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My Little Pony 3 is a 2029 live-action/animated comedy fantasy film, directed by Raja Gonsell and co-directed by Gore Verbinski, Tim Hill and Jon Amiel (the director of The Core). Produced by Columbia Pictures amd distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, the film is the sequel to the popular My Little Pony (2025) and My Little Pony 2 (2027). The addition of Sunset Shimmer to the cast has sparked speculation and anticipation among fans, eager to see what new adventures await their favorite characters. A new villain, Cedric Allision, the new husband of Darcy, is expected to appear in the film.
Plot[]
The sequel follows the escape of Darcy Allision and The Mane Six, Spike, and Starlight Glimmer return New York and go meet the CMC as they get lost in New York, so she begins to team up the CMC to get revenge. Meanwhile Mane Six, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Jerry, and Olivia had to find CMC as they go to London and Paris to race against time and stop Darcy Allision forever.
Cast[]
Live-Action Characters[]
- Charlize Theron as Darcy Allision / Midnight Shadow, the sequel's main antagonist, who wants revenge on the Mane 6, Spike and Starlight Glimmer.
- Paul Rudd as Jerry Stewer: The early 20s person, shy and awkward marketing VP of Barnes & Noble, who friends with the ponies and helps them.
- Anna Kendrick as Olivia Stewer: Jerry’s wife.
- Emily Blunt as Sally Anderson: A energetic and confident Jerry's boss of Barnes & Noble.
Character Voices[]
- Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle: The Princess of Friendship and leader of the Mane 6, dedicated to spreading harmony and friendship.
- Ashleigh Ball as:
- Applejack: a honest apple farmer pony, who is the second-in-command of the Mane 6, Apple Bloom and Big Mac's sister, and Rainbow Dash's best friend.
- Rainbow Dash: a sassy and loyal pegasus with a kind heart and a wild sense of humour. She serves as the third-in-command of the Mane 6, and Applejack's best friend.
- Andrea Libman as:
- Pinkie Pie: a party-obsessed pony filled with joy and laughter, who is a member of the Mane 6, and Twilight's best friend.
- Fluttershy: a shy but kindly pegasus who cares for animals, and a member of the Mane 6.
- Tabitha St. Germain as:
- Rarity: a generous fashion-designing unicorn, Sweetie Belle's sister, and a member of the Mane 6.
- Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom, the leader of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Big Mac and Applejack's sister.
- Claire Margaret Corlett as Sweetie Belle, Rarity's sister.
- Madeleine Peters as Scootaloo, a brave and energetic pegasus, who idolizes Rainbow Dash
- Cathy Weseluck as Spike, a small dragon who is Twilight's adoptive brother, best friend and assistant
- Kelly Sheridan as Starlight Glimmer, a unicorn who is a great friend of the Mane 6.
- Kathleen Barr as Trixie Lulamoon, a boastful and talented unicorn, who is a magician. She's also Starlight's best friend.
- Rebecca Shoichet as Sunset Shimmer, a unicorn who is a great friend of the Mane 6.
Post-Credit Scene[]
Coming Soon
Production[]
Development[]
The sequel for My Little Pony one and two, was announced on August 13, 2027, after the big success of the first film. Inspired by the success of other hybrid films like The Smurfs (2011) and Paddington (2014), Hasbro aimed to reimagine the magical world of Equestria in a live-action setting while staying true to the core themes of friendship, magic, and adventure. Raja Gosnell, known for his work blending live-action with animation in The Smurfs films, was brought on board to direct the project.
Casting[]
Casting for the film began On December 24, 2027. Paul Rudd, known for his charisma and comedic roles, reprised his role as Jerry Stewer, a key human character who helps the ponies navigate New York City. Charlize Theron, praised for her versatility, reprised her role as the antagonist, Darcy Allision, a.k.a. Midnight Shadow, adding gravitas to the villain role. Anna Kendrick joined the cast, reprising her role as Olivia Stewer and Emily Blunt, adding warmth and humor to the live-action cast, reprising her role as Sally Anderson. Keanu Reeves joined the cast as the new villain, Cedric Allision, a.k.a. Scarlet Shadow.
At the same time, the original voice actors from My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, including Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain, Cathy Weseluck, and Kelly Sheridan, were confirmed to reprise their roles as the animated ponies and dragon. Rebecca Shoichet also confirmed that she would reprise her role as Sunset Shimmer. This continuity helped maintain the essence of the original series, ensuring fans of the franchise would feel at home with the characters they love.
Animation and Live-Action Integration[]
The production team faced the challenge of seamlessly integrating animated characters into a live-action environment. The animation was overseen by the same team behind My Little Pony: The Movie (2017), using advanced CGI techniques to bring the ponies to life in the bustling, real-world setting of New York City. The film’s visual style sought to balance the colorful, whimsical aesthetic of Equestria with the more grounded and urban atmosphere of the live-action sequences. Early footage and trailers hinted at an impressive blending of these two worlds, with the animated characters interacting fluidly with live-action actors and environments.
Filming[]
Principal photography for the live-action segments took place in New York City, London, and Paris, with several iconic locations such as Central Park, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Eiffel Tower serving as backdrops for the ponies' adventures. These scenes were shot in May-August, 2026, while voice work and animation were developed simultaneously at a separate studio. The production team worked closely with animators to ensure proper interaction between live-action actors and their animated counterparts, utilizing advanced motion-capture technology to enhance realism.
Soundtrack[]
Music played a pivotal role in the development of the film, continuing the tradition of My Little Pony 3’s iconic songs. The original composers from Friendship Is Magic and My Little Pony: The Movie returned to create a score that captured both the magical essence of Equestria and the contemporary energies of New York City, London, and Paris. In addition, new songs were written specifically for the movie, adding a fresh musical dimension while keeping the upbeat, catchy style fans have come to expect.
- Main article: My Little Pony 3 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Release[]
My Little Pony 3 was released in theaters worldwide on May 11, 2029. The film was distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing in collaboration with Hasbro Entertainment, marking a significant entry in the franchise as it transitions to the hybrid format of live-action and animation. The film is expected to appeal to both long-time fans of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic series and a new generation of viewers, thanks to its engaging storyline, star-studded cast, and cutting-edge animation techniques.
Premiere and Stream Release Dates[]
| Event/Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|
| World Premiere (New York City) | July 24, 2027 |
| Los Angeles Premiere | July 27, 2027 |
| London Premiere | July 31, 2027 |
| Theatrical Release (Worldwide) | August 6, 2027 |
| Digital Release (Streaming Platforms) | December 21, 2027 |
| Blu-ray/DVD Release | February 8, 2028 |
[]
- Teaser Trailer #1
- Release Date: February 11, 2027
- Description: The first teaser introduces the ponies' transition from Equestria, to New York City, to, London, to Paris, highlighting their excitement and the vibrant urban setting.
- Teaser Trailer #2
- Release Date: May 24, 2027
- Description: This trailer features glimpses of the main antagonist, Midnight Shadow, and hints at the challenges the ponies will face in the city, set to an upbeat original song.
- Teaser Trailer #3
- Release Date: July 19, 2027
- Description: The final teaser showcases action-packed scenes and emotional moments, emphasizing the themes of friendship and unity.
In addition to its theatrical release, the film will also be available on select streaming platforms a few months after its debut, as part of a distribution deal between Sony and streaming services. Early screenings and promotional events are planned in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and London, with the cast and crew attending premieres to generate buzz for the movie.
List of Worldwide Release Dates[]
| Country | Release Date |
|---|---|
| United States | August 6, 2027 |
| Canada | August 6, 2027 |
| United Kingdom | August 13, 2027 |
| Australia | August 16, 2027 |
| France | August 17, 2027 |
| Germany | August 18, 2027 |
| Japan | August 26, 2027 |
| South Korea | August 26, 2027 |
| Brazil | August 30, 2025 |
| Mexico | August 30, 2027 |
| Italy | September 1, 2027 |
| Spain | September 2, 2027 |
| China | September 5, 2027 |
| India | July 6, 2027 |
| Russia | September 7, 2027 |
| Argentina | September 8, 2027 |
| New Zealand | September 9, 2027 |
Box Office[]
Upon its release on August 6, 2027, My Little Pony 2 opened to strong box office numbers, capitalizing on the existing fanbase of the Friendship Is Magic franchise and drawing in new audiences intrigued by the live-action/animated hybrid format. On its opening weekend, the film grossed an estimated $50 million domestically, with international markets contributing an additional $80 million, for a global opening of $130 million. Analysts attribute the film's success to its cross-generational appeal, the star power of live-action actors such as Paul Rudd and Charlize Theron, and the nostalgia factor for fans of the original animated series.
By the end of its theatrical run, My Little Pony 2 had earned $450 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the summer of 2027. The film performed particularly well in family-oriented markets, with significant ticket sales in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Reception[]
Critical reception for My Little Pony 2 was largely positive. Critics praised the film for its charming blend of live-action and animation, as well as its heartfelt story that remained true to the themes of friendship, unity, and adventure. Paul Rudd's performance as Jerry Stewer was highlighted for its sincerity and comedic timing, while Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Midnight Shadow was lauded for bringing depth to the film's villain. The seamless integration of animated ponies into real-world settings was also commended, with many noting the impressive visual effects.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 78% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.2/10, based on 150 reviews. The site's consensus reads: "With its mix of heartfelt messages, lighthearted humor, and enchanting animation, My Little Pony delivers an entertaining adventure for fans and newcomers alike." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 65/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
Audiences responded enthusiastically, with the film receiving an A- CinemaScore from moviegoers. Fans of the My Little Pony franchise praised the film's faithfulness to the original series and the inclusion of beloved voice actors like Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball, and Andrea Libman. Newer viewers appreciated the humor and emotional resonance, particularly in the film's climactic scenes set in Central Park and Paris.
Gallery[]
My Little Pony 3 (film)/Gallery
Transcript[]
My Little Pony 3 (film)/Transcript
Credits[]
My Little Pony 3 (film)/Credits