The Willoughbys is a 2020 computer-animated comedy film directed by Kris Pearn and co-directed by Rob Lodermeier. Based on the book of the same name by Lois Lowry, the film's screenplay was written by Pearn and Mark Stanleigh, and stars the voices of Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Seán Cullen, and Ricky Gervais, who also narrates the film and follows four kids (including the twins) trying to find new parents to replace their self-centered and neglecting ones.
The Willoughbys was released on Netflix on April 22, 2020 with 37 million people viewing the movie. It received critical acclaim for its animation, acting, story, and soundtrack by Mark Mothersbaugh, as well as Cara's song, "I Choose". It has received six Annie Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature. A sequel, The Willoughbys Return, was released on Netflix on April 29, 2026.
Plot[]
A blue cat narrates the story of the Willoughby siblings: Tim, Jane, and twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B. Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby, are obsessively enamored with each other, neglecting and emotionally abusing the children as a result.
After discovering an orphaned baby, Jane takes her in. When she wreaks havoc in the living room, the Willoughby parents throw their children out of the house, forbidding them to return unless they get rid of the baby. They leave the baby, who Tim names "Ruth", on the doorstep of Commander Melanoff's candy factory, believing it to be a suitable home. On their way home, the siblings hatch a plan to improve their lives by orphaning themselves and getting rid of their parents. The siblings put together a vacation brochure full of deadly destinations that could potentially kill their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby, excited by the brochure, has decided to leave immediately, leaving the siblings in the care of a nanny Linda. Linda proves to be much warmer and more caring than their parents, and Jane and the Barnabys warm up to her almost immediately; Tim, however, remains distrustful towards her. When Linda learns about Ruth, she rushes to the candy factory with the children in tow. Melanoff explains that he originally intended to hand the baby over to the Department of Orphan Services, but quickly grew attached; Linda is assured that Ruth will be well cared for in the factory.
Meanwhile, the Willoughby parents have somehow survived all the hazardous places they’ve visited, but soon discover they've run out of money. Unwilling to return home, they decide to sell their house in order to further finance their vacation. They inform Nanny and demand she figure out what to do with the children on her own.
Tim, still distrustful of Linda, steals her cell phone and finds out about his parents’ message. Tim, believing Linda to have ill intentions, calls Orphan Services. The Willoughby siblings then frighten away the house’s potential buyers. When Linda helps the children by scaring off the last family, Tim finally realizes how much she cares for them. However, Orphan Services arrive, responding to Tim’s call. Heartbroken by Tim’s betrayal, Linda leaves in tears, and the other Willoughby siblings renounce him.
The siblings are taken away and Jane and the Barnabys are taken to separate foster homes. Tim, meanwhile, repeatedly runs away from his well-meaning foster families and is eventually detained in a cell at Orphan Services Headquarters. The Cat encourages Linda to return to the children by giving her Tim’s helmet. Disguised as a janitor, Linda sneaks in, reconciles with Tim, and breaks him out. Linda retrieves and reunites the other Willoughbys, with whom Tim makes amends.
The Willoughbys realize they can get Orphan Services off their backs is if they have their parents. With the help of Linda, Ruth and Melanoff, the Willoughbys build a dirigible to rescue them from the "Unclimbable Alps,"their final destination. The siblings decide to use the dirigible too early, leaving the adults and Ruth behind. As they reach their destination, they follow a trail of their mother's yarn to the top of the mountain, where they find their parents nearly frozen to death. The siblings and the Cat save them. The children confess that they sent them away but hope to reunite as a family. However, their parents prove to be as selfish as always, stealing the dirigible and abandoning the children. However, not knowing how to steer the dirigible, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby eventually crash into the ocean.
With no way to get down, the siblings prepare to succumb to the cold as Jane sings for them. Thankfully, Ruth, Melanoff and Linda, having followed the dirigible, find them before they freeze to death. Now officially orphans, the Willoughbys are adopted by Linda and Melanoff, living much happier lives in Melanoff's candy factory with them, Ruth, and the Cat. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have survived the dirigible crash and are stranded at sea; whereupon they are attacked by a shark.
Voice cast[]
- Will Forte as Tim Willoughby, the protagonist of the film who is the eldest and most rational son of the Willoughbys.
- Maya Rudolph as Linda a.k.a. The Nanny, an eccentric babysitter who looks after the kids. She is also revealed to be an orphan.
- Alessia Cara as Jane Willoughby, the cheerful middle child of the Willoughbys with a passion for singing.
- Terry Crews as Commander Melanoff, the joyous, but lonely owner of a candy factory.
- Martin Short as Walter "Father" Willoughby, the Willoughbys’ abusive father with a hobby of ships in bottles.
- Jane Krakowski as Helga "Mother" Willoughby, the Willoughbys’ abusive mother with a hobby of knitting.
- Seán Cullen as Barnaby A and Barnaby B Willoughby, the "creepy" twin boys and youngest children of the Willoughbys with a shared passion for inventing.
- Ricky Gervais as The Cat, a talking blue tabby cat, and the narrator of the film.
- Colleen Wheeler as Orphan Service Agent Alice Vernakov.
- Nancy Robinson as Irene Holmes.
- Kris Pearn as Spoons McGee.