The Lego Movie (franchise)
| Industry | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | The Lego Group |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Films, video games, television series, theme park experience |
| Parent | The Lego Group (rights reverted in 2020) |
The Lego Movie represents an American media franchise and shared universe inspired by Lego construction toys. It originated with the 2014 release of The Lego Movie, directed and scripted by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Following the film’s commercial success, the franchise expanded to include two licensed video games, a 4D theme park experience, two spin-off features—The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie (both released in 2017)—an animated television series titled Unikitty! (2017), and the sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. The development of new projects ceased in 2020 when Warner Bros. allowed the rights to revert to The Lego Group after the underperformance of The Lego Movie 2 and no subsequent productions were initiated.
Overall, the franchise has been met with favorable critical acclaim, with the exception of The Lego Ninjago Movie, which received mixed feedback, and has amassed over $1 billion globally in box office revenue.
Although Warner Bros. maintains ownership of existing franchise content, including Unikitty!, Universal Pictures secured a five-year agreement to produce independent Lego films. The initial Universal release, Piece by Piece, premiered on October 11, 2024, with an additional five films currently in production.
Films
All four feature films were collaboratively produced by Warner Animation Group, The Lego Group, Rideback (previously Lin Pictures), Lord Miller Productions, Vertigo Entertainment, and animated by Animal Logic. Distribution for all titles was handled by Warner Bros. Pictures.
| Film | U.S. Release Date | Director(s) | Screenwriters | Story By | Producers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Series | |||||
| The Lego Movie | February 7, 2014 | Phil Lord & Christopher Miller | Phil Lord, Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, & Christopher Miller | Dan Lin & Roy Lee | |
| The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | February 8, 2019 | Mike Mitchell | Phil Lord & Christopher Miller | Phil Lord, Matthew Fogel & Christopher Miller | Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord, Jinko Gotoh & Christopher Miller |
| Spin-offs | |||||
| The Lego Batman Movie | February 10, 2017 | Chris McKay | Jared Stern, Erik Sommers, Chris McKenna, John Whittington, & Seth Grahame-Smith | Seth Grahame-Smith | Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller |
| The Lego Ninjago Movie | September 22, 2017 | Bob Logan, Paul Fisher & Charlie Bean | Bob Logan, Tom Wheeler, Paul Fisher, Jared Stern, William Wheeler & John Whittington | Bob Logan, Dan Hageman, Tom Wheeler, Paul Fisher, Kevin Hageman, Hillary Winston & William Wheeler | Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord, Chris McKay, Maryann Garger & Christopher Miller |
It is worth noting that RatPac-Dune Entertainment (now Access Industries) was involved only with the first three films; meanwhile, Village Roadshow Pictures provided financing exclusively for the initial movie. IMAX releases were limited to two films—The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part—as planned IMAX screenings for The Lego Ninjago Movie were ultimately cancelled.
The Lego Movie (2014)
Premiering on February 7, 2014, through Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, this film earned critical praise for its innovative animation, witty dialogue, talented voice actors, and heartfelt storytelling. It achieved a global box office total exceeding $469 million, with $257 million from the domestic market and $210 million internationally. The movie secured the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature, and Saturn Award for Best Animated Film. Additionally, it received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature and an Academy Award nod for Best Original Song with "Everything Is Awesome."
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
Following the original's success, plans for a sequel were set in motion promptly. On February 3, 2014, Jared Stern and Michelle Morgan were brought on board to develop the screenplay. By February 21 of that year, a release date was targeted for May 26, 2017. In March 2014, Chris McKay—who co-directed the first film—was appointed to direct the sequel, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller returning as producers. To maximize earnings, Warner Bros. chose not to involve Village Roadshow Pictures as co-producers in this installment. McKay intended to expand female representation among characters in the sequel. By mid-2014, Chris Pratt showed interest in reprising his role as Emmet, while Will Arnett was also expected to return as Batman.
In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced that The Lego Batman Movie would debut in 2017, pushing The Lego Movie 2 to 2018. Lord and Miller committed to writing the sequel’s script, which would be set four years after the first film’s events. In February 2015, Rob Schrab took over directing duties from McKay when the latter shifted focus to the Batman spin-off. The narrative evolved to center on Emmet and his sister navigating a dystopian Bricksburg. The release was postponed from May 18, 2018, to February 8, 2019. Mid-2016 saw Raphael Bob-Waksberg enlisted to revise the screenplay. By early 2017, Mike Mitchell replaced Schrab due to creative disagreements.
Production commenced in Canada on October 2, 2017. Lord and Miller returned to refine the script further with an emphasis on gender-related themes in play behavior. In March 2018, Tiffany Haddish joined as a new lead character alongside returning cast members including Chris Pratt (who voiced both Emmet and antagonist Rex Dangervest), Elizabeth Banks (Wyldstyle), Will Arnett (Batman), Channing Tatum (Superman), and Jonah Hill (Green Lantern). On May 21, 2018, Warner Bros. officially announced the title The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and revealed the initial teaser poster.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Warner Bros. revealed plans in October 2014 for The Lego Batman Movie, a spin-off centered on Batman, scheduled for release in 2017; this announcement delayed The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part until 2018.'Will Arnett' returned as Batman’s voice actor with Chris McKay directing. The story was penned by Seth Grahame-Smith, while production was managed by Dan Lin, Roy Lee, and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The film’s release date was set for February 10, 2017.
The cast featured Michael Cera voicing Robin, Zach Galifianakis portraying the Joker, Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, and Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth. Mariah Carey provided the voice for Mayor McCaskill. The musical score was composed by Lorne Balfe. Marketing efforts included releasing trailers starting March 2016 ahead of its U.S. debut in February 2017.
The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)
The film adaptation of Lego Ninjago was co-written by brothers Dan and Kevin Hageman, who previously contributed to Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu and co-wrote The Lego Movie. This movie features an original plot that diverges from the television series. Directed by Charlie Bean, recognized for his work on Disney's Tron: Uprising, the production team included Dan Lin, Roy Lee, and the duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, all associated with The Lego Movie. Initially slated for release on September 23, 2016, the premiere was postponed to September 22, 2017. The voice cast featured talents such as Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Michael Peña, Abbi Jacobson, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Woods, and Fred Armisen.
The Billion Brick Race
Warner Bros. announced in March 2015 the development of a third spin-off in the Lego Movie franchise titled The Billion Brick Race. By July 2016, Jason Segel and Drew Pearce were attached as co-directors and screenwriters. However, in August 2017, Jorge R. Gutierrez took over as sole director and writer, with a planned release date set for May 24, 2019.
Gutierrez departed from the project by February 2018, describing it as unsuccessful. In July 2018, Pearce shared that the storyline would center around Lego-themed racing, drawing inspiration from films such as The Cannonball Run.
By December 2019, Gutierrez revealed concept artwork and confirmed that the project had been permanently shelved. He attributed this to disappointing box office returns from both The Lego Ninjago Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, compounded by extended development challenges.
In July 2022, Gutierrez disclosed that the film would have featured leads voiced by Diego Luna and Emma Stone, incorporated time travel elements, and included a cameo by Lego founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen.
Lego Superfriends
Chris McKay confirmed in December 2018 that a sequel to The Lego Batman Movie was underway, with an anticipated release in 2022. Nonetheless, this sequel was ultimately cancelled after Warner Bros. lost the rights to produce Lego films due to the underperformance of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Subsequently, Universal acquired distribution rights for future Lego movies.
By June 2021, McKay revealed that the screenplay, penned by Michael Waldron and Dan Harmon, was influenced by films like The Godfather Part II and Boogie Nights. The narrative intended to explore Batman’s dynamics with the Justice League, emphasizing Superman’s role and featuring antagonists Lex Luthor and OMAC. The tentative title for this project was Lego Superfriends.
Universal Pictures deal
After Warner Bros.’ cancellation of its planned Lego projects and the disappointing box office results for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, negotiations began in December 2019 between Universal Pictures and the Lego Group to handle distribution of forthcoming Lego feature films. While Universal is tasked with developing and distributing new Lego movies, Warner Bros. continues to hold rights over original characters and prior productions including The Lego Movie, its sequels, and related spin-offs.
In April 2020, Universal secured an exclusive five-year limited agreement with the Lego Group to produce new franchises and introduce fresh characters within its lineup of Lego films.
Untitled live-action/animated Lego movie
On August 5, 2022, producer Dan Lin announced intentions for a new Lego film, describing it as a fresh reinterpretation of the Lego universe utilizing a distinct artistic approach while staying faithful to the brand's essence. By July 2023, it was confirmed that the project would be a hybrid of live-action and animation, similar in style to The Lego Movie series, with directors Aaron and Adam Nee attached to the film.
Piece by Piece
In January 2024, Universal Pictures and Focus Features revealed Piece by Piece, a LEGO-themed film focused on musician Pharrell Williams, directed by Morgan Neville. The production was a collaboration between The Lego Group, Tremolo Productions, I Am Other, Pure Imagination Studios, and Tongal. It premiered on October 11, 2024.
Multiple untitled live-action Lego films
On October 31, 2024, Universal Pictures announced three upcoming live-action LEGO movies helmed by directors Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins, and Joe Cornish. Kasdan’s film is based on an original idea by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows with a screenplay by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul. Jenkins is working alongside Geoff Johns on her script, while Cornish is revising a draft penned by Heather Anne Campbell derived from a treatment by Simon Rich.
Untitled live-action Lego Ninjago feature
In October 2024, a new live-action film inspired by the Lego Ninjago franchise was announced. The screenplay will be written by Dan and Kevin Hageman, who served as the original lead writers for the first nine seasons of the Ninjago animated series.
Unikitty! (2017–2020)
In May 2017, Warner Bros. and Lego unveiled a spin-off TV series centered around Unikitty, a character introduced in The Lego Movie. Voiced by Tara Strong, the show debuted on Cartoon Network on January 1, 2018. Executive producers included Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Jill Wilfert, and Sam Register. Show development involved producers Ed Skudder and Lynn Wang as well as supervising producer Aaron Horvath. The series launched with a Halloween special titled "Spoooooky Game" on October 27, 2017, followed by preview episodes "Sparkle Matter Matters" on November 17 and the Christmas-themed "No Day Like Snow Day" on December 1. The series concluded with a two-part finale named "The Birthday to End All Birthdays" on August 27, 2020.
Short films
Numerous short films related to the franchise have been produced, mainly distributed as bonus content on home media editions of the main films. Additional shorts promoting the movies and other real-world occasions have been shared through YouTube.
Batman's A True Artist (2014)
The stop-motion short Batman's A True Artist, included with the home release of The Lego Movie, serves as a music video featuring Batman's song. Remarkably, it was created by Markus Jolly when he was just six years old.
Michelangelo and Lincoln: History Cops (2014)
Included as bonus content on The Lego Movie home release, this stop-motion short acts as a mock trailer for an imaginary action flick featuring expert builders Michelangelo and Abraham Lincoln teaming up to combat crime.
Enter the Ninjago (2014)
Part of the home media extras for The Lego Movie, this short humorously portrays Hollywood executives modifying the storyline to incorporate ninja characters for promotional purposes. It playfully nods to Lego Ninjago and a fictional ninja movie that turned out to be a significant box-office bomb.
The Master (2016)
Written and helmed by Jon Saunders with production by Ryan Halprin, The Master premiered alongside Storks in theaters and during early UK screenings of The Lego Batman Movie. Featuring voice performances by Jackie Chan, Abbi Jacobson, and Justin Theroux, the story centers on Master Wu and an irritating chicken.
Dark Hoser (2017)
Presented on the The Lego Batman Movie home video, Dark Hoser depicts Batman auditioning for the Justice League of America, only to uncover that he might actually be Canadian.
Batman is Just Not That Into You (2017)
Also included in the home media of The Lego Batman Movie, this short features Harley Quinn hosting a talk show designed to assist The Joker in ending his relationship with Batman.
Cooking with Alfred (2017)
A short film found on the The Lego Batman Movie home release, where Alfred hosts a cooking program with Batman and Robin as his special guests.
Movie Sound Effects: How Do They Do That? (2017)
Included in the home media package of The Lego Batman Movie, this short showcases Bane, The Riddler, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman creating sound effects for the movie.
Shark E. Shark in "Which Way To The Ocean?" (2017)
From the home release of The Lego Ninjago Movie, this short follows a baby shark’s attempt to return to the ocean after being fired from Garmadon's Shark cannon. The animation style resembles that of Lego instruction manuals.
Zane's Stand Up Promo (2017)
A comedic promotional piece included on the home media of The Lego Ninjago Movie, advertising a stand-up comedy DVD starring Zane.
Emmet's Holiday Party (2018)
Initially released online on December 10, 2018, and later as a bonus feature on the home media for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, this festive short depicts Emmet and the residents of Apocalypseburg throwing a holiday celebration despite fears of an assault from the Systar System.
Cancelled shorts
Two theatrical shorts titled Contagious, directed by Patrick Osborne, and Emmet Amuck, created by Jon Saunders and Ross Evans, were in development alongside The Master in 2016 but were never released.
Cast and characters
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Additional crew and production details
| Characters | Films | Short films | Attraction | Television series | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lego Movie | The Lego Batman Movie | The Lego Ninjago Movie | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | The Lego Movie short films | The Lego Batman Movie short films | The Lego Ninjago Movie short films | Emmet's Holiday Party | The Lego Movie: 4D – A New Adventure |
Unikitty! | |||
| Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | ||||||||||
Key Characters | ||||||||||||
| Emmet Brickowski The Special |
Chris Pratt | Chris Pratt | colspan="2" | Chris Pratt | A.J. LoCascio | colspan="3" | ||||||
| Lucy "Wyldstyle" | Elizabeth Banks | colspan="2" | Elizabeth Banks | colspan="2" | Elizabeth Banks | colspan="3" | ||||||
| Bruce Wayne Batman |
Will Arnett | Will Arnett | rowspan="2" | Will Arnett | rowspan="2" | Will Arnett | rowspan="2" | Will Arnett | rowspan="2" | Will Arnett | colspan="2" rowspan="2" | |
| Princess Unikitty | Alison Brie | rowspan="2" | rowspan="2" | Alison Brie | rowspan="2" | colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Alison Brie | Tara Strong | Tara Strong | |||
| Will Arnett | ||||||||||||
| Film | Composer | Editor(s) | Executive producer(s) | Co-producer(s) | Production Companies |
Distributing Company |
Running time | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
David Burrows |
Jill Wilfert |
Warner Animation Group |
1hr 41mins |
- ... [Table continues with production details for other films] ... Box office performance
Critical and Audience Reception
Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsBAFTA AwardsCritics' Choice AwardsAnnie AwardsKids' Choice AwardsVisual Effects Society AwardsProducers Guild of AmericaThe Lego Movie Videogame (2014)Developed by TT Fusion and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, this title was released concurrently with the film on platforms such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It includes over 100 playable characters, with Todd Hanson returning to voice Gandalf. The Lego Batman Movie Game (2017)A mobile endless-runner game launched on Android and iOS devices timed with the movie’s release. The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game (2017)Issued alongside the film for PC and console platforms, this represents the second spin-off game in the series. The Lego Movie 2 Videogame (2019)Announced in November 2018, it debuted in early 2019 across major consoles including PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The Lego Movie: 4D – A New Adventure (2016)Originally debuted at Legoland Florida in January 2016, this attraction has since been introduced to multiple Legoland Parks globally. While most original cast members reprised their roles, Emmet is voiced by A.J. LoCascio due to Chris Pratt’s unavailability. The story also introduces a new character, Risky Business, voiced by Patton Oswalt. The Lego Movie collectionsInitially launched in December 2013, the line featured 14 distinct sets, highlighted by the expansive "MetalBeard's Sea Cow." Alongside these, several promotional polybag sets were distributed. The Lego Batman Movie collectionsBeginning in January 2017, the first wave comprised 13 sets, including later additions such as "The Joker Manor," which stands as the largest set with more than 3,400 pieces. Various polybag promotions accompanied these releases. The Lego Ninjago Movie collectionsIntroduced in August 2017 with a total of 15 sets, this series included the intricate "NINJAGO City," containing close to 5,000 pieces and multiple minifigures. Additional waves and promotional polybags continued to be released until mid-2018. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part collectionsReleased in January 2019, this assortment featured seventeen sets, including the notable "Rex's Rexplorer!" Further sets and promotional polybags were made available throughout the year. Lego Unikitty! collectionsThese building sets were designed to complement the related television series with themed constructions. Lego Dimensions (2015)This interactive video game incorporates characters from The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie, among others. The Starter Pack includes Wyldstyle; additional Fun Packs add Emmet and Benny; Story Packs contain Robin and Batgirl; Excalibur Batman is also offered as a Fun Pack. External links | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- The Lego Movie (franchise)
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