The Sea Beast Release Date, Cast, And Trailer - What We Know So Far

Netflix has become a go-to destination for families wanting entertainment members of all ages can enjoy. When it's a Friday night, sometimes you just want to snuggle on the couch and turn on something that will transport you to a magical world as you munch on popcorn. Netflix has plenty of offerings, from "Klaus" to "The Willoughbys," but don't go for a second thinking animation is only for children. There's plenty for adults to attain from these stories, and there are ample animated projects in the works for everyone in your household to look forward to.

One of the most exciting movies on the horizon is a new film from director Chris Williams ("Big Hero 6," "Moana"), aptly titled "The Sea Beast." The film will follow a young girl who becomes a stowaway on the ship belonging to a magnificent monster hunter as they both seek out riches, wonders, and adventure. It looks like a high-sailing good time for the entire family, and with our first look at the trailer, it's time to mark your calendar for when you'll be able to check out Netflix's latest animated offering.

Netflix has gone all-in on animation, specifically original animated works, to help boost the medium forward. Back in 2020, co-CEO Ted Sarandos made remarks about how the company would commit itself to producing at least six original animated movies per year. By the looks of it, the streaming service is on track to make good on that promise (via Cartoon Brew). That's a hefty commitment that no other company has pushed forward with, and Sarandos went on to say, "The way we think about those things is not to say, 'Well, how do we do it like someone else has done it?' Because no one's ever really done most of these functions at the scale that we're doing, and the only way you could do that is to have a really trusted team, who will make decisions and take them seriously and own them."

2022 is shaping up to be a healthy year for animation from Netflix. The streaming service has a plethora of animated projects in the works, including "Pinocchio" from Guillermo del Toro as well as "Wendell & Wild" from "Nightmare Before Christmas" helmer Henry Selick. "The Sea Beast will join those ranks when it's finally released on July 8, 2022. 

"The Sea Beast" will primarily follow a young girl named Maisie Brumble as she hops aboard a ship in search of adventure. Maisie will be voiced by Zaris-Angel Hator, a young actress who doesn't have a lengthy resume yet but is bound to blow up in a big way. Audiences could previously see her in the TV movie "The Midnight Gang" as Sally.

While Hator's a relative newcomer to the industry, there will be plenty of veterans in the voice cast. For starters, Karl Urban, who can currently be seen as Billy Butcher on "The Boys," will be in the cast as Jacob Holland. Additionally, Dan Stevens of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Guest" fame will be heard in an as-of-yet undisclosed role. 

Rounding out the cast will be Jared Harris ("Chernobyl"), Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Without a Trace"), and Kathy Burke ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy").

On March 30, Netflix graced viewers with a first look at "The Sea Beast" trailer, which provides a stunning look at the animated project. It offers a good look at the movie's plot, where Maisie goes upon a boat belonging to legendary monster hunter Jacob Holland. Together, they'll stumble upon a myriad of creatures lurking beneath the deep sea, all portrayed in stunning 3D animation. 

Viewers seem to be entranced with the trailer, with many leaving comments below it on YouTube. One user compared it favorably to a Disney or Pixar project, writing, "Now that is a first class animation. The vibe is strong on this one and it's clear the producers have taken heavy cues from Disney and Pixar considering the quality of the video." Another user also praises the look of the project: "This looks so good already! I hope Netflix produces more and more content with this kind of animation style."

It seems there are many animation fans out there who can't wait to get a proper look at "The Sea Beast" when it finally comes out this summer.