Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (franchise)
An American media franchise about food weather and inventors.
The *Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs* franchise is an American media series from Sony Pictures Animation, inspired by Judi Barrett’s children’s book. It launched with a 2009 film and has earned $517 million at the global box office, with critics generally responding well. The story centers on Flint Lockwood, a young inventor whose machine—the FLDSMDFR—creates food from water. Though initially a success, the device spirals out of control, causing chaotic food-based disasters that Flint and his friends must stop.
The first film, released in 2009, follows Flint, a failed inventor, who builds the FLDSMDFR. The people of Swallow Falls, a sardine-dependent island, enjoy the resulting food weather until the portions grow enormous and the weather turns unstable. Flint loses command of the machine and must shut it down to prevent global destruction.
In the 2013 sequel, Flint believes he destroyed the FLDSMDFR. His idol, Chester V, reveals the machine survived, transforming Swallow Falls into a jungle filled with sentient food-animal hybrids called foodimals. Flint and his friends return to deactivate the device, but when Chester V reveals his own agenda, they must stop him and protect the creatures.
A third film, titled *Planet of the Grapes*, had a completed script before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, according to producer Phil Lord in September 2023.
A traditionally animated television series, also called *Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs*, aired from 2017 to 2018. It comprises 26 22-minute episodes set before the first film, depicting Flint as a gifted high school science enthusiast. He is joined by Sam Sparks, a new student and aspiring reporter; his father Tim; Steve the Monkey; Manny, head of the audiovisual club; Earl, the gym teacher; Brent, a baby-model; and Mayor Shelbourne. DHX Media produced the series, handling global TV and non-US home video distribution, plus worldwide merchandising. Teletoon commissioned it in Canada, Cartoon Network aired it in the US, and Boomerang carried it elsewhere. Sony distributed US home entertainment.
Four short films were released: *Super Manny* and *Earl Scouts* on October 26, 2013; *Steve’s First Bath* and *Attack of the 50-Foot Gummi Bear* on January 28, 2014.
- field
- Media franchise
- known_for
- Revolving around inventor Flint Lockwood and the FLDSMDFR machine that creates food from water
- box_office_gross
- $517 million
- first_release
- 2009 film
- producer
- Sony Pictures Animation
Lore & Background
The franchise centers on Flint Lockwood, a genius inventor who creates the FLDSMDFR, a machine that turns water into food. In the first film, the machine brings food weather to the island of Swallow Falls, but the foods grow in size and become unstable, forcing Flint to shut it down before the world is destroyed. The second film reveals the machine survived and turned the island into a jungle of sentient food creatures, leading Flint and his friends to return and stop it, while also thwarting the plans of his idol Chester V.
A television series, traditionally animated and consisting of 26 22-minute episodes, aired from 2017 to 2018, taking place before the first film. It depicts Flint as a high school student with a passion for science, joined by Sam Sparks, his father Tim, Steve the Monkey, and other characters. Several short films were also released, including Super Manny, Earl Scouts, Steve's First Bath, and Attack of the 50-Foot Gummi Bear.
An unproduced third film, titled Planet of the Grapes, had a script completed before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, according to Phil Lord in September 2023.
Reader's Guide
The Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs franchise is significant for its adaptation of Judi Barrett's book into a successful animated series, grossing over half a billion dollars at the box office. The films' generally positive critical reception and the expansion into a television series and short films demonstrate its cultural impact. The franchise's core concept—a machine that creates food from water leading to chaotic weather events—has become a recognizable premise in family entertainment. The television series, which aired on Cartoon Network in the United States and on Boomerang in other territories, extended the story by exploring Flint's earlier life. The franchise's legacy includes its blend of comedy, invention, and environmental themes, though a planned third film remains unproduced as of the source article's information.
Did You Know?
- The franchise is loosely based on the book of the same name by Judi Barrett.
- The films have grossed $517 million at the box office.
- A television series of 26 episodes aired from 2017 to 2018, set before the first film.
- An unproduced third film was titled Planet of the Grapes.
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