''Charming'' is a 2018 animated

musical comedy film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as break ...

written and directed by Ross Venokur. Produced by Vanguard Animation, 3QU Media,

Cinesite Cinesite (also known as The Cinesite Group) is an independent, multinational business which provides services to the media and entertainment industries. Its head office in London opened for business in 1994, initially offering services in visu ...

and WV Enterprises, the film features the voices of

Demi Lovato Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato ( ; born August 20, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'' (2002–2004), she starred in the Disney Channel short series ...

Wilmer Valderrama Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama ( ; born January 30, 1980) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Fez in the sitcom '' That '70s Show'' (1998–2006), his current role as Special Agent Nick Torres in '' NCIS'' (2016–present), and Agu ...

, Sia,

Ashley Tisdale Ashley Michelle Tisdale (born July 2, 1985) is an American actress and singer. During her childhood, she was featured in over 100 advertisements and had minor roles on-screen and in theatre. She achieved mainstream success as Maddie Fitzpatric ...

, G.E.M. and

Avril Lavigne Avril Ramona Lavigne ( ; ; born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is a key musician in popularizing pop-punk music, as she paved the way for female-driven, punk-influenced pop music in the early 2000s. List of awa ...

. Lovato is responsible for the executive production of the soundtrack, with Sia,

Fall Out Boy Fall Out Boy is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer A ...

frontman

Patrick Stump Patrick Martin Stumph (born April 27, 1984), known professionally as Patrick Vaughn Stump, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Rock music, rock band Fall Out Boy ...

, and

Steve Aoki Steven Hiroyuki Aoki ( , ; born November 30, 1977) is an American DJ and record producer. In 2012, Pollstar designated Aoki as the highest-grossing electronic dance music artist in North America from tours. In 2024, Gold House recognized him as ...

contributing songs. The film had its world premiere in Spain on 20 April 2018, and was met with generally negative reviews. Streaming service

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

acquired the distribution rights to the film in the United States, and it was released on the platform on 8 January 2021.

Plot

Prince Phillipe Charming was cursed by his father's former partner Nemeny Neverwish, who was jealous that Charming's father would not marry her. Charming instantly bewitches every woman in the land until his 21st birthday, when all the love will disappear. Charming can only break the spell if he finds his true love. Near his 21st birthday, Charming proposes to three bachelorettes:

Cinderella "Cinderella", or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a Folklore, folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. The protagonist is a you ...

, an impatient princess he met at a ball;

Snow White "Snow White" is a German fairy tale, first written down in the early 19th century. The Brothers Grimm published it in 1812 in the first edition of their collection ''Grimms' Fairy Tales'', numbered as Tale 53. The original title was ''Sneewittch ...

, a distrustful princess he saved from a near death experience with an apple; and

Sleeping Beauty "Sleeping Beauty" (, or ''The Beauty Sleeping in the Wood''; , or ''Little Briar Rose''), also titled in English as ''The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods'', is a fairy tale about a princess curse, cursed by an evil fairy to suspended animation in fi ...

, a narcoleptic princess he awoke from a hundred-year sleep with a kiss. None are aware that they are all engaged to the same man. Tired of his flippancy, Charming's father forces him to go on a quest known as the Gauntlet, which could help Charming discover his true love. Having robbed a royal carriage full of treasure, crafty thief Lenore Quinonez briefly meets Charming, who instantly yet unknowingly falls for her when she refuses his advances. To avoid the royal guards, she hides in a bakery whilst Charming's fiancées walk in. Posing as a baker and stealing all their possessions, she discovers who their groom is and reveals they are all engaged to Charming, which causes a scandal. After being arrested, Lenore is bribed by the princesses' guardians to escort Charming to a place called Fire Mountain, where he will choose one of the three princesses to marry. She agrees in exchange for their riches. To avoid further legal trouble, and knowing Charming's reputation, she poses as a man named Lenny. Lenore quickly becomes annoyed with Charming, who seems dim and lacking useful skills. The two bond after Lenore reveals her past: she was raised at sea and taught to distrust everyone. Unknown to Charming, Lenore is cursed by Nemeny to never be able to love. A tribe of giant women known as the Matilija attack them, but Charming charms their chief. She plans to marry him and postpones Lenore's death. While the tribe is busy with Charming, Lenore is taken in by the Half-Oracle, who informs her that Charming might be her true love. After obtaining the chief's "hairpin", an invincible sword, Charming frees Lenore. After escaping, Lenore and Charming enter a stone cave enchanted by Nemeny, where Lenore accidentally awakens a stone monster while stealing a ruby. Charming attempts to fight it but realizes returning the ruby will appease the creature. As he befriends the monster, Lenore ponders whether she and Charming belong together. Lenore develops feelings for Charming and sets up a date. Nemeny discovers this and, knowing Lenore is emotionally fragile, magically draws all the women in the area inexplicably towards Charming, ruining their date and leaving Lenore heartbroken. The two make it to Fire Mountain, where they meet up with the princesses and their guardians. Charming is confused when Lenore receives her reward and by Lenny's cold demeanor. Lenore reveals the truth to Charming, and he realizes that Lenore is his true love, as they completed the Gauntlet trials together. Lenore feels that she betrayed him and ignores Charming's protestations that he loves her regardless. A heartbroken Charming declines to marry any of the princesses. Instead, he decides to execute himself to save the land from Nemeny's curse. Before his execution, Charming writes letters to all the enchanted women, explaining the curse. He and his father share a sad goodbye and, as he is about to be hanged, Charming speaks to his self-sacrifice. Lenore's bird friend Illy hears this, steals one of Charming's letters, and informs Lenore, who realizes that she is Charming's true love. She stops Charming from being hanged, and they admit their love. Before they kiss, Nemeny interrupts and brings the final chapter of her curse. She attempts to kill Lenore, but Charming takes the hit for her and dies, therefore finishing the final task of the Gauntlet: the "blind leap of faith". Grief-stricken, Lenore cries over his body but suddenly remembers " true love's kiss" and kisses Charming, bringing him back to life. Nemeny disappears forever, and the land is freed from her curses. Lenore and Philippe marry each other and live happily ever after.

Cast

as Lenore Quinonez, a street-smart and cunning jewel thief who is cursed to never love. On her quest with Charming, she disguised and named herself Lenny. She is Charming's true love interest. *

as Prince Philippe Charming, a handsome prince cursed to make women fall for him, but has never felt the feeling himself. He is Lenore's love interest (despite his three fiancées). * Sia as the Half-Oracle *

, one of Prince Charming's three fiancées who is very distrustful and paranoid. *

, one of Prince Charming's three fiancées who is rather impatient and airheaded. *

Keyshia Cole Keyshia Myeshia Cole (née Johnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, television personality and actress. Dubbed by critics as the " Princess of Hip-Hop Soul", she is known for her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Bor ...

as Cinderella #2 * G.E.M. as

, one of Prince Charming's three fiancées who is narcoleptic. *

Nia Vardalos Antonia Eugenia "Nia" Vardalos (born September 24, 1962) is a Canadian actress and screenwriter. She starred in and wrote the romantic comedy film ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' (2002), which garnered her nominations for the Academy Award for Best O ...

as Nemeny Neverwish, a bitter and evil fairy bent on enacting revenge on Charming for being rejected by his father. *

Jim Cummings James Jonah Cummings (born November 3, 1952) is an American voice actor. Beginning his career in the 1980s, he has appeared in over 400 titles. Cummings has frequently worked with the Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros., serving as the offic ...

as King Charming / Goat maitre'd *

Chris Harrison Christopher Bryan Harrison (born July 26, 1971) is an American television and game show host, best known for his role as the host of the American Broadcasting Company, ABC reality television dating show ''The Bachelor (American TV series), Th ...

as the Painter *

John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and Television presenter, presenter. Emerging from the Footlights, Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinbur ...

as Fairy Godmother / The Executioner *

Tom Kenny Thomas James Kenny (born July 13, 1962) is an American actor and comedian. He has been voicing SpongeBob SquarePants (character), the titular character in ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' and associated media since its debut in 1999. Kenny has voice ...

as the Blessing Fairy *

Carlos Alazraqui Carlos Jaime Alazraqui (born July 20, 1962) is an American actor. His voice acting roles include the original voice of Spyro from '' Spyro the Dragon'', the Taco Bell chihuahua in the Taco Bell commercials, Rocko on ''Rocko's Modern Life'', D ...

as King Beauty / Cranky Dwarf / Frazelli The Baker *

as Matilija DJ *

Ayesha Curry Ayesha Curry (born Ayesha Disa Alexander March 23, 1989) is a Canadian and American businesswoman, chef, restaurateur and actress. After guest roles in several television shows and films, she began hosting ''Ayesha's Homemade'' ( ''Ayesha's Hom ...

as Dainty Dish Chef *

Cory Edwards Cory Edwards (born August 21, 1968) is an American film director, screenwriter, and stand-up comedian. He is best known for directing, co-writing, and voice acting in ''Hoodwinked!, Hoodwinked'' (2005), and for co-writing and voice acting in t ...

as Town Crier * Aidan Wasserman as Young Boy * Ava Wasserman as Young Girl * Gwendoline Yeo as Maiden *

Dee Bradley Baker Dee Bradley Baker (born August 31, 1962) is an American voice actor. Much of his work has consisted of vocalizations of animals and monsters. Baker's roles include animated series such as '' Adventure Time'', ''American Dad!'', '' Avatar: The Las ...

as Illy / Unconquerable Beast / Guards *

Tara Strong Tara Lyn Strong (; born February 12, 1973) is a Canadian and American actress. She is known for her voice work in animation, websites, and video games. Strong's voice roles include animated series such as '' The Powerpuff Girls'', '' The Fair ...

as Matilija Chief Additional voices are Mylissa Acevedo, Stephen Apostolina, David Cowgill, Holly Dorff, Moosie Drier, Jackie Gonneau, Stephanie Lemelin, Eric Lopez, Dallas Lovato, Edie Mirman, Michelle Ruff, Marilyn Valderrama, Jessica Kardos, and Shelly Shenoy.

Production

On September 18, 2014, it was announced that producers John H. Williams and Henry Skelsey's newly formed animated production company 3QU Media would be developing its first film, ''Charming'', with Vanguard Animation, and in association with

. Ross Venokur directed the film based on his own script, and the film's budget would be under $20 million. The film has been in development at Vanguard Animation since 2011. On February 19, 2015,

was cast as the Lenore, the lead female role, and served as executive producer for the film's music soundtrack. On August 5, 2015,

and G.E.M. joined the cast to voice Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, respectively. SC Films International will handle the international sales for the film.

was cast as Prince Charming and served as the film's executive producer on September 16, 2015. Production was done at the new animation studio

in August 2015 in

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

. On June 28, 2017, it was reported that a newly launched distribution company, Smith Global Media, had acquired distribution rights to the film.

Music

Lovato is responsible for the executive production of the soundtrack. Australian recording artist and songwriter Sia wrote two songs; "Magical" and "Balladino", performed by Lovato and herself, respectively. Also,

frontman

penned a song named "Trophy Boy", which was sung by Lavigne, Tisdale and G.E.M., which Tisdale confirmed on her

Snapchat Snapchat is an American multimedia social media and instant messaging app and service developed by Snap Inc., originally Snapchat Inc. One of the principal features of the app are that pictures and messages, known as "snaps", are usually availa ...

to her fans. The soundtrack features music from

as well as music written and produced by Manny Guevara, David Kater and Mark Grilliot.

Release

The film was postponed for an undisclosed time from 2017 to the spring of 2018, despite the filming, recording and production having been completed in December 2017. Although Vanguard Animation never officially announced a release date, it was released on April 20, 2018, in Spain and throughout the year in Europe and Africa. It was released in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2019. Streaming service

acquired the distribution rights to the film in the United States, and was released on the platform on January 8, 2021.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

the film has an approval rating of based on reviews from critics. Ian Freer of ''Empire'' magazine gave the film 2/5 and wrote: "It has the odd fun conceit but the set-up is tortured, the storytelling is episodic, the gags scattershot, the songs forgettable and the animation rudimentary. You'll live happily ever after without it."

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Charming 2018 films 2018 3D films 2018 computer-animated films 2010s musical fantasy films 2010s musical comedy films 3D animated films American 3D films American children's animated comedy films American children's animated fantasy films American children's animated musical films American computer-animated films American musical comedy films American musical fantasy films Canadian 3D films Canadian computer-animated films Canadian children's fantasy films Canadian musical fantasy films Canadian musical comedy films Animated films based on Cinderella Films based on Sleeping Beauty Animated films based on Snow White Vanguard Animation Animated films based on fairy tales 2018 comedy films 2010s English-language films 2018 American animated films 2010s Canadian animated films Canadian animated comedy films Films scored by Tom Howe (musician) English-language musical comedy films English-language musical fantasy films 2018 musical films