The world’s most dysfunctional family is getting back on the road. Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation have officially announced “The Mitchells vs. The Machines 2,” a sequel to the Oscar-nominated 2021 hit that became one of Netflix’s most acclaimed animated originals. Production is set to begin in early 2026, with Guillermo Martinez (head of story on the original film) and JP Sans (“The Bad Guys 2”) directing.
The follow-up brings back producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the powerhouse duo behind “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “The Lego Movie,” with returning executive producer Mike Rianda, who directed the first installment. The screenplay will be written by Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, the Emmy-winning team known for “The Great North” and “Bob’s Burgers.”
While plot details remain under wraps, expectations are high for another blend of hyperkinetic animation, familial dysfunction, and heartfelt sincerity. The original “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” followed an offbeat, tech-phobic family whose cross-country road trip turned into an apocalyptic showdown against a robot uprising. A chaotic fusion of pop-culture absurdity and emotional grounding, the film resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike—a bright, glitchy burst of color that found surprising warmth in the messiness of modern family life.
Lord and Miller’s return to the franchise ensures the same mix of visual invention and emotional wit that has defined their best work. With Sony Pictures Animation continuing its creative partnership with Netflix, the sequel represents not just a continuation but an expansion of the studio’s boldest storytelling instincts — a reminder that great animation can be as chaotic, human, and heartfelt as any live-action drama. [Variety]
