Hilda and the Sea Kingdom

Hilda and the Sea Kingdom is a 2024 2D-animated fantasy adventure film based on the graphic novels and Netflix animated series of the same name. The film serves as a sequel to the 2022 film Hilda and the Lost Ring, and is the second theatrical installment of the Hilda franchise. Like the first film, the film is considered non-canon.
== Synopsis ==
"New adventures means new depths for Hilda when she is recruited to save an underwater kingdom from being destroyed by the dastardly Lord Leif. But the question remains: will the pact be enough when a Kappa, witch, and an octopus are the three that could also save the kingdom?"
-Sony Pictures
== Plot ==
=== ON REWRITING! ===
== Characters ==
=== Main Characters ===
* Hilda
* David
* Frida
* Lir
* Tak
* Midgus
* Lord Leif
* Jasper
*Miriam
*Meilly
=== Secondary Characters ===
* Twig
* Alfur
* Johanna
*Maxxe
*Alex Hugo
* Xavier
*Lir's Mother
*Lir's Father
*Lir's Sister (Jebby)
*Blizzard Dalk
*Godium
*Pingo
*Queen Lily
== Voice cast ==
* Bella Ramsey as Hilda
* Oliver Nelson as David
* Ameerah Falzon-Ojo as Frida
* Ashly Burch as Lir
*Liev Schreiber as Lord Badstardly
*Mathieu Amalric as Pil
*Jay Baruchel as Tak
* Jake Johnson as Midgus
*Daisy Haggard as Johanna
*John Hasler as Alex
*Rasmus Hardiker as Alfur
*Archie Yates as Maxxel
*Rob Rackstraw as Blizzard Dalk
*Kerry Shale as Godium
*Joseph May as Xavier
*Sarah Chalke as Queen of Sea Kingdom
*Peter Dinklage as Pingo
*Kai Zen as Jebby
*McKenna Grace as Lir's Sister
*Emma Mackey as Lir's Mother
*Taika Waititi as Lir's Father
*Martin T. Sherman as Talking Salmon
*Margot Robbie as Maria
*TBA as Tom
== Production ==
=== Development ===
At the premiere of Hilda and the Lost Ring in May 2022, Luke Pearson confirmed that a script for a sequel had already been in the works since last month. He said that the sequel will have new elements, such as time-loop and new creatures, but the former and latter did not make an appearance. They were replaced by mermaids and Water Witches. In August 2022, it was announced that the sequel, titled Hilda and the Sea Kingdom, is already in production, and is slated for a release date of August 9, 2024. 
=== Casting ===
In late August 2022, the cast was announced at the San Diego Comic Con 2022, with the voice cast of the series and first film set to reprise their roles. All considered the roles of the new character "Lir" included Ashley Jensen, Amy Poehler, Tara Strong, Kenzie Bryant, Ashly Burch, Alex Borstein, and Kari Wahlgren. In order of confirmed the new cast including McKenna Grace, Margot Robbie, Emma Mackey, Taika Waititi, Liev Schreiber, Mathieu Amalric, Peter Dinklage, Jay Baruchel, Archie Yates, and Jake Johnson, Burch eventually revealed that she was confirmed to be the role of Lir. In early September 2022, Martin T. Sherman and Sarah Chalke entered the cast to voice the Talking Salmon and the Queen of the Sea Kingdom. 
=== Animation ===
The animation was used by Mercury Filmworks, using shots from over 1,560 scenes, while the animation for both the opening and ending credits were provided by Vancouver-based animation company Nitrogen Studios (credited as Cinesite Vancouver). In early October 2022, the film was delayed to November 1, 2024, taking place to the wide release closely sole to avoid competition. During the post-production, Pamela Ziegenhagel-Shefland said she was not going to be film editor due to scheduling conflicts. Ryan Carlson and John McKinnon was returned in the film crew as music score composer and film editor, while Spring Aspers was serving as a music supervisor.
== Music ==
Norwegian singer Aurora announced the song "Depths of Hope" as the original song for the film. Other songs featured in the film include: "Leaving Lonesome Flats", while the end credits song would be an unreleased song called "Strange Kinda Dance".
== Release ==
Hilda and the Sea Kingdom was originally planned to release on August 9, 2024, but was delayed into November 1, 2024. The film had a world premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Canada in October 29, 2024.
=== Home media ===
The film was released on digital on January 7, 2025 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It was then released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD on February 16, 2025. Bonus features such as gag reels, animation behind the scenes, bloopers, deleted scenes, and alternate ending. The film was also part of the 2-movie collection selected with Hilda and the Lost Ring. The film was released on Netflix in May 2025, 6 months after its theatrical release as part of the Sony-Netflix dealership. 
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
In the United States and Canada, the film grossed $180 million, while it grossed $227 million worldwide.
=== Critical response ===
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 58% based on 159 critics, with an approval rating of 6.25/10. The film's critical consensus says, "Hilda and the Sea Kingdom continues our heroine's biggest adventure into a different world, but in a very unusual way, unlike its predecessor." On Metacritic, it weighted an average score of 57 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews", while CinemaScore audiences gave it a "A" on an "A+ to F" scale, the same score for Hilda and the Lost Ring. PostTrak reported 79% in the audience score being positive and 68% saying they would definitely recommend it.
== Sequel ==
Main article: Hilda and the Last Stand
Also at the premiere of Hilda and the Lost Ring, Luke Pearson said that two more movies would follow if the film did well at the box-office. When Hilda and the Sea Kingdom was also announced, it was said that a third film could be possible. 
In February 2025, it was revealed that an untitled third film was in development, and that it would be the final installment of the Hilda film series. The film's title was later revealed to be: "Hilda and the Last Stand", a reference to the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand. 
== Logo Variants ==
# Sony - None.
# Sony Pictures Animation - When the logo finishes, the screen pans down to the ocean.
== Outtakes ==
Main article: Hilda and the Sea Kingdom/Outtakes
== Alternate Transcript ==
Main article: Hilda and the Sea Kingdom/Alternate Script
Category:Sequel films
Category:Hilda
Category:Columbia Pictures films
Category:Sony Pictures Animation films
Category:Mercury Filmworks
Category:Sequels
Category:Columbia Pictures animated films
Category:Sony Pictures Animation
Category:Walden Media films
Category:2D films
Category:2D animated films
Category:2D animated movies
Category:Films set in fictional populated places
Category:Films
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Category:PG-rated films
Category:Nitrogen Studios Canada
Category:Films with Opening Credits
Category:Films with Animals
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