In a vibrant showcase at Annecy’s Imperial Palace, Netflix unveiled an exciting array of animated projects, following a successful pitch of its high-profile titles at the Bonlieu. The panel, brimming with anticipation, offered early glimpses into a diverse animation slate that includes adaptations from beloved franchises such as “Minecraft,” “Clash of Clans,” “Magic the Gathering,” and “Ghostbusters,” alongside the much-anticipated return of “Blue Eye Samurai.”
Among the highlights, Netflix presented three new preschool shows inspired by Dr. Seuss, an adaptation of the French comic “Samuel,” and sneak peeks of several adult-oriented series, including Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s “Long Story Short,” Dan Harmon’s “Haunted Hotel,” and a bold pencil test for the upcoming “Mating Season” from the creators of “Big Mouth.”
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While the audience was treated to exclusive artwork and clips, the broader public will have to wait for a more comprehensive reveal of these titles. Below is a detailed overview of the projects showcased during the panel.
“Samuel”
John Derderian kicked off the presentation by emphasizing Netflix’s commitment to global storytelling. He expressed excitement over bringing Emily Tranche’s acclaimed French animated series “Samuel” to a wider audience later this year. “Great stories are universal,” he remarked, reinforcing Netflix’s vision as a “studio without borders.”
Dr. Seuss Preschool Shows
Heather Tilert highlighted the enchanting world of preschool programming with three new Dr. Seuss adaptations: “Red Fish Blue Fish,” an endearing “Horton!” series, and the more mature “The Sneetches” special. Tilert described “Red Fish Blue Fish” as a 2D animated series filled with visual comedy tailored for children aged four to seven. She characterized “The Sneetches” as a stunning 44-minute special, ideal for family movie nights.
“Long Story Short”
Billy Wee introduced “Long Story Short,” the latest creation from Raphael Bob-Waksberg, known for “BoJack Horseman.” He described it as a family comedy that is both ambitious and original, screening a clip that elicited laughter from the audience. “We aspire to work with the funniest creators in the world,” Wee stated, emphasizing Netflix’s commitment to innovative storytelling.
“Haunted Hotel”
Wee also provided a glimpse into “Haunted Hotel,” a horror-comedy executive produced by Dan Harmon. The clip showcased the show’s irreverent humor and dynamic ghostly characters, positioning it as a unique addition to Netflix’s adult animation lineup.
“Mating Season”
Fans of “Big Mouth” were introduced to “Mating Season,” an adult animated comedy centered around dating in the animal kingdom. Nick Kroll described it as featuring “adorable and fully horny forest creatures,” hinting at the show’s playful and risqué nature.
“Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85”
Derderian shared insights into “Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85,” aiming to create animated series that rival the cinematic quality of Netflix films. Dominique Bazay showcased art from the series, highlighting the collaboration with the Duffer brothers to bring the beloved town of Hawkins into animation.
“Splinter Cell: Deathwatch”
Dylan Thomas presented “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch,” the first animated adaptation of the iconic Ubisoft stealth game. He described it as a visceral addition to Netflix’s adult animation offerings, previously detailed in a dedicated session earlier in the week.
“Magic the Gathering”
Thomas also discussed “Magic the Gathering,” an epic fantasy saga led by a talented team including Oscar winner Patrick Osborne. He described the series as one of the most ambitious projects to date, with striking visuals crafted in collaboration with the CG studio DIGIC in Budapest.
“Blue Eye Samurai” (Returning)
Celebrating the return of “Blue Eye Samurai,” Thomas teased that the new season promises even more intense storytelling and emotional depth than its predecessor, sharing a brief but impactful sizzle reel.
“Ghostbusters”
Dominique Bazay introduced a fresh take on “Ghostbusters,” developed in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation. She shared concept art depicting a gritty New York City, emphasizing the goal of creating a tactile and immersive experience rather than aiming for photorealism.
“Minecraft”
Bazay also unveiled a sneak peek of the animated “Minecraft” series, highlighting the collaboration with Mojang Studios to ensure authenticity while crafting a new universe for fans.
“Clash of Clans”
Finally, Bazay provided insights into the upcoming “Clash of Clans” series, which promises to transform the mobile game’s wild fantasy world into a workplace comedy, with creative minds Fletcher Moles and Ron Weiner at the helm.
