Zita the Spacegirl (film)

Zita the Spacegirl is a 2024 American computer-animated science fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Kyler Spears and co-directed by Jennifer Strickland, from a screenplay by Morgan Jurgenson and Alex Ankeles. It is based on the graphic novel trilogy of the same name by Ben Hatke. It follows the titular heroine, who has to save the Earth from an impending disaster by an alien crime organization.

The film was originally going to be produced by 20th Century Animation (then 20th Century Fox Animation), but was later abandoned by the company until New Eden Pictures acquired the project in March 2022, with Mikros Image handling animation and Amazon MGM Studios acquiring distribution rights.

Zita the Spacegirl held its world premiere at the Annency International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2024, and had a limited theatrical release in the United States on June 21, 2024 before it was released on Amazon Prime Video on June 28, 2024. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, humor, voice acting, and faithfulness to the series, but received criticism for its runtime.

Premise
"When an alien crime organization sets to eliminate all life on planet Earth, one girl must save her home before it's too late, though she must know what she's truly capable of."

-Amazon MGM Studios

Voice cast

 * Haley Tju as Zita.
 * Iain Armitage as Joseph.
 * Sacha Baron Cohen as Piper.
 * Emily Blunt as Lady Madrigal.
 * Will Forte as Dorus.
 * Josh Gad as Robot Randy.
 * Fred Tatasciore as One.
 * Yuri Lowenthal as Strong Strong.
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Mouse.
 * Jo Koy as Zita's father.
 * Hong Chau as Zita's mother.
 * Danny DeVito as the Narrator.
 * TBA

Development
In September 2016, it was announced that 20th Century Fox Animation had acquired the rights to produce a computer-animated film based on the series, with Peter Chernin and Darlene Caamano Loquet set to produce the project. However, despite news of the film surfacing, no more updates were released, speculating that the film was cancelled.

In March 2022, it was announced that independent media company New Eden Pictures acquired the film from 20th, with Chernin Entertainment still producing the film, and Kyler Spears attached to direct. Mikros Image was also announced to be providing the film's animation, and was set for release on Amazon Prime Video in 2024.

Animation
Mikros handled animation from December 2022 to November 2023. The look was inspired by the comics and were made faithfully to imitate as if one was reading the comics themselves.

Music
On January 16, 2024, it was announced that Cliff Martinez will compose the score as his first animated film.

Release
Zita the Spacegirl was released by Amazon MGM Studios on Prime Video on June 28, 2024.

Home media
The film was released on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD on November 6, 2024 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 75% based on 101 critics, with an average rating of 6.49/10. The critical consensus reads: "Debatably the best book adaptation of the year, Zita the Spacegirl blasts off with a thrilling adventure that lasts from start-to-finish." On Metacritic, it has a score of 68 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Accolades
The film was nominated at the 52nd Annie Awards for "Best Animated Feature" and won "Outstanding Music" and "Outstanding Production Design".