Netflix reveals new details on animated titles with Skydance

Netflix has unveiled details about upcoming animated films ‘Spellbound’ and ‘Pookoo’, featuring star-studded casts and captivating storylines

Netflix on Thursday shared new details about upcoming animated films Spellbound and Pookoo, which were made in partnership with Skydance Animation.

Spellbound is about Ellian, the young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria, and she has a secret…a mysterious spell has turned her parents into monsters,” said The Lion King actor Nathan Lane during the streaming platform’s ‘Netflix on Netflix Animation’ preview in Los Angeles.

Ellian summons the mysterious Oracles of the Sun and Moon to come to help her break the spell.

The film is directed by Vicky Jensen, whose credits include the DreamWorks Animated film, Shrek. She is joined by Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken known for working on countless Disney hits, including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.

Actors Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow, and Jenifer Lewis will also voice in the film, which will be released on the service on November 22.

The new animated releases signal Netflix's increased investment in such family friendly content as well as adult content, which have been found to help retain subscribers. It's also consistent with the company's broad programming strategy of creating something to satisfy all tastes.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos last year said the company planned to increase its spending on animated content in 2024, because it is among the most re-watched on the service.