The Willoughbys: The Next Chapter

Teaser image

***The Willoughbys: The Next Chapter*** (also known as ***The Willoughbys 2***) is a 2026 computer-animated adventure comedy film directed by Kris Pearn, co-directed by Cory Evans, and written by Pearn, Mark Stanleigh, Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, and Matt Lieberman. Based on the 2009 children's book *The Willoughbys* and its 2020 sequel *The Willoughbys Return* by Lois Lowry, it is the sequel to *The Willoughbys* (2020) and features the returning voice talents of Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Seán Cullen, and Ricky Gervais, the latter of whom also narrates the film. The returning cast is joined by Dane DeHaan, Emma Roberts, Justin Bieber, Christopher Lloyd, Patricia Arquette, Natalie Morales, Jonathan Groff, and Dermot Mulroney, who voice the new characters introduced in this film. Set three years after the events of the first film, the film's story follows the Willoughbys as they attempt to prevent Melanoff's factory from being shut down after Congress passing a law that bans candy from being sold across the United States of America. Along the way, the siblings meet their long-lost cousin Richie and reunite with their self-centered biological parents Walter and Helga Willoughby, who want to start a new life with their children after learning the hard way what happens when you mistreat your kids.

*The Willoughbys: The Next Chapter* was released on Netflix on July 8, 2026, and topped the streaming charts in the first few weeks of its release. The film received positive reviews from critics for its animation, voice acting, humor, writing, themes, visuals, and soundtrack; many critics compared its themes and storytelling to that of the Prohibition Era. The film received both a nomination for the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

## Premise

Three years after the events of the first film, the four Willoughby children (Tim, Jane, Barnaby A and Barnaby B) have all been adopted by the eccentric babysitter Linda, also known as "The Nanny", and the chipper but firm candy maker Commander Melanoff, and are now living in the latter's candy factory in Brooklyn, New York. Ever since their adoption, the siblings' lives have become a lot better, including proper family meals, decent educations at public schools, and the two oldest siblings (Tim and Jane) have even gotten significant others in the form of Carol L. Lowry and Melvin Andrews, respectively. Additionally, Melanoff is training Tim to run the factory someday. Sadly, though, this is cut short when Brian O'Leary, the United States president, announces a law passed by Congress that bans candy from being sold across the country. The Willoughbys, aided by their foster parents, their pet cat who is also a narrator, their new friends the Poores (Winifred and Winston), and Carol and Melvin, decide to stop this law from causing Melanoff's factory to shut down for good. During the process, they also meet their long-lost cousin Richie Willoughby and reunite with Walter and Helga Willoughby, who have seen through their past errors of mistreating their children and want to start over with the relationship between them and their kids.

## Voice cast

* Will Forte as Tim Willoughby
* Maya Rudolph as Linda a.k.a. The Nanny
* Alessia Cara as Jane Willoughby
* Terry Crews as Commander Melanoff
* Dane DeHaan as Richie Willoughby
* Emma Roberts as Winifred Poore
* Justin Bieber as Wilson Poore
* Christopher Lloyd as Ben Poore
* Patricia Arquette as Patricia Poore
* Natalie Morales as Carol L. Lowry
* Jonathan Groff as Melvin Andrews
* Martin Short as Walter Willoughby
* Jane Krakowski as Helga Willoughby
* Seán Cullen as Barnaby A and Barnaby B Willoughby
* Dermot Mulroney as Brian O'Leary, President of the United States
* Ricky Gervais as The Cat
* Nancy Robertson as Irene Holmes
* Kris Pearn as Spoons McGee, Senator Marcus Cane, and Judge Thompson
* Mark Stanleigh as Mr. M. Mothersbaugh
* Cory Evans as Bowling Manager
* Jeff Bennett as Terrence T. Butler