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The official trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio movie has arrived – and it looks set to become a family favorite over the holidays.
Released less than two months after Pinocchio’s first teaser left us spellbound, the nearly three-minute trailer is packed with dangerous moments, heartfelt scenes and whimsical humor. Suffice it to say, we’ll be putting these on our “to watch” list before the holidays.
Watch the trailer below:
Co-written and directed by Oscar-winning del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Hellboy), Netflix’s adaptation of the classic fairy tale is a complete stop-motion affair. There’s no live-action or CGI components here, but that gives del Toro’s take on Carlo Collodi’s legendary story more than a fresh coat of paint. Without wanting to sound hyperbolic, it looks absolutely gorgeous, so stop-motion animation fans will be sure to get their hands on this new Netflix movie.
Del Toro’s Pinocchio also comes out swinging from a voice cast perspective. Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Tilda Swinton (Doctor Strange), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), Jon Turturro (The Batman), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), and Tim Blake Nelson (Watchmen) all lend their vocal talents to the Netflix movie. Gregory Mann, in his first major film role, plays the titular wooden boy.
Mark Gustafson (Claymation Easter) directs alongside del Toro, with additional screenplay provided by Patrick McHale (Tome of the Unknown) and Matthew Robbins (Crimson Peak).
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio has already received rave reviews from critics on the 2022 film festival circuit, so expect it to be more than a scream at the biggest award shows in 2023. Netflix’s Pinocchio arrives in select theaters on November 11 before making its Netflix debut on December 9.
Analysis: battle of the wooden boys
Netflix’s Pinocchio isn’t the only adaptation of Collodi’s work to be released this year — nor is it the only one to land on one of the world’s top streaming services.
Earlier in 2022, a live-action remake of Pinocchio was released on Disney Plus, starring beloved actor Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. While Disney’s remake largely stuck to the plot that made the original animated film such a compelling watch, it failed to resonate with critics and audiences alike. In our Pinocchio review, we said it was a “somewhat magical remake whose strings eventually held it back”. Based on the general consensus, that seems to be what many people think too.
By contrast, Pinocchio from del Toro already sounds like a winner. Stop motion animation is a task in itself, so any movie of that kind will always get critical acclaim from viewers. If nothing else, the public appreciates the level of dedication and work put into such projects.
However, the Netflix version of Pinocchio has so much more to offer. The voice cast is amazing. In del Toro, it has a big name, multi award-winning director who knows how to make great movies. Plus, it just looks like a really inspiring, emotional and beautiful movie – one that the whole family can enjoy as they digest their Christmas or other main holiday meal.
In the battle for the adaptations, it is Pinocchio of del Toro who seems to become a real boy. Sorry, Disney, but your latest take on Pinocchio looks wooden by comparison.
Check out the best Netflix movies out there for more Netflix-based content. Or, if you’re looking for TV deals instead, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentary lists.