The film was announced in 2018, but production began in 2019, with confirmation that the plot will explore the origins of the franchise. Jeremy Zag was confirmed as director and co-wrote the screenplay with Bettina Lopez Mendoza. Zag also serves as a producer through ZAG Studios with Mediawan, both under The Awakening Production banner, with SND, the latter also serving as distributor.[a] The film was animated by Mediawan's ON Animation Studios in Montreal, Canada. It is the second theatrical film based on a TF1's TFOU animated series after the 2009 film Totally Spies! The Movie. On a budget of €80 million, it is currently the second most expensive French film ever made.
Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie premiered at the Grand Rex on 11 June 2023, and was released in France on 5 July 2023, by SND. Internationally, it was released theatrically from the same date onwards in select regions, and was released on 28 July 2023 on Netflix in others.[7][8][9] It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the animation, soundtrack, and action sequences, but criticized the simplistic screenplay and story. It grossed $40.1 million worldwide and performed well in some European territories but, due to the popularity of the franchise, was considered a box-office disappointment in France.
Plot
Marinette Dupain-Cheng, a clumsy, socially awkward teenager living in Paris, goes to school trying to avoid being noticed. Despite sparking a friendship with another student, Alya Césaire, Marinette finds herself desperately attempting to avoid the wrath of rich, bratty girl, Chloé Bourgeois. While attempting to escape, Marinette runs into a boy named Adrien Agreste and starts crushing on him. Adrien has become incredibly emotionally distant from others because of his mother Emilie's passing. Similarly wracked by her death, Adrien's father, Gabriel Agreste, uses the Butterfly Miraculous, a magical jewel, to turn into Hawk Moth and create chaos, in hopes of luring out the holders of the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses. Since those two Miraculouses combined possess a "power stronger than death", Gabriel hopes to use them to bring his wife back to life.
Hawk Moth's appearance is sensed by Wang Fu, guardian of the Miracle Box, who chooses to release the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses, only for them to fly away. Fu chases after the Ladybug Miraculous and runs into the street in the process, nearly being hit by an oncoming bus, but is saved by Marinette, who herself is still running away from Chloé. Fu realizes that Marinette deserves the Miraculous, watching as it flies into her bag. Marinette ducks into a corner shop in an alley and meets Tikki, the Kwami of Creation, while her polar opposite, Plagg, the Kwami of Destruction, makes his way to Adrien.
Tikki explains the situation to Marinette, who is initially reluctant to become a superhero due to her lack of self-confidence and innate clumsiness. Tikki eventually forcibly transforms her into the hero Ladybug, and she quickly runs into Adrien, who has now used his Miraculous to become Cat Noir. Both clumsily work together to fight The Gargoyle, an "akumatized" villain created by Hawk Moth from the negative emotions of a Paris civilian. The battle ends when The Gargoyle is hit by a train, with Cat Noir also nearly being hit. Ladybug saves him, resulting in him developing a crush on her. Following the fight, Wang Fu approaches the pair and stresses the importance of them working together.
Marinette initially refuses to continue being Ladybug, but Hawk Moth recruits more villains to cause havoc. Gathering the courage to fight, Marinette transforms once again, and defeats them, alongside Cat Noir.
After defeating all of the akumatized villains Halk Moth has sent their way, the two superheroes build the confidence to ask out their respective crush. Marinette confesses her feelings to Adrien, whilst Cat Noir confesses his love to Ladybug. Being unaware of their true identities, neither confession goes well, damaging their teamwork. While hurting from his rejection, Adrien lashes out at his father for being neglectful.
Desperate, Hawk Moth akumatizes himself and begins wreaking havoc on Paris, prompting Ladybug and Cat Noir to go into action, though not as a united team. The heroes are overwhelmed, and Ladybug has her earrings taken, but Marinette manages to briefly power through to save Cat Noir from Hawk Moth. When Cat Noir's mask is damaged, a horrified Hawk Moth discovers that Adrien is Cat Noir and renounces his Miraculous powers. Gabriel explains himself to Adrien and repents and realizes that the "power stronger than death" was referring to love. Seeing him remorseful for his actions, Adrien forgives his father and reconciles with him, while Marinette reclaims her earrings and returns the Butterfly Miraculous to Wang Fu. Ladybug is then able to utilize the full extent of her power of creation using love and repairs all the damage done to Paris. Gabriel is exposed publicly as Hawk Moth, while Marinette returns to her family.
Weeks pass, and the day of the Winter Ball arrives. Marinette arrives in a beautiful dress much to the crowd's pleasure. She finds Adrien, revealing that she knows his identity, having seen his reconciliation during the fight, and reveals her identity as well. They then share a kiss.
At the Agreste Mansion, Nathalie Sancoeur, the Agrestes' assistant, enters a hidden room in Gabriel's office. Inside is the body of Adrien's mother, wearing the Peacock Miraculous. A voice-over from Gabriel instructs her to keep it a secret.
Lauren Amante as Nooroo. Amante replaces Benjamin Diskin, who voices Nooroo in the series.[12]
Production
Development
The film was first announced by Jeremy Zag during the Miraculous panel at the ComiKon İstanbul on 29 September 2018.[13] The film was originally set to be released in 2021. On 5 December 2018, Zag confirmed that its plot will be a mix between an origin story and the television series storyline. Finishing the fourth and fifth seasons of the series before the movie was a priority for the studio.[14] The following day, during a panel at Comic Con Experience 2018, Zag said that the film will be a musical with feature music composed by himself.[15][16]
On 16 May 2019, during Cannes Film Festival, it was announced that the movie would be titled Ladybug & Cat Noir Awakening and that production was underway.[6] On October 5, 2019, a short animated tease featuring Ladybug was put up on Zag's Instagram.[17] On 12 February 2020, it was announced that Fantawild was one of the studios helping create and animate the film.[18] In March 2022, the editing of the movie was completed.[19]
In April 2022, it was announced that the movie was made with a budget of €80 million, making it the second most expensive French film ever made behind the 2017 film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.[20][21]
Animation
Animation is provided by Mediawan's subsidiary ON Animation Studios in Montreal, Canada. Additional animation, lighting and compositing was provided by Dwarf Studio in France.
During the 2018 Comic Con Experience, Jeremy Zag announced that the film was a musical and featured music composed by himself. Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey joined the film as executive producer to help develop the musical aspect.[5] British songwriter Chris Read also joined the team to co-write the lyrics.[22]
The film's soundtrack was released on 30 June 2023 by Muzeek One under the TF1 Musique label. "Plus forts ensemble" (English: "Stronger Together") by Lou and Elliott was released as the album's lead single on 9 June 2023. The music video was released on 21 June 2023.[23] A second single, "Courage en moi" (English: "Courage in Me") by Lou, was released on 21 July, followed by a music video on 23 July.[24] A separate film score album was released on 5 July 2023 by Muzeek One.
A showcase with Ladybug and Cat Noir's singing voices, Lou and Elliott, was organized at the Salon Gustave Eiffel on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower on 28 June 2023 to promote the soundtrack.[25] Another showcase was organized at the 2023 Japan Expo on 14 July.[26]
Foreign language versions of the album were released on 5 July 2023, alongside the score album. In the English version, Lou reprises Marinette's singing voice, with Drew Ryan Scott providing the singing voice for Cat Noir, Mela Lee for Tikki, and Keith Silverstein for Gabriel Agreste. The English version of "Si je croyais en moi", titled "If I Believed in Me", was released as a promotional single on 28 July 2023, to promote the film release on Netflix in English speaking territories. The English version of the soundtrack was distributed by Lakeshore Records.[27]
Additionally, "Careless Whisper" by Wham! is featured in the movie, and plays two times in the film.
Marketing
The marketing campaign for Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie began on 5 December 2022, when a teaser trailer and a teaser poster were revealed by SND.[28] The official trailer and the theatrical release poster were released on 4 April 2023 in France, with the trailer also being released in international territories were the film was set to be released theatrically.[29] For the territories where the film was distributed by Netflix, the trailer was released on 17 May 2023 on the service's social media platforms.[30]
On 12 June 2023, it was revealed that the film will feature cars from Volkswagen's ID. series following a deal between the German vehicle manufacturer and ZAG Inc. An animated Volkswagen spot featuring characters from the film was displayed in movie theaters, to coincide with the release.[31] Products from The Swatch Group's children brand Flik Flak are also featured in the film, with the brand also releasing a watch collection inspired by the film.[32]
On 28 June 2023, a musical showcase was organized at the Salon Gustave Eiffel on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower to promote the film and its soundtrack, with Ladybug and Cat Noir's singing voices, Lou and Elliott, performing.[25] Another showcase was organized at the 2023 Japan Expo on 14 July 2023.[26] To coincide with the release, Playmates Toys released a doll collection inspired by the film.[33]
On 4 July 2023, Anouck Hautbois reprised her role as the voice of Ladybug during an interview by Xavier de Moulins for the French television news program Le 19.45 on M6. Ladybug appeared thanks to an animated sequence created by the film's team.[34]
Release
Theatrical
Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie had its world premiere at the Grand Rex in Paris on 11 June 2023.[7]
The film was previously set for a late 2021 release in France, according to Le Figaro.[35] During the 2021 Annecy Festival, it was moved to the first half of 2022.[36] The film was originally set to be released theatrically in France on 3 August 2022 by SND, but was later delayed to 5 July 2023.[37][38]
Internationally, the film was released theatrically simultaneously in the Netherlands, and in French speaking regions of Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It began released in other territories from 6 July 2023 onwards, starting with Germany, and German and Dutch speaking regions of Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.[39]
A limited American release at three Stone Theatres locations began on 11 August 2023 and concluded on 17 August.[40]
Home media
In international territories where the film was not released theatrically, it was released on Netflix on 28 July 2023.[41]
Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie has grossed $12.4 million in France, and $27.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $40.1 million.[4]
On the date of the world premiere at the Grand Rex on 11 June 2023, the film was also shown simultaneously in select movie theaters in France, selling 68,582 tickets.[b][43]
The film went on to debut with 660,421 tickets sold for its opening week, finishing first at the box office, surpassing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (643,714 tickets sold in its second week). It became the second best opening week of the year for an animated film in France, behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie (1,866,914 tickets sold in its opening week), and the sixth best opening week for a French animated film, behind Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds (751,000 tickets sold in 2010).[45][46]
The film sold 294,174 tickets in its second week, finishing fourth at the box office, behind Elemental (342,490 tickets sold in its fourth week). A 55.5% drop that was blamed on the possible mixed word of mouth from the audiences.[47][48]
The twenty-fourth highest-grossing film of 2023 in the country.[49]
French analysts labeled the film a domestic box-office disappointment. Internationally, Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie did particularly well in Germany and Russia, which became the film's second and third-largest market, respectively. However, it is not known whether the film was a financial bomb or not, as the amount paid by Netflix to acquire the distribution rights in territories where the film was not released theatrically is unknown.[50][51][52]
Following its release in France, AlloCiné reported that the critical reception for the movie was mixed.[54]
Le Parisien's movie team gave the film a positive review and wrote, "Paris is still the heart of Miraculous. The whole is embellished with songs, like in a Disney. The story, simple but effective, is about fear, courage and love."[55] O.D from Le Figaro wrote in his review, "this French style animated musical blockbuster, benefits from its clean drawing, and pretty action sequences."[56] Isabelle Boudet of Les Fiches du cinéma stated, "the animation and the Paris from a postcard are still just as attractive, but the story loses a bit of its soul by flirting with Disney."[57]
Philippe Guedj from Le Point stated, "[It] is a classic blockbuster but he succeeded in his mission and will delight the fans, while making the parents smile."[58] Thibault Liessi of Le Dauphiné libéré wrote, "[It] remains entertaining despite everything thanks to the twirling action scenes, and that's not bad."[54] Cédric Coppola from Sud Ouest stated, "without revolutionizing the formula, Miraculous is worth watching because of its energy and its ability to introduce musical sequences between two fights."[59] Fabrice Leclerc from Paris Match wrote in his review, "[It] blends into a traditional narration without any real originality, but it is visually impressive, evokes the teenage years with tenderness, plays the musical comedy card and gives a few tasty nods to French culture."[60]
Thibault Liessi from Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace gave it 3 stars out of 5 and wrote in his review, "this gives a film with a very curious rhythm, which forces its story a little, but which leaves time for the characters to pour out their feelings in (too) many songs."[54] Xavier Leherpeur from L'Obs gave the film 2 stars out of 4 and noted that he, "wonders why the writers wanted to return to the genesis of the two heroes in fetishist outfits during the very long first part [of the film], when the probability of the presence of newcomers in the theater is close to zero."[61]
Future
On 3 July 2023, during an interview, Jeremy Zag revealed that a script for a possible sequel was completed and that they had started working on a script for a potential third movie. However, the project had not yet been greenlit by a production company or SND. Throughout 2024, Zag has released several concept art images of the purposed sequel film, including a new Miraculous holder.[62]
↑ In France, the box office is measured by the number of tickets sold by the film.
The movie is so much better than the show it is not even funny.
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Marinette Dupain-Cheng is a character and the female protagonist of the animated television series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir created by Thomas Astruc. A teenage student of Chinese and French descent, she aspires to become a fashion designer and lives with her parents, Tom Dupain and Sabine Cheng, who own a bakery. After she passes the test of Master Fu, the keeper of the magical objects named the Miraculouses, by helping him, Marinette is chosen as a soon-to-be superheroine alongside Cat Noir. As a result, she is given a pair of earrings known as the Ladybug Miraculous, which when worn grants Marinette the ability to transform into Ladybug, her superheroine alias. Ladybug and Cat Noir's goal is to protect Paris from the villain Hawk Moth and defeat him altogether. Unknown to Marinette, Cat Noir's civilian identity is Adrien Agreste, a classmate whom she has feelings for. As the holder of a Miraculous, Marinette is assisted by a small red creature resembling a ladybug called Tikki, who is a magical being known as a kwami. As Ladybug, Marinette's signature ability is creation. Marinette appears in most Miraculous media, including the main series, the film, the Roblox game, the mobile running game, and the comic books.
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