Netflix is making a calculated bet on the directors behind the biggest animated film of 2023. Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath—the duo who helmed The Super Mario Bros. Movie to a staggering $1.36 billion worldwide—have signed an overall deal with the streaming giant, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The deal represents Netflix's continued animation arms race with traditional studios, but it also raises a fascinating question: can you replicate theatrical blockbuster success on streaming? And should you even try?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie succeeded for specific reasons. It had brand recognition spanning four decades. Illumination's kid-friendly animation style. A voice cast featuring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black. And most importantly, it was a theatrical event—families went to see it together, making it a cultural moment rather than background content.
Netflix has proven it can make quality animation. The Mitchells vs. The Machines, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, and the Arcane series demonstrate the streamer's animation bonafides. But none of those became the kind of cultural phenomenon Mario represented, because streaming dilutes impact. A film everyone watches over three months doesn't generate the same conversation as a film everyone sees opening weekend.
Jelenic and Horvath come from television animation—they worked on Teen Titans Go! before graduating to Mario. They understand episodic storytelling and know how to work within animation budgets. Those are valuable skills for Netflix's model of producing vast amounts of content.
