In a time when many films are being pushed due to COVID-19, Universal has announced that Dreamworks Animation's THE CROODS: A NEW AGE will be moving up from its December 23 release to November 25.
The decision stems from the studio's confidence in Disney moving Pixar's SOUL out of its Thanksgiving weekend slot to another date that has yet to be determined. While the new date does have the Crood family going up against Cary Joji Fukunaga's NO TIME TO DIE, one could argue that Bond's latest mission won't hold too much sway over those looking to mask-up and brave the cinema with their children in-tow.
Another angle to consider is that with Universal’s new shortened theatrical-PVOD window with AMC, the studio stands to make a fair bit of coin with The Croods sequel over Turkey Day weekend. Imagine being one of the only family-friendly animated films in the game during that weekend, and then releasing the film on PVOD right around Christmas time. You'd likely clean up, which I'm sure is what Universal is banking on when it comes to The Croods: A New Age. Granted nothing has been confirmed as to how Universal plans to distribute their new Croods movie to the digital market, but I can totally see them landing a one-two punch with this one.
Directed by Joel Crawford, THE CROODS: A NEW AGE finds the prehistoric family challenged by a rival family, the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved. The sequel stars the voices of Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, Clarke Duke, Cloris Leachman, Joanna Lumley, and Kelly Marie Tran.
What do you think the chances are that The Croods sequel cleans up real nice at the movies this holiday? Will the ongoing pandemic keep families from frequenting theaters during one of the busiest times of the year? Is a Croods sequel worth going to the movies for, especially during a pandemic? Sound off in the comments section below and let us know what you think.