Hilda and the Sea Kingdom

Hilda and the Sea Kingdom is a 2024 2D-animated fantasy adventure film based on the graphic novels and Netflix animated series of the same name. The film serves as a sequel to the 2022 film Hilda and the Lost Ring, and is the second theatrical installment of the Hilda franchise. Like the first film, the film is considered non-canon, and takes place weeks after the events of the first film, where Hilda, Frida, and David are transported to an underwater sea kingdom, and learn about its dark history. The three try to find ways to stop an upcoming takeover from happening, while David eventually tries to get braver.

Hilda and the Sea Kingdom received mixed reviews, praising the animation, voice acting, and atmosphere, though some called it "inferior" to the predecessor. But it was box office success, grossing $407 million worldwide against its $52 million budget at the box office, although the film was the lowest grossing Hilda film series to date.

Synopsis
"Starting again after the events of the first film, encounter Hilda, along with Frida and David, to enter a whole new world with mermaids (and mermans) and Water Witches in an aquatic kingdom! But it's not all too friendly, as the kingdom has a very dark history of a long-feared takeover. Could they end the takeover, or is it out of luck?"

-Sony Pictures

Plot
Around years after the first film, Hilda, along with her mother Johanna, find Alex constructing a stage for his cousin Xavier, who is a popular game host. Alex felt embarrassed due to not watching his cousin's reruns of his game show because of his lack of interest. After hearing it, Hilda wants to find why he and Xavier are not too close to each other, despite the fact they are relatives.

TBA.

Main Characters

 * Hilda keeps her rank as the main protagonist in this film.
 * David is the main deutragonist.
 * Frida is another deutragonist.
 * Lir is a Water Witch in the Sea Kingdom. She first enrolled in a witch army, but she later resigned due to finding out what the army does. After a few years, she signed up as a watcher of the Sea Kingdom.
 * Lir's Sister (Doesn't have a name yet) is a minor character. She is Lir's little sister and was born after Lir signed for the Sea Kingdom, and sometimes had a habit of breaking things.
 * Lir's Mother is the mother of both Lir and her sister.
 * Lir's Father (Doesn't have a name yet) is also the father of Lir and her sister.
 * Tak is a kappa. He was friends with Midgus for over 5 years when they both first met in school.
 * Midgus is an octopus. He had a hard lifestyle, suffering from severe headaches, but he took a cure that delayed these.
 * Lord Badstardly is the main antagonist of the film. His goal to overtake the Sea Kingdom and possibly the rest of the Water World came to surface when he gained an interest in conquering a territory.
 * Blizzard Dalk
 * Godium
 * Pingo is the guard of the Sea Kingdom.
 * Maxxel is a pre-teen boy with anger issues.
 * Pil is the assistant of Lord Badstardly. His interest in inventing things came during his college years.
 * Queen of Sea Kingdom (Doesn't have a name yet) is the ruler of the Sea Kingdom.

Secondary Characters

 * Twig
 * Alfur
 * Johanna
 * Wodo
 * Alex
 * Xavier
 * Talking Salmon

Voice cast

 * Bella Ramsey as Hilda
 * Oliver Nelson as David
 * Ammerah Falzon-Ojo as Frida
 * Peter Dinklage as Maxxel
 * Ashly Burch as Lir
 * McKenna Grace as Lir's Sister
 * Emma Mackey as Lir's Mother
 * Taika Waititi as Lir's Father
 * Margot Robbie as Jebby
 * Liev Schreiber as Lord Badstardly
 * Mathieu Amalric as Pil
 * Jay Baruchel as Pingo
 * Lambert Wilson as Tak
 * Jake Johnson as Midgus
 * Daisy Haggard as Johanna
 * Rasmus Hardiker as Alfur
 * Kimiko Glenn as Talking Salmon
 * John Hasler as Alex
 * Sarah Chalke as Queen of Sea Kingdom

Production
At the premiere of Hilda and the Lost Ring in May 2022, Luke Pearson confirmed that a script for a sequel had already been in the works since last month. He said that the sequel will have new elements, such as time-loop and new creatures, including mermaids and Water Witches. In August 2022, it was announced that the sequel, titled Hilda and the Sea Kingdom, is already in production, and is slated for a release date of February 9, 2023. In Late August 2022, the cast was announced at the San Diego Comic Con 2022, the series of the voice cast and first film being returned. All considered the roles of the new character "Lir" including Ashley Jensen, Amy Poehler, Tara Strong, Kenzie Bryant, Ashly Burch, Alex Borstein, and Kari Wahlgren. In order of confirmed the new cast including McKenna Grace, Margot Robbie, Emma Mackey, Taika Waititi, Liev Schreiber, Mathieu Amalric, Peter Dinklage, Jay Baruchel, Lambert Wilson, and Jake Johnson, Burch eventually revealed that was confirmed the role of Lir. The animation was used by Mercury Filmworks and Silvergate Media, using shots over 1,560 scenes. In Early September 2022, Kimiko Glenn and Sarah Chalke was entered the cast to voiced Talking Salmon and Queen of Sea Kingdom. Eventually production switching between offices in Ottawa, London, and New York using Toon Boom Animation software. The animation for the opening credits was done by Giant Ant. In Early October 2022, the film eventually delayed to November 1, 2024, taking place to the wide release closely sole of the avoid competition. During the post-production, Pamela Ziegenhagel-Shefland said she was not going to be film editor due to the scheduling conflicts. Ryan Carlson and John McKinnon was returned in the film crew as music score composer and film editor, while Spring Aspers was serving as a music supervisor though it was credited.

Release
Hilda and the Sea Kingdom was originally released on February 9, 2023, but was delayed into November 1, 2024. The film was world premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox 2024 in Toronto, Canada in October 29, 2024.

Home media
The film was released on digital on January 7, 2025 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. It was then released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD on February 16, 2025. Bonus features such as gag reels, animation behind the scenes, bloopers, deleted scenes, and alternate ending. The film was also 2 movie collection selected with Hilda and the Lost Ring. The film was released on Netflix in December 16, 2024, 45 days after its theatrical release as part of the Sony-Netflix dealership.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 67% based on 159 critics, with an approval rating of 6.90/10. The film's critical consensus says, "Hilda and the Sea Kingdom continues our heroine's biggest adventure into a different world, but very different from its predecessor." On Metacritic, it weighted an average score of 57 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews", while CinemaScore audiences gave it a "A" on an "A+ to F" scale, the same score for Hilda and the Lost Ring. PostTrak reported 89% in the audience score being positive and 69% saying they would going definitely recommend it.

Sequel
Also at the premiere of Hilda and the Lost Ring, Luke Pearson said that two more movies would follow if the film did well at the box-office. When Hilda and the Sea Kingdom was also announced, it was said that a third film could be possible.