uggams; Rob Riggle; Jim Rash; and Jamie Chung.

Nimona – coming in 2023

A knight is framed for a crime he didn't commit, and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he's sworn to kill. Set in a techno-medieval world unlike anything animation has tackled before, this is a story about the labels we assign to people and the shapeshifter who refuses to be defined by anyone.

The film is directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, with Roy Lee, Karen Ryan, and Julie Zackary serving as producers. Executive producers are Robert L. Baird, Megan Ellison, and Andrew Millstein.

The voice cast includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, and Eugene Lee Yang.

Oddballs Season 2 – coming February 24 (Season 1 now streaming on Netflix)

The series follows James, a bubble-shaped boy whose observations on life fuel his comedic rants at everyday annoyances and elevate them to laughably absurd heights. Along with his best friends Max (a talking crocodile) and Echo (a girl who claims to be from the future), James' ridiculous schemes to question norms often result in disaster.

The show is created and executive produced by James Rallison and Ethan Banville, with executive producers Carl Faruolo, and Michael Zoumas, alongside Atomic Cartoons’ Jennifer Twiner McCarron, Matthew Berkowitz, and Aaron Behl. Sarah Soh serves as supervising producer.

The voice cast includes Rallison; Julian Gant; Kimberly Brooks; Gary Anthony Williams; and Carl Faruolo.

Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series Part 1- more episodes coming February 24

The stakes are higher than ever for Ash, Goh, and Chloe as their journeys continue!

Princess Power Season 1 – coming January 30

The new animated preschool series is based on the New York Times Bestselling book series “Princesses Wear Pants” by Savannah Guthrie (co-anchor of Today) and Allison Oppenheim. The show is a celebration of girl power and self-expression that follows princesses of four major fruit kingdoms: Kira Kiwi, Beatrice “Bea” Blueberry, Rita Raspberry, and Penelope “Penny” Pineapple. These princesses embrace their differences and become stronger together to help their fellow fruitizens and make their world a better place. Princess Power's whimsical, aspirational joy comes with a timely message: that it's not just what you wear but what you do that makes all the difference.

Elise Allen serves as showrunner. Guthrie (co-author), Matthew Berkowitz, Kristin Cummings, Jennifer Twiner McCarron, Drew Barrymore, Ember Truesdell, and Nancy Juvonen serve as executive producers. 

Watch the trailer:

Sonic Prime Season 1 – coming in 2023

The action-packed adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog go into overdrive when a run-in with Dr. Eggman results in a literal universe-shattering event. Desperate to piece his prime reality back together and save his old friends, Sonic races through the Shatterverse, discovering strange worlds and enlisting new friends in an epic adventure of a lifetime!

Executive producers include Man of Action, Erik Wiese, WildBrain (Josh Scherba, Anne Loi, Stephanie Betts, and Logan McPherson), SEGA (Haruki Satomi, Yukio Sugino, Shuji Utsumi, and Toru Nakahara).

The voice cast includes Deven Mack; Ashleigh Ball; Shannon Chan-Kent; Brian Drummond; Vincent Tong, Ian Hanlin, Kazumi Evans, and Adam Nurada.

Spirit Rangers Season 2 – coming in 2023 (Season 1 now streaming on Netflix)

Inspired by stories from Native American tribes and the landscapes of national parks of America, the show explores the adventure and beauty of nature through the eyes of Kodi, Summer, and Eddy Skycedar, Chumash/Cowlitz siblings, who share a secret. This trio of kids are “Spirit Rangers” who help protect the land and spirits of the national park that they call home in California. Taking on new perspectives as a grizzly bear cub, red-tailed hawk, and spunky turtle, the Skycedar kids take on every challenge — from helping a lost thunderbird to waking a sleepy sun — with courage and compassion.

The show is executive produced by Karissa Valencia and Chris Nee.

The voice cast includes Wačíŋyeya Iwáš'aka Yracheta, Isis Celilo Rogers; Talon Proc Alford; Kimberly Guerrero; John Timothy; Cree Summer; Shaun Taylor-Corbett; Wes Studi; Tantoo Cardinal; Devery Jacobs; Brooke Simpson; Román Zaragoza; Nyla Rose; Taboo Nawasha; Jalen Gomez; Jana Schmieding; Temura Morrison; Sarah Podemski; Jenna Clause; and Sheri Foster.

We Have a Ghost – coming February 24

Finding a ghost named Ernest haunting their new home turns Kevin's family into overnight social media sensations. But when Kevin and Ernest go rogue to investigate the mystery of Ernest's past, they become a target of the CIA. Based on the short story “Ernest” by Geoff Manaugh.

The show is directed, written, and executive produced by Christopher Landon, with Marty Bowen and Dan Halsted serving as producers. Serving as executive producers are Korey Budd; Geoff Manaugh; Isaac Klausner; John Fischer; and Nathan Miller.

The voice cast includes David Harbour; Jahi Di'Allo Winston; Tig Notaro; Erica Ash; Jennifer Coolidge; and Anthony Mackie. Additional cast members include Faith Ford; Niles Fitch; Isabella Russo; and Steve Coulter.

We Lost Our Human - Coming March 21

An epic interactive comedy adventure about two pets who wake up one day to discover that every human on Earth has disappeared! Desperate to find their owner, Pud the Cat and Ham the Dog venture out into the world for the first time ever and wind up on a wild trip through the universe. Discovering strange new worlds, bizarre creatures, and general mayhem, this grumpy cat and the overly hyper dog soon realize that every choice they make has huge consequences and the journey to find their beloved owner.

The show is executive produced by Chris Garbutt and Rikke Asbjoern.

The voice cast includes Ben Schwartz; Ayo Edebiri; Adrienne C. Moore; and Lauren Tom.

Source: Netflix

Debbie Diamond Sarto's picture

Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.