Spirit Riding Free
Spirit Riding Free is a computer-animated series, produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and distributed by Netflix, based on the 2002 Oscar-nominated traditionally animated film, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.[5] The series was first released on Netflix on May 5, 2017.[3]
Spirit Riding Free | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Genre | Animation Adventure |
Based on | Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron by John Fusco |
Developed by | Aury Wallington |
Voices of | |
Theme music composer | Kari Kimmel[1] |
Opening theme | "Riding Free", performed by Maisy Stella |
Ending theme | "Riding Free" (Instrumental) |
Composers | Joachim Horsley James Allen Roberson |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 10 |
No. of episodes | 68 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Running time | 23 minutes[3] |
Production company | DreamWorks Animation Television[4] |
Distributor | NBCUniversal Television Distribution Netflix Streaming Services |
Release | |
Original network | Netflix |
Original release | May 5, 2017 – present |
External links | |
Website |
A feature film based on the series, titled Spirit Untamed, was announced to be in development and is scheduled for release on June 4, 2021.[6][7]
Plot
Set in small frontier town of Miradero, a 12-year-old girl[2] named Fortuna "Lucky" Esperanza Navarro Prescott, who had recently relocated from the city, encounters a wild kiger mustang named Spirit when she is on the train travelling to Miradero. The horse is caught by wranglers and brought to Miradero to be "broken in. Lucky immediately bonds with the stallion and frees him from his pen. Lucky also makes friends with Prudence "Pru" Granger and Abigail Stone. Pru owns a talented and proud palomino horse called Chica Linda, and Abigail owns a friendly and goofy pinto horse called Boomerang. The three girls call themselves the PAL's and go on many adventures with their horses.
Cast
- Amber Frank as "Lucky" Prescott. She is a very brave, kind, and headstrong girl, and does not like rules. She is the main protagonist.[2]
- Sydney Park as "Pru" Granger. She is often the brains of the team, knowing something about everything. She is also brave and nice at heart.[2]
- Bailey Gambertoglio as Abigail Stone. She is the least rebellious, and is often portrayed as sweet and funny. But she can still be smart and is courageous like her friends.[2]
- Darcy Rose Byrnes as Maricela Gutierrez. She is the spoiled daughter of the mayor of Miradero. Initially an adversary of Lucky and the others, she eventually becomes their friend.[2]
- Victor Garber as James Prescott Sr. (1st Voice)
- Nolan North as Jim Prescott, and his father James Prescott Sr. (2nd Voice)[2]
- Kari Wahlgren as Lucky's aunt Cora Prescott.[2] and Polly Prescott
- Duncan Joiner as Abigail's little brother Snips.
- Jeff Bennett as Mesteneros/Various
- Andy Pessoa as Turo
- Tiya Sircar as Kathryn "Kate" Flores-Prescott
- Jonathan Craig Williams as Al Granger
- Katey Sagal as Jane "Butch" LePray
- Thomas Lennon as Rooster
- Lucas Grabeel as Julian
- Andy Aragon as Javier
- James Patrick Stuart as Harlan Grayson
Production
The first season premiered on May 5, 2017.[3] The second season premiered on September 8, 2017.[8] The third season premiered on November 17, 2017.[9] The fourth season premiered on March 16, 2018.[10] The fifth season premiered on May 11, 2018.[11] The sixth season premiered on August 17, 2018.[12] The seventh season premiered on November 9, 2018. The eighth season premiered on April 5, 2019.[13] The ninth season is scheduled to premiere in 2021.[6]
Crew
The voice director for the first three episodes was Ginny McSwain. Katie McWane took over as voice director after that.
Episodes
Season | Episodes | Originally released | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | May 5, 2017 | |||
2 | 7 | September 8, 2017 | |||
3 | 7 | November 17, 2017 | |||
4 | 6 | March 16, 2018 | |||
5 | 7 | May 11, 2018 | |||
6 | 6 | August 17, 2018 | |||
7 | 7 | November 9, 2018 | |||
8 | 6 | April 5, 2019 | |||
Pony Tales 1 | 6 | August 9, 2019 | |||
Pony Tales 2 | 4 | October 18, 2019 | |||
Special | December 6, 2019 | ||||
Riding Academy 1 | 7 | April 3, 2020 | |||
Riding Academy 2 | 9 | September 4, 2020 | |||
Interactive Special | December 8, 2020 |
Webisodes and music videos
A number of webisodes and music videos have been released exclusively on the DreamWorksTV YouTube channel during the course of the series.
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original release date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | 1 | "Magic Show" | Jim Schumann | Robert Taylor | Rick Lacy | August 22, 2017 |
- | 2 | "Rainy Day" | Jim Schumann | Robert Taylor | Kennedy Tarrell | November 7, 2017 |
- | 3 | "Mustang Mail Part 1" | Jim Schumann | Robert Taylor | Rick Lacy | January 16, 2018 |
- | 4 | "Mustang Mail Part 2" | Jim Schumann | Robert Taylor | Rick Lacy | January 23, 2018 |
- | 5 | "The Circus Mystery, Pt. 1: Magical New Tricks" | Joshua Taback | Robert Taylor | Jean Kang | July 24, 2018 |
- | 6 | "The Circus Mystery, Pt. 2: Kidnapping in Miradero" | Joshua Taback | Robert Taylor | Jean Kang | July 31, 2018 |
- | 7 | "The Circus Mystery, Pt. 3: The Bandit Standoff" | Joshua Taback | Robert Taylor | Jean Kang | August 7, 2018 |
- | 8 | "Adventure Music Video" | - | - | - | September 23, 2018 |
- | 9 | "The Grooming Wagon, Pt. 1: Horse Cleaning Calamity" | - | - | - | January 15, 2019 |
- | 10 | "The Grooming Wagon, Pt. 2: Race Against the Clock" | - | - | - | January 22, 2019 |
- | 11 | "The Grooming Wagon, Pt. 3: A Soapy Success" | - | - | - | January 29, 2019 |
- | 12 | "Fast Friends: Abigail & Boomerang Meet for the FIRST Time!" | - | - | - | July 16, 2019 |
- | 13 | "Fast Friends: Pru & Chica Linda Meet for the FIRST Time!" | - | - | - | July 23, 2019 |
- | 14 | "Fast Friends: Lucky & Spirit Meet for the FIRST Time!" | - | - | - | July 30, 2019 |
- | 15 | "Unstoppable Music Video" | - | - | - | August 6, 2019 |
Home media
Spirit Riding Free: Season 1–4, containing all of the episodes from seasons 1–4, was released on DVD on June 5, 2018 by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. On September 24, 2019, Universal released Spirit Riding Free: Season 5–8, containing all of the episodes from seasons 5–8 on DVD. The series is also scheduled for DVD releases in the UK, France, Italy, and Germany.
Film adaptation
On October 7, 2019, DreamWorks Animation announced that a feature film based on the series was in development scheduled for a theatrical release on May 14, 2021. It will be produced by DreamWorks Animation and released by Universal Pictures.[14] The film will be directed by Elaine Bogan and co-directed by Ennio Torresan in their feature directorial debuts, and written by the creator of the series, Aury Wallington, and produced by Karen Foster.[14] The film will be produced on a lower budget and be made by a different animation studio outside of DreamWorks, similar to Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie.[6] On November 10, 2020, the film's title was announced as Spirit Untamed, with a new release date of June 4, 2021.[7]
Video game
On December 4, 2019, Dreamworks Animation released a game for Android and iOS based around the series entitled Spirit Trick Challenge.[15][16]
References
- Nashid, Naureen (March 30, 2017). "Interview with Kari Kimmel". Teal Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- Milligan, Mercedes (April 18, 2017). "Trailer: DreamWorks' 'Spirit Riding Free' Races to Netflix". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- Amidi, Amid (April 19, 2017). "TRAILER: 'Spirit Riding Free' Takes The Dreamworks Franchise In A New Direction". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- McLean, Tom (April 30, 2017). "Perfect Match". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- Steinberg, Brian (June 16, 2016). "Netflix Readies Animated 'Spy Kids,' 'Llama Llama' Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
"Spirit Riding Free," from DreamWorks Animation, is inspired by the 2002 Oscar-nominated film "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron"...
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 7, 2019). "DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021". Deadline. Deadline. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2020). "Jennifer Lopez Romantic Comedy 'Marry Me' Heads To Summer". Deadline. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- "DreamWorks' 'Spirit Riding Free' S2 Hoofs It to Netflix". Animationmagazine.net. August 23, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- "Archive » Spirit Riding Free gallops into third season". Kidscreen. October 24, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/photo-gallery/44599592/image/44608732/Spirit-Riding-Free-Season-4
- Haylock, Zoe (May 1, 2018). "Netflix's New Releases Coming in May 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- Twitter announcement of Season 6
- "Spirit Riding Free Season 8 Coming to Netflix in April 2019". What's on Netflix. March 12, 2019.
- Milligan, Mercedes (October 7, 2019). "DreamWorks, Universal Slate 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'Bad Guys' for 2021". Animation Magazine. Animation Magazine. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- "Spirit Trick Challenge". App Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- "Spirit Riding Free Trick Challenge - App Review". Common Sense Media. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
External links
- Official website at Netflix
- Official website at DreamWorks TV
- Spirit Riding Free at IMDb