Universal performs release date shuffle with sequels for Sing and The Croods

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Much like a contestant on Soul Train, Paramount has boogied onto this Friday afternoon dance floor while performing a one-two shuffle for both Illumination Entertainment's SING 2 and Dreamwork's Animation's THE CROODS 2. Here's the skinny. While the sequel to Illumination's 2016 animated smash was scheduled for a Dec. 23, 2020 release, the belt-your-heart-out follow-up will now arrive for a Friday July 2, 2021 curtain call. As for THE CROODS 2, the next installment of Dreamwroks' Cro-Magnon animation will now open on December 23, 2020, re-inventing SING 2's former time slot.

Details for SING 2 are scarce at the moment, though we do know that Garth Jennings, who co-directed the original family comedy, will return to helm the sequel. We've also been told that the follow-up will see characters Buster, Meena, Rosita, Gunter, Johnny and Ash leaving Moon Theater for a jaunt to the big city. Meanwhile, Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Nick Kroll and Tori Kelly are expected to star.

With regard to THE CROODS 2, veteran story artist Joel Crawford will direct a story that revolves around the prehistoric family being challenged by a rival family, the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved. Returning to voice their characters from the original are Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman and Clark Duke, with the sequel welcoming both Leslie Mann and Peter Dinklage to the mix. When THE CROODS made their theatrical debut in 2013, the film filled with cave-person capering netted $587.2 million at the worldwide box office.

To wrap up, SING 2 is now set to take the stage on Friday July 2, 2021, with THE CROODS 2 now gearing up for a December 23, 2020 debut.