Netflix Announces Hot Wheels, ‘Wizard of Oz’ and Universal Monsters-Inspired Preschool Series, Sets ‘CoComelon Lane’ Premiere (Exclusive)

Netflix has revealed the premiere date and trailer for the first film CoComelon original, have ordered more episodes of Gabby’s dollhouse and announced three preschool series set in the worlds of Hot Wheels, the Wizard of Oz and Universal’s classic monsters.

CoComelon Lanethe streamer’s first foray into original programming with Moonbug Entertainment, debuting with the first nine 21-minute episodes worldwide on November 17. In addition to revealing the premiere date on Thursday, Netflix also dropped the show’s first trailer, giving fans a first look at JJ and his best friends as they navigate and celebrate the special life milestones of preschoolers. That includes dealing with the fears, taking care of a pet, and going to your friend’s house for the first time.

“CoComelon Lane is the franchise’s first-ever dialogue-driven series, so this format will be brand new to our audience and provide an engaging experience as JJ speaks directly to the audience for the first time, inviting them to join him and his friends on their adventures within the warm, welcoming community of CoComelon Lane” says Meghan Sheridan, a senior creative executive on the show. “At its core, this series is centered around a strong and intentional social-emotional curriculum, while paying tribute to the original CoComelon universe that children and families already know and love.”

Hot Wheels Let’s race, Dee & Friends in Oz And Mighty MonsterWheelies are among a series of new animated series coming to Netflix in 2024. Unlike existing favorites CoComelon And Gabby’s dollhousethese latest additions to Netflix’s preschool programming lean heavily on established screen IP.

“It’s a pleasure to work with trusted brands like Hot Wheels, whose cars are already loved, to bring an exciting racing show to life. Likewise, we love the opportunity to invite both parents and kids to a family movie night with our version of Dr. Seuss’ Sneetches,” said John Derderian, vice president of series animation at Netflix. “Public domain characters that children are familiar with and parents are nostalgic for provide an exciting, character-oriented path to a new social-emotional curriculum, as in the case of Dee & Friends in Oz.”

Mighty MonsterWheelies, the latest title to emerge from the streamer’s deal with DreamWorks Animation Television, delves into the Universal Monsters vault for a story that combines an adorable heart with a kindergarten favorite: vehicles. These half-monster, half-truck rescue heroes work together to serve and protect the all-vehicle city of MotorVania from troublemakers like Phantom Freeze and Invisible Van.

Driven by young children’s interest in “unlikely heroes,” viewers can expect Frankenstein fire trucks, mommy ambulances and a werewolf street sweeper who has incredible hearing and moves especially fast when the moon is full, according to executive producer Stephanie Simpson.

‘Usually, monsters are something to be afraid of: the misfits, the misunderstood. We wanted to do something unexpected, so we turned it around and made them heroes of the city,” says Teri Weiss, executive vp development, TV, at DreamWorks Animation Television. “The idea that we could translate specific elements into each vehicle and give them all their unique powers felt like it was a tribute to the monsters they represent, so there’s something fun in there for parents too.”

“We know that most of our young audiences will meet these iconic monsters for the first time when they watch our series,” Simpson added. “Our goal is to make their first monster encounter as entertaining and engaging as possible.”

Hot Wheels Let’s race arrives amid the record-breaking theatrical run Barbie and bigger plans within toy giant Mattel to expand its presence on the big and small screen. Aimed at both existing and new fans, the new series, created and produced by Mattel Television, also draws on the world’s best-selling toys and features a new generation of characters navigating races, competitions and exciting challenges.

“The great thing about Hot Wheels, and what has made it resonate so deeply with kids and families for over fifty years, is exactly what makes it so entertaining: it’s about fueling the spirit of challenger,” Rob David, Vice President, Content Creative at Mattel Television, Hot Wheels Let’s Race. “That spirit is the engine that drives our stories Hot Wheels Let’s race.”

Netflix’s other latest venture into IP is Dee & Friends in Oz, a fantasy adventure musical that centers on a young girl who discovers the magical land. With the help of some celebrity friends, Dee is challenged to save the day in a series that marks the first time the beloved property has been adapted for preschoolers.

“We believe that, at its core, Oz shares messages perfect for young viewers: the importance of friendship, the courage to believe in yourself and that every child has the power to be a hero,” says Halcyon Person, lead writer and co-executive producer. THR. “To meet the needs of this new generation, we have built on the centuries-long legacy of Oz by inverting the story of a girl who finds herself in a fantasy and only longs to go back home. Instead, this is a story about a young black girl who unapologetically makes a home for herself in this fantasy world, learning about herself along the way.”

Netflix announced this on Thursday Gabby’s dollhousethe DreamWorks Animation Television hit of Blues Cues veterans Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey have also received an additional order, canceling the series — one of preschool TV’s first streaming megahits, now in its eighth season. up to 100 episodes. Encouraging fans to “hang on to (their) Cat Ears” as the show delves into later releases, series executive producer Johnson promises that young viewers will have the chance to “discover new rooms in the Dollhouse, along with new characters, new adventures and new mistakes. to celebrate!”

“Gabby’s stories and characters spark children’s creativity and imagination, while empowering, inspiring and teaching through interactivity and modeling a growth mindset,” the co-creator adds. “Just like a child’s imagination, the stories we can create for Gabbies are endless.”

Both CoComelon And Gabby’s dollhouse have had extensive runs in the Netflix TV Top 10 and Nielsen streaming rankings, and have emerged as one of the top five global children’s franchises over the past decade, a ranking that also Paw Patrol, PJ masks And Bluish.

“We want to find a show that can delight and captivate a child, but that also has a foundation of ideas about friendship and family and believing in yourself,” says Derderian. THR. “Something like Gabbies or CoComelon really meets the child where they are, and it comes down to something as simple as framing and how they engage the child in terms of their interest levels.”

In addition to the new original Cocomelon series, Netflix releases a 60-minute special, Blippi’s Big Dinosaur Adventureon October 9, following a brief and limited theatrical run in August for the Moonbug title.

Additionally, new seasons of several existing originals are scheduled for release this year and next year, including second episodes of Dewdrop Journals, Not quite a narwhal And Princess Power; the third season of Oggy Oggy; and season four of Go, Dog. To go!all of which are scheduled for 2023.

Season three of Ghost Rangers and the fourth season of The creature cases are expected sometime in 2024. Next year will also see the release of seasons three through six of the long-running British preschool series that has become an international hit, Peppa Pig. Lucas the Spiderbased on a series of short YouTube videos, debuts on the service on October 30 with the adventures of its adorable, big-hearted (and good-looking) jumping spider.