The movie will receive a UK nationwide theatrical release in partnership with National Amusements, running in over 400 cinemas from Friday 20th July 2018.
The news follows Channel 5’s Milkshake! signing up the new series of the same name, to air from September 2018.
The series has undergone a major refresh, opening up the world of Thomas & Friends to the next generation of children. The changes will be first seen in the 2018 tentpole and action-packed, feature-length film, Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie, where Thomas will embark on an ambitious trip around the world, leaving Sodor for the first time. Travelling across five continents, Thomas will discover new sights and cultures, while making friends with an inspiring and fun Kenyan engine called Nia.
Following the movie, Series 22 (26 x 11’ episodes) will see the iconic blue engine’s adventures continue, with a few visits to Sodor along the way. The show will have a more contemporary feel, increasing global appeal for pre-school viewers. This all-new format series will feature faster-paced action, increased humour and music, new international friends and animals and exciting fantasy elements.
Sanjay Luthra, managing director, Mattel Europe, commented: “We are delighted to announce the theatrical launch and Milkshake! signing of Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!. 2018 is going to be an incredibly exciting year for the brand as we see a huge transformation to the content which offers many opportunities for the franchise, taking Thomas & Friends from an evergreen to a must-have property.”
The new UK deals follow the recent signing for the refreshed new show of broadcaster’s Nickelodeon (US), ABC TV (Australia), Televisa (Mexico), TV Cultura (Brazil), and Super RTL (Germany).
Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie and Big World! Big Adventures! will make its debut on Nickelodeon USA later this year, following Nickelodeon partnering with Mattel to bring the iconic intellectual property (IP) from its longtime PBS home to the number-one channel for kids. The show launched on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. in the USA in March 2018 with the debut of season 21.
Under the partnership, Nickelodeon also serves as the exclusive consumer products agent for Thomas & Friends in the USA across multiple merchandise categories including apparel, accessories, home goods, consumer electronics, and more.
Back in the UK, Thomas & Friends recently partnered with London Bridge railway station for a four-week campaign to promote free wifi in the station during April 2018.
The campaign saw Thomas on the big screen, featuring on electronic billboards and directing travelling families to the wifi’s portal and interactive ‘Mattel Kids Zone’.
The portal features video content, books and quizzes, helping to keep children entertained during the school holidays. In addition, the ‘Day Out With Thomas’ experience will also be promoted.
Thomas & Friends will return to the portal with the new trailer for the summer film Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie, taking over the home page for one week from Monday 28th May 2018.
The campaign will also feature on the portal at London’s Euston station.
Thomas the Tank Engine™ was originally created over 70 years ago by the Rev W Awdry, as a storybook for his son. That story quickly grew to become the award-winning global brand franchise it is today, enjoyed by families around the world across multiple touch-points and formats, including; toys, apps; consumer products; publishing; live attractions and much more with over 1 engine sold per second. Thomas & Friends is aired in over 160 territories, in over 50 languages with over 1.16 billion lifetime views on YouTube, and offers more than 80 hours of original content produced from 500 episodes and 12 specials.
More Milkshake!: UK: 'Pirata & Capitano' To Set Sail On Channel 5's Milkshake! This Summer
Sources: Toy World Magaazine, Preschool News.
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