In this week’s Netflix Top 10 report covering July 4-10, original animated family feature The Sea Beast took viewers on an epic journey with Maisie and Jacob, debuting at No. 1 on the English Films List with 33.52 millions hours viewed. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero Six, Bolt), the animated film was in the Top 10 in 92 countries. This stellar streaming performance followed glowing reviews and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Another animated family hit, Sing 2, came in at No. 4 on the same list, down from No. 2 the previous week. For Non-English Films, Tadeo Jones 2 (Tad, the Lost Explorer 2) climbed from No. 9 to No. 3. For TV shows, fans did a lot of rewatching of their fave VFX-fueled series in anticipation of new seasons, with Stranger Things and The Umbrella Academy dominating the English-language list, and anime series BASTARD!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- S1 held on to No. 8 on the Non-English list. See more at top10.netflix.com.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will present a screening of beloved 1982 animated feature The Last Unicorn in honor of the film’s 40th anniversary on July 30 at at 3 p.m., in its David Geffen Theater. The event will feature an in-person Q&A with screenwriter/author Peter S. Beagle and producer Michael Chase Walker.
On discovering that she may well be the last of her immortal kind, the Unicorn sets out on a long journey to discover what may have become of the other unicorns. On the way, she encounters a genuinely wicked witch and a village with a shameful secret. She also befriends a bumbling wizard and a bitter, disillusioned outlaw named Molly Grue, meets the mad King Haggard, and, at the last, must challenge the terrible Red Bull she so deeply fears to face.
Produced and directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass of the iconic Rankin-Bass studio and animated by some of the same team that would go on to work with Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli, The Last Unicorn eatures the voice talents of Mia Farrow, Academy Award winners Alan Arkin and Jeff Bridges, Angela Lansbury and Christopher Lee.
Tickets for The Last Unicorn at the Academy Museum are available here. The venue is also presenting an accommodative screening of the acclaimed animated feature The Red Turtle, by Oscar winner Michaël Dudok De Wit (Father and Daughter), for its family matinee the same day (tickets here).
This summer, Shout! Kids invites families to embark on the thrilling adventures of one of literature’s biggest heroes when the new movie Gulliver Returns comes to digital download on July 26 and lands on national home entertainment shelves on August 9. 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.
Inspired by both Jonathan Swift’s timeless tale and an original idea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Gulliver Returns is a production of Gulliver Films and 95 Animation Studio in Ukraine. The English-language movie is directed by Ilya Maksimov (Dobrinya and the Dragon) with Tony Bonilla (Encanto, Moana) as animation director. The DVD features an exciting movie presentation and is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com.
In other Ukraine-related news, Animagrad‘s (FILM.UA Group) eagerly awaited animated ode to Ukrainian culture and artistry, Mavka. The Forest Song, has been picked up by Universal Pictures Content Group with all French distribution rights to the feature. The movie will receive an all-new French-language dub for the release.
Mavka. The Forest Song showcases unique Ukrainian culture, values, traditions and has an environmental component in the partnership with WWF-Ukraine. Mavka is a unique female character from Ukrainian legends and myths, the Soul of the Forest, who becomes its Guardian when her home is in danger. She strives for peace and harmony in her world — just as the people of Ukraine today strive for their own.
As FILM.UA Distribution CEO Evgeniy Drachov points out, Mavka has already presold in more than 20 territories, including Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and MENA countries. Despite the war of Russian aggression, the film is on track for delivery in Q4 2022.
Land of Mercy is written, directed and produceed by Tan Keng Leck, head of Singapore-based Hwallywood Studio, and adpated from the novel by Fan Wen. MSV (Battle of Surabaya) in Indonesia is co-producing and handling the animation production. The film is slated for delivery in October 2023; sales agent / distribtor(s) TBA.
[Source: Variety]
GKIDS announced the list of participating theaters for the highly anticipated release of Masaaki Yuasa’s latest critically acclaimed feature, Inu-Oh, a revisionist rock opera about a 14th-century superstar whose dance moves take Japan by storm. The film hits U.S. screens on August 12, read more here. Screenings are scheduled in the following markets and venues:
- ALABAMA: Birmingham (AMC Patton Creek 15 with IMAX)
- ARIZONA: Chandler (Chandler Fashion Center 20), Gilbert (Santan Village 16 ), Glendale (AMC Westgate 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Goodyear (Estrella Falls 16), Mesa (AMC Mesa Grande 14 with Dolby), Peoria (Arrowhead Fountains 18), Phoenix (AMC Ahwatukee 24; AMC Arizona Center 24; AMC Deer Valley 17 with IMAX, Dolby) Tempe (Arizona Mills 25 with IMAX, Tempe Marketplace 16)
- CALIFORNIA: Arcadia (AMC Santa Anita 16 with IMAX, Dolby) Burbank (AMC Burbank 16 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime ), Cerritos (Cerritos 16), Chino Hills (Chino Hills 18), City of Industry (AMC Puente Hills 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Covina (AMC Covina 17 with IMAX ), Fullerton (AMC DINE-IN Fullerton 20), Los Angeles (Laemmle Royal), Monterey Park (AMC Atlantic Times Square 14), Moreno Valley (Moreno Valley 16), North Hollywood (Laemmle’s NoHo 7), Norwalk (AMC Norwalk 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Orange (AMC Orange 30 with IMAX, Dolby), Redlands (Mountain Grove 16), Riverside (AMC Tyler 16 with IMAX, Dolby), San Bernardino (AMC DINE-IN Ontario Mills 30 with Dolby), Thousand Oaks (AMC DINE-IN Thousand Oaks 14 with Dolby), Torrance (AMC Del Amo 18 with IMAX, Dolby; AMC Rolling Hills 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Tustin (AMC Tustin 14 with Dolby, Prime), Universal City (AMC Citywalk Stadium 19 with IMAX), Manteca (AMC Manteca 16), Chula Vista (AMC Otay Ranch 12) La Jolla (AMC UTC 14), National City (AMC Plaza Bonita 14 with IMAX, Dolby), San Diego (AMC Mission Valley 20 with IMAX, Dolby; AMC Palm Promenade 14 with IMAX), Emeryville (AMC Bay Street 16 with IMAX, Dolby), San Francisco (The Roxie; AMC Metreon 16 with IMAX, Dolby), San Jose (AMC East Ridge Mall 15 with IMAX, Dolby), Santa Clara (AMC Mercado 20 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime)
- COLORADO: Highlands Ranch (AMC Highlands Ranch 24 with IMAX, Dolby), Westminster (AMC Westminster 24 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime)
- CONNECTICUT: Danbury (AMC Danbury 16 with IMAX, Dolby)
- FLORIDA: Jacksonville (AMC Regency 24 with IMAX, Dolby), Orange Park (AMC Orange Park 24 with IMAX, Dolby), South Miami (AMC Sunset Place 24 with IMAX, Dolby), Altamonte Springs (AMC Altamonte Mall 18 with IMAX, Dolby), Orlando (AMC DINE-IN Disney Springs 24 with Dolby), Brandon (AMC Regency 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Oldsmar (AMC Woodland Square 20 with IMAX, Dolby)
- GEORGIA: Atlanta (The Plaza), Kennesaw (AMC Barrett Commons 14 with IMAX), Lawrenceville (AMC Colonial 18; AMC Sugarloaf Mills 18 with Dolby)
- IOWA: Iowa City (FilmScene)
- ILLINOIS: Chicago (AMC River East 21 with Dolby), Naperville (AMC Naperville 16 with IMAX, Dolby), South Barrington (AMC Barrington 24 with IMAX, Dolby)
- INDIANA: Schererville (AMC Schererville 16 with IMAX), Indianapolis (AMC Indianapolis 17 with IMAX, Dolby)
- KANSAS: Leawood (AMC Town Center 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Olathe (AMC DINE-IN Studio 28 KC with IMAX, Dolby)
- KENTUCKY: Newport (AMC Newport On The Levee 20 with IMAX, Dolby)
- LOUISIANA: Harahan (AMC Elmwood 20 with IMAX, Dolby)
- MASSACHUSETTS: Boston (AMC Boston Common 19 with IMAX, Dolby), Methuen (AMC Methuen 20 with IMAX, Dolby)
- MARYLAND: Baltimore (AMC White Marsh 16 with IMAX, Dolby), Columbia (AMC Columbia 14 with IMAX, Dolby),
- MICHIGAN: Livonia (AMC Livonia 19 with IMAX), Sterling Heights (AMC Forum 30 with IMAX, Dolby)
- MINNESOTA: Coon Rapids (AMC Coon Rapids 16), Eden Prairie (AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18 with IMAX, Prime), Edina (AMC Southdale Center 16 with IMAX, Dolby)
- MISSOURI: Kansas City (Armour Theatre / Screenland Armour; AMC Barrywoods 24 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime)
- N. CAROLINA: Charlotte (AMC Carolina Pavilion 22), Concord (AMC Concord Mills 24 with IMAX, Dolby), Greenville (AMC Fire Tower 12), Durham (AMC DINE-IN Southpoint 17 with IMAX, Dolby), Fayetteville (AMC Fayetteville 14 with IMAX)
- NEW JERSEY: Clifton (AMC Clifton Commons 16 with IMAX, Dolby), Edison (AMC DINE-IN Menlo Park 12), Elizabeth (AMC Jersey Gardens 20 with IMAX, Dolby), Freehold (AMC Freehold 14), New Brunswick (AMC New Brunswick 18 with IMAX, Dolby), Paramus (AMC Garden State 16 with IMAX, Dolby), Rockaway (AMC Rockaway Plaza 16 with IMAX, Dolby), Cherry Hill (AMC Cherry Hill 24 with IMAX, Dolby)
- NEVADA: Las Vegas (AMC Town Square 18 with IMAX, Dolby)
- NEW YORK: New York (AMC 34th Street with IMAX, Dolby; AMC Empire 25 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime; AMC Kips Bay 15 with IMAX)
- OHIO: Mentor (Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium 16), Columbus (Gateway Film Center; AMC DINE-IN Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime)
- OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma City (AMC Quail Springs 24 with IMAX, Dolby)
- PENNSYLVANIA: Bensalem (AMC Neshaminy 24 with IMAX, Dolby), Center Valley (AMC Center Valley 16 with IMAX), Pittsburgh (Row House Cinema), West Homestead (AMC Waterfront 22 with IMAX, Dolby)
- TENNESSEE: Chattanooga (AMC Chattanooga 18), Franklin (AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20 IMAX, Dolby), Murfreesboro (AMC CLASSIC Murfreesboro 16)
- TEXAS: Arlington (AMC Parks at Arlington 18 with IMAX, Dolby), Mesquite (AMC DINE-IN Mesquite 30 with IMAX, Dolby), Edinburg (AMC Edinburg 18 with IMAX, Dolby), Houston (AMC Gulf Pointe 30 with IMAX, Dolby; AMC Willowbrook 24 with IMAX, Dolby), Sugar Land (AMC First Colony 24 w IMAX, Dolby, Prime),
- VIRGINIA: Virginia Beach (AMC Lynnhaven 18 with IMAX, Dolby), Alexandria (AMC Hoffman 22 with IMAX, Dolby), McLean (AMC Tysons Corner 16 with IMAX, Dolby)
- WASHINGTON: Seattle (AMC Pacific Place 11), Tukwila (AMC Southcenter 16 with IMAX, Dolby)
The distributor also announced new engagements for another compelling Japanese animated feature, The Deer King, which opens nationswide on July 15. In additoin to the previously announced theaters, the movie will screen at:
- ARIZONA: Chandler (Majestic Chandler 9), Mesa (Cinemark 16)
- CALIFORNIA: Bakersfield (Valley Plaza 16), Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach Bella Terra 20 + XD), Milpitas (Milpitas Great Mall 20 + XD), Oxnard (Century River Park 16 + XD), San Jose (San Jose Oakridge 20 + XD)
- COLORADO: Colorado Springs (Tinseltown 20 + XD), Fort Collins (Cinemark 16)
- GEORGIA: Atlanta (Atlantic Station Stadium 18 & IMAX * RPX), Buford (Mall of Georgia Stadium 20 + IMAX & RPX), Chamblee (Hollywood Stadium 24 @ North I-85)
- FLORIDA: Gainesville (Butler Town Center 14)
- HAWAII: Aiea (Consolidated Pearlridge West 16)
- KENTUCKY: Lexington (Hamburg Pavilion Stadium 16 & RPX)
- NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque (Albuquerque Rio 24 + XD)
- NEW YORK: New York (AMC Empire 25 with IMAX, Dolby, Prime; Village East Cinema by Angelika)
- MARYLAND: Hanover (Egyptian 24 + XD)
- MICHIGAN: Ypsilanti (Ann Arbor 20 IMAX)
- OHIO: North Canton (Cinemark North Canton 24 + XD)
- OREGON: Springfield (Cinemark 17)
- TENNESSEE: Knoxville (Pinnacle Stadium Cinemas 17 + IMAX & RPX), Nashville (Opry Mills Stadium 20 + IMAX & RPX)
- TEXAS: Brownsville (Cinemark 16 + XD), El Paso (Tinseltown 20 + XD), Plano (Legacy 24 + XD), Pflugerville (Tinseltown 20 + XD), Webster (Cinemark 18 + XD)
- UTAH: West Jordan (Cinemark 24 + XD)
- VIRGINIA: Richmond (BTC Movieland at Blvd Sq 17)
- WASHINGTON: Bellevue (Lincoln Square Cinema Bistro 22 with IMAX)
