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Animal Farm poster
4.4
Aniventure

Animal Farm

· Animal Farm Adaptations

2026 95 min PG
Critic4.4
Animation Adventure Comedy Drama
Angel Angel Apple TV Amazon Video
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

The animals of Manor Farm overthrow their human owner in pursuit of freedom and equality, but their revolution is gradually corrupted when Napoleon and the other pigs consolidate power, rewrite the rules and suppress dissent.
Story 3.8
Acting 6.8
Direction 4.7
Cinematography 5.8
Music 5.6
Pacing 5.2
Originality 5.0
Emotional Impact 3.9
Overall 4.4

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

4.4 /10

A substantially changed adaptation

The film retains the basic structure of an animal revolution corrupted by authoritarian leadership, but it introduces new characters, contemporary technology, corporate satire and a more optimistic resolution.

Lucky's perspective

The original character Lucky gives younger viewers a clear protagonist through whom to understand the farm's political changes. This approach improves accessibility but shifts attention away from Orwell's ensemble allegory.

Voice performances

The large voice cast is the film's most consistent strength. Seth Rogen gives Napoleon recognizable comic menace, while Gaten Matarazzo provides Lucky with youthful uncertainty and sincerity.

Animation

The computer animation is colorful and readable, with expressive animal designs suited to younger audiences. It is functional rather than visually groundbreaking.

Tone and humor

Broad jokes, modern references and slapstick frequently conflict with the darker political material. The attempt to serve both young children and viewers familiar with Orwell produces an inconsistent tone.

Political themes

The movie continues to warn against propaganda, rewritten history, personality cults and concentrated power, but its simplified treatment reduces the precision and severity of the novella's critique.

Pros

  • Recognizable ensemble voice cast
  • Accessible introduction to Orwell's central themes
  • Expressive and family-friendly animation
  • Clear warnings about propaganda and concentrated power
  • Gaten Matarazzo gives Lucky an engaging youthful perspective

Cons

  • Substantially changes George Orwell's original story
  • Broad comedy conflicts with the darker political themes
  • Contemporary references may age quickly
  • Simplifies the novella's historical and ideological critique
  • The more optimistic approach reduces the original ending's impact
Verdict A technically polished but heavily altered adaptation whose family-comedy approach weakens much of the political force and tragic clarity of George Orwell's original allegory.

AI Review

A family-oriented animated reinterpretation of George Orwell's political fable, following a young piglet as a revolution founded on equality becomes an authoritarian regime.

A technically polished but heavily altered adaptation whose family-comedy approach weakens much of the political force and tragic clarity of George Orwell's original allegory.

Best suited to families and younger viewers seeking an accessible introduction to Animal Farm. Viewers wanting a faithful adaptation should consider the 1954 animated film or read George Orwell's original novella.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Initial development

A new feature adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm entered development in 2011, initially with Rupert Wyatt associated with the project.

Director attached

Andy Serkis took over directing duties in 2012 and began developing the project as a performance-driven adaptation.

Netflix acquisition

Netflix acquired rights to the planned adaptation in 2018.

Animation production

Production moved forward as a computer-animated film through Aniventure, Cinesite and The Imaginarium Studios, with Nicholas Stoller writing the screenplay.

Production completion

The animated production was reported complete in 2024 after an extended development and production period.

Cast announcement

The principal voice cast was announced in April 2025, including Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Glenn Close, Laverne Cox, Woody Harrelson and Kieran Culkin.

World premiere

Animal Farm premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 9, 2025.

UK festival premiere

The film screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2025.

US distribution

Angel Studios acquired United States theatrical distribution rights in December 2025.

US theatrical release

Angel Studios released the film in US and Canadian theaters on May 1, 2026.

Home viewing

The movie subsequently became available through premium digital services and for Angel Guild members.

International theatrical release

The film continued its international rollout during July 2026, including Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Production

Initial development

A new feature adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm entered development in 2011, initially with Rupert Wyatt associated with the project.

Director attached

Andy Serkis took over directing duties in 2012 and began developing the project as a performance-driven adaptation.

Netflix acquisition

Netflix acquired rights to the planned adaptation in 2018.

Animation production

Production moved forward as a computer-animated film through Aniventure, Cinesite and The Imaginarium Studios, with Nicholas Stoller writing the screenplay.

Production completion

The animated production was reported complete in 2024 after an extended development and production period.

Cast announcement

The principal voice cast was announced in April 2025, including Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Glenn Close, Laverne Cox, Woody Harrelson and Kieran Culkin.

World premiere

Animal Farm premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 9, 2025.

UK festival premiere

The film screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2025.

US distribution

Angel Studios acquired United States theatrical distribution rights in December 2025.

US theatrical release

Angel Studios released the film in US and Canadian theaters on May 1, 2026.

Home viewing

The movie subsequently became available through premium digital services and for Angel Guild members.

International theatrical release

The film continued its international rollout during July 2026, including Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Streaming

Angel Angel
Apple TV
Amazon Video
Fandango At Home

Cast

Seth Rogen Napoleon
Gaten Matarazzo Lucky
Woody Harrelson Boxer
Laverne Cox Snowball
Kieran Culkin Squealer
Glenn Close Freida Pilkington
Steve Buscemi Mr. Whymper
Kathleen Turner Benjamin
Jim Parsons Carl and the Sheep
Iman Vellani Puff and Tammy
Andy Serkis Mr. Jones, Old Major and Rooster

Characters

Napoleon Seth Rogen
Lucky Gaten Matarazzo
Boxer Woody Harrelson
Snowball Laverne Cox
Squealer Kieran Culkin
Freida Pilkington Glenn Close
Mr. Whymper Steve Buscemi
Benjamin Kathleen Turner
Carl and the Sheep Jim Parsons
Puff and Tammy Iman Vellani
Mr. Jones, Old Major and Rooster Andy Serkis

Crew

Andy Serkis Director
Nicholas Stoller Screenwriter
George Orwell Author of Source Material
Andy Serkis Producer
Adam Nagle Producer
Dave Rosenbaum Producer
Jonathan Cavendish Producer
Peter Nagle Producer
Connie Nartonis Thompson Producer
Nicholas Stoller Executive Producer
Rupert Wyatt Executive Producer
Heitor Pereira Composer
Kevin Pavlovic Editor

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. Animal Farm Original Motion Picture Score — Heitor Pereira

Trivia

  • Andy Serkis began developing a new screen adaptation of Animal Farm during the early 2010s.
  • The project was initially envisioned using performance-capture technology before being produced as a fully computer-animated feature.
  • Netflix previously held distribution rights to the project but was no longer involved by the time the completed film reached audiences.
  • Angel Studios acquired United States theatrical distribution rights in December 2025.
  • Lucky is an original piglet character created for this adaptation and does not appear in George Orwell's novella.
  • The film changes Snowball into a female character voiced by Laverne Cox.
  • Andy Serkis voices three characters: Mr. Jones, Old Major and a rooster.
  • Iman Vellani voices both Puff and Tammy.
  • Jim Parsons voices Carl as well as multiple sheep.
  • The film premiered at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival before its commercial theatrical release in 2026.

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Animal Farm