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With the release of its long-awaited Season 2, Squid Game unsurprisingly dominated Nielsen’s U.S. streaming ranking for the week of Dec. 23.

Netflix’s most-watched series ever amassed 4.92 billion minutes viewed across 16 total episodes, marking the largest weekly haul of any 2024 series and landing it squarely atop both the streaming originals and overall charts.

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Nielsen notes that the South Korean thriller attracted a young,...

Your patience is being rewarded. It’s time for more margarita nights in Serenity. Sweet Magnolias Season 4 will be released on Netflix on February 6.

Sweet Magnolias’s third Season was the weakest, so Netflix must improve the narrative. Hopefully, it listened to the fans and repaired several relationships.

This trailer gives us some hope.

(Netflix/Screenshot)

We wish they had released the trailer earlier since it looks so hopeful, and we love going home to Serenity.

Good promotion is essential, and Sweet Magnolias still has a devoted fan base who wants to tune in.

Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Appears Community Focused (Netflix/Screenshot)

The streamer finally released the Sweet Magnolias Season 4 trailer as it follows lifelong best friends Maddie Joanna Garcia Swisher) Helen (Heather Headley) and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliot) as they navigate the next of their lives.

The women’s friendship was always the strongest part of the series, so...

Two worlds are colliding and there's two actresses who have played the same Disney princess in two different projects coming together onscreen in Sweet Magnolias season 4! The upcoming season on Netflix is introducing a new character, Iris Maddox, played by Jodi Benson, per TVLine.

If that name sounds familiar to you Disney fans, that's because Benson is the voice of The Little Mermaid. Plus, lead actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher herself also played Ariel in ABC's hit series Once Upon a Time. I love how these two gals are part of each other's world, pun intended, this season! This is so cool and what a wonderful casting.

Per the news outlet, Benson is joining in a recurring role and plays Cal's mother. So she could be Maddie's (Garcia Swisher) future mother-in-law if she and Cal ever decide to take that step. Iris is "amiable, loving, and easygoing," according to TVLine. Netflix...

Fans of The Little Mermaid should get ready for a team-up of two Ariels on a major Netflix show!

It’s been over 35 years since The Little Mermaid began a new era of Disney animation. The 1989 hit was, for its time, the highest-grossing animated movie ever and revitalized Disney. It began the run of what’s now called the Disney Renaissance, as well as inspiring scores of other animated movies.

Disney has never ignored Mermaid. It’s all over the Disney parks with merchandising, rides, a Broadway musical, and more. Naturally, it joined the list of Disney movies adapted into live-action with a 2023 hit starring Halle Bailey in the title role.

For many, Ariel will always be Jodi Benson. The actress’ amazing voice gave life to songs like “Part of Your World,” with Benson remaining a beloved Disney icon. She regularly pops up at events like D23 and concerts and...

Is Serenity big enough for two former mermaids? We’re about find out.

TVLine can exclusively reveal that Jodi Benson, the iconic voice of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, is recurring in Season 4 of Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias, appearing opposite JoAnna Garcia Swisher, who portrayed the beloved princess in live-action form on ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

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Pixar has been captivating audiences with its heartwarming feature films for an impressive thirty years. With new Pixar movies being made every year, the iconic studio never ceases to dazzle its viewers, no matter how old they are. Of course, part of what makes Pixar movies so popular revolves around who they are made for. While the films primarily target young audiences, the filmmakers carefully craft each film so they can be enjoyed just as much by adults.

In fact, many scenes in the best Pixar films actually resonate much more deeply when watching them as an adult. This is particularly true when the movies delve into more emotional topics. While the stories and dialogue are generally simple enough for youthful audiences to understand what is going on, the deeper messages often pack a much stronger punch for older viewers. Certain scenes in Pixar films prove that filmmakers were thinking...

The Toy Story saga isn't over yet as Toy Story 5 is on its way, and while much is unknown about the upcoming movie's story, a tease from one of its actors suggests Buzz is stepping into the spotlight. Pixar's multi-billion-dollar franchise kicked off in 1995 with the premiere of Toy Story, the animation studio's first feature film. Since then, Pixar has released five movies in the franchise, including three sequels and one spin-off. Since Toy Story is so popular (and brings in a lot of revenue), the studio is developing a fourth sequel featuring the return of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Toy Story 5, starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 19, 2026.

Pixar announced Toy Story 5 was in production in early 2023, with Andrew Stanton directing and writing the next sequel. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are...

Moana 2 Box Office (North America): Beats Toy Story 3 (Photo Credit – Instagram/Hotstar)

Moana 2 is still unbeatable at the box office and has been reaching new milestones every now and then. It has now surpassed Wonder Woman and Toy Story 3 to achieve two amazing feats in the United States. The film has entered its sixth three-day weekend and is expected to earn winning numbers once again. Scroll below for the deets.

Toy Story 3 was released in 2010 and featured an ensemble voice cast that included Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Jeff Pidgeon, Jodi Benson, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, and R. Lee Ermey. The animated feature collected $415 million during its domestic run, and worldwide, the film accumulated a total of $1.06 billion.

Meanwhile, Gal Gadot and Chris Pine led Wonder Woman, which was released in 2017 and was directed by Patty Jenkins.

Tom Hanks is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation and has delivered some iconic films throughout his career. Hanks began his film career in the 1980s, gaining success later in the decade before becoming a superstar in the '90s, winning two consecutive Best Actor Academy Awards for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. Hanks' filmography has managed to find both great commercial success and award recognition, with many of his best films being classics that appeal to widespread audiences.

Tom Hanks has succeeded in both serious dramas and lighthearted comedies, making classic films in almost every genre. He's also known for his endearing off-screen personality, earning him recognition as one of Hollywood's most beloved movie stars. He's had frequent collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and Robert Zemeckis, four adventures as Woody in the Toy Story films, and has dipped into romantic comedies in some of Nora Ephron's best films.

Thirty-five years ago this week, Disney released Ron Clements and John Musker's The Little Mermaid, and pop culture was never the same. Between its iconic visuals and addictive soundtrack, the movie has long since become one of the Mouse House's most beloved movies, and for good reason. Ariel's story is timeless and continues to inspire the imagination. Even if some want to claim parts of the story are problematic, The Little Mermaid has a message that resonates to this day.

The Little Mermaid

Director John Musker, Ron ClementsRelease Date November 17, 1989Studio(s) DisneyDistributor(s) DisneyWriters John Musker, Ron ClementsCast Jason Marin, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois, Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel BarnesRating GRuntime 63 MinutesGenres Family, Animation, AdventureFranchise(s) The Little MermaidBudget $40 MillionMain Genre Animation

I grew up with The Little Mermaid, so I have a lot of fondness for it. Ariel was one of my favorite Disney princesses as a kid,...

Disney movies are often admired for their wholesome morals, but examining some classics a little closer shows that they have some strange messages. Children's movies usually have positive messages, even though kids often learn more from brief interactions than extended narratives. Disney has always been lauded for teaching children to work hard for their dreams and to be kind to others, but not all their movies have such simplistic messages.

There are plenty of Disney movies which have aged poorly, with outdated stereotypes and problematic characters. In some cases, older Disney movies also have questionable moral lessons that don't hold up to scrutiny. What's more surprising is that modern Disney movies have also been criticized for their strange messaging. Movies can help shape young minds, so it's a little alarming to see some of the weird morals that Disney classics seem to offer.

Related 13 Disney Animation Characters With Surprisingly Large...

Video game publisher Konami has recently been trying to regain some of their fans after years of poor business decisions. They lost fans over the infamous fallout with Hideo Kojima and the focus on gambling and mobile games. Now they will be remaking one of the most popular entries in the Metal Gear franchise Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

In preparation for the remake’s release and the 20th anniversary of the original on the PlayStation 2, a video presentation was posted. The video featured original Naked Snake actor David Hayter, along with two other actors-actress Lori Alan who played The Boss and actress Jodi Benson who was revealed to have voiced Snake’s love interest Eva.

For the past two decades Jodi Benson herself was never officially named as the voice of Eva, instead going under the name “Suzetta Miñet”.

For years fans have debated over who was the...

The holidays are almost upon us! With October drawing to a close, Disney will soon transform its parks into a festive wonderland.

One of the best places to spend the holidays at Disney World is Epcot. Not only do you get to experience how different countries celebrate the holidays and New Year, but Epcot is also known for its Candlelight Processional, an annual show that tells the story of Christmas through stunning performance that features a celebrity narrator, mass choir of Disney cast members and singers from the community, a 50-piece orchestra, and the Vocies of Liberty.

If you've never seen the show, I highly suggest you catch one of the shows. It runs from November 29th through December 30th with shows at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

This year's narrators are an impressive bunch of new and returning celebrities. Fan-favorites like Neil Patrick Harris,...

It’s a few weeks until Halloween but Disney World is already announcing some big stuff for the holiday season! Here’s a quick peek at what to expect at Disney World for the Christmas season!

It’s a joke among Disney fans that on November 1st, the Halloween decor vanishes and it’s Christmas time. Walt Disney World always goes wild for the holiday season and more so since the pandemic ended. Disney has just announced the big stuff coming for 2024, which includes some terrific favorite traditions alongside some new surprises!

Epcot

As usual, Epcot offers some fun stuff, starting with the Around the World stories. Each World Showcase pavilion boasts a look at how that nation celebrates either Christmas or their own local holidays. From the Bar Santa in Norway to Italy’s La Befana witch to celebrating Hanukkah, it’s always a treat.

Communicore West will host the Jam at Joyful!

One of the big draws at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional show. This iconic offering is performed at the America Gardens Theatre in the World Showcase every year.

What is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot?

The Candlelight Processional is an annual show during the Festival of Holidays that showcases a choir of Disney cast members and singers from the community, a 50-piece orchestra, the Voices of Liberty, and a celebrity narrator reading the Christmas story.

The show is performed thrice nightly at 5 Pm, 6:45 Pm, and 8:15 Pm.

(Photo Credit: Disney)

Who are the celebrity narrators for 2024?

11/29 – 11/30 Josh Gad

12/1 – 12/2 Nico Santos (New)

12/3-12/5 Chrissy Metz

12/6 – 12/7 Whoopi Goldberg

12/8 – 12/10 Tituss Burgess (New)

12/11 – 12/12 Brendan Fraser

12/13 – 12/14 Ralph Macchio (New)

12/15 – 12/16 Gary Sinise

12/17 – 12/18 Neil Patrick Harris

12/19 – 12/21 Pat Sajak

12/22 – 12/23 Gloria Estefan

12/24 – 12/26 Edward James Olmos

12/27 – 12/28 Sterling K Brown

12/29 – 12/30 Jodi Benson

I’m so excited to see Brendan Fraser returning this year, along with several others.

The 2012 Pixar film Brave is considered to be somewhat of a black sheep, not just in the history of Pixar movies but also in the lineup of Disney Princesses. While technically not Pixar’s first princess character, Merida was the first outside of Disney’s own animation division to be added to their official lineup.

The movie was released at a bit of an odd time for the studio, sandwiched between two big sequels, Cars 2 (2011) and Monster’s University (2013), and making less than both. Brave was also released just before Disney hit it big with Frozen the very next year, giving Disney’s feature-animated films a lot of momentum for the rest of that decade.

Some have forgotten the film or referred to it as ‘that one Pixar princess movie’. Even 2018’s Ralph Breaks the Internet poked fun at her Scottish accent as the other princesses said rather rudely,...

A new Barbie movie is reportedly being discussed, but Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig are said to not be keen on the idea. Based on the iconic Mattel doll, Barbie, which was directed by Gerwig and features Robbie in the title role, was released last summer to critical and commercial success. The movie becoming a smash hit led to questions regarding the potential for Barbie 2 and the larger future of the screen side of the franchise.

Now, Matthew Belloni reports in his Puck newsletter that Mattel is in talks with Illumination, the company behind the Despicable Me and Minions franchises, to bring an animated take on Barbie to life. Mattel retains the animation rights for Barbie, meaning they could partner with Illumination without affecting whatever plans are in place with Warner Bros. regarding the live-action future of the franchise. According to the report, both Robbie and Gerwig are aware that...

Disney took a look back at its work from decades past with a pair of throwback concerts at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend.

Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert featured live performers, many of whom had worked on previous Disney projects, belting out live renditions of favorite tunes from those two titular decades. Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in the 1989 movie The Little Mermaid), Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), Bill Farmer (the official voice of Goofy and Pluto), Krysta Rodriguez (Smash), Aisha Jackson (Anna in Broadway’s Frozen) and Susan Egan (Meg in Hercules and the original Belle in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast) were some of the performers to take the stage.

Among the era-appropriate songs performed in the shows were “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas, “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and “What’s This?” from Tim Burton...

Pixar's five highest-grossing movies are all sequels to previous hits. Finding Dory benefited from its lead star's decade-long campaign for the movie to happen. Toy Story 4 maintained the franchise's acclaim and profitability despite being a surprise sequel.

During the decades it has spent as one of the most successful animation studios in Hollywood, Pixar has had several movies cross the billion-dollar mark at the box office. Pixar was once the brilliant and lucky underdog team that pulled off the first 3D-animated feature-length movie with the release of Toy Story in 1995, an event that would transform the animation industry. Since then, Pixar has produced many more smash-hit family movies based on fun conceptualizations and profoundly real stories, which often move people to tears.

Pixar regularly receives glowing reviews and Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature; with this has come considerable profits. Some clear trends determine which Pixar movies gross...

Disney villains are incomplete without a memorable sidekick. Sidekicks like Mr. Smee, Iago and Kronk add depth to their villains and create fun, dynamic relationships. Many villains have two or three sidekicks acting as a team, like how Cruella De Vil employs Jasper and Horace.

Many of Disney's greatest villains are aided by menacing sidekicks, and these lowly goons can sometimes steal the spotlight. Over the decades, Disney villains have become one of the animation studio's greatest traditions. Icons like Ursula, Jafar and Cruella De Vil wouldn't be the same without their sidekicks, however, and these lesser characters are just as important to the Disney formula.

Disney's darkest villains often need a humorous sidekick to take the edge off. For example, Scar would be even more disturbing if he didn't have a pack of laughing hyenas to provide some comic relief. The best sidekicks bring out the best in their masters,...

It's a testament to Disney's branding that mainstream audiences don't necessarily know who directed or starred in some of their better-known movies. Although many have seen the studio's 1950 animated feature "Cinderella," most audiences wouldn't be able to tell you that Ilene Woods played the title character, or that Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi directed the film. Disney's "Aladdin" changed that with the casting of Robin Williams as the Genie. And the trend of hiring known screen celebrities, often not voice actors, to sell an animated feature to a broad audience went to a whole other level in the wake of DreamWorks' "Shrek." The advent of the internet also helped certain actresses become known among Disney fans. Nowadays, many adults know the names of the actresses who played characters like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, or Ariel the Mermaid.

By Disney's own selection, there are thirteen "official" Disney Princesses: Snow White,...

‘Disney 100: A Century of Dreams’ (Photo Credit: ABC)

ABC’s celebrating all things Disney with a 20/20 special Disney 100: A Century of Dreams. The two-hour special will air on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 9pm Et/Pt and will feature new stories from those with intimate knowledge of Disney’s legacy, along with rare footage from the iconic brand’s 100 years.

Disney CEO Bob Iger, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and Walt Disney’s grandsons Chris Miller and Walter Miller are involved in the special in new interviews. The special explores Disney’s music history with songwriter Richard Sherman, Sir Elton John, composer Alan Menken, and singer/songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda talking about music’s role in Disney’s storytelling.

Disney 100: A Century of Dreams also includes interviews with actors who’ve voiced characters in Disney’s animated productions, including Idina Menzel, Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, and Ariana DeBose.

Disney has created an entire legacy on the concept of wishing on a star, but what happens if that star was an adorable, autonomous being? That’s just the start of Disney’s centennial feature, “Wish,” an animated musical that simultaneously pays homage to the Walt Disney Company while forging a new path of storytelling meant to sustain another hundred years.

But the idea of making a film to represent 100 years of storytelling is a tall feat, and it’s the biggest barrier to “Wish.” For all the film’s adoration of the Disney Company, and it’s back to basic approach of celebrating a great villain, Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore’s screenplay often feels underwritten, with characters who are delightful but lacking that wee bit of verisimilitude to make them jump off the page. Make no mistake, “Wish” is a darling film with fantastic music and amazing voice performances,...

It took a village of creatives at Disney Animation to pull off “Once Upon a Studio,” the animated short that celebrates 100 years of stories and magic. Iconic characters like Snow White and Peter Pan feature alongside Robin Williams’ Genie in a cast of 543 characters from more than 85 feature-length and short films. And it all came together without any artificial intelligence involved.

Directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy were seeking a way to honor the studio’s legacy. “Once Upon a Studio” takes place at the end of a work day at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank. The studio becomes a magical place once Disney Legend Burny Mattinson, who worked there for 70 years on films such as “Lady and the Tramp” (1955) and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (1961), leaves. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse step out of a photo and call for their friends to gather for an official 100th Anniversary Studio portrait.

Once Upon A Studio is a one-of-a-kind short film celebrating the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney Animation Studio. Mickey and Minnie embark on a quest to bring together 500 animated characters for a group picture. Producers Yvette Merino and Brad Simonsen worked on the film, excited to include lesser-known characters who don't always get the spotlight. The animation style stays true to each character's original form, blending different animation styles seamlessly. The film features numerous returning Disney animation legends and includes heartwarming interactions between different Disney characters. The producers had the opportunity to record with Disney legends and bring them back with sound-alikes for those who were no longer available.

Walt Disney Animation Studio is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a one-of-a-kind short, Once Upon A Studio bringing together characters from all across the studio's legacy. When the Walt Disney Animation Studios employees leave for the day, Mickey and Minnie escape...

Animation Is Film revealed Thursday that its 2023 edition next month will open with Gkids and Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron, the latest film from Hayao Miyazaki that just opened the Toronto Film Festival. It is getting its U.S. Imax premiere at Tcl’s Chinese 6.

The festival, set to run October 18-22 in Hollywood, will close with Netflix’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, to be followed by a Q&a with director Sam Fell and executive producer Peter Lord.

Aif’s annual lineup of theatrical presentations, special events, and shorts showcase includes two Annecy International Animation Film Festival prize winners, Neon’s film Robot Dreams and Gkids’ Chicken for Linda!, which will make their West Coast and U.S. debuts. Other titles include Phoenix: Reminiscence of Flower (Japan), making its North American theatrical premiere.

DreamWorks Animation will host a special presentation of its latest film,...

"Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest" is an animated  crossover TV special developed by Lego in collaboration with the 'Disney Princess' franchise, starring Jodi Benson, Noni Rose, Mandy Moore, Auli'i Cravalho, Katherine Von Till, Richard White, Jim Cummings, Corey Burton, Jo Anne Worley, Roland Rubio and Barrett Leddy, now streaming on Disney+:

"...'Tiana', 'Moana', 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel' and 'Ariel' are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle. 

"Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that 'Gaston' has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms. The Princess characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms. Will bravery, quick-thinking and teamwork prevail?..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Disney's magical live-action reimagining of "The Little Mermaid" hit theaters in May, and now it's finally heading to streaming. The remake, which stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, was one of the most anticipated movies of the year, especially after unveiling its sprawling, full-length trailer during the 2023 Oscars. Its cast also includes Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian.

Though live-action Disney remakes can sometimes be hit or miss, it seems the new "The Little Mermaid" has something everyone can enjoy (even adults who are fans of the iconic story). From exciting new songs to renditions of classics from the original 1989 movie, the rebooted movie breathes new life into a familiar tale that today's generation has fallen in love with - especially with Bailey at the forefront.

Bailey's role as Ariel has...

"Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest", is a new animated TV special from 'Disney Princess' and the 'Lego Group', directed by Michael D. Black, streaming August 18, 2023 on Disney+:

".. 'Tiana', 'Moana', 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel' and 'Ariel' are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle. Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that 'Gaston' has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms! The 'Princess' characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms from Gaston. Will bravery, quick-thinking, and teamwork prevail?..."

Cast includes Jodi Benson, Auli'i Cravalho, Mandy Moore, Anika Noni Rose, Katie Von Till, Richard White, Joanne Worley, Corey Burton and Jim Cummings as 'King Triton'. 

Click the images to enlarge...

Disney‘s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is swimming onto the home market in September with a Digital, 4K Uhd, Blu-ray, and DVD rollout. The Little Mermaid arrives exclusively on Digital retailers on July 25 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 19.

Per Disney’s official press release:

The Little Mermaid is visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of Disney’s beloved animated musical classic, the story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land...

Ashley Eckstein, the voice-actor who played Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, has sadly debunked rumors she will have a cameo in the upcoming Ahsoka Disney+ TV show. Ashley Eckstein made her debut as the voice of Ahsoka Tano in George Lucas and Dave Filoni's Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie, and since then she's played the part in many different animated TV shows - even reprising the role as the voice of Ahsoka in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. When Lucasfilm's Dave Filoni chose to incorporate Ahsoka into his live-action TV shows, though, he chose Rosario Dawson to play the part.

There have been consistent rumors Eckstein, a popular figure in the Star Wars fandom, will have a cameo in the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show. Sadly, speaking to the Science-Fiction & Fantasy Gazette, Eckstein has debunked these rumors; while she did indeed visit the set,...

Everywhere you look, the “Full House” cast is there for its fans. The upcoming ’90s Con in Tampa, Florida, will feature a panel with Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Dave Coulier, Scott Weinger and creator Jeff Franklin.

This marks the first time Franklin will be on a panel with the group since he was ousted from spinoff “Fuller House” in 2018 amid complaints of his behavior.

The group will be onsite for at the Tampa Convention Center on Saturday, September 16, and and Sunday, September 17 for autographs, selfies, professional photos ops and the full reunion panel.

90s Con was created in 2019 by Thats4Entertainment, the company behind ChristmasCon.

“As 90s kids, we thought it would be such a cool idea to be able to bring together tv show, movie and music reunions that we all grew up with,” co-founders Liliana Kligman and Christina Figliolia recently told Variety. “We knew the...

The Little Mermaid's sea witch Ursula is a misunderstood figure among Disney's pantheon of villains, according to Melissa McCarthy. First voiced by Pat Carroll in the 1989 Disney animated classic, Urusla made a deal with Princess Ariel (Jodi Benson) to give her the chance to walk on land among humans in a scheme to usurp the throne of Atlantica. In the 2023 remake led by Halle Bailey, Ursula's origins are expanded on to provide her character with further development.

Following the release of Disney's live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid, McCarthy offered her perspective on just who the iconic Disney villain truly is during the closing moments of the latest episode of First We Feast's Hot Ones.

McCarthy defended her character, stating that Ursula uses her over-the-top outfits and over-confident, outgoing personality to hide the pain that she has endured and allowed to fester over the years following her banishment. Check out...

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for The Little Mermaid (2023)!The actress who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated movie makes a fitting cameo in The Little Mermaid’s live-action remake, with her scene having a deeper meaning for the film. Disney’s 2023 movie stars Halle Bailey as the mermaid princess Ariel, who exchanges her voice for legs in order to meet Prince Eric and experience the world on land. With success at the box office and a positive Rotten Tomatoes score for Disney’s The Little Mermaid remake, the 2023 movie is victorious in bringing new life to the classic tale for another generation.

While plenty of changes are made to the 2023 adaptation of The Little Mermaid’s story, the remake still pays homage to the beloved classic that came before. One of the greatest hidden tributes to the 1989 movie is the brief appearance of Ariel’s original actress Jodi Benson,...

Disney recently announced that the story of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) would continue in Toy Story 5, setting up an opportunity for some forgotten characters to return. Toy Story 4, which reintroduced the character of Bo Peep (Annie Potts), felt like an ending of sorts, as it gave Woody his happy-ever-after ending. It's possible, therefore, that Toy Story 5 will focus on giving happy endings to Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the toys.

Bo Peep's Toy Story 4 comeback creates the possibility for other forgotten or abandoned toys to return for the fifth entry in the franchise. It was thought that the failure of Lightyear to kickstart a new Toy Story adjacent franchise was behind Disney's decision to resume the story of Woody and Buzz, but Tim Allen disputes this. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Tim Allen stated that the new movie has been in development for a while.

Amid racist backlash toward Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid”, Halle Bailey just received some love from singer and actress, Stephanie Mills, who originated Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway.

Mills took to Instagram to compare her experience on the seven-time Tony Award winning musical version of “The Wizard of Oz”, which had an all-Black cast, to what Bailey has been going through since news of her Ariel casting broke in July 2019.

“I know what this baby @hallebailey has been dealing with,” Mills began in the caption of her heartfelt post. “I got so much hate mail, I was told Judy Garland ‘is turning over in her grave’. All because a little black girl was playing a [role] that was once played by a white girl. It’s sad to see the same thing is happening to this beautiful, talented, smart and intelligent actress.

Read More: Halle Bailey Fans...

There wouldn't be "The Little Mermaid" without Howard Ashman. There probably wouldn't be many of the most beloved Disney movies without him. Ashman was credited as a lyricist on 1989's "The Little Mermaid," 1991's "Beauty and the Beast," and 1992's "Aladdin," but he also worked as a storyteller behind the scenes, whipping the movies into shape and helping create the framework of a Disney animated movie that the studio continued to use throughout the '90s.

Don Hahn, who produced "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King," said in his 2009 documentary, "Waking Sleeping Beauty," about the history of Walt Disney Feature Animation, "Howard is referred to by Roy Disney as another Walt. To us, and to our generation, he was a Walt Disney type." Hahn also directed the 2018 documentary "Howard" about Ashman's life and his work for Disney.

"The animation studio was basically shutting down," Jodi Benson, who voices Ariel in the original film,...

In Hans Christian Andersen's original tale of "The Little Mermaid," first published in 1837, the titular mermaid longs to swim to the surface and explore the world of humans after falling in love with a human man. She visits a sea witch who has a potion that can give her legs in exchange for her voice; she will become human but won't be able to speak. In Andersen's world, mermaids don't have souls and, when they die, transform into sea foam rather than ascending into heaven. 

In order to survive, the little mermaid will have to marry a human man before a certain amount of time elapses. It seems that the mermaid will not be successful in wooing the prince and is destined to become sea foam. At the last minute, the mermaid's sisters rally, giving their hair to the sea witch in exchange for a magical dagger. If...

"The Little Mermaid" was a vital turning point for Disney. Released in 1989, it was the first princess story in 30 years since "Sleeping Beauty," Ariel was a rebellious heroine like no other, and composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman created a Broadway-style soundtrack. The songs have emotional depth, guide the story along, and communicate the characters' inner desires.

The incredible vocal talents of the original film made these songs treasures. Jodi Benson's sweet, crystalline voice — especially in her pivotal number "Part of Your World" — defined Ariel as an adventurous young woman and a new generation of princesses who would stop at nothing to get what they want. Samuel E. Wright's booming voice and vivacious energy are perfect for the overdramatic crustacean — especially the classic romp "Under the Sea." The dramatic, deep-throated performance of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" by Pat Carroll is delightfully wicked. These musical numbers are beloved classics,...

“The Little Mermaid” cast did their best at playing Variety’s “Name That Fish” on the red carpet at the movie’s premiere in Los Angeles

Melissa McCarthy (Ursula), Jacob Tremblay (Flounder), Noma Dumezweni (Queen Selina), Daveed Diggs (Sebastian) and Javier Bardem (King Triton) were put to the test by Variety’s Marc Malkin to see just how much they know about life under the sea.

When quizzed with images of various fish, answers included “basketball with spikes,” “sad fish,” “not Spongebob,” “swordy-thing” “not edible” and “definitely a fish.”

Watch the video above for all the fun.

Rob Marshall’s “The Little Mermaid” stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric. The live-action musical film is a remake of Disney’s 1989 animated fairytale production that starred Jodi Benson as the voice of Ariel.

“The Little Mermaid” premieres in theaters on May 26.

“Halle Bailey is all the reason...

Jodi Benson, the actor that gave voice to Disney’s animated film The Little Mermaid, is showing her support for the live-action adaptation starring Halle Bailey.

“When you look at our film, we started in the studio in 1986 and we were released in 1989. Times change, people change, cultures change,” Benson told People. “What matters and what is important changes. And, as a studio, we need to make those adjustments, and we need to take into consideration what’s going on around us. We need to be aware.”

The remake directed by Rob Marshall also tweaked some of its songs to address the sensitivities society has adapted to like including consent in the “Kiss the Girl” lyrics.

“I do feel all of the nuances and small, slight changes here and there are very important,” Benson added. “It’s very important to address what’s going on right now in our world...

Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 The Little Mermaid, is praising the 2023 live-action reimagining starring Halle Bailey.

In an interview with People magazine published Wednesday, Benson shared why she supports the adjustments made to give the original a modern twist and reflect current society.

“When you look at our film, we started in the studio in 1986 and we were released in 1989. Times change, people change, cultures change,” Benson told People. “What matters and what is important changes. And, as a studio, we need to make those adjustments, and we need to take into consideration what’s going on around us. We need to be aware.”

Benson credited the live action for going more “in depth” with characters and says that it “expands” the story in ways the original didn’t allow. The film features inclusive casting, a new character look for Flounder, lyric changes and the song “Daughters...

Jodi Benson, the original voice behind Ariel in 1989’s “The Little Mermaid”, is giving her seal of approval to Disney’s live-action remake of the animated classic.

Featuring Halle Bailey as the beloved mermaid princess, “The Little Mermaid” splashes into theatres this week. The reimagining of the classic film introduces new songs, fresh plotlines, and some minor lyrical tweaks to existing songs from the original.

According to Benson, she tells People that the updates made to showcase our current society are extremely important.

“When you look at our film, we started in the studio in 1986 and we were released in 1989. Times change, people change, cultures change,” says the 61-year-old actress.

Read More: Halle Bailey On Public Reception Of Relationship With Rapper Ddg: ‘I’m Able To Make My Own Decisions’

“What matters and what is important changes. And, as a studio, we need to make those adjustments, and we need...

Jodi Benson has defended the story changes in the live-action remake of 'The Little Mermaid'.The 61-year-old star voiced Ariel in the original Disney 1989 animated film and can understand why lyrics to songs such as 'Kiss the Girl' and elements of the plot were changed to reflect the modern world.Jodi told Entertainment Weekly: "We're talking about starting our (voiceover) sessions in '86 (for the original film). It's 2023, so we have to grow, we have to learn, we have to be aware of our surroundings."The 'Toy Story' actress is glad that Rob Marshall's movie has been able to maintain elements of the original while also adapting for the modern era.Jodi said: "We've got to be aware of our growth as humans and what's important now and what maybe isn't as important."Things change. We've got to roll with that. I think that Rob and...

Disney's original Ariel Jodi Benson was fully supportive of the studio's new live-action update to "The Little Mermaid." In particular, the fact that director Rob Marshall decided to update the lyrics to some of the classic songs such as "Kiss the Girl" to better reflect the times we live in. Benson, for her part, understands the need for change and doesn't feel any negativity about it.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Benson talked a bit about the updated songs, which are well over 30 years old at this point. The actress explained that this version, which sees Halle Bailey taking on the role of Ariel, truly needed to update the songs to reflect the world of 2023 — not 1989. Here's what she had to say about it:

"We're talking about starting our [voiceover] sessions in '86 [for the original film]. It's 2023, so we have to grow, we have to learn, we have to be aware of our surroundings. We've...

In John Musker's and Ron Clements' 1989 feature film "The Little Mermaid," the title character Ariel (Jodi Benson) has fallen in love with a human, a stringently verboten act in the mer-world. She longs to attract her human paramour's attention, much to the chagrin of the crab Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright), a servant to the king, her father. In order to convince Ariel that life under the sea is better than life on dry land, Sebastian launches into a hummable (and Academy Award-winning) song called "Under the Sea." He sings about how all the nearby ocean creatures are musically gifted, can all dance, and can all play instruments. The entire vicinity breaks into music hoping to convince Ariel of her misplaced desires. While the Academy may have been convinced that "Under the Sea" was a great song, Ariel was not. She swam away to pursue the man of her dreams.

Halle Bailey is just three days out from the anticipated release of “The Little Mermaid” and, ahead of the big day, she’s recounting her reaction to the overwhelming response of young Black girls who gleefully reacted to an Ariel they identified with.

Back in September 2022, when the first teaser trailer for the Disney live-action remake surfaced, the response to Bailey as Ariel was incredible, with many parents posting their children’s reaction to watching the actress’ onscreen debut as the princess.

“When I saw those for the first time, I just cried. I was sobbing uncontrollably,” Bailey tells Glamour for the magazine’s global May cover story.

Read More: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Trailer: Halle Bailey Dreams Of Being Part Of Your World

Halle Bailey — Photo: Ab + Dm/Glamour Halle Bailey — Photo: Ab + Dm/Glamour Halle Bailey — Photo: Ab + Dm/Glamour

“The fact that these babies are looking at me...

Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” is both a faithful and expanded adaptation of the studio’s 1989 animated classic, which featured an iconic voice performance from Jodi Benson as princess Ariel. News broke in April that director Rob Marshall and his “Little Mermaid” team changed lyrics to classic songs such as “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” to address matters of consent and more. The love story between Ariel and Prince Eric was also overhauled so that Ariel isn’t simply giving up her voice for the love of a man, which is perhaps the biggest criticism made these days against the 1989 original.

“We’re talking about starting our [voiceover] sessions in ’86 [for the original film],” Benson recently told Entertainment Weekly, defending the new film’s decision to update “The Little Mermaid” to contemporary times. “It’s 2023, so we have to grow, we have to learn, we have to be aware of our surroundings.

Original Ariel actor for The Little Mermaid Jodi Benson has responded to the changes that were made to the live-action adaptation of the movie. Released in 1989, The Little Mermaid is a classic Disney animated film tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid who wants to learn more about life on land. A live-action remake starring Halle Bailey will be released on May 26, which will include some alterations to the story and some of the classic songs.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Benson defended changes to The Little Mermaid live-action adaptation. She explained that maintaining the spirit of the original is important, but so is making Ariel's story feel relevant in modern times. Check out what Benson had to say below:

We've got to be aware of our growth as humans and what's important now and what maybe isn't as important. Things change. We've got to roll with that. I think...

Disney’s attempts to reinvent their animated classics as live action versions has proven to be largely a smart boxoffice play, but one with a mixed creative result. Certainly some were huge hits like Bill Condon’s Beauty And The Beast and Guy Ritchie’s less enchanting Aladdin. Others effectively created photo-real animals in The Lion King and The Jungle Book. Older Disney staples have gotten the treatment by focusing on the villains in Cruella and Maleficent and their sequels, even an unfortunate Disney + attempt on the untouchable (if you ask me) Lady And The Tramp. But even approaching an animated masterpiece, 1989’s The Little Mermaid and essentially trying to make a splashy (sorry) big screen live action musical that works above and under the water seems dicey on paper. So what do you do? Bring in Rob Marshall, and as it turns out that is all the new live action The Little Mermaid needed.