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Curses! (TV series)

Curses! is an adventure television series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and Apple TV+.

Premise

When a family curse turned Alex Vanderhouven to stone, it's up to his two kids and wife to return all the artifacts stolen by their ancestors to their rightful homes to finally lift the curse for good.

Cast and characters

Gabrielle Nevaeh Green as Pandora Vanderhouven
Andre Robinson as Horus "Russ" Vanderhouven
Lyric Lewis as Sky Vanderhouven
Reid Scott as Alex Vanderhouven
James Marsters as Larry
Rhys Darby as Stanley
Rhea Perlman as Margie
Robert Englund as Corneilus Vanderhouven
Phylicia Rashad as Georgia
Kay Bess as Maeve

Episodes

Season 1 (2023)

Production

On September 15, 2023, it was announced that Apple TV+ had ordered an animated series from DreamWorks Animation Television. Apple TV+ announced a fun-filled autumn slate of all-new kids and family programming, featuring both CG and stop-motion animation. The first season consists of ten episodes each with 23 minutes.

The family-oriented series was created and executive produced by Jim Cooper (DreamWorks Dragons) and Jeff Dixon (The Hurricane Heist). John Krasinski (A Quiet Place Parts I & II) also serves as executive producer and Allyson Seeger (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan) as co-executive producer. Leo Riley (Guardians of the Galaxy, Tron: Uprising) is the supervising producer, with Chris Copeland (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) and Justin Copeland (Wonder Woman: Bloodlines) serving as creative consultants.

Reception

Critical reception

In a review by Brian Kitson for The Cosmic Circus, he said (in his own words) "It’s clear that this series is aimed at a younger audience, so the utilization of this formula makes perfect sense. It’s easily accessible to children, for which predictability is important for better engagement. But as an adult, I didn’t feel tired of the series, in fact, and perhaps in spite of it, I loved every episode of this series. Whatever those behind the Curses! is doing, it’s definitely working, as they have another hit on their hands".

Another review by Sam Stone at CPR.com said "It's a solid tonal mix between Indiana Jones and The Real Ghostbusters. And for those looking for a spooky show to share with the whole family this Halloween, Curses! certainly, fits the bill as Apple TV+ continues to expand its original animated and young audience-oriented programming".

In AWN by Jeff Dixon, “As a massive fan of these EC Comics, I almost yelled at them to get out of my head! We knew we were onto something, but it was quite different from anything DreamWorks had ever done before. It was completely untested and very different from DreamWorks’ normal ‘house style.’ We had to break and alter long-existing pipelines, and DWA not only allowed us but was excited about the potential. They were amazing in allowing us to take some serious chances with brand new styles that were totally original for the company. I will eternally hold them in the highest regard for that.”

"This first season has everything – adventures around the world, frightening journeys into unknown caverns, scares you won’t see coming, mysterious characters from around the globe, dangers lurking around every corner, suspense not normally seen in children’s animation, and a creepy atmosphere that is unlike anything you’ve experienced. And a whole bunch of laughs, heart, and emotion as well."