Spellbound 2024

Movie · 110 min · English · November 22, 2024

Children's adventure Children's animated Children's comedy

Directed by Vicky JensonWritten by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, Julia Miranda

Starring Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Dee Bradley Baker, John Lithgow

Spellbound is a 2024 American animated musical fantasy comedy film. The movie was directed by Vicky Jenson and written by Julia Miranda, with additional work from the writing team of Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin. A story was developed by Jenson, Hynek, and Martin. Music for the film was composed by Alan Menken, who also collaborated with longtime lyricist Glenn Slater on the songs. The production was handled by Skydance Animation, and the voice cast includes Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. The setting is Lumbria, a magical realm where Princess Ellian (Zegler) tries to break a spell that transformed her parents (Bardem and Kidman) into monsters and divided the kingdom.

Originally named Split, the film was revealed in July 2017 after Skydance Animation was established in March 2017. Paramount Pictures had planned its release for 2019. Over time, it went through changes including release dates and title updates. Jenson became director at a later stage, and the movie was first called The Unbreakable Spell before settling on Spellbound. Apple TV+ picked up the project in December 2020, though Netflix eventually assumed control of the rights in October 2023. Most of the main voices were confirmed by June 2022, after Zegler’s casting in April 2022. The production was carried out remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film made its debut at the Paris Theater in New York City on November 11, 2024, and was made available through Netflix on November 22. Critics gave it a mixed reception.