Sonic Movie Producers to Create Live-Action Toys 'R' Us Film

Here's a sentence that might surprise you: a live-action Toys "R" Us movie is officially in development.

As reported by Variety, the creative team at Story Kitchen — known for recent video game adaptations like the Sonic the Hedgehog films — aims to “capture that childhood wonder in a modern, fast-paced adventure that taps into the Toys 'R' Us brand’s relevance across its more than 70 years in the toy industry.”

“Toys 'R' Us is a cultural touchstone that continues impacting the child in all of us today,” said Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen. “As '80s kids who considered Toys 'R' Us one of the most magical places on Earth, we’re honored to partner to create a film that will capture the spirit of adventure, creativity, and nostalgia that Toys 'R' Us represents.”

Somehow, Toys 'R' Us made a comeback. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The upcoming film draws inspiration from classic movies such as Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, while also channeling the vibrant energy of toy-based franchises like Barbie. Though no official casting details have been released yet, the producing team includes Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval from Story Kitchen, alongside Kim Miller Olko, who produces for Toys "R" Us Studios.

“As Toys 'R' Us’ first-ever feature film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen,” said Miller Olko, president of Toys "R" Us Studios. “It will be a journey as boundless as play itself, evoking the electric sense of wonder that is the essence of Toys 'R' Us. This story will capture the imagination, adventure, and joy that has made Toys 'R' Us a destination for kids of all ages.”

This isn’t the only high-profile project Story Kitchen is currently working on. Last year, the studio announced a film adaptation of Square Enix’s Just Cause, with director Ángel Manuel Soto (of Blue Beetle) attached. They're also developing Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.