Paradoria


 * This article is about film. For franchise, see Paradoria Series. For main setting of film, see Paradoria Location.

Paradoria is a 2015 American 3D computer animated musical fantasy adventure comedy film produced by Universal Animation Studios and released by Universal Pictures. It was directed by Steve Samono and Gary Hall from a screenplay by Samono, John Hamburg, and Laurie Craig, and a story by Samono, Hall, Amy McNeill, Craig, and Michael Wildshill. Film features songs written by Oscar Winner Alan Menken, Cinco Paul and Marc Shaiman, and an orchestral score also composed by Menken. It was Universal Animation Studios 1 animated musical comedy film in 12 years since Magina and stars voices of newcomer Finn Wolfhard, Annasophia Robb, Jenny Slate, Patrick Stewart, Maya Rudolph, with Bryan Cranston, and Rob Riggle.

Set in Eponymous Fictional World during ancient times, Paradoria tells story of a young boy name Jamo and a princess name Keena, who fall in love and aspire to seek outside world against their guardians wishes. When they are separated from kingdom during a raid by ferocious human eating monsters, pair embrace their new lifestyle in their refuge but later become lost and begin fearing that Paradorian kingdom will be destroyed by monsters Jamo and Keena now must find a way back home and stop them from destroying Paradoria.

Samono and Wildshill conceived film original concept in 2008, citing video games Ico and Another World and Hayao Miyazaki anime productions as inspirations. Wildshill originally directed film with Samono until May 2014, leaving later as it sole director. Film, as well as it main setting, was named after a genus of tachinid flies in family Tachinidae. Some of Universal Animation Studios staff visit Mediterranean Sea, Taghit, Kananaskis Range, Ein Gedi, Colmar, France, and southern Montana for inspiration. Paradoria and it art style and tone were also influenced by animated films by Walt Disney Animation Studios, especially those in Disney Renaissance era. Paradoria was 1 Universal Animation Studios film to use studio new animation technology to produce it animated visuals and lighting.

Paradoria premiered at Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles on November 25, 2015, and was released in US on December 11. It received critical acclaim, with many critics praising it animation, concept, screenplay, characters, music, and vocal performances, particularly of Wolfhard and Robb. Film also went on to become a huge unexpected box office success, grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide on a budget of $103 million, becoming 6 highest grossing film of 2015, 19 highest grossing film of all time, 6 Highest Grossing Animated Film Of All Time, and Universal Animation Studios highest grossing film, all records held at time of it release. It received 2 Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for How Much We Love You. Film success has since helped spawn an Expanded Franchise including several short films, a TV series, a Christmas TV Special, and a Sequel released on November 8, 2019.

Plot
In peaceful kingdom of Paradoria, a young boy name Jamo is feeling lonely and becomes bored. While wandering around Paradorian village, he meets King Clint and Queen Melly 7 year old daughter Princess Keena, who also becomes bored in her suffocating royal life. While venturing into woods to spend time together, they are encountered by a herd of large orc like monsters, who attack village, forcing Paradorians to flee. Villagers struggle to find a safe haven, but luckily find an oasis across desert, which they use to build a new empire.

7 years later, Jamo, now dreaming of seeing outside world, falls in love with Keena. After arriving at castle, Jamo enters Keena bedroom and asks her if she wants to leave kingdom, but Keena refuses, saying that outside world is dangerous and they will get in trouble if their guardians find out. When Jamo cheers Keena up by handing a flower to her, 2 are caught by Clint, who tells her daughter that she is not allowed to talk to boys without his permission. Disappointed, Jamo heads back home to his adoptive mother Verra inn, and tells her that he and Keena want to see whole world. Verra then tells her son that someday he will learn to brave world many dangers at an older age.

Next day, Clint and Melly held a tournament for Keena where she can pick a boy she could marry in which she expects Jamo to arrive there. When 3 boys arrive at tournament, Keena is not pleased with any of them. However, Jamo eventually arrives at tournament much to Keena surprise, but Clint recognizes him before and is aware that Jamo is not 1 of boys she could choose to marry. As Keena then tells her father that Jamo is only boy she could fall for, Jamo slowly dances with Keena to prove that he is innocent to Keena, but becomes clumsy by knocking over things and unintentionally breaks into chaos at castle, thus ruining tournament. After disaster, an enraged Clint tells Jamo that he is a disgrace to kingdom, causing Jamo to run off in guilt while Keena follows him. While sitting behind a tree, Jamo returns to express his gratitude to Keena and they seek outside of kingdom, breaking sacred rule that pair is not supposed to see outside world. Without letting their guardians know, 2 develop a close bond, bordering on attraction, and spend time together frequently.

King Kakas, leader of monsters, wants to retaliate against escaped Paradorians. Kakas leads a raid on Paradorian kingdom, during which Jamo and Keena manage to escape from monsters. To Jamo surprise, Keena reveals her extraordinarily large hair bow as wings that makes her fly under a spell and glides with Jamo to refuge at woods, where 2 finally spend time together alone outside of kingdom and celebrate for their freedom. After being shown beauty of a sunset, Keena is inspired to spend more time with Jamo and do fun stuff whatever they want. However, Jamo and Keena later begin to miss their home and worry about other Paradorians, and Jamo willingly encourages Keena to find a way to get back home to kingdom so 2 can reunite with Paradorians. Eventually, Jamo and Keena begin their journey and encounter a group of small creatures called Neets. Pair at 1 believe that they can take them home, but they decide to mingle and spend time with them.

Next day, Jamo and Keena attempt to continue their journey to head back home, but they are found by Kakas and his herd, who want to serve princess as their dinner 1. Jamo flees with Keena, but 2 get separated and monsters capture Keena. Jamo tries to save Keena, but Kakas knocks him into a river, where he is rescued by some neets and a mysterious Paradorian named Canna who transport boy to ruins of old Paradorian village where Jamo was born. Canna reveals that she was an elder of this place and had followed neets here and encourages Jamo to be himself, even if he just a weak boy. Then Jamo is informed that not only monsters took Keena, but also took some Paradorians including Clint, Melly, and Verra. Jamo vows and teams up with neets to rescue Paradorians. They arrive at monsters lair, free rest of Paradorians, and Jamo orders others to escape while he goes to confront Kakas in his throne room.

As Kakas and his monsters attempt to eat Keena, Jamo manages to save Keena but Kakas knocks her unconscious. Jamo, believing Keena to be dead, overcomes his fear and orders neets to attack Kakas by biting him which causes him to lose consciousness where he is knocked over into collapsing parts from lair, crushing him to his death. As of rest of monsters retreat over Kakas death, Jamo soon finds that Keena survived battle Jamo, Keena, Neets and rest of Paradorians manage to escape from collapsing lair and travel back home.

Sometime later, Keena who now becomes Jamo mate professes her love for Jamo and 2 share a kiss, sparking a true friendship. Their guardians finally allow Jamo and Keena to travel with each other to outside world with Kakas and his herd gone.

Voice cast

 * Finn Wolfhard as Jamo, a kind but anxious 13 year old boy with dark teal hair who wears a dark red cap. He falls in love with Keena and willingly longs to seek outside world with princess to escape boring life from Kingdom.
 * Matthew Alexander Samono as 6 year old Jamo
 * Annasophia Robb as Princess Keena, beautiful 14 year old princess of Paradoria and Jamo lifelong crush who wears a magic winged hair bow that makes her fly under an enchantment. She thinks she would choose Jamo as her true love.
 * Theresa Rose Mcneill as 7 year old Keena. Amy Daughter
 * Jenny Slate as Verra, Jamo adoptive mother who runs an inn.
 * Patrick Stewart as King Clint, Keena overprotecting father and king of Paradoria.
 * Maya Rudolph as Queen Melly, Keena mother and queen of Paradoria.
 * Bryan Cranston as Bolus, a Paradorian who serves as Clint adviser.
 * Rob Riggle as King Kakas, an orc like beast who is leader of a herd of monsters who plot to eat Paradorians.
 * Wendie Malick as Maggie, a caretaker for Paradorian children. She is often Keena assistant.
 * Chris Parnell as Eugene, Clint loyal lieutenant.
 * Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong as Vinnie And Winnie, Kakas 2 henchmen.
 * Steve Samono as Neets, small creatures that resemble a mouse and a rabbit.
 * Samono also voices Monster chef who serves food for Kakas and his henchmen.
 * Dawnn Lewis as Canna, a Paradorian elder who has various neets who follow and communicate with her.
 * Gary Hall as Boppie, a Paradorian.
 * David K Thompson as Bob, a Paradorian.
 * Laurie Craig, Craig Kellman and Daniel Ross as Kakas other henchmen.
 * Susanne Blakeslee as Surprised Paradorian.

Voices of Paradorian children who Maggie takes care of were provided by Andrew Hall, Lilly Rodgers, Nina Annabelle Ross, and Willow Samono, children of film filmmakers.

Additional voices

 * Ava Acres
 * Steve Alterman
 * Kirk Baily
 * Eva Bella
 * Dave Boat
 * Jack Blessing
 * William Calvert
 * Makenna Cowgill
 * Jessica Dicicco
 * Brian George
 * Grant George
 * Jackie Gonneau
 * Nicholas Guest
 * Bridget Hoffman
 * Rif Hutton
 * Marcella Lentz Pope
 * Hope Levy
 * Cullen Mccarthy
 * Amy Mcneill
 * Juan Pope
 * Cole Sand
 * Fred Tatasciore
 * Byron Thames
 * Marcelo Tubert
 * Tom F Warner
 * Michael Wildshill

Development
After directing Me And Mobo, Steve Samono started working on an adaptation of point and click game Another Code 2 Memories known as Trace Memory in North America, but problems with acquiring necessary film rights prevented him from continuing with that project. To avoid a recurrence of that issue, he pitched 5 original ideas. Genesis of 1 of those ideas 1 that was ultimately green lighted occurred in 2008, when Samono began revisiting his childhood, when he as a child drew several pictures of a boy and a princess with a magic hair bow that makes her fly. He also revisited video games Ico and Another World as well as anime work of Hayao Miyazaki having pivotal inspirations for project.

Given that Samono was a fan of Walt Disney Animation Studios films his creation was inspired by, he wrote a treatment and initially pitched Paradoria to then Disney Animation chief creative officer John Lasseter as a future production for Disney Animation. Although Samono thought film themes and elements would fit into Disney standards, Lasseter turned it down due to creative difficulties. After returning to Disney competing studio Universal Animation Studios, Samono eventually pitched his treatment to Universal Animation CEO Michael Wildshill who was just finish directing Woo La La as 1 of 3 ideas for possible productions for studio several times. However, studio refused to develop project because they were preoccupied with Woo La La. It was until after Woo La La was completed that Universal, who was searching for a project that would fill space between Woo La La and Nepola Odyssey, that Paradoria was finally greenlit. Impressed by film concept, Wildshill short became interested in project so he agreed to work on it with Samono. Following cancellation of Universal 3D computer animated adaptation of Snow Queen, protagonists of Gerda and Kai were reworked into Paradoria protagonists since Samono like designs.

In 2011, Universal announced film, as appropriately joke as Untitled Michael Wildshill Steve Samono Project, which had been commissioned into early stages of development, but little else about film was known at time. Plot, director and co director, producer and other small details were announced at Cinemacon in 2012. By December 2013, Universal announced that film would be title Paradoria, with Wildshill and Samono directing from screenplay by latter alongside John Hamburg and Laurie Craig. Universal also announced that it would be releasing film in 2015, and hinted that it might be December 25, 2015 release window previously announced by studio in 2013 for a then untitled Universal animated film. In 2014, Universal confirmed that it would be releasing film on December 25, 2015. Executives at Universal and Illumination Entertainment were positive at proposal of making Paradoria, but acknowledged it would be difficult to market. In April 2014, release date was pushed up 2 weeks from December 25, to December 11, 2015.

In May 2014, it was announced that Wildshill had stepped down as director, leaving Samono as film sole director but Wildshill still remained as a co director. Wildshill explained that, between his position as CEO of Universal Animation Studios, he could not commit directing film. Associate producer David K Thompson who also voices Bob in film explained departure all directors get really deep in their film. Sometimes you just need a different perspective to get idea out. Sometimes directors are so deeply embedded in their ideas it actually takes someone else to finish it up.

During 2014 Cinemacon for Universal slate of upcoming animated films, protagonist Jamo last name was given as Toulouse named after Capital of French department of Haute Garonne and of region of Occitanie, but that name was not retained in final film.

Writing
Karey Kirkpatrick, who worked for a year on film script, wrote initial screenplay. 1 draft focused on Jamo as an orphan who was adopted by Verra. However, orphan based theme was deleted from story as directors thought it was too cliche and overused, but was later reused in It Sequel. By late 2011, Kirkpatrick left project, due to a lack of confidence. John Hamburg and Laurie Craig were credited as co writers of screenplay following their contributions during rewrite. Despite his departure, Kirkpatrick received an Additional Story Material credit.

Film title Paradoria comes from a genus of tachinid flies in family Tachinidae. However, co producer Daniel Ross suggested that name is actually a portmanteau of word paradise and prominent historical Genoese family Doria. Ironically, filmmakers found out that word for paradoria genus of tachinid flies was never in public domain, so it was thankfully safe for animators to name film Paradoria without causing any confusion with flies, as film has no connection to true flies within insects. For 1 of film main characters, Samono named deuteragonist Princess Keena after actress and model Monica Keena, as a delightful montage.

Like most Universal and Illumination Entertainment animated films, several major story problems were identified in 2014 only after film had already transitioned from development into production, but computer generated films tend to have much short production schedules and much larger animation teams in this case, about 90 animators than traditionally animated films. Since Samono was already work 12 hour directing such a large team of animators, Gary Hall came on board as co director to help fix film story issues by August 2014.

Casting
Film voice cast consisting of Annasophia Robb, Jenny Slate, with Patrick Stewart and Rob Riggle were 1 announced in 2013, while casting was underway for lead character Jamo. More than 1,200 young actors auditioned for role of Jamo, which ultimately went to Finn Wolfhard from Vancouver, Canada when he got his 1 acting job from Craigslist. When character of Jamo was written, Elijah Wood, Jake T Austin, with Josh Hutcherson, and Jace Norman were considered for role of Jamo. With release of film trailer in 2015, Wolfhard was announced as role of Jamo, while Maya Rudolph, Bryan Cranston, with Wendie Malick and Chris Parnell were add to film cast. This is also 2 Universal animated film in which Riggle and Slate have co starred together, 1 being 2012 Lorax (2012). Stewart had previously worked with Universal Animation on studio 1 film Ama And Mysterious Crystal in 1997.

Dakota Fanning, who had previously worked with Universal Animation on Me And Mobo and Computer Opolis 3, was initially hired by Universal to voice Keena, and she had recorded nearly all of dialogue for character, but left project due to creative difficulties. In addition to Fanning, Chloe Grace Moretz, Emma Stone, Christina Hendricks, with Anna Kendrick, and Kristen Bell were also considered for Keena. Studio then re cast voice role to Annasophia Robb, who was chosen by producer Amy Mcneill while she was watching Bridge To Terabithia (2007) with her children and saw Robb during that film, to leave no traces of Fanning version of Keena. Commenting on casting of Robb, Hall said that she brought very centered sweetness, tremendous heart and a great sense of humor.

Steve Zahn was originally going to provide a voice in film. According to Zahn, producers were dissatisfied to learn that voice of his characters on animated films such as Chicken Little (2005) and Escape From Planet Earth were not his natural speaking voice. Producers hired him anyway, and then strongly encouraged him to use his comedic voice for role. When Zahn refused, he was dismissed.

Music And soundtrack
Official soundtrack for film was released on December 11, 2015 by Back Lot Music. Song were written by Alan Menken, Cinco Paul and Marc Shaiman, while score was written by Menken.

Animation And design
Over 5 years before film release, Universal Animation Studios had substantially over hauled it production workflow and animation software. Paradoria was 1 Universal Animation Studios film that used BOOST, a new rendering system that offered studio new animation and lighting software through entire production as part of overhaul of rendering system used since 1 Computer Opolis film. Universal Animation president CEO David Stainton as next generation of Universal Animation Studios, Pixar Renderman was considered as a Plan B for film rendering, if BOOST was not able to meet production deadlines. A software program called Zoom was used to create over 400 distinctive characters that populate setting. Another 1 name Frizzle was responsible for creation of setting 320,000.

Development on BOOST started in 2012 and was based upon research into multi bounce complex global illumination originally conducted at Illumination Mac Guff in France. In planning stage of film, CG supervisor Alexander Bates asked what if we made these lights just work. Before new system, artists had to build reflections and shadows manually, which became increasingly complex as models and setups became more technologically advanced. To create look of Paradoria, film team traveled to several places such as Mediterranean Sea, Taghit, Ein Gedi, Kananaskis Range, Colmar, France and southern Montana for research and inspiration. They spent over a year in 2010 painting and sketching, and encountering various creatures as well as story locations.

In designing characters and art style, Samono was inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios films in Renaissance era he had enjoy watch years early. Admiring simplicity of Disney art direction, Samono decided that characters in Paradoria would be loosely styled in akin to Disney art style in their animated films. Universal had contracted Korean Disney animators Shiyoon Kim and Jin Kim, who were finish work on Disney Big Hero 6, to begin working on character design alongside fellow Universal character designers John France, Shannon Tindle and Shane Prigmore, while Craig Kellman served as character designer for Neets. Although characters were initially designed by France, Jin Kim altered on some of characters faces. Production wrapped on November 1, 2015.

Themes and style
Coming soon!

Release
Paradoria premiered on November 25, 2015 at Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles in an out of competition screening. In US, it received a wide theatrical release by Universal Pictures starting on December 11, 2015 in 3D, and IMAX 3D theatres. It was previously scheduled for Christmas of that year.

In some other countries such as Denmark and South Korea, name of protagonist, Jamo, was changed to Jack due to a trademark conflict. Media outlets speculated that name change was to avoid confusion with Danish manufacturer of loudspeakers of Same Name, and Universal Pictures International president, Duncan Clark, acknowledged they were thinking about issue at a meeting of Danish exhibitors in 2014.

Marketing
Teaser trailer for Paradoria was released by Universal Pictures on December 6, 2014 via Youtube and was shown in front of Nepal Odyssey 2 a week later. 1 official trailer was released on July 8, 2015, followed by 2 trailer on September 23, 2015.

Universal partnered with more than 100 licensing and promotional partners in a deal valued at an unprecedented $250 million. 1 of partners was Universal parent company NBCUniversal for advertising. Spots for film appeared on Bravo, E, USA Network, Gingo, Syfy, Telemundo, and Mun 2. A customized page was created on Fandango. Universal also partnered with Mcdonald to produce 8 toys in their Happy Meals starting on December 4, 2015. A video game based on film, titled Paradoria Jamo And Keena Adventure, was released on December 8, 2015 for Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Xbox 1, and Play Station 4, and published by Activision.

Paradoria was also promoted heavily at several Universal Studios theme parks including Universal Citywalk at Hollywood and Orlando, which both offered meet and greet sessions involving film 2 main characters, Jamo And Keena. In 2015, NBCUniversal Brand Development began releasing a line of toys and other merchandise relating to film in retailers.

Home media
Paradoria was released on Blu ray 3D, Blu ray and DVD on March 22, 2016, while a Digital HD release was released on March 8, 2016. Releases include 3 mini movies following in Illumination Entertainment footsteps titled Camp Jamo, Noodles, and Getting Annoyed. Extras include audio commentary, behind scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, music videos, short promotional clips, and a trailer for new movie Secret Life Of Pets.

Upon release, film sold over 2.8 million Blu ray and DVD units in it 1 week, making it highest selling home entertainment animated film for Universal of 2016 as well as 2 highest selling home entertainment film for Universal behind only Jurassic World. Across all digital and physical formats, Paradoria generated $74.2 million in it 1 week. At end of 2016, it was name 3 highest selling video of year in UK, selling 88 million copies since it release. It was 4 highest selling DVD and 3 highest selling Blu ray in country.

Following an announcement on September 20, 2016, a sing along version reissue of Paradoria was released via DVD and Digital HD on December 27, 2016.

Paradoria was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu ray on October 15, 2019.

Box office
Paradoria grossed $411.1 million in US and UK and $714.9 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $1.126 billion against a budget of $103 million. Worldwide, it is 6 Highest Grossing Film Of 2015, 2 highest grossing animated film of 2015 placing 2 among animated films behind only Minions, highest grossing Universal Animation Studios film surpassing Computer Opolis 2 in 2007, 2 highest grossing original film behind Avatar (2009), 3 Highest Grossing Animated Film, and 4 highest grossing film released by Universal Pictures. It is also 4 highest grossing 2015 film released by Universal behind Furious 7, Jurassic World and Minions, as well as 2 highest grossing Universal animated film of 2015 worldwide behind Minions and 2 overall highest grossing Universal animated film of all time domestically.

By breaking $1 billion worldwide, Paradoria became 2 Disney animated film after Minions, 4 animated film after Toy Story 3, Frozen and Minions, and 24 film in cinematic history to do so. This made Universal Pictures 1 studio ever to have 4 films earn more than $1 billion at worldwide box office in a single year following Furious 7, Jurassic World and Minions. Deadline.com calculated net profit of film to be $489.53 million, when factoring together expenses and revenues for film, making it 2 most profitable animated film of 2015, 2 most profitable Universal Pictures film, as well as most profitable Universal Animation Studios film of all time.

North America
In US and UK, Paradoria open across 3,541 theaters, of which 3,100 show film in 3D and 900 of them show film in IMAX 3D. It grossed $17.3 million during it Thursday night show, which is biggest of all time for Universal Animation Studios as well as biggest for a Universal animated release. Film then earned $52.2 million on it open day including Thursday previews, making it biggest open day for a Universal Animation film, biggest for an original film and for an animated release by Universal.

In it open week, it exceeded expectations and grossed $113.9 million, finish 1 at box office. This had mark biggest for an original Walt Disney Pictures animated film break Twist City record, biggest for a Universal original film break Me And Mobo record, studio 2 biggest of all time behind Computer Opolis 2, biggest December animated open, 5 biggest open week for Universal Pictures, and 3 Biggest Animated Opening Of All Time, at time, behind Computer Opolis 2 $133.5 million and Shrek 3 $121.6 million. It also set record for largest opening for any original film, live action or otherwise, not based on sourced material, eclipsing $77 million debut of Avatar (2009).

In it 2 week, film fell by 100% to $54.7 million while drop down to No 2, due to facing stiff competition with newcomer Star Wars 7 Force Awakens. It end it theatrical run on May 5, 2016 playing for a total of 154 days in theaters with a total gross of $411,133,101. It became highest grossing animated film of 2015, 4 highest grossing Universal Animation Studios film, 4 highest grossing Universal Pictures film of 2015, 7 highest grossing film of 2015, 11 Highest Grossing Universal Pictures Film, and 16 highest grossing film of all time.

Outside North America
Internationally, Paradoria received a scattered release as Universal Pictures International took advantage of school holidays in various markets. Film went into general release in 53 countries in the months of December and January, ahead, and along with, it North American release. It was released in a total of 68 countries. It earn an estimated $14.2 million in it open week from 4 countries on 638 screens. It added $33.5 million in it 2 week from 10 countries. In it 3 week, it grossed $62.9 million from 26 countries, coming in 1 place at international box office. It finally top international box office, earning $126.4 million from 56 countries in it 4 week. It added $91.5 million from 56 countries, an increase of 100% from it previous week. In Australia and India it land at No 2 where Revenant (2015) took top spot week it was released in. It passed $500 million mark in it 6 week.

At time of it release, it had biggest open day of all time for an animated film in 16 countries, biggest open day of all time for a Universal Animation film, and Universal biggest open day of all time in 5 countries. It broke open records for a Universal film in Germany $36.1 million, Hong Kong $2.9 million, Poland $1.3 million and India, 2 biggest for Universal in France $10.3 million and 6 other countries, biggest open of all time in Mexico $23.8 million and biggest in Russia and CIS $8.6 million. In UK and Ireland, with significant competition from 5 Wave, film had a $4.97 million $6.1 million open week from 579 theaters, including $1.81 million $2.9 million worth of previews, debuting in 2 place behind 5 Wave and falling just short of Universal Animation Studios best open in UK.

Other notable open were witnessed in, Japan $8.5 million, Germany $7.5 million, South Korea $5 million, Spain $5.3 million, Australia $4.1 million, and Colombia $3 million. In China, it open on Sunday, May 31 and earn $16.3 million on it open day, marking 2 biggest open day for an animated film ever in China, only behind Kung Fu Panda 2 at time. It went on to earn $53.7 million through it 8 day open Sunday to Sunday and $17.7 million for week alone Friday to Sunday. It went into general releases for 30 days in China.

Paradoria became highest grossing Universal animated or Illumination Entertainment film of all time in Mexico ahead of Despicable Me 2, Philippines ahead of Computer Opolis 2, India, and Ukraine and in Russia, it is highest grossing Universal film and 1 Universal Animation film to exceed 1 billion rubles. Outside North America, it is currently highest grossing Universal Animation Studios film, 12 highest grossing film, 4 highest grossing Universal Pictures film and 6 highest grossing film of 2015.

Critical reaction
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, film holds a 100% Certified Fresh approval rating based on 285 reviews with a weighted average rating of 8.7 10. Site critical consensus states, with it beautiful animation, dazzling songs, and a script that captures nostalgia of a young couple expedition, Paradoria will perhaps find it family friendly audience off guard. It was 1 of site highest rated animated films of 2015, other being Inside Out. On Metacritic, film has a normalized score of 100 out of 100, based on 59 critics, indicating universal acclaim. Audiences polled by Cinemascore gave film a rare average grade of A+ on an A+ to F scale.

Manohla Dargis of New York Times considered film very amazing and beautifully well done. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave film 4 out of 4 stars, saying arguably their best effort ever since Computer Opolis, Paradoria takes Universal Animation Studios to a new Pixar like level of creative storytelling and innovation. It is a true experience for studio. Todd Mccarthy of Hollywood Reporter praised film concept, describing it interesting and engaging that directly lives up to animation history, but felt that film should take care of it plot a little more though it still best that no animated film has ever done.

IGN gave film a 100 out of 100 Amazing score, saying very original, entertaining, heartwarming, love spirited, sometimes scary and depressing funny, Paradoria is yet another blockbuster animated success for Universal in years. Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips called it studio best since Computer Opolis, a new touching, sweet, heartwarming entry to animation. Betsy Bozdech of Common Sense Media gave movie 5 out of 5 stars, stating that Paradoria is filled with hearts, spirit, romance and humor that suits up with other animated movies from likes of Despicable Me. However, Ty Burr of The Boston Globe criticized film story, describing it as too formulaic.

Relationship between lead protagonists Jamo and Princess Keena has received mostly positive reception. Rosa Prince of UK daily newspaper Daily Telegraph described love between Jamo and Keena as touching. Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of AV Club praised their relationship, stating that Jamo and Keena make a new welcome to animation industry with their original looks and love. Claudia Puig of USA Today praised romantic scenes of Jamo and Keena, describing them as very adorable and charming, and also praised emotion and direction for lead characters. Kristopher Tapley of Hit Fix called Jamo and Keena relationship as greatest couple for an animated movie in years.

Website Film reported that Paradoria temporarily had a Rating Of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes in December 11, 2015, shortly after film release score was based on 42 reviews at time, all of which were positive.

Accolades
Paradoria was nominated for various awards and won a number of them, including several for Best Animated Feature. At 73 Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film. It led 43 Annie Awards with all 11 nominations, including Outstanding Achievement in Directing in an Animated Feature Production for Samono and Hall, Outstanding Achievement in Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Wolfhard and Best Animated Feature.

Cultural impact
Coming soon!

Expanded franchise
A sequel titled Paradoria 2 was confirmed by Universal Studios on January 14, 2016 and was released on November 8, 2019. Steve Samono returned to direct with a script written by himself, Laurie Craig and Jonathan Aibel And Glenn Berger. All of main cast also reprised their roles in sequel, and are joined by Tom Holland replacing Wolfhard as Jamo, Zoe Saldana, Paul Giamatti, Madelaine Petsch, with Gina Rodriguez, and Tom Cruise. Sequel takes place 4 years after 1 film, featuring Jamo and Keena as young adults as they travel to a mysterious realm known as Enchanted Realm to get a potion to heal Keena father King Clint before their proposed marriage. While, Jamo discovers a shocking secret about his past, and unexpectedly meets his long lost birth mother, Londa.

A half hour Christmas special titled Paradoria Holiday premiered on NBC on November 15, 2016. Directed by Chris Abazzi and written by Gary Hall and Erica Rivinoja, all of main cast from film reprised their roles in special. A traditionally animated TV series based on film titled Tales In Paradoria debuted on September 9, 2017 on Universal Kids. While Wolfhard, Robb, Slate, Rudolph, with Malick, and Parnell reprise their roles in series, Stewart and Cranston were replaced by Tom Kane and Fred Tatasciore, respectively. 7 minutes short film titled Keena Magical Journey was released theatrically with Universal Animation Studios Lix on December 8, 2017. Written and directed by Chris Abazzi, short follows Keena and some of neets as they go on an adventure to find mysterious treasure of love.

Lawsuit
On October 17, 2015, 2 months before release of Paradoria, Jose Garcia, a Mexican artist and writer, filed a lawsuit against Universal for allegedly stealing idea for Paradoria from him. Garcia had been working on a creative project Seasons, a compilation comic of 4 seasons including 1 very similar to Paradoria. author and his lawyer demanded from Universal a share of profits from merchandising articles sold in Mexico. Garcia also alleged that characters of Jamo and Keena were based on drawings of Seasons. Lawsuit also stated that a story artist from Universal Animation visited Garcia in 2014, and discussed Garcia work with him. Universal spokesperson responded, by saying that characters in Paradoria were developed independently by Universal Pictures creative team, and do not infringe on any 1 copyrights. Garcia and lawyer lost lawsuit on September 16, 2016 and intended to file an appeal on April 18, 2017.

Main
To see the main transcript of the film, click here.

Trailers
To see the transcript for the trailers of the film, click here.