Christmas is family time and come the festive season,Illumination Studiosis set to offer the perfect blend of comedy and adventure in their upcoming animated film. Ahead of hitting theaters everywhere this holiday season, the studiohas released a new trailerfor its next original project —Migration, giving us yet another sneak peek into what promises to be a fast-paced, thrilling family adventure with a comedic flavor.
The new trailer launches straight into flight, as a family of ducks begin a new adventure, migrating from New England to the balmy Bahamas. Despite looking ahead and extolling the virtues of remaining together as a family, this latest adventure is brought to a premature halt by the elements as rains pours down. Soon enough, the storm breaks, but the family find themselves lost within the bowels of a big city - New York. Here, they enlist the help of Chump - a rather complicated fellow. Despite all the bright lights, monstrous-looking metallic automobiles andthe terrifying prospect of becoming Duck à l’Orange- this family of ducks have decided to have the adventure of a lifetime while standing up to the dangers that come with it.
The script forMigrationwas penned byMike White,who is known for his work onSchool of Rockand the fan-favorite Emmy Award-winning series,HBO’sThe White Lotus. The animated film is directed by Academy Award-nominated,Benjamin Renner.Previous promotional materialshad indicated that the family-friendly film has a relatable feel to it.Renner in a previous interviewindicated that this was the formula being sought, and this latest trailer tows that same line. “This movie is really relatable,” Renner said at the time. “I wanted to make sure that anyone watching it could feel like there’s a connection. There was this idea of opening yourself to the world and discovering new places and getting out of your comfort zone. So you’re being rewarded with wonderful moments, people that you meet.”
Maintaining a History of Excellence
Migrationhas been described as “a visual spectacle unlike any in Illumination’s acclaimed history, featuring elevated, expressionist artistry and Illumination’s signature subversive humor and authentic heart, unforgettable characters and joyful soundtrack.” For those not aware ofIllumination’s storied past with animated works, this might sound like empty praise. However, when you consider that the studio’s works have been some ofthe most successful animations in recent times, one cannot help but get excited at whatMigrationmight be. FromThe Super Mario Bros. Movieto the epic run ofMinions: Rise of Gru, which impressed at the box office last summer, expectations are high forMigrationand the Mallards to deliver.
Migrationand the Mallards will arrive in theaters on August 14, 2025. Watch the trailer below:
