Roku saves The Spiderwick Chronicles after Disney+ cancellation

Last Updated on October 12, 2023

The Spiderwick Chronicles has found a new home at Roku. The TV series adaptation of the fantasy adventure novels by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black was originally ordered for Disney+, but the streaming service pulled the plug earlier this year, despite the fact that shooting had already been completed.

Roku announced today that they have acquired the exclusive, premiere U.S. rights to The Spiderwick Chronicles, which will debut on The Roku Channel in early 2024. The series follows “the coming-of-age story of the Grace Family, as they move from New York to Michigan and into their family’s ancestral home.  Upon arrival, the family not only uncovers mysteries hidden inside their great grandfather’s Spiderwick Estate, but also discovers a secret, fantastical world around them.“

“It is an honor to bring The Spiderwick Chronicles, a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel,” said Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals, Roku Media. “We cannot wait to introduce this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.“
 
“We are elated that The Spiderwick Chronicles has found a new home and want to thank The Roku Channel for their passionate partnership,” said Nicole Clemens, President of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “Our showrunner Aron Eli Coleite has crafted a beautiful series full of all the enchantment that made the books so beloved, and we can’t wait for audiences to meet these wonderful characters.“

The Spiderwick Chronicles stars Joy Bryant as Helen Grace, Noah Cottrell as Simon Grace, Lyon Daniels as Jared Grace, Mychala Lee as Mallory Grace, Jack Dylan Grazer as the voice of Thimbletack, and Christian Slater as Mulgarath.

This isn’t the first time the The Spiderwick Chronicles has been adapted as Paramount Pictures released a feature film in 2008 directed by Mark Waters. The movie starred Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Sarah Bolger, Nick Nolte, Seth Rogen, and Martin Short. It received largely positive reviews and grossed $162 million worldwide.