Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple is a 2024 animated musical comedy film based on the Moose Toys brand, Shopkins, and the webtoon of the same name. Produced by Universal Animation Studios and distributed by Universal Pictures, it serves as a spin-off and prequel to Shopkins: The Movie (2019), the fifth film overall based on the toy line and the cartoon, and the second one to be released in theaters worldwide. The film is directed by Rob Minkoff, and written by Tommy Swerdlow and the writing team of Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. The film's ensemble voice cast features Andy Samberg (who reprises his voice role as Adam Apple), Rashida Jones, Ellie Kemper, Amanda Seyfried, Josh Gad, Maya Rudolph, Chloë Grace Moretz, John Turturro and Jennifer Saunders.
Development for the film began after the critical and commercial success of Shopkins: The Movie (2019) in December 2019. The film was officially announced by Universal Pictures in July 2021, with Minkoff, Swerdlow, and Hernandez and Samit attached as director, writer, and co-writers, respectively. Animation production commenced in August 2023. Like Shopkins: The Movie, as well as the webtoon, the film combines traditional hand-drawn animation with the extensive use of computer-generated imagery. Mark Mothersbaugh returned to compose the score.
Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on December 18, 2024, and was released in Australia on December 24, 2024 before being released in the United States the following day on December 25, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics for its screenplay, animation, musical numbers, humor, voice performances, emotional depth, and appeal towards children and adults of both genders. It grossed $335.6 million worldwide against a production budget of $90 million, surpassing Shopkins: The Movie.
Plot[]
Set before the events of Shopkins: The Movie, the film follows Adam Apple, who lives in New York City with his mother Apple Pie Alice, who has hated music since she was kicked out of her band after being betrayed by her band members. Adam is convinced to form a band with his friends to perform the perfect song for this week's talent show to make Alice proud of her son.
Voice cast[]
- Andy Samberg as Adam Apple, a pink apple Shopkin and Apple Pie Alice's son who is a gifted musician.
- Rashida Jones as Apple Pie Alice, an apple pie Shopkin, Adam Apple's mother and a former musician who dislikes music and disapproves of Adam Apple's singing.
- Ellie Kemper as Bethany Broccoli, a broccoli Shopkin who is Adam Apple's longtime best friend. She is also Cinnamon Sally's friend.
- Amanda Seyfried as Cinnamon Sally, a cinnamon bottle Shopkin who mostly hangs out with Bethany Broccoli. She is also one of Adam Apple's friends.
- Josh Gad as Blocky, a 2x2 LEGO building block Shopkin who is clumsy and childish, but well-mannered. He is also one of Adam Apple's friends.
- Maya Rudolph as Erica Eraser, an eraser Shopkin who is intelligent and laid-back. She is also one of Adam Apple's friends.
- Chloë Grace Moretz as Peta Plant, a flower pot Shopkin who is a big fan of Adam Apple's music. She is also one of Adam Apple's friends.
- John Turturro as Pappa Pizza Base, a pizza base Shopkin and the owner of "Pappa Pizzeria" who convinces Adam Apple to form a band with his friends.
- Jennifer Saunders as Cupcake Princess, a British-accented cupcake Shopkin who is the host of the Shopkins Weekly Talent Shows.
- Kate Murphy as:
- Tayler Tee, a T-shirt Shopkin who resembles the I Love New York shirts.
- Poppy Corn, a popcorn box Shopkin who appeared in many cameos in Shopkins: World Vacation.
Production[]
Development for Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple began after the critical and commercial success of Shopkins: The Movie in December 2019. Universal Pictures officially announced the film in July 2021, with Minkoff, Swerdlow, and Hernandez and Samit attached as director, writer, and co-writers, respectively. Lisa Stewart, who co-produced Shopkins: The Movie with Melissa Cobb, returned to produce the film in May 2023.
Casting[]
The moment the film was announced by Universal in July 2021, Andy Samberg was confirmed to reprise his voice role as Adam Apple. In December 2022, Rashida Jones was announced to voice Apple Pie Alice. Five months later in May 2023, Ellie Kemper, Amanda Seyfried, Josh Gad, Maya Rudolph, Chloë Grace Moretz, and John Turturro joined the cast to voice Bethany Broccoli, Cinnamon Sally, Blocky, Erica Eraser, Peta Plant, and Pappa Pizza Base, respectively. In January 31, 2024, Kate Murphy, the voice actress of many characters in the cartoon and the movies, was confirmed to voice several characters. In November 8, 2024, Jennifer Saunders had joined the cast to voice Cupcake Princess.
Animation[]
Similar to Shopkins: The Movie and the webtoon, Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple combines 2D hand-drawn animation with the extensive use of computer-generated imagery. Traditional animation was done by Rough Draft Korea, and computer-generated imagery was done by Blender.
Production on the animation lasted from August 2023 to June 2024.
Music[]
Mark Mothersbaugh, who composed the score of Shopkins: The Movie (2019), returned to compose the film's score. In October 8, 2024, it was announced that pop rock band OneRepublic will be contributing to the film's soundtrack. In October 25, OneRepublic released "Heaven" as the lead single for the soundtrack, which will be released through Interscope Records on December 20, 2024. Camila Cabello and Teddy Swims's "Good Thing", which features vocals by J Balvin, was released in November 1 as the second single for the soundtrack.
To see the full soundtrack, click here.
Release[]
Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on December 18, 2024, and was released in Australia on December 24, 2024. It was released in the United States the following day on December 25, 2024. It was previously scheduled for release on December 6, 2024 before it was delayed to December 25 to avoid competition with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and That Christmas.
As part of Universal's deal with Netflix, the film will stream on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, before moving to Netflix for the next ten, and returning to Peacock for the remaining four.
Marketing[]
The first trailer for the film was released in June 9, 2024. The trailer received 1 million views by the time it was uploaded to YouTube. As of January 2025, the trailer received 24 million views. The songs played in the trailer are "Never Let You Go" by Third Eye Blind (which was included in the film's soundtrack) and "Back in Black" by AC/DC.
The second trailer was released in October 30, 2024.
Reception[]
Box office[]
Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple grossed $131.5 in the United States and Canada, and $204.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $335.6 against a production budget of $90 million.
In the United States and Canada, Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple was released alongside The Fire Inside, A Complete Unknown, Nosferatu, and Babygirl, and was projected to gross around $30 million from 2,918 theaters in its five-day opening weekend. The film made $6.5 million on its first day, including $1.5 million from Christmas Eve previews, and then $4.8 million on its second.
Critical response[]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 231 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Shopkins: The Story of Adam Apple tells a smartly written, emotionally affecting and surprisingly thoughtful story with dazzling animation, catchy musical numbers and towering vocal performances from its ensemble cast." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 76 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale, making it the first film by Universal Animaton Studios to receive this grade.