Netflix has purchased The Little Prince from Paramount, picking up US distribution in a move meant to finally bring the animated feature to US audiences.
Based on the iconic French children’s tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and directed by Oscar nominee Mark Osborne (Kung Fu Panda), The Little Prince had been slated for release in US theatres March 18 before being pulled by Paramount.
Since its out-of-competition premiere at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, the French-made film has grossed an estimated $81 million internationally. Heralded as the highest-grossing animated film in France — where it also earned a César Award — The Little Prince has earned praise from critics for its visually stunning mix of stop-motion and CG animation, as well as its interpretation of the story featuring a little boy who befriends an airplane pilot.
