Classic animation fans will always think of the 1939 Dave Fleischer adaptation of Gulliver Travels when they recall the enduring Jonathan Swift book, first published in 1726. This summer, an animated sequel to the original tale of the Lilliput visitor will be released digitally (July 26) and on DVD (Aug. 9) thanks to the good folks at Shout! Kids. The movie Gulliver Returns, which is based on an idea by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, finds the world traveler returning to Lilliput to save his little friends from a whirlwind of extraordinary events.
Gulliver Returns is a production of Gulliver Films and 95 Animation Studio in Ukraine, and is directed by Ilya Maksimov (Dobrinya and the Dragon) with Tony Bonilla (Encanto, Moana) as animation director. The screenplay is penned by Michael Ryan (All Hail, King Julian, Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny, Wolfboy and the Everything Factory). The movie first premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2021.
Shout! Factory will be donating a portion of the net proceeds earned from the distribution of the movie from year one to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises, which is currently active in Ukraine and surrounding countries providing meals for as many people as possible at border crossings, shelters, and other locations.
Here is the film’s trailer:
