My Little Pony (film)

My Little Pony (known as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) is a 2025 live-action/animated comedy fantasy film, based on the popular animated television series of the same name. The film is directed by Roland Emmerich (the director of 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, Moonfall, Godzilla and Independence Day) and co-directed by Gore Verbinski (the director of Mouse Hunt, The Ring, the first three Pirates of the Caribbean film series and Rango) and Tim Hill (the director of Hop, Alvin and the Chipmunks and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run), and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The movie follows the adventures of Twilight Sparkle and her friends as they navigate the magical land of Equestria, spreading the message of friendship and unity along the way. The film stars Paul Rudd, Anna Kendrick, Jesse McCartney, Honor Kneafsey, Owen Wilson, Angelina Jolie, David Cross and Charlize Theron in live-action, while Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain, Cathy Weseluck and Kelly Sheridan reprising their voice roles of the Mane 6, Spike and Starlight Glimmer in animation. A sequel to this film will be released.
==Synopsis==
The peaceful land of Equestria is disrupted by an evil storm, causing the Mane 6, Spike and Starlight Glimmer to be transported to New York City. There, they must navigate the challenges of a new world while finding a way back home. Along the way, they meet Jerry Stewer and his family, who become their allies in stopping the antagonist, Darcy Allision, a.k.a. Midnight Shadow, (played by Charlize Theron).
==Cast of Characters ==
===Live-Action Characters===
*Charlize Theron as Darcy Allision / Midnight Shadow, a magician who uses her dark magic to extract their magic, and becomes more powerful with each pony she drains, also she the princess of castle.
*Paul Rudd as Jerry Stewer, a marketing VP of the Barnes & Noble Booksellers store, who serves as Olivia's husband, Jack's brother, Leah's brother-in-law, and George and Lucy's father.
*Anna Kendrick as Olivia Stewer, Jerry's wife, Jack's sister-in-law, Leah's sister, and George and Lucy's mother.
*Jesse McCartney as George Stewer, a 17-year-old teenage boy, who serves as Jerry and Olivia's son, Jack and Leah's nephew, and Lucy's brother.
*Honor Kneafsey as Lucy Stewer, a 14-year-old teenage girl, who serves as Jerry and Olivia's daughter, Jack and Leah's niece, and George's sister.
*Owen Wilson as Jack Stewer, Leah's husband, Jerry's brother, Olivia's brother-in-law, and George and Lucy's uncle.
*Angelina Jolie as Leah Stewer, Jack's wife, Olivia's sister, Jerry's sister-in-law, and George and Lucy's aunt.
*David Cross as Mark Creed, Jerry's boss.
*Carrie Coon as Mrs. Creed, Mark's wife.
*Liz Smith, Pat Kilbane and Bob Odenkirk as customers at Barnes & Noble.
===Character Voices===
*Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle, an intelligent but over-obsessive alicorn who is the Princess of Friendship, responsible for spreading friendship and harmony across the kingdom. She serves as the leader of the Mane 6, Spike's adoptive sister, best friend and boss, Princess Celestia's former student, Shining Armor's sister, Princess Cadance's sister-in-law, Flurry Heart's aunt and Pinkie Pie's best friend.
*Ashleigh Ball as:
**Applejack, an honest apple farmer pony, who is the second-in-command of the Mane 6, Apple Bloom and Big Mac's sister, and Rainbow Dash's best friend.
**Rainbow Dash, a sassy and loyal pegasus with a kind heart and a wild sense of humour. She serves as the third-in-command of the Mane 6, and Applejack's best friend.
*Andrea Libman as:
**Pinkie Pie, a party-obsessed pony filled with joy and laughter, who is a member of the Mane 6, and Twilight's best friend.
**Fluttershy, a shy but kindly pegasus who cares for animals, and a member of the Mane 6.
*Tabitha St. Germain as:
**Rarity, a generous fashion-designing unicorn, Sweetie Belle's sister, and a member of the Mane 6.
**Princess Luna, Princess Celestia's younger sister, who serves as co-ruler of Equestria and uses her magic to raise the moon and safeguards her subjects' dreams during nighttime.
**Photo Finish, a photo-taking obsessed Earth pony.
**Derpy "Muffins" Hooves, a clumsy but lovable pegasus with crossed eyes.
** Flurry Heart, a baby alicorn, who is Shining Armor and Princess Cadance's daughter, and Twilight's niece.
*Cathy Weseluck as:
** Spike, a small dragon who is Twilight's adoptive brother, best friend and assistant.
**Mayor Mare, the dedicated mayor of Ponyville.
*Kelly Sheridan as Starlight Glimmer, a unicorn who is a great friend of the Mane 6.
*Frank Welker as the vocal effects of Barry, Darcy's cat until he redeems himself at the end.
====Additional Character Voices====
*Nicole Oliver as:
**Princess Celestia, a benevolent ruler of Equestria and Twilight's former mentor. She has ruled Equestria for over a thousand years and uses her magic to raise the sun.
**Cheerilee, an Earth pony who is a teacher of young fillies.
*Peter New as Big Mac, Applejack and Apple Bloom's strong and quiet older brother.
*Britt McKillip as Princess Cadance, a kind and loving ruler of the Crystal Empire. She is also Twilight's sister-in-law, Shining Armor's wife and Flurry Heart's mother.
*Andrew Francis as Shining Armor, Twilight's brave and noble older brother, Princess Cadance's husband and Flurry Heart's father.
* Kathleen Barr as Trixie Lulamoon, a boastful and talented unicorn, who is a magician. She's also Starlight's best friend.
*John de Lancie as Discord, a draconequus, and Fluttershy's friend.
*Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom, the leader of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Big Mac and Applejack's sister.
*Claire Margaret Corlett as Sweetie Belle, Rarity's sister.
*Madeleine Peters as Scootaloo, a brave and energetic pegasus, who idolizes Rainbow Dash.
*Vincent Tong as Flash Sentry, a brave and loyal royal guard who assists Twilight.
*Brenda M. Crichlow as Zecora, a wise and mysterious zebra, who provides guidance with her knowledge of potions and spells.
*"Weird Al" Yankovic as Cheese Sandwich, a fun-loving and energetic party planner, who shares a special bond with Pinkie Pie.
*Erin Mathews as Gabby, an optimistic and helpful griffon who dreams of earning a cutie mark.
*Matt Cowlrick as Rockhoof, a mighty and heroic Earth pony who embodies the spirit of bravery.
==Post-Credit Scene==
Midnight Shadow is banished into the Shadow Realm, as a mysterious figure watches from the shadows, plotting their next move to seek revenge on the Mane Six, Spike and Starlight Glimmer for foiling their plans. The screen fades to black, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats in anticipation for the next thrilling adventure in the sequel.
== Production ==
=== Development===
The project was officially announced in early 2023, with Roland Emmerich attached as director. Emmerich, known for his work on 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, Moonfall, Godzilla and Independence Day, was chosen for his experience with family-friendly and fantasy genres, while Tim Hill, known for his work on Hop, Alvin and the Chipmunks and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, co-direct the film, alongside Gore Verbinski, known for his work on Mouse Hunt, The Ring, the first three Pirates of the Caribbean film series and Rango. The film is produced by Allspark Pictures, Entertainment One, Centropolis Entertainment and DHX Media, with Columbia Pictures handling distribution.
===Casting===
Casting for the film started in mid-2022. The actors from the TV show reprise their roles.
For the live-action roles, Paul Rudd, Anna Kendrick, Jesse McCartney, Honor Kneafsey, Owen Wilson, Angelina Jolie, David Cross and Charlize Theron were cast. Rudd plays Jerry Stewer, a marketing VP who befriends the ponies, while Kendrick plays his wife, Olivia. McCartney and Kneafsey play their children, George and Lucy. Wilson and Jolie play Jack and his wife, Leah. Cross plays Jerry's boss, Mark Creed. Theron took on the role of the antagonist, Darcy Allison (aka Midnight Shadow), bringing a blend of charm and menace to the character. The casting announcements were officially made on January 15, 2023, generating significant buzz and anticipation among fans and media outlets.
===Filming===
Principal photography for My Little Pony commenced in mid-2023. The production utilized a combination of soundstages and on-location shoots to capture both the real-world and fantastical elements of the story.
* Studios: Key filming locations included major studios equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for both live-action and green screen work. Specific studios involved include Pinewood Atlanta Studios and Abbey Road Studios.
*On-Location Shoots: Various scenes were filmed on location to enhance the film’s authenticity and visual appeal. These included picturesque landscapes and urban settings that provided a contrasting backdrop to the animated elements.
Live-Action Integration:
The live-action segments, featuring actors such as Paul Rudd and Charlize Theron, were meticulously integrated with the animated components. This process involved extensive use of green screens and motion capture technology to ensure seamless interaction between live-action actors and animated characters.
*Green Screens: Green screens were used extensively to create the fantastical environments of Equestria. This allowed for the precise placement of animated elements within live-action scenes.
*Motion-Capture: Motion capture technology was employed to capture the performances of live-action actors, translating their movements into the animated characters. This was crucial for scenes where characters interact with the animated world.
====Animation====
Animation Techniques:
The animation for My Little Pony combines traditional 2D animation techniques with advanced 3D CGI to create a vibrant and dynamic visual style.
*Character Animation: The film features both 2D and 3D animation to bring the characters to life. The animation team used advanced CGI to create fluid and expressive movements for the ponies and other magical creatures.
*Environmental Animation: The magical land of Equestria was created using a mix of hand-drawn backgrounds and 3D CGI. This approach allowed for richly detailed and immersive environments that blend seamlessly with the live-action elements.
Visual Effects:
The visual effects team worked to integrate animated elements with live-action footage. This involved:
*Compositing: Combining live-action and animated elements in post-production to create a cohesive final product.
*Color Grading: Applying color grading techniques to ensure that the animated elements match the look and feel of the live-action footage.
*Special Effects: Creating magical effects, such as spells and transformations, using both practical effects and CGI.
==Soundtrack==
===Original Motion Picture Soundtrack===
====My Little Pony (2025): Music from and Inspired By====
In addition to the original score, the soundtrack for My Little Pony (2025) features music from various artists, adding depth and emotion to the film's narrative. Here are some of the featured tracks:
#"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Theme" by the main voice cast
#*Opening
#"Ready to Go (Get Me Out of My Mind)" by Panic! At the Disco
#*End Credits
#"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Theme" by the main voice cast
#*End Credit Roll
Coming Soon
==Release ==
The film is slated for a premiere release on June 20, 2025. As the release date approaches, trailers and promotional material are expected to generate excitement among fans and general audiences alike. Early reception from test screenings has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the performances of both the voice and live-action cast, as well as the seamless integration of animation and live-action elements.
===Release Date===
Announcement Date:
On March 1, 2024, Allspark Pictures and Entertainment One officially announced the release date for the highly anticipated My Little Pony film. The film is set to premiere on September 20, 2024, in theaters worldwide. The announcement was made through a press release and accompanied by the unveiling of the first official trailer, which quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Strategic Release Timing:
The release date of September 20, 2024, was strategically chosen to capitalize on the family-friendly fall movie season. Positioned between the summer blockbuster period and the start of the holiday season, the date allows My Little Pony to maximize its audience reach without competing directly with other major franchise releases.
Premiere Event:
A grand premiere event is scheduled for September 18, 2024, at the AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City. The event will feature a red carpet with appearances by the voice and live-action cast, including the original voice cast, Paul Rudd, Anna Kendrick, and Charlize Theron. Fans and media outlets from around the world are expected to attend, generating significant buzz ahead of the film's wide release.
Marketing and Promotion:
The announcement of the release date was accompanied by a comprehensive marketing campaign. In addition to the official trailer, the campaign includes TV spots, social media promotions, tie-in merchandise, and interactive online content. Special preview screenings and partnerships with popular retail chains are also planned to engage fans and build anticipation.
Audience Anticipation:
Fans of the My Little Pony franchise have eagerly awaited this film, and the release date announcement has only heightened their excitement. The film promises to deliver a blend of live-action and computer-animated storytelling, featuring beloved characters from the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic series. The star-studded cast and the involvement of director Roland Emmerich and co-directors Tim Hill and Gore Verbinski have further fueled anticipation.
Early Reactions:
Following the release of the first official trailer, early reactions from fans and critics have been overwhelmingly positive. The trailer showcases stunning visual effects, heartfelt moments, and a mix of humor and adventure that appeals to both children and adults. Social media platforms have been abuzz with discussions, fan art, and theories about the film's plot and character dynamics.
===Box Office===
====Opening Weekend====
My Little Pony premiered on September 20, 2024, to enthusiastic audiences. The film opened in 4,200 theaters nationwide, including premium formats such as IMAX and 3D. In its opening weekend, the film grossed an impressive $75 million domestically, surpassing expectations and securing the top spot at the box office. The strong debut was attributed to the film's broad appeal, attracting both long-time fans of the franchise and new viewers, including families and young adults.
====Domestic Performance====
Throughout its theatrical run, My Little Pony continued to perform strongly, benefiting from positive word-of-mouth and favorable reviews. By the end of its domestic run, the film had grossed $250 million, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films of the year. The movie's blend of live-action and animation, combined with a star-studded cast, helped maintain its momentum at the box office.
====International Performance====
My Little Pony also performed exceptionally well internationally. The film was released in over 80 countries, with particularly strong performances in markets such as the United Kingdom, Canada, China, and Japan. In its international run, the film grossed an additional $400 million, bringing its global box office total to $650 million. The film's universal themes of friendship and adventure resonated with audiences worldwide, contributing to its international success.
====Critical and Audience Reception====
Critically, My Little Pony received generally positive reviews. Critics praised the film's heartwarming story, the seamless integration of live-action and animated elements, and the performances of both the voice and live-action cast. The film holds a solid 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 75 on Metacritic. Audiences gave the film an A- CinemaScore, indicating strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings.
====Merchandising and Ancillary Revenue====
In addition to its box office success, My Little Pony generated significant revenue from merchandise sales. Toys, apparel, and other tie-in products were highly popular, contributing to the film's overall profitability. The film also saw strong performance in home media sales and digital downloads, further boosting its financial success.
====Conclusion====
My Little Pony (2024) proved to be a major hit both domestically and internationally. Its successful blend of live-action and animation, combined with a strong cast and a heartwarming story, made it a favorite among audiences of all ages. The film's box office performance, coupled with its merchandise and ancillary revenue, cemented its place as one of the standout animated films of the year.
== Gallery==
My Little Pony (film)/Gallery
==Transcript==
My Little Pony (film)/Transcript
==Credits ==
My Little Pony (film)/Credits
Category:PG
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Category:American Children's Films
Category:Live-Action Animated Films
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Category:Columbia Pictures films
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Category:Entertainment One
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Category:Charlize Theron
Category:Comedy
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Category:My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Category:My Little Pony
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Category:TV-Y7-FV (FX)
Category:2025 Animated films
Category:2025