the addams family 2 movie review

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This sequel makes up for some of the problems with the 2019 " Addams Family " animated family film, which suffered from an uneven tone and a meandering storyline. The characters and setting originated in the original Charles Addams one-panel cartoons in the New Yorke r , a nameless family with an amusingly gruesome way of life, then a 1960s sit-com with the memorable Vic Mizzy theme song, followed by two waspishly witty live-action films. ("Don't torture yourself," Morticia Addams soothes her husband, Gomez. "That's my job.") Other versions included a television cartoon show and a Broadway musical. The 2019 film had a bland "the real monsters are the ordinary conformist people" storyline that failed to take advantage of the main appeal of the Addams family, the combination of their ghoulish enjoyment of the macabre and their genuine affection and support for each other. The new film has a better understanding of how to make the most of what has made these characters so enduringly popular, including the Vic Mizzy song.

STEM superstar Wednesday Addams ( Chloë Grace Moretz ) has something special for the school's science fair. In a set-up reminiscent of the spooky lab in "Frankenstein," she has invented a procedure for transferring the attributes of one creature to another. As a demonstration, she implants some of the brain power of her Rubik's Cube-solving pet octopus to her cheerful but not very bright, raspy-voiced Uncle Fester ( Nick Kroll ). She is disappointed when they give everyone a participation trophy instead of picking someone to be the best. But the sponsor of the science fair, a tech whiz named Cyrus Strange ( Bill Hader ) appears via hologram to invite Wednesday to work with him to perfect her invention. She turns him down.

Gomez ( Oscar Isaac ) is worried that Wednesday is not as close to him or as appreciative of his love for her as he wants her to be, and so he decides to take the family on a cross-country vacation in their version of an RV, complete with goth decor and a fireplace. His plan is to visit the country's many "dark secrets." He only means Halloween-style darkness like the Salem witch trials, Sleepy Hollow, and Death Valley.

The family is off to see the sights and, Gomez hopes, spend some quality time together. But they are pursued by a lawyer ( Wallace Shawn ) who says Wednesday was switched at birth and is the biological daughter of his undisclosed client. Wednesday is gruesome even by Addams standards, and her increased frustration with her family makes the idea of her belonging somewhere else have some appeal. The scariest thing about Gomez is his tendency to hugs and dad jokes, while Wednesday says she has been social distancing since birth and her reaction to Salem burning girls at the stake for being witches is #squadgoals.

The road trip gives the movie visual sparkle, with stops at some iconic locations and a visit to the home of Cyrus Strange, a Frank Lloyd Wright-style gleaming ultra-modern structure with sharp horizontal lines that shrewdly contrasts to the dark, ornamental, Victorian gothic of the Addams mansion. There are fascinating and witty details every scene that will reward repeated viewings, thanks to art direction from Chris Souza and Kathleen Shugrue and production design from Patricia Atchison. The needle-drop songs on the score bring energy and some commentary on what is happening as well, with a very funny use of the classic, "I Will Survive." Snoop Dogg , as Cousin It (just one "T" in the credits of the film, though the original series and many crossword puzzles give him two), gets a chance to spit some doggy-style rhymes in a rousing concert performance.

An intrusive product placement billboard will trigger the irritation viewers may have with the odd cross-promotion in television commercials on behalf of both this movie and an insurance company. Of more concern, parents may get some tough questions due to the paternity issues raised by the film, including DNA tests. The issues of who a child "belongs" to and what biology has to do with identity will be a concern for some families. But it is presented in a spirit of love and acceptance, and that should be reassuring. So is the notion that the Addams families are finally getting a chance to show what they do best: they make the scary silly and make sure all family members know how much they are loved.

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Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com.

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Film credits.

The Addams Family 2 (2021)

Rated PG for macabre and rude humor, violence and language.

Oscar Isaac as Gomez Addams (voice)

Charlize Theron as Morticia Addams (voice)

Chloë Grace Moretz as Wednesday Addams (voice)

Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester (voice)

Javon 'Wanna' Walton as Pugsley Addams

Bette Midler as Grandma (voice)

Wallace Shawn as (voice)

Snoop Dogg as IT (voice)

Bill Hader as (voice)

Elsie Fisher as Parker Needler (voice)

Allison Janney as Margaux Needler (voice)

Conrad Vernon
Greg Tiernan

Writer (based on characters created by)

Charles Addams

Writer (story)

Benji Samit
Dan Hernandez
Michael Paxton
Susanna Fogel
Mychael Danna

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The addams family 2, common sense media reviewers.

Silly sequel focuses on family love; peril, some racy jokes.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Audiences will learn about the classic Addams fami

Promotes honesty in family communication, acceptin

Gomez and Morticia are incredibly affectionate, lo

Not much cultural inclusion. Majority of character

A youth beauty pageant includes a tribute to Carri

Morticia and Gomez are frequently passionate with

"He gave me the finger" joke when Uncle Fester lit

Big Progressive Insurance billboard is featured in

Wednesday serves a potion in a martini glass. Adul

Educational Value

Audiences will learn about the classic Addams family, but otherwise this is for entertainment.

Positive Messages

Promotes honesty in family communication, accepting those who are different from you, realizing that families can include members with different personalities and interests. Character strengths such as teamwork and empathy are important to the story.

Positive Role Models

Gomez and Morticia are incredibly affectionate, love each other, are attentive and kind parents. Wednesday is very intelligent and curious; her feelings about being different from others/her family are developmentally appropriate for someone her age (though trying to kill her brother is not). Fester is a kind and encouraging uncle, if sometimes misguided.

Diverse Representations

Not much cultural inclusion. Majority of characters present as White, although Snoop Dogg plays Cousin It. Female characters have agency. Despite being kooky and creepy outsiders, the Addamses are a traditional multigenerational family.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

A youth beauty pageant includes a tribute to Carrie ; red paint rains down on contestants, covering them like blood. Bikers at a bar get into a brief brawl, arm wrestle, push and shove one another. Lurch and another bodyguard are scary looking. Wednesday traps a man who hangs upside down over a cliff. Later he's gone, so it's assumed he's fallen to his death. A scientist uses a gas to poison and sedate people. A man holds a family captive, plans to experiment on them. A man turns into a giant octopus and fights another human who has transformed into a giant blend of three animals. The Addams family causes an explosion at the Grand Canyon and mass chaos at a science fair.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Morticia and Gomez are frequently passionate with each other: kissing, embracing, slow-dancing. Pugsley has a crush on Ophelia, and they flirt and eventually hug and touch foreheads. Uncle Fester offers dating advice and mentions writing a how-to book about dating and romance. Fester and Pugsley have several conversations about dating. Cousin It is shown to be a ladies' creature. A joke substitutes "tentacles" for "testicles."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"He gave me the finger" joke when Uncle Fester literally hands a man a severed finger. "Freak," "weird," "monsters," "poop," etc.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Big Progressive Insurance billboard is featured in a scene. Addams Family franchise has lots of off-screen tie-ins.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Wednesday serves a potion in a martini glass. Adults (including party-goers at the "Lyfe Festival") drink on a couple of occasions, including a Bloody Mary.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Addams Family 2 is the "family road trip" sequel to 2019's animated The Addams Family . Like that film, it's not as scary as its live-action predecessors, but there's no shortage of dark humor or cartoon violence. Wednesday (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz ) is perpetually trying to kill/harm her brother Pugsley (Javon "Wanna" Walton), and she traps a man who hangs upside down over a cliff before presumably falling to his death. It has big explosions; characters in peril, held captive, or sedated; human experimentation; fighting; an homage to the movie Carrie (with red paint instead of blood); and a destructive battle between gigantic monsters. Some of the creatures in the Addams Family world can look scary, and the family experiences emotional moments when they're told that Wednesday may not biologically be an Addams. Expect to hear insult language like "freak" and "weirdo," as well as a few Addams-style endearments (like "murderous maternal instincts" and "witch"). Gomez ( Oscar Isaac ) and Morticia ( Charlize Theron ) continue to be depicted as caring parents who are very much in love (kissing, dancing, and exchanging affectionate gestures and innuendoes fairly frequently). This movie also finds Uncle Fester ( Nick Kroll ) advising Pugsley on dating, resulting in some pretty cheesy pickup lines and flirting. A joke substitutes "tentacles" for "testicles." Adult characters drink in a couple of scenes. Ultimately, the movie promotes communication, teamwork, and the value of a family's unconditional love. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

Parents say (11)
Kids say (13)

Based on 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 starts with Wednesday Addams (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz ) showing off an impressive science fair project but being disappointed when everyone at the fair is deemed a winner. When Gomez ( Oscar Isaac ) worries that angsty Wednesday is distancing herself from the family, he decides to plan a last-minute road trip across the United States for the family, including his wife Morticia ( Charlize Theron ), kids Wednesday and Pugsley (Javon "Wanna" Walton), Uncle Fester ( Nick Kroll ), their butler/bodyguard Lurch ( Conrad Vernon ), and Thing, a disembodied hand servant. The family's trip is complicated by the fact that a mysterious man named Rupert ( Wallace Shawn ) shows up insisting that he has clients who believe that Wednesday and their daughter might have been switched at birth, making Wednesday their biological daughter. Morticia and Gomez use the trip to manufacture more forced family fun -- and also to avoid Rupert. Meanwhile, back at the Addams mansion, Grandma ( Bette Midler ) hosts a profitable (but fake) music festival.

Is It Any Good?

This serviceable animated sequel focuses on Wednesday's feelings of alienation and benefits from the family's kid-friendly jokes and road trip adventures. Perhaps because the first movie was so underwhelming, this follow-up seems a bit more rooted in the family's kooky antics. Since the Addamses visit well-known places on their trips -- like Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, etc. -- the movie offers a relatable storyline, despite the family's generally eccentric nature. Isaac and Theron once again channel the passionately in-love Gomez and Morticia (they're arguably the most ardent animated parents in movie history) but manage to also convey -- in between arm kisses and caresses -- how worried they are about Wednesday. Parents will empathize with Gomez and Morticia's desire to encourage more family togetherness as their kids get older.

But the sequel is definitely Wednesday's show, and Moretz's flat, emotionless performance is exactly what the role requires. She does a fine job evoking the clever young scientist's disinterest in anything emotional or sentimental. The writing and comedy gags include a memorable sequence that's like Little Miss Sunshine meets Carrie , as well as a running joke about Uncle Fester slowly turning into an octopus. At one point the word "tentacles" is obviously a stand-in for the word "testicles," although it's unlikely that really young viewers will pick up on that or the movie's other risqué/suggestive comments (usually courtesy of the Addams parents). The subplot about Grandma's Fyre Festival-like event (which eventually features Snoop Dogg as Cousin It) is underused and unnecessary, but it's not featured enough to detract from the main story, which takes enough zany twists and turns to amuse younger viewers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the suggestive jokes in The Addams Family 2 . Are they necessary to the story?

Are animated movies less frightening than live-action ones? Why, or why not? Do they impact younger viewers differently? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

Do you consider anyone in the story a role model ? What character strengths do they display? Why are communication , empathy , and teamwork important?

Discuss the way family dynamics are explored in the movie. Why does Wednesday feel like she's not "really" an Addams? Is biology what makes someone part of a family, or is it something else?

Movie Details

In theaters : October 1, 2021
On DVD or streaming : January 18, 2022
Cast : Oscar Isaac , Charlize Theron , Chloe Grace Moretz , Bill Hader
Directors : Greg Tiernan , Conard Vernon , Laura Brousseau
Inclusion Information : Latino actors, Female actors
Studio : MGM
Genre : Family and Kids
Topics : Brothers and Sisters , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy , Teamwork
Run time : 93 minutes
MPAA rating : PG
MPAA explanation : macabre and rude humor, violence and language
Last updated : September 17, 2023

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‘The Addams Family 2’ Review: Creepier and Kookier Than the First

Wednesday the goth tween takes center stage in a sequel with a riper sense of macabre loopiness.

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

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The devil is in the details — or, in “ The Addams Family 2 ,” a digitally animated sequel aimed at ages six and over, in the demented ghoulish sparkle of jokes that are just macabre and kiddie witty enough to tickle you. Take, for instance, Uncle Fester, voiced by Nick Kroll with an extreme goofy lisp, sizing up the creaky brown wood camper in which the Addams family are about to take a three-week cross-country trek and saying, “Oh, it’s a hybrid — half car, half eyesore!” Or the way that Morticia, voiced by Charlize Theron in the most musical of aristocratic purrs, doesn’t just walk but glides around in her cadaverous skin-tight dress that drapes over the floor in trails that look like black silk octopus legs. Or Gomez ( Oscar Isaac ), in his Igor-as-head-waiter hodgepodge of an Old World accent, saying, “Tell that Billie Eilish she’s a little too sunny for my taste.” Or the way that Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz), that paragon of proto goth disaffection, says she’s been social distancing since birth. Or Cyrus Strange (Bill Hader), the mad scientist who’s trying to make Wednesday his daughter, snapping at the regal Morticia, “Oh, pipe down, Elvira!”

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It’s in the nature of most animated sequels to struggle to recapture the full charm of the original hit. But in the case of “The Addams Family 2,” Tiernan and Vernon have used the sequel as an opportunity for an upgrade. The script is by an entirely new team (Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, and Susanna Fogel), and in some ineffable bats-in-the-belfry way the jokes now land with a more inspired and spontaneous creepy kookiness. At a Little Miss Jalapeño Pepper contest in Texas, Wednesday, looking even more sinister under a mountain of blonde big hair, dumps red paint all over the other contestants as if this were the prom in “Carrie.”

It helps that Wednesday, the spiritual seed for characters from Lydia in “Beetlejuice” to Coraline, gets to be the center of gravity. In form, “The Addams Family 2” is a road-trip movie, with the Addamses traveling in their camper van (which inside somehow looks about as big as their mansion) to visit the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and other spots that speak to their penchant for arid lifeless spaces.

Emotionally, though, it’s all about the mid-tween crisis of Wednesday. She’s robbed of the chance to win the school science fair — even though, with a chemical beaker in hand, she’s like Dr. Frankenstein crossed with Pippi Longstocking. Her father thinks she doesn’t need him anymore. And a pesky attorney, who looks just like Wallace Shawn (and is voiced by him), shows up to inform Gomez and Morticia that their beloved little ghoul isn’t actually their daughter; she was switched at birth. There’s a flashback to Fester making a visit to her in the hospital nursery, where he hilariously juggles the infants on hand (and is too Fester-brained to bother putting them back correctly), at which point we seriously wonder: Could Wednesday be the daughter of Cyrus, who covets the pitiless detached genius of her psycho scientific mind?

The secret of the Addams family, of course, is that they’re actually a clan of innocents. They mean well — they’re a devoted middle-class extended family — and, if anything, the rest of the world seems jaded by comparison. In “The Addams Family 2,” there’s a funny sequence in which Pugsley (Javon “Wanna” Walton), controlled by Wednesday with a rag-doll voodoo doll, wins over some girl tourists with his dance moves before pitching himself over the side of Niagara Falls. (He’s also a pyromaniac who literally blows up the Grand Canyon.) And when Wednesday gets “adopted” by Cyrus, whose wife is literally a bird (the stranger the movie gets the better — and that’s strange), our heroine’s ambivalence about whether or not she wants to leave her parents makes for a genuine bittersweet excavation of the Addams attitude. Wednesday is a pure misanthrope (greeting some other kids her age, she says, “Excuse me, vacuous lemmings”), but beneath that punk superiority Chloë Grace Moretz laces her with just the right hint of freakish inner normalcy.

I should mention that Lurch, at a biker bar, sits down at the piano and sings “I Will Survive.” And that Snoop Dogg’s ingenious vocal performance as Cousin It will have you thinking spinoff. After the 2019 “Addams Family,” I had no real desire to sit through another one of these. After “The Addams Family 2,” however, I now hope that there’s an “Addams Family 3.” But only if the filmmakers keep doing what they do here: in their PG way, upping the ante on the cuddly bed-bug insanity of it all. Many of the movie’s jokes are merely benign. But the best ones really are a scream.

Reviewed at Park Ave. Screening Room, Aug. 29, 2021. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 93 MIN.

Production: A United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release, in association with BRON Creative, of a Jackal Group/Glickmania production. Producers: Gail Berman, Conrad Vernon, Danielle Serling, Alison O’Brien. Executive producers: Kevin Miserocchi, Jonathan Glickman, Cassidy Lange, Andrew Mittman, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth.
Crew: Directors: Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon. Screenplay: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, Susanna Fogel. Music: Michael Danna, Jeff Danna.
With: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Bill Hader, Nick Kroll, Javon “Wanna” Walton, Wallace Shawn, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler.

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‘the addams family 2’: film review.

The delightfully macabre family is back, and they're going on a road trip, with Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron and Chloë Grace Moretz reprising their voice roles.

By Lovia Gyarkye

Lovia Gyarkye

Arts & Culture Critic

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If you’ve seen The Addams Family , the 2019 animated revival of Charles Addams’ ghoulish cartoons, then the disappointments of The Addams Family 2 won’t be surprising. This predictable and bland sequel, directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, follows the not-so-grisly family on their first road trip. Maybe it’s because the film’s production, like so many others, was interrupted by COVID-19, or maybe its creators think that younger audiences are less astute viewers, but there’s something about this sequel that just isn’t working.

The film opens with its best and arguably only funny character, Wednesday Addams (voiced marvelously by Chloë Grace Moretz), competing in a school science fair. The homicidal genius daughter of Gomez ( Oscar Isaac ) and Morticia ( Charlize Theron ) begins her presentation with a thinly veiled jab at her family. The lines themselves are nothing spectacular, but its Moretz’s delivery — deliberate, sharp, and with a refreshing confidence — that makes the flick’s opening moments feel promising. In the audience, cheering her on, are Wednesday’s painfully enthusiastic parents and her brother, Pugsley (Javon Walton), willfully ignoring her request for them to stay away from the event.

Full credits

Distributor: United Artists Releasing Production companies: Bron Studios, Cinesite Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon ‘Wanna' Walton, Wallace Shawn, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Bill Hader Directors: Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan Screenwriters: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, Susanna Fogel Based on the characters by Charles Addams Producer: Gail Berman, Conrad Vernon, Danielle Sterling, Alison O’Brien Executive producers: Kevin Miserocchi, Jonathan Glickman, Cassidy Lange, Andrew Mittman, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth Editor: Ryan Folsey Composers: Jeff Danna, Mychael Danna Casting director: Robert McGee

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Review: ‘The Addams Family 2’ goes on a road trip but can’t follow the first movie’s clear direction

Wednesday, Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley Addams stand in the desert

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The Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic . Because moviegoing carries risks during this time, we remind readers to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials .

The 2019 animated feature “The Addams Family” was a cute refresh of the classic Addams Family characters for a new, younger audience. Clocking in at 83 years young (Charles Addams’ cartoons debuted in the New Yorker magazine in 1938), it’s amazing that the Addamses have the staying power that they do. The new films, shepherded by directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, stay true to the Charles Addams aesthetic in design and sensibility. The filmmakers have assembled a talented voice cast to embody this macabre and tight-knit family and deliver the hallmark darkly punny dialogue.

For the record:

9:05 a.m. Oct. 1, 2021 An earlier version of this review incorrectly stated that “The Addams Family 2” had five screenwriters. The film has four credited writers: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen and Susanna Fogel.

The first film struck at the heart of what makes the Addams family unique: The way they embrace being different is actually more inclusive and loving than whatever usually passes for “normal.” That sentiment is repeated in the sequel, “The Addams Family 2,” but the whole endeavor, unfortunately, delivers diminishing returns.

Lacking narrative rigor, “The Addams Family 2” is merely a series of loose vignettes knit together by a family road trip format. Patriarch Gomez (Oscar Isaac) is inspired to take the whole crew on a vacation to encourage family bonding after Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz) starts to feel alienated from the rest of the Addamses, embarrassed by their overbearing affections at her school science fair. The suggestion, perpetrated by a persistent lawyer (Wallace Shawn) in hot pursuit, that Wednesday may have been switched at birth, has her questioning everything. Soon it comes to light that this lawyer has been hired by mysterious mogul Cyrus Strange (Bill Hader), but his conviction that Wednesday is his true progeny could be hiding a far more nefarious agenda.

While the family hits Niagara Falls, Sleepy Hollow, Miami Beach, the Alamo and the Grand Canyon, it’s a chance for Wednesday to consider what it means to be an Addams. But the plot structure just feels like the opportunity for a series of slapdash sketches with references to other films like “Carrie,” “Top Gun” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” plus, of course, lots of random moments and montages set to pop tunes. As Wednesday uses a voodoo doll to marionette poor Pugsley (Javon Walton) around to House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” the opening bars of the song will send any elderly millennial or Gen-Xer right back to a sticky beer-soaked dive bar, and that nostalgia bait seems the only reason for that sequence to exist.

“The Addams Family 2” feels as if it’s lost the spark of the first one. The jokes that felt fresh in the first film are stale here, with the story’s twists glaringly predictable. The film boasts four different screenwriters and one can’t help but wonder if this might be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. The film could be amusing for a very young set, but alas, it’s not even spooky enough to truly delight the little horror hound in your life.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

‘The Addams Family 2’

Rated: PG, for macabre and rude humor, violence and language Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes Playing: Starts Oct. 1 in general release; also available on premium VOD

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‘The Addams Family 2’ Review: Wednesday Goes West

America’s creepiest family takes a road trip in this animated sequel, though their antics are far more kooky than spooky.

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By Lena Wilson

In 2019, the Addams family returned to the big screen for the first time since the 1990s, this time in animated form. The macabre clan, directly styled after Charles Addams’s original New Yorker cartoon characters and voiced by a star-studded cast, railed against normalcy and blew up a lot of stuff. Now, in a new sequel, they’re taking that show on the road. Like it’s predecessor, “The Addams Family 2” is more kooky than spooky, offering much more to young children than it may to the adults accompanying them.

This newest iteration opens at a science fair; Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz) has figured out how to implant her pet octopus’s intelligence into her dopey Uncle Fester (Nick Kroll). Though she captures the attention of the wealthy genius Cyrus Strange (Bill Hader), she merely earns a participation award, and her resulting melancholy makes her withdraw further from her parents.

In an attempt to bond with their teenagers, Gomez (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron) take the family on a road trip to Death Valley, but their cross-country antics are waylaid when a pushy stranger (Wallace Shawn) insists Wednesday may have been switched at birth.

The filmmakers (the “Addams Family” and “Sausage Party” directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon) are smart to focus on Wednesday for most of this plot. She is the wittiest character, and it’s difficult to imagine an actor better suited to voice her than Moretz. But where it could lean into the typically bone-dry Addams family humor, this film more often relies on poop jokes, explosions and the musical talents of Snoop Dogg. It’s sure to entertain little ones, but parents may find themselves itching for something more impish.

The Addams Family 2 Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on Apple TV , Google Play and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.

Lena Wilson is a project manager at The New York Times and a freelance writer covering film, TV, technology and lesbian culture. More about Lena Wilson

The Addams Family 2 Review

From scream to shining scream..

The Addams Family 2 opens in theaters on Friday, Oct 1.

The animated adventures of The Addams Family are back with a sequel that creates a confounding amount of noise, unleashes a plot that doesn't make sense within the realm of the Addams, and fails to make the iconic kooky family feel notably different from their surrounding world.

Let's face it, when Cousin It (Snoop Dogg, reprising his 2019 role) is a jet-setting playboy performer who can be a headlining act at any music festival in the country, the Addams family are no longer outliers. They are the machine.

There's nothing inherently wrong with transitioning The Addams Family into animation. An argument can be made that the two big movie adaptations (of the famous '60s TV series) from the '90s -- The Addams Family and (the truly great) Addams Family Values -- were crafted by director Barry Sonnenfeld to be live-action cartoons in a way. The action was heightened and absurd, but also clever. And though the "normal" world that the Addams lived in was elevated to satirical levels, especially the cheeriness of the sequel's Camp Chippewa, the Addams clan still felt giddily ghoulish and awesomely "other."

But The Addams Family 2 makes the central characters feel bland by having them exist in a swirl of over-the-top animated action where they just feel like another spoke in the wheel. When everyone dances to the same pop music (tracks by Snoop Dogg, Megan Thee Stallion, Christina Aguilera, etc.) and gets swept up in the same kinetic craziness, it creates a sameness throughout. In the end, the spare straight-arrow citizens feel like the plagued outcasts in a world that's been usurped by the Addams' bonkers vibes.

The top-shelf voice cast from the first film -- Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Nick Kroll -- is back, with the only notable change being Euphoria 's Javon Walton replacing Stranger Things ' Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley. They're still all very fun, particularly Kroll who goes full-tilt frantic as Fester, but the story itself just doesn't work.

It's a very cut-and-paste animated sequel plot, as franchise follow-ups very often rely on one of the major characters feeling like they don't fit in (see: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa , Shrek 2 , Kung Fu Panda 2 , etc.). But in the case of The Addams Family, it just doesn't gel to have one of characters -- in this case, Wednesday -- feel like they don't belong in the Addams family.

Your favorite Addams is...

Ultimately, Wednesday, feeling embarrassed by her family (which is, again, just weird), makes Gomez go all Clark Griswold and demand a family cross-country bonding trip -- a sight-seeing tour of America's spookiest locales (Salem, Sleepy Hollow, Death Valley, you get the point). At the same time, a wealthy scientist, voiced by Bill Hader, sees his opportunity to sow discord within the Addams' ranks so that he can tap Wednesday's genius for his own gain. Hader is good here, but it's very much a role that doesn't benefit one way or the other from him doing the voice.

There are sentimental parts of The Addams Family 2 that occasionally work, but mostly if you pull them out and place them in an all-together different animated film. Some of the gags are fine too, as The Addams Family, as a franchise, never met a low-hanging pun or joke it didn't like, but nothing here is clever enough to justify the overall effort. It very much feels like an uninspired excuse to distract kids with a press release-ready soundtrack and fast-moving, physics-bending antics.

New Fall Movies 2021: 40 Films to Look Forward To

The Addams Family 2 delivers a crazy, hyperactive animated world in which the Addams feel sadly status quo. On top of that, the story isn't quite massaged and molded enough to make sense within the world of Addams, as Wednesday begins to believe that she somehow doesn't belong with her family. It's a bizarre and overly rambunctious ride that forsakes cleverness for Billboard acts and dizzying set pieces.

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The Addams Family 2

The Addams get tangled up in more wacky adventures and find themselves involved in hilarious run-ins with all sorts of unsuspecting characters. Sequel to the 2019 animated film, 'The Addams ... Read all The Addams get tangled up in more wacky adventures and find themselves involved in hilarious run-ins with all sorts of unsuspecting characters. Sequel to the 2019 animated film, 'The Addams Family'. The Addams get tangled up in more wacky adventures and find themselves involved in hilarious run-ins with all sorts of unsuspecting characters. Sequel to the 2019 animated film, 'The Addams Family'.

Conrad Vernon
Greg Tiernan
Laura Brousseau
Dan Hernandez
Benji Samit
Oscar Isaac
Charlize Theron
Chloë Grace Moretz
143 User reviews
90 Critic reviews
37 Metascore
2 wins & 3 nominations

Top cast 22

Gomez Addams

Morticia Addams

Wednesday Addams

Pugsley Addams

Uncle Fester

Cyrus Strange

Mr. Mustela

Big Bad Ronny

Girl in Water

Miss Lurleen

All cast & crew
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Trivia There is a shot in the film where Wednesday and Lurch (on their way to Sausalito) travel through Death Valley, CA. At one point, Wednesday stops in front of a crossroads sign displaying various fictional locations from horror films. Among them are Haddonfield (from Halloween (1978) ), Crystal Lake (from Friday the 13th (1980) ), the Overlook Hotel (from The Shining (1980) ), Amityville (from The Amityville Horror (1979) ), Elm Street (from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) ), and The Light House (from The Fog (1980) ).
Goofs After leaving Niagara Falls, before arriving in Sleepy Hollow, an Interstate highway interchange for I30 and I35E is shown. The only place this occurs is in Dallas, TX.

Gomez Addams : [to Cousin It] Tell that Billie Eilish she's a little too sunny for my taste. But I'm still a fan.

Crazy credits The first opening credits are shown on gravestones.
Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Barney's Big Blockbuster (2019)
Soundtracks Addams Family Theme Written by Vic Mizzy

User reviews 143

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Oct 1, 2021
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$56,489,153
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Oct 3, 2021
$119,815,153

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 33 minutes
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Digital
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D-Cinema 96kHz Dolby Surround 7.1
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The Addams Family 2 Review

08 Oct 2021

The Addams Family 2

The Addams Family on the big screen has been a tale of diminishing returns. After Barry Sonnenfeld’s hugely enjoyable live-action brace and 2019’s likeable animated origin story , The Addams Family 2 , directed by the Sausage Party pairing of Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, along with Laura Brousseau, is a further dilution of the tone and genius of Charles Addams’ 1938 New Yorker comic strip. The superfluous sequel is neither creepy, kooky, mysterious or spooky (not to mention ooky) — it’s just plain old bland.

The story is a paper-thin affair as Gomez ( Oscar Isaac ), feeling Wednesday ( Chloë Grace Moretz ) is drifting away from him, announces the family are going on a road trip in a Wacky Races -styled camper van to — where else? — Death Valley. So, there are stop-offs at Niagara Falls (bobbing around in barrels malarkey), Miami ( Snoop Dogg ’s Cousin It shows up on a jet ski), San Antonio (Wednesday enters a Miss Jalapeno pageant that ends like Carrie’s prom) and the Grand Canyon (Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton’s Pugsley blows shit up).

The film’s biggest crime is to shave off any of the edges that marked out Charles Addams’ original work.

The plot driver, as it is, revolves around a lawyer who looks just like Wallace Shawn (happily voiced by him too) chasing down the clan in order to get Wednesday to undergo a DNA test to prove she is not an Addams (the reason for this is obvious from the get-go). Meanwhile, Pugsley is taking dating tips from Nick Kroll ’s Uncle Fester (monumentally unfunny) and Bette Midler , as Grandma Addams, is throwing a raucous house party while housesitting the family mansion (marginally funnier).

The only joy comes from Moretz’s droll, withering line readings (“I’ve been social distancing since birth”, “Excuse me, vacuous lemmings”) and a running gag about a couple getting engaged. The rest is a hodgepodge of musical interludes (Megan Thee Stallion rubs shoulders with oldies: Pugsley being voodoo-dolled about to House Of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’; Lurch belting out Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ at a biker bar), random pop-cultural touchstones (a Jaws dolly zoom gag, a Billie Eilish riff), dull slapstick (Fester drops his ‘balls’ while juggling) and colourless voice performances, surprisingly from Isaac and Charlize Theron , capturing nothing of Gomez and Morticia’s chemistry and passion.

But the film’s biggest crime is to shave off any of the edges that marked out Charles Addams’ original work. There’s a sentimentality at play here that feels completely at odds with the spirit of the source. Even within its PG framework there could be a sense of the macabre, strangeness and irreverence that lies at the dark heart of the first family of frights. Instead, it’s flavourless, kid-friendly animation that could come from anyone. Perhaps Wednesday isn’t the only one who needs to take a DNA test.

Movies | 16 02 2022

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

Movie Review – The Addams Family 2 (2021)

January 18, 2022 by Robert Kojder

The Addams Family 2 , 2021.

Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan. Featuring the voice talents of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, Bette Midler, Wallace Shawn, Snoop Dogg, Conrad Vernon, Cherami Leigh, and Bill Hader.

The Addams get tangled up in more wacky adventures and find themselves involved in hilarious run-ins with all sorts of unsuspecting characters.

Returning directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan have a tantalizing idea of what to do with The Addams Family 2 in once again centering the narrative on Wednesday Addams (voiced again by Chloe Grace Moretz, continuing to nail the monotone voice for methods of torture and brainiac scientific experimentation, making the character one of her best roles even if the movies themselves can’t keep up with her), this time more detached from her family than usual while grappling with her identity and where she fits in as an Addams.

In execution (the script comes from a collection of writers, which likely explains the messiness of the whole affair and inability to get to the heart of the story), the filmmakers have decided that the best approach is a generic family vacation, which feels like something you save for about the 5th movie when the well of ideas is dry. Yes, the charming Gomez Adams (Oscar Isaac), alongside his lovingly spooky wife Morticia (Charlize Theron), has decided that the solution for a renewed semblance of unity is bonding across the USA, visiting a combination of traditional landmarks such as Niagara Falls and haunted areas like the mythical Sleepy Hollow.

Creatively bankrupt, I suppose it would still be able to work if the family (which also includes some Pugsley now voiced by Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton and Nick Kroll’s dimwitted, pun-obsessed Uncle Fester) were forced into humorous situations that weave into meaningful dialogue exchanges. Instead, there is contentment driving from location to location where shenanigans ensue (admittedly, sometimes mildly amusing) that’s primarily forgettable and try-hard set to pop music. In pursuit of the titular family is Wallace Shawn’s Mr. Mustela, who has been contracted to bring Wednesday to a place that would reveal the identity of her birth parents. Again, since The Addams Family 2 is more concerned with mining jokes from traveling misadventures, none of it amounts to much until the third act when the screenwriters switch gears to addressing the plot.

Until then, The Addams Family 2 involves Uncle Fester (who was slowly but surely transforming into an octopus for reasons I won’t explain here) passing down his self-published dating advice books to Pugsley, who tries to woo various girls on the vacation. Meanwhile, Wednesday eavesdrops on the conversations between Gomez and Morticia while questioning if it could all be true (Uncle Fester tells recounts a silly hospital nursery story explaining how two babies could have gotten mixed up) and rationalizing that maybe this is why she has always felt so different from the family. Initially, Gomez and Morticia assume it’s one of Wednesday’s schemes to get out of spending time with them, but as the pursuit continues, it becomes clear to them that something else is brewing.

So much of The Addams Family 2 is immediately forgettable, even if it’s nowhere near as lazily constructed as some of the worst animated offenders out there (it’s also impressively rich in CGI detail and pleasant to look at). One would assume a freewheeling approach rather than conventional storytelling would function as a breath of fresh air, but none of it is in service to the characters, rather what hijinks the filmmakers can write the family into at sites like Miami Beach.

The movie does fare better as Bill Hader’s Cyrus is introduced, an identifiably nefarious scientist that could be Wednesday’s actual father. Of course, all of this is predictable, but if The Addams Family 2 had bothered to explore that dynamic and pry into what belonging means to Wednesday (as the story initially proposes) rather than turn its back on that intriguing idea for shoulder-shrugging vacation pratfalls, there would be something worth investing in. These voice actors are precise for the roles and deserve an Addams Family movie with value. Here’s hoping the third time casts a spell.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd , or email me at [email protected]

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‘The Addams Family 2’ Review: This Spooky Animated Family Sequel Doesn’t Scare Up Much Charm

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The 2019 animated reboot of “The Addams Family” had a tough hill to climb, tasked with appealing to both fans of the classic television series and the popular 1990s live-action movies, but directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon — the duo behind the raunchy “Sausage Party” — were able to make something darling. The duo’s followup, the unimaginatively titled “ The Addams Family 2 ,” doesn’t continue that trend and, in many regards, shows that there’s (finally) no gas left in the tank when it comes to these beloved characters.

Newly integrated into the world of the average American citizen, when the film opens, the Addams clan seems to be on stable footing, but discontent still lurks, as young Wednesday (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz) feels adrift from her family. Family patriarch Gomez (voiced by Oscar Isaac), determined to show his daughter how much he loves and supports her, decides to take the gang on a family road trip. Inevitably, the road trip comes with its own issues, especially once Gomez and Morticia (voiced by Charlize Theron) are told Wednesday might not be their daughter after all.

The last animated “Addams Family” venture worked as both an origin story and a contained tale about choosing to live as the type of (appropriately kooky) family that suits your clan best. That sense of structure and inherent spirit is lacking right away, with Wednesday soon using her Uncle Fester (voiced by Nick Kroll) as a subject for a science fair project. She wants to take out his negative qualities and swap them with the more intelligent qualities of her squid pal, Socrates. The experiment doesn’t win her a prize — the joke is “just trying is the same as winning,” which seems a bit mean-spirited right off the bat — but this off-kilter bit does introduce her to a man named Cyrus Strange (voiced by Bill Hader).

Maybe because the Addams family have come to personify all that is strange and unusual, it’s hard to see Wednesday’s affect any differently. She talks about being distanced from her family, but there’s no evidence of it before or leading up to the central conflict, so it leaves the plot clunking and stopping from point-to-point. The road trip and the concerns that Wednesday was possibly switched at birth never feel like organic progressions so much as two different storylines mushed together to fill out the narrative.

That’s made all the more irritating by the fact that there are interesting elements that could yield from either plotline. Audiences didn’t get to see much of Gomez being a tenderhearted father in the last film and this new outing happily corrects that; it is very much his movie. Isaac gets an opportunity to have fun, throwing out different accents (including a hilarious Southern twang) but, more importantly, we see the devoted father he is. The thought of Wednesday entering the awkward teenager phase breaks his heart, but instead of giving her space, he doubles down on smothering her with affection.

(L to R) Chloë Grace Moretz as the voice of Wednesday Addams, Oscar Isaac as the voice of Gomez Addams, Charlize Theron as the voice of Morticia Addams, Nick Kroll as the voice of Uncle Fester, Javon Walton as the voice of Pugsley Addams, and Conrad Vernon as the voice of Lurch in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2, directed by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures © 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

But the road trip element of the narrative is little more than an opportunity to plunk the mysterious and spooky Addams clan in different locations. Oddly enough, there’s no sense of mocking or, really, any humor derived from the various locations the group goes to. Whereas the previous features, even the animated one, delighted in seeing the Addams react to people who are different from them, there’s absolutely nothing like that here, with the exception of a running gag about a couple trying to get engaged.

The switched at birth storyline is just as ill-defined, mostly because there never even seems to be a possibility that it will be true. Uncle Fester talks about being involved in the situation, but even in the flashback, there’s never a doubt that Wednesday is an Addams. It’s a red herring through and through, and when the narrative unwinds to its conclusion, it’s all held together by process of elimination.

Because Cyrus is the only outsider the Addams meet, it’s obvious he’ll be involved somehow, yet his entire subplot is only wrapped up within the last 15 minutes of the feature. Even Gomez’s sadness at possibly losing his daughter is rushed through, one of many moments in the film where anything passing for sentimentality is immediately (and jarringly) followed by loud noises or rap music. It’s almost as if the film’s creative team is afraid of losing the audience to any moments that make the characters feel human, as opposed to weirdos who simply enjoy fart-based humor.

That’s a step back, as one of the biggest surprises of the first animated film was in Tiernan and Vernon’s ability to bring some of their more adult-centric humor to a decidedly family-friendly film. Much of that is tamped down here, mostly in favor of toilet humor and at least one sequence that sees Uncle Fester juggling, only to fall down the stairs screaming, “My balls!” Other moments poke fun at horror conventions, including a mind-reading segment that shows off just how smart and fun this all could be.

Not that there isn’t time to amp up the smarts and laughs: The movie barely clocks in at feature length, with the final 10-15 comprised of a music performance by Snoop Dogg, who also plays Cousin IT, and animated credits showing the Addams on a trip around the world. Why was that adventure not the focus of this movie? A missed opportunity through and through, “The Addams Family 2” is a giant step backward for a franchise that already had its work cut out for it and mostly succeeded the first time around. If this is what the Addams family are up to these days, audiences likely won’t feel compelled to go along on the next altogether ooky outing.

A United Artists and MGM release, “The Addams Family 2” is in theaters and on demand on now.

As new movies open in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic, IndieWire will continue to review them whenever possible. We encourage readers to follow the safety precautions provided by CDC and health authorities. Additionally, our coverage will provide alternative viewing options whenever they are available.

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The Addams Family 2 Reviews

The Addams Family 2 feels more like a commercial product churned out with minimal effort instead of a truly satisfying sequel to its passable but still promising predecessor.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Jul 14, 2022

The film simply tears across the country looking for a reason to be. Too often, its just a bunch of things happening at once without really moving the plot forward.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 3, 2022

The Addams Family 2 repeats what the first movie accomplished by taking the popular family and turning them into one of the most boringly generic kids films in recent years.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Feb 16, 2022

Isaac is the perfect Latin lover, Gomez, while Theron has a deep and sensual voice, and exudes confidence, traits which are needed to portray Morticia.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 18, 2022

There are references to pop culture landmarks (Jaws, Easy Rider) but the screenplay, the work of four writers, lacks sparkle and a little of it goes a long way.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 8, 2022

The Addams Family 2 is a smug and self-satisfied film - a Carrie reference. Really? - but for absolutely no discernible reason.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 7, 2022

While it does have the audiences best interest at heart, but unfortunatley it falls apart by taking the characters too far away from their roots.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 7, 2022

The Addams Family 2 does little to honour Charles Addams' original work in any of the manners we've seen prior.

Nothing can change the fact that it's yet another example of Hollywood cannibalising its own in its eagerness to keep up the flow of franchises on which the studios rely these days for their sustenance.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 6, 2022

While Moretz performs with deadpan relish, the creaking script gives her little funny to say, and satirical jabs at mainstream America proffer little more than jokes about tourists taking selfies.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 6, 2022

Frankly, this is quite a torture to sit through - and not in the intended Addams kind of way.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 12, 2021

Some of this isn't terrible, but it has the misfortune for the jokes to get increasingly anodyne and detached from both the plot and the characters as it goes forward.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 29, 2021

Maybe movies about the ghoulish Addams Family work like the old "Star Trek" franchise, where the even-numbered ones were the good ones.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 29, 2021

The story isn't wholly terrible and the voice talent is acceptable, but the low-brow toilet humor and mindless filler makes this one feel like another manufactured babysitter from the animation factory.

Full Review | Oct 22, 2021

I had to go back to my notes to remind myself what even happened in the film. The answer is not much.

Full Review | Oct 20, 2021

It's a little more kooky and spooky but still not altogether ooky as a sequel more bearable than funny.

Full Review | Oct 16, 2021

Creator Charles Addams wouldn't just spin in his grave after seeing the cinematic abomination, he'd rise from it and give the filmmakers plenty of scary material to use...

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Oct 15, 2021

The animation is witty, if not quite wonderful... It's not a classic, but better than the 2019 film.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 15, 2021

It's not a classic, but it is fun.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 15, 2021

This serviceable animated sequel focuses on Wednesday's feelings of alienation and benefits from the family's kid-friendly jokes and road trip adventures.

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Scary or Not Scary? A Parent’s Review of ‘The Addams Family 2’

BEST FOR AGES 9 AND UP

*Warning: Minor spoilers ahead*

The Addams family is everybody’s favorite offbeat brood, and the latest iteration of the New Yorker cartoon turned TV and film franchise is about to hit the big—and small—screen. Yep, we’re talking about The Addams Family 2 , the sequel to the 2019 animated film that is being released in cinemas and for online rental on October 1. If you’re not familiar with the modern portrayal of the classic characters, you might have a few questions about whether or not the dark content is actually appropriate to watch with your kids. Find out everything parents need to know about the highly-anticipated sequel in our The Addams Family 2 movie review.

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The Plot

The Addams Family 2 begins with a science fair, and a particularly stand-offish Wednesday Addams (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz) who turns her characteristically dark and dour personality against her family in classic teen fashion. In fact, Wednesday unveils her entry in said fair—a machine designed to transplant personality traits from one living thing into another—with a monologue that reveals her inspiration for the project: Have you ever found yourself discontented by those closest to you? Are you irked by their inability to heed simple requests, such as ‘please don’t come to my science fair’? Do you ever wish you could take their undesirable qualities and eliminate them forever?

Of course, Wednesday’s disdain for her family doesn’t put a damper on the enthusiasm of her spooky but ever-doting parents, Morticia Addams (Charlize Theron) and Gomez Addams (Oscar Isaac). However, when Wednesday snubs yet another family dinner, her parents decide that some family bonding, in the form of a cross-country road trip, is in order. And thus begins the next big Addams family adventure.

The storyline largely focuses on Wednesday’s relationship to her family (she may have been switched at birth, thanks to uncle Fester’s penchant for juggling babies), peppered with all the violent slapstick comedy and quippy dark humor you’d expect.

What Parents Need to Know

It seems silly to complain about dark humor in an Addams Family movie, but there’s an argument to be made that The Addams Family 2 , an animated film presumably intended for young audiences, takes it too far. For example, Wednesday’s voodoo doll of her brother Pugsley is introduced early on with a mildly shocking neck-twisting scene but becomes even more disturbing when she uses it to make her brother dance violently in front of young girls he’s trying to flirt with before throwing the doll, and her brother along with it, into Niagara Falls. Ultimately the entire family takes a similar plunge and survives—but while the whole thing is meant to be humorous, it likely won’t go over the heads of even the youngest viewers that Wednesday tried to murder her brother and very nearly succeeded. It’s also not an isolated event—at the start of their journey Wednesday casually tries to suffocate her brother with a pillow while Gomez shares the trip itinerary with the family. When Wednesday takes off for California, her brother is discovered in her bed, bound and gagged.

It’s also worth noting that the violence is not limited to attempted homicides. The lawyer disappears from the movie after Wednesday suspends him from a cliff and then quips that she “let him go.” In Miami, Wednesday punishes a couple of kids who teased her on the beach by sending a thundercloud to follow and electrocute them repeatedly—an act of revenge depicted with lightning bolts and running skeletons. In another scene, Pugsley blows up the Grand Canyon with explosives; kids may not connect the dots, but it’s pretty clear the implication is that a lot of tourists were killed as a result. While one certainly expects the macabre in an Addams Family movie, it’s unclear how well the comedy translates to an animated film. In fact, it’s fair to say that it’s considerably more disturbing and grotesque in this format than compared to, say, Addams Family Values —the 90s cult favorite in which references to sibling murder reign supreme, but come off as more campy and funny than actually freaky.

Aside from the dark humor and violence, parents should also be aware that some other adult themes are present. For the most part, these are just one-liners that will get a chuckle out of the grown-ups in the room, while making little to no impression on younger viewers. (Example: Wednesday grants her mother permission to “take a new lover” in the event her dad dies.) However, some parents may find it a bit problematic when Wednesday wanders into a bar where a gang of menacing bikers are drinking booze and having violent bar fights. It’s all a bit gratuitous, but the edge is taken off when said bikers start dancing to Aretha Franklin and turn out to be, well, nice.

Now that we’ve covered some of the more eyebrow-raising elements of the movie, let’s talk about the highlights. For starters, the all-star cast of voice actors is nothing to shake a stick at. More importantly, though, The Addams Family 2 does a good job of sticking to the spirit of the original series with themes of familial love. Morticia and Gomez are consistently devoted to their children and to each other, and by the end of the film Wednesday learns that it’s OK to be different and is thus able to embrace her family as well. Attempted murder notwithstanding, they are a rather wholesome family.

The takeaway? This one can be an entertaining watch, but it’s really best suited for older kids.

Run time: 93 minutes

MPAA rating: PG

PureWow Rating: 2.5 stars

An action-packed, dark comedy with positive messages about family and self-acceptance…and loads of violence.

For a full breakdown of PureWow's entertainment rating system, click here .

Scary or Not Scary? A Parent’s Review of Camila Cabello’s ‘Cinderella’

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The Addams Family 2 Movie Review – Colorful but Overcomplicated

A long road trip distracts from the major story..

Kidzworld saw The Addams Family 2. Wednesday’s parentage is questioned. Can a family road trip lead to bonding or just a series of unrelated challenges? Read our review!

In The Addams Family 2 , Wednesday’s (Chloë Grace Moretz) science fair exhibit attracts mad scientist/sponsor Cyrus Strange’s (Bill Hader) attention. Seems her successful transfer of pet octopus Socrates’ smarts to Uncle Fester (Nick Kroll) is just what he needs to finish his own work. Later, when a lawyer comes to tell the Addams that there was a mix-up at birth and Wednesday is not their child, they are mortified. Since the kids have been more distant, Gomez (Oscar Isaac) decides to take the family on a cross country road trip but the lawyer, assigned to bring Wednesday to his client, is in constant pursuit.

Science Fair

Wednesday’s school science fair project asks how do we eliminate undesirable qualities in our families? When Uncle Fester can’t figure out a Rubik’s Cube and her pet octopus can, Wednesday is able to transfer, via a cocktail, the animal’s smarts into Fester. Everyone at the fair, including the Addams family, is impressed but Pugsley (Javon Wanna Walton) manages to set the room on fire destroying most of the projects. At an awards ceremony, all of the entrants are deemed “winners”. Wednesday is appalled. She obviously won. Sponsor Cyrus Strange offers her a partnership if she will give him her “recipe”. She says it’s a family secret and turns him down.

A Road Trip and a Lawyer

Wednesday is tired of family antics and won’t come to dinner. Pugsley is listening to Fester’s strange dating advice. Gomez convinces Morticia (Charlize Theron) that a family road trip is needed for bonding. Before the family can leave, a lawyer arrives representing a client from Sausalito, California who says babies were switched at birth and Wednesday is not their child! They think this is Wednesday’s plot to keep from going on the family vacation and dismiss the lawyer without his needed DNA test. Grandmama (Bette Midler) vows to watch the house and the family is off in their wild-looking camper van. The little lawyer and a thug follow them.

Niagara Falls, Sleepy Hollow and Miami

Due to a wrong turn (Thing and Fester are driving), the family ends up at Niagara Falls where Wednesday is bored and decides to manipulate Pugsley with a voo voo doll. She ends up tossing the doll over the falls and, of course, Pugsley goes over too. Gomez, Morticia and Wednesday end up going over in barrels. Doesn’t work for bonding. Back home, Grandma is throwing a wild party and charging admission. Later, camping at Sleepy Hollow, Wednesday overhears Fester admitting that he did “juggle” a few of the babies at the hospital when she was born. Does this mean she is not an Addams? In Miami the family meets with Cousin It (Snoop Dogg) who will join the trip. Not exactly beach material, Wednesday is more miserable than ever.

San Antonio

On the way to San Antonio, Wednesday learns from It that he shaved his bod as a teen to fit in then decided to own who he really is… a furball. She admits she doesn’t really know who she is. With the lawyer and thug in pursuit, Gomez enters Wednesday in a “Little Miss Jalapeno” contest to hide her. Her “look” is totally changed. She is forced to dance and sing with the other contestants on stage. Lawyer doesn’t recognize her until she makes red paint dump on all the other contestants. Gomez yells that the lawyer is a talent scout and all the rabid stage moms jump all over him while the family gets away. Wednesday will never forgive Gomez for the humiliation of the contest.

Grand Canyon and Death Valley

Cousin It leaves the trip and Morticia gifts Wednesday with a family heirloom necklace. Answering the temporarily captured lawyer’s phone, Wednesday learns that Cyrus Strange is his client and he thinks Wednesday is really his daughter. After using her own DNA kit, Wednesday learns that Gomez isn’t her dad! She leaves for Sausalito to learn the truth. Lurch follows and they head off together meeting a group of bikers in Death Valley and ending up at a biker bar where Lurch charms them and he and Wednesday hitch a ride with the bikers to Sausalito.

Cyrus Strange’s Mansion

At Strange’s mansion, they are welcomed, Wednesday’s DNA is tested and is a match! She’s found her real family. The Addams family arrives and Pugsley falls for Strange’s weird daughter Ophelia. Gomez just can’t accept that Wednesday is not his daughter. Morticia is sure Strange’s DNA test is a lie. Will the truth ever come out? What danger is the family in? Will they ever get back home and will Wednesday be with them? Which DNA test is true, if any?

Wrapping Up

Although Addams Family 2 is entertaining, it’s as if screenwriters took two plots and tried to weave them together in an “everything and the kitchen sink” manner. One story questions Wednesday’s parentage and creates a villain who is trying to create killer humans with animal instincts and needing Wednesday’s brilliance to achieve his goal. That alone is enough but no, we throw in a wacky family “bonding” road trip with cross-country adventures that have nothing to do with the other plot. Cousin It arrives from time to time with no real purpose and nothing to add to the story. Uncle Fester is suddenly a dating expert for Pugsley? Although colorful and interestingly animated, all of this and more is just too much.

The production design is great. The Addams family travel “van/camper” looks amazing and fits their style perfectly. Various animated trip locations are nice duplicates of real locales but there are just too many of them.

Some of the physical gags are fun. I loved seeing the Thing hand slathered in hand sanitizer. There seems to be a wacky combo of rap and other music that sometimes, doesn’t really illustrate the story. The theme of family and belonging despite being “different” is worthy but is the same as the last “Addams” 2019 film. Famous actors do a great job of voicing the characters but their efforts seem almost wasted when the story is so disjointed.

You will probably enjoy seeing the cute animated family together again but for this over-stuffed story we can only award three stars.

The Addams Family 2 Movie Rating:

See the addams family 2 in theaters and on demand october 1 st .

The Addams Family 2 (2021) Movie Review – More kooky than spooky but a lot of good fun

This animated sequel is more kooky than spooky and a lot of good fun.

The Addams Family first came into being in 1938 when Charles Addams created a comic strip for the New Yorker featuring the spooky and kooky characters.

Their lives and stories didn’t end on the page of course as they later became the subjects of a popular television show that materialised in 1964. They were resurrected again for two popular films in the early 90s, and in 2019, the family were brought to life again, this time in animated form for an origin story. The Addams Family 2 is the sequel to that surprisingly likeable movie and while it’s perhaps not as good as the first, it still manages to raise a smile, despite its grim cast of characters.

In this one, Gomez (Oscar Isaac) organises a road trip to bring the family closer together but despite his best-laid plans, the opposite becomes true when mad scientist Cyrus Strange tries to wrangle Wednesday away from the gruesome clan. After chasing her down to make her undergo a DNA test, it becomes clear that the morbid teenager might not be the biological daughter of Gomez and Morticia. This is shocking news for her parents but Wednesday happily accepts the news and moves in with the guy who is apparently her ‘real’ father.

Despite this surprising plot twist, the movie doesn’t overdo the sentimentality. While Wednesday’s parents are understandably perturbed by Wednesday’s haste to abandon them, the movie still aims to tickle the funny bone with a series of well-played set pieces.

Uncle Fester transforms into an octopus after one of Wednesday’s science experiments takes an unusual turn; Lurch gets to show off his surprisingly high-pitched singing voice at a biker bar; Pugsley is used like a puppet when Wednesday manipulates his body using a voodoo doll, and Grandma Addams throws a crazy house party while the family are away.

But as funny as these scenes are, they don’t hold a candle to a scene later in the movie when the family meets Mrs Strange. Her introduction is a laugh out loud moment and she continues to raise a chuckle whenever she appears on the screen. I’m not going to say why as you need to see her for yourself but believe me when I say Cyrus is well and truly henpecked by his unusual wife.

The movie is full of sight gags and one-liners, and while they don’t all work, there is still enough here to please children and adults alike. There are also references to horror films past, such as a road sign at a crossroads that points to locations that will be familiar to fans of the genre. Haddonfield, Crystal Lake, and Elm Street are just three of the destinations that will need no introduction if you are familiar with their corresponding movies.

Some of the Easter eggs in the movie will fly over the heads of kids but this doesn’t matter as they should have a good time with this regardless. The inherent craziness of the characters and the ghoulish humour that runs throughout should keep them engaged, especially if they enjoy stories that are tinged with a little bit of darkness. And adults should have no trouble trying to stay awake if they choose to tune in as this isn’t as bland or as childish as the many other animated movies that are ostensibly made for a younger audience.

The movie has an excellent voice cast, including Charlize Theron as Morticia, Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester, Snoop Dog as Cousin It, and the aforementioned Isaac and Moretz as Gomez and Wednesday respectively. They give the gloomy characters more personality than you would expect, with a special shout-out to Snoop who manages to retain his special blend of charm, despite voicing a diminutive character that is mostly made up of hair.

It’s surprising that this movie is as good as it is as there have been several other attempts to bring classic comic strip characters to life, with less than successful results. The recent Marmaduke is one such example and as you can see from the review here , that movie is as bad as they come.

The Addams Family 2 recently made its debut on Amazon Prime Video (in the UK at least) and is worth a watch, especially if you enjoy the macabre but comical tone that is the trademark for this creepy bunch of characters. The 2019 movie was arguably better, partly because of the comic mayhem that was raised when the Addams’s interacted with the ‘normal’ folks of their neighbourhood, but this is still a worthy sequel.

The movie is recommended then and it’s probably better than you’re expecting after the negative critical response it has received elsewhere. It’s not perfect – some of the setups aren’t milked for their comedic worth and it’s not as edgy as its forebears – but it’s still good, creepy fun.

Another sequel would not be unwelcome although I hope an effort is made to maintain the quality of the writing, something that didn’t seem to happen with the recent Hotel Transylvania outing which sucked more than its vampiric protagonists.

Feel free to check out more of our movie reviews here!

Verdict - 7/10 7/10

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THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2

"dark humor clouds pro-family content".

	None	Light	Moderate	Heavy
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity

What You Need To Know:

Miscellaneous Immorality: Very dysfunctional family portrayals, a mad scientist uses animal DNA to alter humans, and lying.

More Detail:

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 opens at a school science fair. Wednesday Addams looks at her peers with disgust as they showcase their various projects, confident she will win. At the end of the fair, the teachers announce that everyone wins the fair, just for participating. Wednesday is indignant since her family came to the fair to support her; so, her father, Gomez Addams, hatches a plan for family bonding – a cross-country road trip.

Right before the family leaves, a lawyer comes to their front door, inquiring about Wednesday because, apparently, the day of her birth there was a switch up of babies at the hospital. Could Wednesday belong to another family? After starting on the road, the Addams arrive at Niagara Falls. They evade the lawyer, who’s followed them on their family trip, by plummeting over the Falls in barrels.

Next, the family travels to Sleepy Hollow where Wednesday overhears there’s a possibility that she’s not an Addams. After Sleepy Hollow, the Addams go to Miami, where they pick up Cousin It and travel to San Antonio, Texas. When they arrive, the lawyer is hot on their trail. To camouflage Wednesday, Gomez puts her in a beauty pageant for girls her age. Certainly, the lawyer won’t recognize her now, right?

At the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the family camps out for the night, and Wednesday catches the looming lawyer spying on the family. After capturing the lawyer, Wednesday learns he’s working for a man who was at her science fair and is convinced Wednesday is his and his wife’s child. As a result, Wednesday conducts her own DNA test and unearths that he’s right, she’s not actually an Addams. So, Wednesday and Lurch, the family butler, continue onto Death Valley, Calif., without the rest of the Addams family.

Gomez, Morticia and the rest of the family realize Wednesday is gone. They set out to find her, but will they be successful?

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 does a great job explaining on screen actions, without treating the viewers like they need to be spoon-fed. For parents, the movie might be a bit predictable, but might be surprised at some of the twists and turns in the plot. The characters are spot-on animated versions of the previous portrayed characters in the 1990s live-action movies and the original comics drawn by Charles Addams, the creator. THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 has engaging stakes and some modern music that add to its modernity.

That said, ADDAMS FAMILY 2 has a strong occult worldview where characters rely heavily on darkness and occultism to motivate their actions, including chanting spells, playing with voodoo dolls and physical harm, which gets portrayed as a means for love. There’s also a villain with humanist characteristics because he’s driven by “science” and greed to achieve success. This negative content is slightly mitigated by some strong moral elements about family togetherness and one redemptive line about forgiveness. There are also a few comical scenes about a marriage engagement, which stresses pro-family values. Ultimately, though, despite the movie’s lightly redemptive ending, the dark humor, occultism, heavy animated violence, and miscellaneous immorality in THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 are an excessive, unacceptable mixture.

More From Forbes

30 great movie sequels that are better than the originals.

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"Terminator 2: Judgment Day", directed by James Cameron.

Movie sequels can get a bad rep. Sometimes, it feels like Hollywood only makes sequels and reboots, which can lead to audiences wanting something original. However, many sequels are great films; the best ones can be better than the original. While sequels are most common in genres like sci-fi, action and horror, the best can come from any genre. Many sequels come from mega franchises like Lord of the Rings , Star Wars or even Pirates of the Caribbean ; however, others are simple part twos or stand-alone sequel films. But what makes a top sequel? The greatest movie sequels feel deserved, fresh and often even necessary, just like all the films on this list.

Top Movie Sequels

While the films on this list can be horror, romance, comedy or even family movies, they all need to be a recognizable follow-up to another film. This list omits films that are connected mainly by themes, such as Wang Kar-wai’s In The Mood for Love as a sequel to Days of Being Wild . It also omits films that were not originally intended to be thought of as a franchise, such as Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy .

Sometimes, the line between reboot and sequel is thin. However, in a ranking of sequels, there should be no question as to whether the filmmakers intended the film to be an obvious follow-up. This list considers both the sequel's quality within its franchise and its overall quality as a film equally.

30. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Many horror sequels aren’t great. However, The Conjuring 2 is surprisingly good and arguably the best film in the franchise. It was directed by James Wan and stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson.

While the film starts with paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren’s most famous case at the Amityville house, it quickly focuses on a lesser-known case as Ed and Lorraine investigate the haunting of a family in London in the 1970s. The film has two of the best horror sequences in the franchise (a scene at the Amityville house and a second with a hide-and-clap game.) The Conjuring 2 is currently streaming on Netflix.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, 29. jackass: 3d (2010).

Johnny Knoxville at the premiere of the film "Jackass 3D."

If you aren’t a fan of the Jackass movies, skip this entry. These films are not for everyone and aren’t exactly high-brow. However, in the Jackass franchise, 3D is the best film. The film stars Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, "Danger Ehren" McGhehey, Dave England, Preston Lacy, Wee Man and Chris Pontius as they perform dangerous and hilarious stunts.

The film has a certain reverence and nostalgia for the earlier movies and TV show while still pushing the crew to go bigger and better with their stunts. However, there is an undercurrent of melancholy in the film as well. The cast isn’t young anymore, and their bodies won’t be able to do this forever. These themes are compounded by the death of Dunn, who died in a car crash the year after the film’s release. While most of the crew came back for 2022’s Jackass Forever , 3D still feels like an end of an era. The film ends with the song "Memories” by Weezer, which pushes the viewer to feel for the stunt performers and the lives they have chosen to lead. It is currently streaming on Paramount+.

28. 22 Jump Street (2014)

22 Jump Street is not a perfect film, and as with many comedies, it doesn’t age perfectly either; however, it is a surprisingly good sequel to a surprisingly good remake (2012’s 21 Jump Street , based on the TV show of the same name). The film follows two officers who have to go undercover to infiltrate a college to stop a drug supplier.

The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who have made multiple great sequels, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. The film stars Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Peter Stormare and Ice Cube. Inkoo Kang wrote of the film for a review in The Wrap, “If 22 isn’t as trim and tight as its predecessor, it’s certainly smarter and more heartfelt. Whether this sequel is better than the original is up for debate, but the franchise has definitely grown up.” 22 Jump Street is available to rent on Amazon Prime , YouTube , Google Play and Apple TV.

27. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

There have been a lot of Star Trek films of varying quality, and while many might prefer later films, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is arguably the most iconic. The film is a sequel not only to the first film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, but also to the television episode "Space Seed" from 1967. The film follows Captain Kirk and his crew as his old nemesis, Khan, escapes from imprisonment and returns to seek revenge.

The film is part of a three-film arc that also includes 1984’s Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and 1986’s Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home . However, of the three, The Wrath of Khan is the best. Directed by Nicholas Meyer, it stars William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Ricardo Montalbán. The film is notably the first feature film with a sequence created entirely with computer graphics. It is currently streaming on Paramount+ .

26. Addams Family Values (1993)

Joan Cusack and Christopher Lloyd in 'Addams Family Values', 1993.

“But Debbie... Pastels?” The sequel to 1991’s The Addams Family , Addams Family Values is a bit of a cult classic film . The film follows the Addams family as a new baby and an interloper turned fiancé disrupt family life. Meanwhile, the kids go to summer camp.

While the film isn’t perfect, it is zany fun that acts as a solid follow-up, featuring some impressive set pieces and performances. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the film stars Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci, Carol Kane and David Krumholtz. The film was Julia’s last film released during his lifetime (he also appeared in 1994’s Street Fighter, which was released posthumously). The film is possibly most famous for its Thanksgiving play scene, which has been reassessed over the years. It is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV.

25. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Technically, the sixth film in the Shrek franchise, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish , is a sequel to the 2011 spin-off film Puss in Boots . The film follows Puss in Boots and several other fairytale characters as they race to a wishing star, which Puss hopes will restore his nine lives.

The film is a breath of fresh air in a franchise that has been falling in quality since 2004’s Shrek 2 . It is dynamically animated and features a surprisingly scary villain. The film stars Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, John Mulaney and Wagner Moura. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, but it lost to Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio . Interestingly, Del Toro was an executive producer on the original Puss in Boots film and even made a voice cameo. The Last Wish is currently streaming on Peacock .

24. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Matt Damon films scenes for "The Bourne Ultimatum."

The third Jason Bourne film, The Bourne Ultimatum , is the best of the five-film franchise. The film follows the psychogenic amnesiac/former CIA agent Jason Bourne as he crosses paths with a reporter and a series of elite killers.

Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film stars Matt Damon and Julia Stiles. The Bourne Ultimatum won three Oscars for its editing and sound and appeared on several top movies of 2007 lists. It currently holds a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is currently streaming on Max.

23. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Poster for "Top Gun: Maverick."

There is no reason for the sequel to 1986’s Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick , to be as good as it is. The film follows Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as he returns to teach at Top Gun Academy; among his students is his deceased best friend and co-pilot’s son, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw.

The film stars Top Gun alums Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer as well as Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman and Ed Harris. While the film's premiere was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a commercial and critical success upon its release in 2022. It was nominated for six Oscars, winning Best Sound. In a review for the Wrap , Alonso Duralde wrote, “ Top Gun: Maverick counts as a worthy sequel in that it succeeds and fails in many of the same ways as the original." It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Paramount+.

22. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

It is easy to get burnt out on endless superhero film sequels in the Marvel movie era. However, some great comic book movie sequels exist, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Deadpool 2, Thor: Ragnarok and Blade 2 . While Hellboy II: The Golden Army might not be the first superhero sequel that comes to mind, it is a bit of an underrated gem and better than 2004’s Hellboy.

Directed and written by Guillermo del Toro, the film follows Hellboy and his team as they take on a prince of the underworld and his ancient army of killing machines. The film stars Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Jeffrey Tambor and Luke Goss. Roger Ebert said of the film, “In every way the equal of del Toro's original Hellboy , although perhaps a little noisier, it's another celebration of his love for bizarre fantasy and diabolical machines." It is currently available to stream on Max.

21. Drunken Master II (1994)

Jackie Chan with poster of "The Legend of Drunken Master."

Jackie Chan has been in several good sequels, including Police Story 2, Police Story 3: Supercop, Project A 2 and even Rush Hour 2 . However, Drunken Master II is probably the only sequel in Chan’s canon that eclipses the original film. Drunken Master II , sometimes called The Legend of Drunken Master, is technically a sequel to 1978’s Drunken Master . The second one is better partially due to its higher budget and remarkable fight choreography.

Directed by Lau Kar-leung, Drunken Master II seamlessly blends comedy and martial arts action. The film is a comedic biopic that tells the story of a Chinese martial artist, physician and folk hero, Wong Fei-hung. It is currently available to rent on Amazon, Google Play and Apple TV.

20. Evil Dead II (1987)

While there is no definitive ranking of “which Evil Dead movie is the best,” many will tell you, “the second one.” The cult classic film follows a couple’s vacation to a cabin in the woods, which is interrupted when they play a tape of ancient recitations which leads to a demonic possession.

Evil Dead II is both a remake and sequel to the 1981’s Evil Dead. The film contains some of the plot points from the first film but also deviates in both story and tone. Evil Dead II is far more comedic than the original film; however, it feels right and perfectly fits into the film's campy, gory and beautifully low-budget vibe. Directed by Sam Raimi, Evil Dead II stars Bruce Campbell, Dan Hicks, Sarah Berry and Kassie Wesley. It is currently streaming for free on Plex.

19. Creed (2015)

Maybe Creed shouldn’t count. While it is obviously part of the Rocky canon, it might be arguably more of a spin-off than a sequel. However, since it features main characters from Rocky and happens on the same timeline, it could arguably be called a sequel. In addition, it is so good.

Creed follows Adonis, the son of Apollo Creed, as he is trained by Rocky Balboa, a friend of his late father. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad. A.V. Wire 's Herman Dhaliwal wrote, "I will say the film was everything I could have ever wanted and then some. It's a film that could have gone so wrong in so many ways so easily, but the results show something that is genuine and inspired.” Creed has spawned two sequels of its own, and Creed 3 is also a phenomenal watch that could have made this list. Creed is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

18. The Raid 2 (2014)

The sequel to the Indonesian martial arts film The Raid: Redemption, The Raid 2 packs a punch. The film follows a young Mobile Brigade Corps officer who is sent undercover to expose corrupt police and their involvement with Jakarta’s powerful crime families.

The film was directed by Gareth Evans and stars Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad, Julie Estelle and Kazuki Kitamura. The Raid 2 is somehow even more bloody than the original film, and it was even banned in Malaysia for being too violent. However, the film was also especially praised for its pencak silat fight scenes. In an Entertainment Weekly review, Chris Nashawaty wrote , " The Raid 2 will make you feel like Christmas came nine months early. Some action sequels don't know when to say when. But here's one where too much is just the right amount." It is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV or with a subscription on Paramount+.

17. Desperado (1995)

Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek in a scene from the film "Desperado," 1995.

While the lead character in Robert Rodriguez’s Mexico Trilogy was recast between the first and second films, Desperado was still made to be its sequel to 1992’s El Mariachi and picks up where the first film left off. The film follows the mariachi as he becomes embroiled in a drug war on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Desperado stars Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida, Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin and Quentin Tarantino, and was a breakout role for Salma Hayek. While Desperado may not be better than El Mariachi, it had a far higher budget, which allowed for more impressive action making Desperado a wildly entertaining blood bath. It is available to rent on Google Play, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

16. The Dark Knight (2008)

The Dark Knight featuring Heath Ledger during a public tribute outdoor movie night.

While there are several good sequels in the Batman canon ( Batman Returns especially comes to mind), the best Batman sequel and arguably the best Batman movie is The Dark Knight. The film is a sequel to 2005’s Batman Begins . It follows Batman as he takes on the Joker, who tries to unmask him.

The film is especially notable for Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker, who unfortunately died before its release. It also stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman, and was directed by Christopher Nolan . The film was nominated for eight Oscars and won two, including Best Supporting Actor for Ledger. The film redefined what a “superhero” movie could be. It is currently streaming on Max.

15. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Netflix's "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" U.S. premiere at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Glass Onion is the second Benoit Blanc-led Knives Out film. While it is a stand-alone sequel (which is common in the detective genre), it adds a lot to the Knives Out Universe and depth to Benoit’s character, which helps establish the franchise. Glass Onion follows Benoit as he is called to billionaire Miles Bron’s island for a lavish murder mystery party. However, Benoit quickly learns everyone at the party has a reason to want Miles dead, especially his former business partner.

Directed by Rian Johnson, he film plays with the mystery genre and features some great twists and turns. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Upon release, many wondered if the film’s Miles Bron was inspired by real-life billionaire Elon Musk. However, Johnson has refuted this. It is currently streaming on Netflix.

14. Before Sunset (2004)

Before Sunset is director Richard Linklater's second movie in the Before Trilogy . It takes place nine years after Before Sunrise and follows Jesse and Céline reconnecting on an afternoon in Paris. The film feels like a conversation and has a quiet and sweet intimacy.

Like all three Before films, Sunset stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, who both also co-wrote the screenplay with Linklater. The film was a critical success and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Roger Ebert wrote of the film, " Before Sunrise was a remarkable celebration of the fascination of good dialogue. But Before Sunset is better, perhaps because the characters are older and wiser, perhaps because they have more to lose (or win), and perhaps because Hawke and Delpy wrote the dialogue themselves.” It is available on rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube , Google Play and Apple TV.

13. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Keanu Reeves in a scene from the film "John Wick: Chapter 4."

The sequel to 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John Wick: Chapter 4 is the latest installment of the John Wick Franchise and, oddly, the best of the four. The film follows the titular hitman as he seeks revenge on the High Table, a global crime syndicate and the best of the international underworld.

The film stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Laurence Fishburne, Bill Skarsgård Lance Reddick, Scott Adkins, Rina Sawayama and Ian McShane. It has some of the best action scenes of the franchise (in a franchise known for action scenes) and the most iconic villain. While the film is completely over the top, that is part of the fun and what makes it a true “ John Wick ” film. It is currently streaming on Starz.

12. Toy Story 2 (1999)

The first three Toy Story films are all great. While Toy Story 3 is a favorite of many, 2 is arguably better. Directed by John Lasseter, Toy Story 2 was originally going to be a direct-to-video sequel; however, the quality of the story reels convinced Disney to give it a theatrical release. The film follows Woody after he is stolen by a rare toy collector. He meets the rest of his toy set while his friends hope to steal him back.

The film stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Joan Cusack and Kelsey Grammer. It was a critical and commercial success. Toy Story 2 won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy and currently holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is available to stream on Disney+.

11. Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Poster detail from "Dawn of the Dead" (also known internationally as "Zombi"), 1978.

George A. Romero’s follow-up to 1968’s Night of the Living Dead , Dawn of the Dead , is a zombie film classic. Dawn of the Dead stars David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger and Gaylen Ross. The film has several cuts, and while you cannot go wrong with the extended cut, many prefer the Euro cut for non-English-speaking countries.

The film follows a radio station worker, his girlfriend and two SWAT team members as they hide from hordes of zombies in a shopping mall. The film is gory, violent and packed with social commentary. It is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime.

10. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff in "Bride of Frankenstein."

The earliest film on this list, Bride of Frankenstein proves that sequels have been part of Hollywood’s DNA for decades. Bride of Frankenstein is a sequel to 1931’s Frankenstein . The film follows Dr. Frankenstein as his former mentor pressures him to resume his experiments to create another Frankenstein’s monster while his original monster remains on the run.

Directed by James Whale, the film stars Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, Ernest Thesiger and Elsa Lanchester. The film features several scenes and motifs that were incredibly racy by 1930s standards. It was censored both in the states and abroad (including being banned in Trinidad, Palestine and Hungary, and Sweden wanted to cut so many scenes that Universal refused to screen it there.) While it may seem campy to a modern audience, that is part of its charm, and much of it holds up incredibly well for its age. It is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play , Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

9. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The second movie of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , continues the three interconnected plots introduced in the previous movie, Fellowship of the Ring . The film follows two hobbits on a quest to destroy an enchanted ring while other members of their fellowship journey to a besieged kingdom whose king is under a spell.

Directed by Peter Jackson, the film has a large ensemble cast featuring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis. The film was a huge financial and critical success. It was nominated for six Oscars, winning two. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a rare franchise in which all the films are equally high quality. While The Two Towers made this list, the third film in the franchise, Return of the King , could have also easily taken this spot. Really, all three films are must-watches especially for fans of high fantasy. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is currently streaming on Max.

8. Election 2 (2006)

While many sequels are great, few surpass the original film. Election 2 is better than 2000’s Election . S ometimes also called Triad Election , Election 2 follows a crime boss who decides to run for an unheard-of second term as the leader of his syndicate.

In Hong Kong, Johnnie To, the director of Election 2, is synonymous with great crime films, and Election 2 is arguably his best. It stars Louis Koo, Simon Yam, Nick Cheung, Cheung Siu-fai, Lam Suet and Gordon Lam. The film was first shown at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. It currently holds 96% on Rotten Tomatoes (the first Election has an 86% ). Election 2 is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

7. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Maybe Mad Max: Fury Road shouldn’t count as a sequel. While it almost seems like a reboot, director George Miller had the idea for the film since the late 1980s. However, several setbacks, recasting and delays separated it from the original Mad Max trilogy. The film follows Max as he helps Imperator Furiosa smuggle women away from the Warlord Immortan Joe.

The film is not the first great sequel from Miller, who also directed Mad Max 2 , Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Babe: Pig in the City. Mad Max: Fury Road stars Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Keays-Byrne. It was nominated for ten Oscars, winning six. The film’s effects, sound and design are especially notable. It is currently streaming on Max.

6. Aliens (1986)

Michael Biehn, Sigourney Weaver, Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton in a scene from the movie "Aliens," ... [+] 1986.

Directed by James Cameron , Aliens is a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror/sci-fi classic, Alien. Cameron already proved he could helm a great sequel after 1984’s Terminator 2 and 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II . Aliens takes place 57 years after the events of Alien . In it, Lt. Ripley is found in a stasis state. She is retrieved by a deep space team and asked to use her experience to take out hundreds of Aliens who have overrun a colony while protecting its lone human survivor.

The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen and Carrie Henn. While Alien is firmly a Sci-Fi/horror film, Aliens feels more Sci-Fi/action. This shift makes Aliens a lot more accessible and easier to watch, especially for viewers who aren’t looking for the claustrophobic experience of Alien. Aliens was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Weaver. The film is also hugely influential on the action genre. It is available to stream on Max , Hulu and Disney+.

5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Mark Hamill on the set of "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" directed by Irvin ... [+] Kershner.

While also sometimes called Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back, The Empire Strikes Back is both a direct sequel to 1977’s Star Wars and the fifth movie in the Star Wars Franchise (after the addition of three prequel films in the 1990s). The film follows Luke Skywalker on his quest to train as a Jedi while his friends, Han Solo and Princess Leia, rebel against the Galactic Empire and its leader, Darth Vader.

The film stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams. Directed by Irvin Kershner, it originally received mixed reviews. However, the film still won two Academy Awards. It has since been reevaluated and considered one of the best films in the Star Wars Franchise. The film’s cliffhanger ending, visual effects, and quotable dialogue have left a huge cultural impact, from “I know” to “I am your father.” It is currently streaming on Disney+ .

4. From Russia with Love (1963)

Sean Connery and Daniela Bianchi in a scene from the film "James Bond: From Russia With Love," 1963. ... [+]

While many James Bond films are technically great sequels, it just feels right to highlight the original “James Bond 2, ” From Russia with Love . The sequel to the first James Bond film, 1962’s Dr. No, From Russia with Love actually ranks higher than the original on Rotten Tomatoes (97% vs. 95%.)

In From Russia with Love, James Bond returns to take on a secret crime organization known as SPECTRE and the mounting Cold War. Terence Young returned to direct, and the film stars Sean Connery, Pedro Armendáriz, Lotte Lenya Robert Shaw, Bernard Lee and Daniela Bianchi. The film is a perfect sequel. It keeps a lot about what made the first film great but delivers more action, gadgets and even a better chase scene (with help from a much higher budget)... so, very James Bond . It is available to rent on Amazon Prime , YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV.

3. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

The movie "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," directed by James Cameron.

Another iconic sequel by director James Cameron, Terminator 2: Judgement Day , is not only a perfect follow-up to 1984’s The Terminator but also a near-perfect film overall. Terminator 2 follows John Connor, who in the future will be the key to humans defeating the robot uprising. While a new and improved Terminator, the T-1000, is sent to the past to kill John, the T-800 bonds with John as the two go on the run with John’s mother Sarah Connor.

The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong and Robert Patrick. While the Terminator franchise now has six films and several series, Terminator 2 is often ranked as the best. It won four Oscars, including Best Visual Effects. It is available to stream for free on Pluto TV or with subscription on Paramount+.

2. Paddington 2 (2017)

While Paddington (2014) is a delightful family film, Paddington 2 surpassed it in every way to become one of the best family films of all time. Paddington 2 follows the titular bear as he tries to buy a gift for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only to be falsely convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.

The film is heartwarming, funny, tear-inducing and beautifully made. Directed by Paul King, Paddington 2 stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw. For several years, the film scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and ranked even higher than Citizen Kane on the site. However, in 2021, one negative review brought its ranking down to a 99%. The film explores themes of immigration, found family, anti-Brexit sentiments and inequalities in the justice system while still being about a clumsy bear who loves marmalade. In the 2022 film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent , the main characters bond over watching the film, leading Pedro Pascal to deliver the line, “I cried through the entire thing. It made me want to be a better man.” It is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play , Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

1. The Godfather Part II (1974)

Robert De Niro performs a scene in The Godfather Part II

The Godfather Part I is a classic. However, The Godfather Part II is somehow even better. It is the film most think of when they think of “sequels better than the original” for a reason. The film follows the Corleones, a powerful 1950s mob family and tells the story of the new Don of the Corleone family, Michael Corleone, and his father, Vito Corleone.

While the film was initially met with mixed reviews, it was quickly reevaluated. The Godfather Part II was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning six. It was also the first sequel to win Best Picture. The film stars Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and Lee Strasberg and was directed by Francis Ford Coppola . In 2014, Peter Bradshaw said of the film, "Francis Coppola's breathtakingly ambitious prequel-sequel to his first Godfather movie is as gripping as ever. It is even better than the first film and has the greatest single final scene in Hollywood history, a real coup de cinéma." It is currently streaming on Paramount+.

Bottom Line

Sometimes, it isn’t bad to go back for another look. Some sequels are better than the original, and others are just great follow-ups. However, all of the sequels on this list are excellent films in their own right.

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The Further

Reebok releasing limited edition ‘alien: romulus’ sneakers.

As you may have noticed in the film’s promo materials, Cailee Spaeny’s character in Alien: Romulus rocks a modified version of the futuristic Reebok “Alien Stompers” worn by Ripley and Bishop in Aliens , and we’ve learned that Reebok is releasing limited edition replicas!

Reebok and 20th Century Studios have joined forces for the “Reebok Alien Romulus” ($170) sneaker built for the legendary sci-fi film franchise’s next installment, Alien: Romulus .

Reebok and the Alien franchise share a longstanding history of collaborations dating back to James Cameron’s Aliens , which featured a futuristic pair of Reeboks memorably worn by Ellen Ripley. The shoes were specifically designed for the movie and replicas were in more recent years released by Reebok, becoming highly sought after by horror fans and sneaker collectors.

For the release of Alien: Romulus , the storied franchise is set to reignite thrills with the commercial release of a unique and compelling piece of footwear that will be worn throughout the forthcoming film.

Pulled from the archive and built upon Reebok Basketball’s iconic BB4000 II frame, the “Reebok Alien Romulus” was designed to battle big bugs, featuring an all-leather upper, distressed film-worn finish, Weyland-Yutani logo on the tongue and heel, EVA foam midsole, and a solid rubber cupsole with a grippy traction pattern for grip, among other ‘easter eggs.’

The Reebok x Alien collaboration stands out today as one of the most epic mashups between film and footwear, with the 1986 film-worn “Alien Stomper” boot maintaining “grail” status in contemporary sneaker culture. The brands would come together for additional product collaborations in 2016 (for the 30th anniversary of Aliens ) and 2019-20 (for the 40th anniversary of the original 1979 film).

Fans can purchase the “Reebok Alien Romulus” ($170) sneaker beginning August 27 , from Reebok.com . 20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus opens exclusively in theaters August 16.

Writer in the horror community since 2008. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Owns Eli Roth's prop corpse from Piranha 3D. Has four awesome cats. Still plays with toys.

5 of This Week’s Coolest Horror Collectibles Including a ‘Killer Klowns’ Plush from Spirit Halloween

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Us: The Complete Annotated Screenplay by Jordan Peele

Us: The Complete Annotated Screenplay by Jordan Peele will be published on October 11 via Inventory Press, who previously released a similar book for Get Out .

Priced at $19.95, the 208-page softcover book illustrates Peele’s script with over 150 stills from the film, deleted scenes, in-depth annotations, and an introduction by Peele.

It includes writing by Hannah Baer, Theaster Gates, Jamieson Webster, Jared Sexton, Mary Ping, Shana Redmond, and Leila Taylor, alongside excerpts from Naomi Klein, Coleson Whitehead, Maggie Nelson, Carol J. Clover, Michael Harrington, and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Puppet Master: Leach Woman Figure & Toulon’s Trunk from NECA

NECA will release a Puppet Master ultimate action figure two-pack with Leech Woman and Toulon’s puppet case in November. It costs $59.99.

Leach Woman stands 4.5″ and comes with three interchangeable heads, four interchangeable hands, two leaches, brain matter, and knife. Toulon’s trunk features hinged doors, interchangeable shelves, panels, and a mask ornament.

The case can be used to hold Leach Woman and NECA’s previous Puppet Master toys : Blade & Torch, Pinhead & Tunneler, and Six-Shooter & Jester.

The Ring Steelbook 4K UHD

The Ring will curse Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital on October 15 via Paramount. Previously only available on 4K in Scream Factory’s The Ring Collection , the 2002 film has been scanned in 4K scan from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision.

Gore Verbinski ( Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl ) directs from a script by Ehren Kruger ( Scream 3 ), based on the 1998 Japanese film Ring . Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox, David Dorfman, and Daveigh Chase star.

Special features include: The Origin of Terror featurette; cast and crew interviews; deleted footage; Rings short film; and the theatrical trailer.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Ice Cream Truck Plush from Spirit Halloween

In space, no one can eat ice cream — but here on Earth, you can get a Killer Klowns from Outer Space plush ice cream truck from Spirit Halloween.

Priced at $29.99, Jojo’s Ice Cream Truck measures 6″ high, 15″ wide, and 10″ deep. If your local Spirit hasn’t opened yet, you can grab one online.

Addams Family Values 4K UHD

Addams Family Values — the 1993 sequel to 1991’s The Addams Family — is about to get creepier and kookier on 4K Ultra HD + Digital. Paramount will release it on October 29, helping to bridge the gap between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Barry Sonnenfeld ( The Addams Family, Men in Black ) directs from a script by Paul Rudnick ( Sister Act ). Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci, Jimmy Workman, Carol Kane, and Carel Struycken star.

No special features are listed, but at least it’s joining its predecessor on 4K.

For more merch madness, peruse the Killer Collectibles archives . You can also visit Broke Horror Fan .

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General Mills Officially Announces This Year’s Monster Cereals – with Monster Pets!

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Screen Rant

Wednesday season 2 seems to have solved its xavier problem in a surprising way.

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Jenna Ortega Addresses Controversial Cast Member's Exit Ahead Of Wednesday Season 2

Wednesday season 2's convincing xavier theory would be too repetitive to work, “i know that i’m not in charge”: jenna ortega addresses backlash after criticizing wednesday season 1’s writing.

Wednesday's Jenna Ortega addresses controversy over co-star's exit ahead of season 2, promising fresh faces and new direction.
New characters, including Addams Family alums, will join Wednesday season 2 to distract from Xavier's absence and refresh the show.
Decision to erase Xavier's character from Wednesday allows the show to move past controversies and focus on new mysteries and characters.

The popular Netflix original show, Wednesday , faced backlash after multiple accusations of sexual assault were leveled against star Jenna Ortega's co-star Percy Hynes White. Hynes White played Xavier Thorpe, a psychic peer of Ortega's Wednesday Addams at Nevermore Academy , and one of her two love interests. Although Hynes White denied the accusations, he was not brought back for season 2 and instead, will be replaced by a slew of new characters.

In an interview with Vanity Fair , Ortega briefly addressed Hynes White's absence from season 2. She stated that although his absence has been " a weird redirect ," the upcoming episodes of Wednesday , as well as the plethora of new characters being introduced, will effectively distract viewers from Xavier's disappearance and move the show in a more authentic direction.

Xavier looking concerned in Wednesday in school uniform

Wednesday's Jenna Ortega reveals how the absence of Percy Hynes White's Xavier Thorpe has impacted season 2 of the popular Netflix series.

Wednesday Season 2's New Characters Will Seemingly Make Up For Xavier's Absence

The new characters include addams family alums.

A side-by-side of actor Christopher Lloyd and his character Uncle Fester from The Addams Family (1991).

Although plot and character details for Wednesday season 2 are currently being kept under lock and key, co-showrunners Miles Millar and Al Gough shared with Netflix that their " goal this season was to discover some fresh faces [...] to join Jenna [Ortega] and the gang at Nevermore ." Some of these new faces include Doctor Who alumnae Billie Piper as Capri, Steve Buscemi ( The Big Lebowski ) as Barry Dort, Joanna Lumley as Wednesday's Grandmama Addams , and Thandiwe Newton ( Westworld ) as Dr. Fairburn.

That's not all the new characters joining season 2. Along with Piper and Buscemi, the slew of new series regulars includes Evie Templeton ( Return to Silent Hill ), Owen Painter ( The Handmaid's Tale ), and Noah Taylor ( Law & Order: Organized Crime ). Joining Newton as a guest star is Frances O'Connor ( The Missing ), Haley Joel Osment ( The Kominsky Method ), Heather Matarazzo ( The Princess Diaries ), Joonas Suotamowill ( Star Wars ), and Addams Family actor Christopher Lloyd .

Why Wednesday Season 2's Approach With Xavier's Absence Makes Sense

It diverts attention to the mysteries that matter.

The expanded cast list may seem like an odd decision, especially since Xavier's connection to Wednesday's phone stalker might encourage co-showrunners Millar and Gough to recast the role, but it is ultimately the right decision. The decision to erase Xavier's character from Wednesday entirely allows the show to move away from the controversy associated with Hynes White. The addition of so many new characters would also save the writers valuable time, as it would force them to avoid spending too much time explaining Xavier's absence.

The decision to erase Xavier's character from Wednesday entirely allows the show to move away from the controversy associated with Hynes White.

Custom feature image of Percy Hynes White as Xavier Thorpe and Jenna Ortega as Wednesday

One of the most popular theories about Xavier Thorpe’s character in Wednesday is very convincing, but it’s also too repetitive to work.

Additionally, Xavier's disappearance from Wednesday would erase the love triangle between Wednesday, Xavier, and Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan) from the show, a factor that Ortega had previously expressed frustration over. The show's focus on the romance did not align with Ortega's version of Wednesday. By removing another key member of the love triangle— Tyler was revealed to be Wednesday 's the Hyde and placed in police custody at the end of season 1—the love triangle is effectively dead. This will allow the show to shift its focus to Wednesday's struggle to determine who her true allies are as she unravels the identity of her stalker.

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Wednesday Star Jenna Ortega Says Having 'Average White Man' Confidence Is Her Key to Success

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Jenna Ortega is opening up about the best advice given to her in her career, and how that advice helped her gain confidence in her abilities. Speaking to Vanity Fair recently, she discusses how the advice allowed her to fully tackle her doubts and insecurities, especially when doing something new. During the interview, Ortega recalls the best advice given to her was that of her cello instructor for Netflix's acclaimed series Wednesday. Her titular character plays the cello, and while Ortega herself doesn't play, she wanted her movements to be as authentic to the character as possible. She added that she wanted it to look real so that cellists didn't look at it and criticize her performance, approaching the task with the "confidence of the average white man."

"She told me that I just needed to approach everything I do in life with the confidence of the average white man. That changed my life."

Jenna Ortega Reveals Why She Thinks Wednesday Has Bewitched Audiences

People can't seem to get enough of Wednesday Addams, and Jenna Ortega thinks she knows why.

Ortega's teacher also said that as long as she looked confident in her movements and remained strong and stoic she would be fine. Ortega added that she was even nervous about the interview with Vanity Fair, but ultimately the advice given to her helped her approach. If she's feeling off or lacking confidence, she goes back to "Thinking like an average white man," and it's no longer a challenge.

“Like what am I going to talk about this whole time? Then I just remembered: How would an average white man do this? And he probably would’ve shown up with mismatched socks.”

What Can We Expect From Wednesday Season 2?

Jenna Ortega is currently in production for the second season of Netflix's hit show Wednesday which is set to premiere in 2025. Based on The Addams Family comics written by Charles Addams, the show follows the adventures of Wednesday Addams and her high school years at Nevermore Academy. The series has been met with acclaim, going on to win four Primetime Emmy Awards and being nominated for several Golden Globes, including Best Actress for Ortega's performance.

The upcoming season will focus more on the horror aspect, leaning towards the action while shying away from the romantic love interests. Ortega has expressed her distaste for the love triangle , explaining that "it makes no sense for her character." Earlier this year at the Emmy Awards, she revealed that "each episode will probably feel a little bit more like a movie, which is nice.”

Most of the cast is returning for the second season, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday and Hunter Doohan, set to reprise their roles. Several additions were made to the season 2 cast, with the likes of Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Christopher Lloyd, whose late casting came as an exciting surprise.

Follows Wednesday Addams' years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents. Directed by Tim Burton.

Ortega has kept busy with several movie releases since the first season of the popular Netflix show. In 2022, she starred in X and Scream, as well as its successor, Scream VI in 2023. She followed this with Paramount+'s Finestkind (2023) and Miller's Girl (2024). Her upcoming projects include Taiki Waititi's adaptation of Klara and the Sun, Death of a Unicorn, as well a JJ Abrams film and a Trey Edwards film.

Her next project, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, a sequel to the successful 1988 horror comedy, is set for release on September 6, 2024.

Jenna Ortega

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Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence on Percy Hynes White’s ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Absence After Sexual Assault Scandal

Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence on Percy Hynes White s Wednesday Season 2 Absence A Weird Redirect 675

Jenna Ortega broke her silence on former costar Percy Hynes White ‘s absence from season 2 of Wednesday following a sexual assault scandal.

Ortega, 21, was asked about how the show adapted to White’s exit during an interview with Vanity Fair , which was published on Tuesday, August 6. The actress called it “a weird redirect,” adding, “But we’re introducing so many different characters that I think it kind of will get lost.”

According to Ortega, her character Wednesday’s world will “feel slightly askew” regardless when the hit Netflix series returns.

White’s absence from the cast came after multiple women accused him of sexual assault.

Wednesday-s Biggest Controversies- From Questionable Working Conditions to Sexual Assault Allegations

Related: Wednesday's Biggest Scandals: Working Conditions, Emmys Nomination Shade

“Hey everyone. There’s something I need to clarify. Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxed, and my friends have received death threats,” he claimed via Instagram in June 2023. “Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message. The rumors are false.”

Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence on Percy Hynes White s Wednesday Season 2 Absence A Weird Redirect 676

White, 22, who played Wednesday’s love interest Xavier, went on to slam the #CancelPercy trend that was started by fans on social media. “I can’t accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted or criminally negligent of people’s safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust towards victims,” he concluded. “It’s very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people. I’m really thankful for everyone who’s stood by me and helped share the facts. Harassment of my family, friends, and coworkers needs to stop, please. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”

Before the drama, White filmed the upcoming Winter Spring Summer or Fall film with Ortega. He also accompanied her to the 2023 Golden Globes where she posed for photos solo.

‘Wednesday’ Cast: What the Stars of the Netflix Series Look Like in Real Life

Related: What the Cast of ‘Wednesday’ Looks Like in Real Life

White addressed his departure from season 2 of Wednesday earlier this year, writing via Instagram, “I had so much fun working on this show. I can’t wait to watch season 2 🙂 Much love.”

Netflix has never publicly addressed the allegations against White.

Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence on Percy Hynes White s Wednesday Season 2 Absence A Weird Redirect 674

Ortega, meanwhile, has been focused on making season two as strong as possible , adding, “There’s definitely the pressure of, ‘Oh, I have to get this right.’”

When Wednesday premiered in November 2022, fans were reintroduced to a new version of Wednesday Addams (Ortega), who was previously explored in the Addams Family and Addams Family Values films from the ’90s; the ghoulish brood was first introduced via Edward Gorey’s illustrations and 1960s sitcom. The first season followed the titular character’s attempts to master her psychic powers at Nevermore Academy while dealing with a killing spree at the hands of a mysterious monster.

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Everything to Know About a Potential Season 2 of 'Wednesday'

Related: Everything to Know About Season 2 of Netflix's 'Wednesday'

The series was renewed for season 2 after scoring two Golden Globe nominations, and Netflix confirmed in May that most of the cast was returning. Notably, White and Naomi J. Ogawa don’t appear to be returning after previously being series regulars. Jamie McShane, who was a series regular in the first season, was moved to guest star status. Meanwhile, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo were promoted to series regulars.

For season two, Wednesday also added series regulars Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter and Noah Taylor . As for guest stars, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo and Joonas Suotamo . (Lloyd played Uncle Fester in Addams Family and Addams Family Values .)

Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix.

Wednesday Season 2 Is Missing A Key Season 1 Element

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Wednesday Season 2 Should Revisit Young Gomez and Morticia

Wednesday season 2 should build on one important relationship, wednesday season 2: who could the stalker be.

Season 2 of Wednesday on Netflix needs legacy actors from Addams Family films to bring in more nostalgia and new viewers.
Fans want familiar faces like Angelica Huston and Carole Kane in new roles in Wednesday season 2 for a fun twist and fresh dynamic.
Viewers loved the twist of Christina Ricci's character being an evil villain, bringing excitement and intrigue to the first season storyline.

Netflix has the right TV show for anyone's mood, from the charming sci-fi story at the heart of Stranger's Things to the dark and engaging Wednesday . When the TV series premiered in fall 2022, fans of the Addams Family were interested in seeing another version of Wednesday Addams. Thanks to Jenna Ortega's background in horror movies and her ability to portray Wednesday as both cynical and engaging, it's fair to say the show was a hit from the get-go.

Wednesday season 2 will feel similar to the first season in a few ways since Wednesday is still a precocious and clever boarding school student with a knack for solving mysteries that others can't quite figure out. But while the show should find inspiration in Harry Potter , Wednesday season 2 should also include a smart element from the first season that fans would love to see again .

Wednesday-Should-Bring-Back-Young-Gomez-and-Morticia

Young Gomez and Morticia had an important role to play in Wednesday's first season, but not nearly enough screen time as they deserved.

What Element Does Netflix's Wednesday Season 2 Need?

Wednesday season 1 featured Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday Addams in the '90s movies, but Wednesday season 2 doesn't have any legacy actors as part of the cast . The new season should include a fan-favorite actor who starred in The Addams Family , Addams Family Values , or Addams Family Reunion . It would be fun to see Angelica Huston and Carole Kane come back in some way .

While Huston and Kane couldn't play their original characters since Catherine Zeta-Jones and Joanna Lumley will play Morticia and Grandmama in Wednesday season 2, the actors could play brand new characters . Christina Ricci played Marilyn Thornhill/Laurel Gates in the first season , and it was fun to see such an iconic actor play a mysterious teacher with tricks and secrets up her sleeve. Huston and Kane could play any number of characters, from Nevermore Academy staff members to the parents or relatives of Wednesday's classmates. Since Wednesday season 1 juggled a lot of different characters, it would be possible for the second season to add one or two more.

While fans want some characters to return , it would also be cool to see some Addams Family actors playing fresh characters. This would appease viewers who didn't feel that Wednesday season 1 included enough Addams Family nostalgia. It could also draw in new viewers to the series, which is always a good thing.

Although fans can only speculate about legacy actors from the Addams Family franchise appearing in Wednesday , they have said positive things about their famous characters in the past. In 2018, Huston told The Guardian that she loved playing Morticia Addams. She explained:

"I didn’t feel like I needed to make another family-friendly film. But I’ve always had a bit of a dark side when it comes to movie choices – I make my decisions individually rather than because I think that’s the way my career should be going."

Wednesday fans think that appearances from past franchise actors are a great idea . Even if these characters appeared only briefly, they could have their own plotlines and add something fun to the mix. Redditor @drflanigan wrote:

"I hope every season brings back cameo appearances from previous Addams family actors. I want Christopher Lloyd back, or Raul Julia, or imagine Tim Curry as the new headmaster, or Carel Struycken as a new teacher/caretaker. I loved Christina Ricci in this and I hope they turn this into a seasonal gimmick."

How Did Wednesday Season 1 Use This Particular Element?

Christina Ricci's Wednesday character Marilyn Thornhill is a Nevermore Academy teacher who is actually an evil villain named Laurel Gates. Laurel is carrying on her relative Joseph Crackstone's legacy of targeting outcasts , and this is a thrilling, big reveal at the end of the first season. While Thornhill/Gates seems to be an innocent Normie teacher who wants the best for her students at Nevermore Academy , she is hiding her violent and dark nature. Ricci's character is clever and interesting, but she is of course no match for Wednesday, who sees right through her. Watching the two battle each other is one of the highlights of the show so far. While the first season has a few twists, Thornhill's true identity is one of the best ones.

In 2022, Ricci praised Jenna Ortega in an interview with Elle and said that people shouldn't compare the two stars or say whose portrayal was more exciting. Ricci said:

“I loved being Wednesday. I’m very proud of that role. I also think Jenna Ortega is amazing. She is so brave, so cool, and really doing the part justice. Wednesday is her part now...[and] those two things can be true at the same time!”

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams dancing on Wednesday

Wednesday season 2 will have an eerie and riveting mystery, but the new season of the Netflix series should also be about these two characters.

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COMMENTS

The Addams Family 2 movie review (2021)
The Addams Family 2. This sequel makes up for some of the problems with the 2019 "Addams Family" animated family film, which suffered from an uneven tone and a meandering storyline. The characters and setting originated in the original Charles Addams one-panel cartoons in the New Yorker, a nameless family with an amusingly gruesome way of life ...
The Addams Family 2 Movie Review
Our review: Parents say ( 11 ): Kids say ( 13 ): This serviceable animated sequel focuses on Wednesday's feelings of alienation and benefits from the family's kid-friendly jokes and road trip adventures. Perhaps because the first movie was so underwhelming, this follow-up seems a bit more rooted in the family's kooky antics.
The Addams Family 2
Rated: 2/5 Mar 3, 2022 Full Review Mat Brunet AniMat's Review (YouTube) The Addams Family 2 repeats what the first movie accomplished by taking the popular family and turning them into one of the ...
'The Addams Family 2' Review: Creepier and Kookier Than the First
Oscar Isaac, The Addams Family 2. 'The Addams Family 2' Review: Creepier and Kookier Than the First. Reviewed at Park Ave. Screening Room, Aug. 29, 2021. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 93 MIN ...
'The Addams Family 2': Film Review
Screenwriters: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, Susanna Fogel. Rated PG, 1 hour 33 minutes. Wednesday, along with every other kid who participated, wins the science fair, much to her chagrin ...
Review: 'The Addams Family 2' goes on a road trip
'The Addams Family 2' review: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Snoop Dogg and Chloë Grace Moretz reprise their voice roles in this sequel to the 2019 animated comedy.
'The Addams Family 2' Review: Wednesday Goes West
Sept. 30, 2021. The Addams Family 2. Directed by Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon, Laura Brousseau. Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror. PG. 1h 33m. Find Tickets. When you purchase a ...
The Addams Family 2 Review
Verdict. The Addams Family 2 delivers a crazy, hyperactive animated world in which the Addams feel sadly status quo. On top of that, the story isn't quite massaged and molded enough to make sense ...
The Addams Family 2 (2021)
The Addams Family 2: Directed by Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan, Laura Brousseau, Kevin Pavlovic. With Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Javon 'Wanna' Walton. The Addams get tangled up in more wacky adventures and find themselves involved in hilarious run-ins with all sorts of unsuspecting characters. Sequel to the 2019 animated film, 'The Addams Family'.
The Addams Family 2 Review
After Barry Sonnenfeld's hugely enjoyable live-action brace and 2019's likeable animated origin story, The Addams Family 2, directed by the Sausage Party pairing of Greg Tiernan and Conrad ...
The Addams Family 2 (2021)
The Addams Family 2, 2021. Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan. Featuring the voice talents of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon 'Wanna' Walton, Bette ...
The Addams Family 2
Is it creepy, kooky, or just plain bad? Check out Brad's review of the new animated sequel The Addams Family 2, starring Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron, an...
'The Addams Family 2' Review: Creepy and Kooky Are in Short Supply
A United Artists and MGM release, "The Addams Family 2" is in theaters and on demand on now. As new movies open in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic, IndieWire will continue to review them ...
The Addams Family 2 (2021) Movie Reviews
Everyone's favorite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with "scream time." To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and
The Addams Family 2
The Addams Family 2 is a smug and self-satisfied film - a Carrie reference. Really? - but for absolutely no discernible reason. Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 7, 2022
The Addams Family 2 (2021) Review
The Addams family hit the road on a cross-country road trip, preparing for family bond moments, yet Wednesday draws an interesting conclusion on her parental linage in the movie The Addams Family 2.Directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tierman's latest film takes what was established in the 2019 cartoon feature and expands upon it; delivering a new adventure for the Addams to explore within their ...
Scary or Not Scary? A Parent's Review of 'The Addams Family 2'
The Addams family is everybody's favorite offbeat brood, and the latest iteration of the New Yorker cartoon turned TV and film franchise is about to hit the big—and small—screen. Yep, we're talking about The Addams Family 2, the sequel to the 2019 animated film that is being released in cinemas and for online rental on October 1. If you ...
The Addams Family 2
"THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2" (2021) (voices of Chloë Grace Moretz, Oscar Isaac) (PG) ... Not only does their site provide a glimpse of exactly what content a movie offers, I've found the "Our Take" reviews and ratings for each movie to be right on the money every single time. I've referred dozens of friends to this service because my #1 resource ...
The Addams Family 2 Review: This Unfunny Animated Sequel Is A Slog
Certainly, their parents may find little to enjoy in the film, despite some jokes being clearly aimed at an older crowd. Even with its shorter 90-minute runtime, The Addams Family 2 's disjointedness, aggressively unfunny jokes and lack of heart make the movie feel like a slog. Perhaps it may find its fans in those who enjoyed 2019's The Addams ...
The Addams Family 2 Movie Review
Read our review! In The Addams Family 2, Wednesday's (Chloë Grace Moretz) science fair exhibit attracts mad scientist/sponsor Cyrus Strange's (Bill Hader) attention. Seems her successful ...
The Addams Family 2
Oct 1, 2021. At 93 minutes, The Addams Family 2 feels longer than it actually is, and nothing, not even the new music from contemporary stars like Megan Thee Stallion and Maluma, helps it move any faster. Part of the problem is that even with a relatively well-constructed script (there is a bit of a timeline snafu near the end), the film itself ...
The Addams Family 2 (2021) Movie Review
The Addams Family 2 recently made its debut on Amazon Prime Video (in the UK at least) and is worth a watch, especially if you enjoy the macabre but comical tone that is the trademark for this creepy bunch of characters. The 2019 movie was arguably better, partly because of the comic mayhem that was raised when the Addams's interacted with ...
THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2
The Family and Christian Guide to Movie Reviews and Entertainment News. Watch THE CHOSEN: EPISODE 2.5: ... That said, ADDAMS FAMILY 2 has a strong occult worldview where characters rely heavily on darkness and occultism to motivate their actions, including chanting spells, playing with voodoo dolls and physical harm, which gets portrayed as a ...
30 Great Movie Sequels That Are Better Than The Originals
The sequel to 1991's The Addams Family, Addams Family Values is a bit of a cult classic film. The film follows the Addams family as a new baby and an interloper turned fiancé disrupt family life.
Reebok Releasing Limited Edition 'Alien: Romulus' Sneakers!
Addams Family Values 4K UHD. Addams Family Values — the 1993 sequel to 1991's The Addams Family — is about to get creepier and kookier on 4K Ultra HD + Digital. Paramount will release it on ...
News Flash • The Addams Family
The Addams clan includes cigar-smoking, child-like dad Gomez (Raul Julia); elegant, vampish mom Morticia (Anjelica Huston); weird son Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) and somber, frighteningly sadistic daughter Wednesday (Christina Ricci). Living in the mansion with them are Grandmama (Judith Malina), Lurch the butler (Carel Struycken), and the ever ...
Wednesday Season 2 Seems To Have Solved Its Xavier Problem In A
The popular Netflix original show, Wednesday, faced backlash after multiple accusations of sexual assault were leveled against star Jenna Ortega's co-star Percy Hynes White.Hynes White played Xavier Thorpe, a psychic peer of Ortega's Wednesday Addams at Nevermore Academy, and one of her two love interests. Although Hynes White denied the accusations, he was not brought back for season 2 and ...
Wednesday Star Jenna Ortega Says Having 'Average White Man ...
Jenna Ortega is currently in production for the second season of Netflix's hit show Wednesday which is set to premiere in 2025. Based on The Addams Family comics written by Charles Addams, the ...
Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence on Percy Hynes White's 'Wednesday' Season 2
When Wednesday premiered in November 2022, fans were reintroduced to a new version of Wednesday Addams (Ortega), who was previously explored in the Addams Family and Addams Family Values films ...
Netflix's Wednesday Season 2 Is Missing A Key Season 1 Element
Season 2 of Wednesday on Netflix needs legacy actors from Addams Family films to bring in more nostalgia and new viewers. Fans want familiar faces like Angelica Huston and Carole Kane in new roles ...

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