Winnie-the-Pooh Comes to Life With Help of AI in New Kids Series
By Movieguide® Contributor
Kartoon Studios just revealed its first trailer for its new kids show, THE HUNDRED ACRE WOOD’S WINNIE-THE-POOH.
“Winnie-the-Pooh is more than just a character; he’s a beloved symbol of kindness, imagination, and the enduring value of friendship,” said Andy Heyward, executive producer and CEO of Kartoon Studios. “It allows us to tell timeless, heartfelt stories and, at the same time, connect children to the simple joys of nature and animals. We’re creating something truly special by embracing A.A. Milne’s original vision while reimagining it for today’s audience.”
The series, produced and directed by Michael Maliani, is based on A.A. Milne’s books and will launch near the end of 2025 on Kartoon Channel, distributed through Prime Video, per Deadline. It includes 200 six-minute shorts and five holiday specials, making it the “most ambitious production” in Kartoon Studios’ history.
It features “yarn-based” animation using artificial intelligence and hand-drawn features. Kartoon Studios revealed the trailer on Jan. 26 at the Sundance Film Festival.
“To our knowledge, this will be the first time using characters and methods developed with AI. We literally would not have been able to do this project even a year ago before the advent of today’s AI and the tools that now can make this kind of look available,” said Maliani, a multi-Emmy winner. Kartoon Studios also has another kids’ show made with AI called SECRET MILLIONAIRES CLUB.
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“For our investors, this project underscores Kartoon Studios’ commitment to delivering premium, timeless content with global appeal and the products they inspire,” Heyward explained. “The potential for Winnie-the-Pooh as a brand is monumental, and we’re confident this series will capture the hearts of viewers around the world as we develop a global line of products based on this look and interpretation of A.A. Milne.”
Disney acquired the rights to Winnie-the-Pooh in 1961. However, they are no longer exclusive. It’s protected under copyright laws in many countries. A lot of Pooh projects have been made recently, even horror movies.
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