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A white steam cloud with a sky-blue outline along with the red-coloured text "Thomas & Friends" in start case. A small trademark logo is located at the bottom-right.
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Thomas & Friends is a British children's television franchise revolving around a cast of anthropomorphic steam engines who work on the Island of Sodor. Starting with a television series of the same name adapted by Britt Allcroft from The Railway Series (a book series created by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry) in 1984 and followed by a 2D animated reboot in 2021, several films and feature length specials have been produced, many of which being released theatrically, yearly or both.

This is a list of all films and specials released within the Thomas & Friends franchise.

List of films

[edit]
Film UK release date Narrator Director Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Music by Production companies
Thomas and the Magic Railroad July 14, 2000 Alec Baldwin Britt Allcroft Britt Allcroft
Phil Fehrle
Junior Campbell & Mike O'Donnell (original Thomas songs)
Hummie Mann (score)
Destination Films
Gullane Entertainment
Isle of Man Film
Calling All Engines! October 3, 2005 Michael Angelis (UK)
Michael Brandon (US)
Steve Asquith Paul Larson
Marc Seal
Simon Spencer Robert Hartshorne
Ed Welch
HiT Entertainment
The Great Discovery September 20, 2008 Pierce Brosnan Sharon Miller
Hero of the Rails October 12, 2009 Michael Angelis (UK)
Michael Brandon (US)
Greg Tiernan Nicole Stinn Robert Hartshorne
Misty Island Rescue September 7, 2010 Nicole Stinn (Nitrogen)
Denise Green (HiT)
Day of the Diesels September 6, 2011 Nicole Stinn (Nitrogen)
Ian McCue (HiT)
Robert Hartshorne
Peter Hartshorne
Blue Mountain Mystery September 3, 2012 Sharon Miller
Andrew Brenner (script editor)
King of the Railway September 17, 2013 Mark Moraghan Rob Silvestri Andrew Brenner Brian Lynch
Ian McCue
Halim Jabbour
HiT Entertainment
Arc Productions
Tale of the Brave August 22, 2014 Ian McCue (HiT)
Robert Anderson (Arc)
Brian Lynch (Arc)
Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure July 17, 2015 David Stoten Ian McCue (HIT)
Jennifer Hill (Arc)
The Adventure Begins July 27, 2015 Don Spencer Rev. W. Awdry (original)
David Mitton and Britt Allcroft (1st adapted)
Andrew Brenner (2nd adapted)
Ian McCue (HiT)
Jennifer Hill (Arc)
Junior Campbell & Mike O'Donnell (original Thomas songs)
Peter Hartshorne (score)
The Great Race May 21, 2016 David Stoten[1] Andrew Brenner Ian McCue (HIT)
Robert Anderson (Arc)
Chris Renshaw
Oliver Davis
Andrew Brenner
Journey Beyond Sodor October 16, 2017 Chris Renshaw
Oliver Davis
Ian McCue
Tracy Baldgon
HiT Entertainment
Jam Filled Toronto
Big World, Big Adventures! July 20, 2018 Micaela Winter (Mattel)
Tracy Blagdon (Jam Filled)
Chris Renshaw
Race for the Sodor Cup September 17, 2021 Jason Groh
Campbell Bryer
Peter Gaffney Rick Suvalle
Suzie Gallo
Erica Procunier Mattel Television
Nelvana
Mystery of the Lookout Mountain December 11, 2022 Campbell Bryer Craig Carlisle
Daniel Share-Strom
Suzie Gallo
The Great Bubbly Build October 12, 2023 Niki Lytton
Thomas & Friends: The Movie TBA TBA Marc Forster Alyssa Hill
Jesse Wigutow[2]
Marc Forster
Renée Wolfe
TBA Mattel Films
2Dux2

Thomas & Friends

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Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)

[edit]

The franchise's first film, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, was released in July 2000, two years after the premiere of the show's fifth series. The film combines the model sets from the television series with real-life actors such as Alec Baldwin, Mara Wilson and Peter Fonda among others. It is an adaptation of both the Thomas & Friends television series as well as Shining Time Station, an American-exclusive series in which Thomas episodes were featured as segments narrated by the character Mr. Conductor in-universe. The film follows Mr. Conductor as he, his cousin Junior, a young girl named Lily Stone and Thomas the Tank Engine solve a mystery to find gold dust, which is used to travel between Shining Time and Sodor, all whilst being hunted down by the evil Diesel 10 who wants to put an end to steam engines.

The film was a critical and financial failure, and is thus the only Thomas film to be theatrically released worldwide.

Calling All Engines! (2005)

[edit]

The first direct-to-video special, Thomas & Friends: Calling All Engines!, was produced to celebrate the franchise's 60th anniversary. It follows the steam engines and diesel engines as they gradually learn to put their differences aside in order to work together and build a new airport. The special was said to be an "enormous success".[3]

The Great Discovery (2008)

[edit]

Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery is the second special in the series, and the final Thomas & Friends production to solely use the model props before the switch to CGI in series 12. In the special, Thomas discovers an abandoned town called Great Waterton, but while restorations are underway, he grows jealous of a new engine named Stanley. The special is narrated by Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan, who was originally planned to narrate the television series following The Great Discovery.[3][4]

Hero of the Rails (2009)

[edit]

The third special, Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails is also the first Thomas production to be produced using full 3D computer animation (commonly referred to as CGI), animated by Nitrogen Studios. Alongside this feat, this special introduces individual voice actors for the characters[5][6] for the first time since Thomas and the Magic Railroad. In the special, Thomas (voiced by Ben Small[7] in the UK dub and Martin Sherman in the US dub) discovers an old, broken-down Japanese engine named Hiro (voiced by Togo Igawa) and attempts to restore him without being caught by the villainous Spencer (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK dub and Glenn Wrage in the US dub).

Misty Island Rescue (2010)

[edit]

The second CGI special and the fourth special overall, Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue, was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 7, 2010, in UK theatres on October 2, 2010,[8] and US theatres on July 3, 2010.[9] In the film, Thomas is sent to the mainland but ends up on Misty Island by accident and must work with the Logging Locos to get home to Sodor.[8]

Day of the Diesels (2011)

[edit]

The fifth special, Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels, was premiered at Vue International in Eastleigh on September 17, 2011.[10] The film is the first to not star Thomas as the main protagonist; the film revolves around Percy as he creates a bond with the diesels, including Diesel 10.[11]

Blue Mountain Mystery (2012)

[edit]

The sixth special, Thomas & Friends: Blue Mountain Mystery, was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on September 1, and received a worldwide DVD release on September 3.[12] The film follows Thomas as he solves a mystery related to a narrow-gauge engine named Luke (voiced by Michael Legge), who makes his debut in this film. It is the final Thomas special to be animated by Nitrogen Studios.

King of the Railway (2013)

[edit]

Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway is the seventh special in the series and the first to be animated by Arc Productions, released in UK theatres and on DVD[13] in September of 2013. The film follows the trio of Thomas, Percy and James as they help restore a castle and meet Stephen, who is based on Stephenson's Rocket, and search for Stephen when he goes missing.[14]

Tale of the Brave (2014)

[edit]

Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave is the eighth special in the series, initially released on DVD on September 1, 2014.[15] In the film, Thomas discovers dinosaur footprints during a landslide, while Percy meets a new friend named Gator and learns to be brave.[16][17]

The Adventure Begins (2015)

[edit]

Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins was released in 2015 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the franchise,[18] making it the second special to celebrate an anniversary. Because of this, it adapts stories from the first two books of The Railway Series: The Three Railway Engines and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure (2015)

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The Great Race (2016)

[edit]

Journey Beyond Sodor (2017)

[edit]

Big World, Big Adventures! (2018)

[edit]

The fourteenth and final Thomas & Friends special, Thomas & Friends: Big World, Big Adventures! was released in UK theatres on July 20, 2018, in conjunction with the franchise's rebrand following the twenty-second series.[19] In the film, Thomas follows an Australian rally car named Ace (voiced by Peter Andre[20]) around the world, meeting an African tank engine named Nia along the way.

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go

[edit]

Race for the Sodor Cup (2021)

[edit]

Mystery of the Lookout Mountain (2022)

[edit]

The Great Bubbly Build (2023)

[edit]

Voice cast and characters

[edit]
Characters Thomas and the Magic Railroad Hero of the Rails Misty Island Rescue Day of the Diesels Blue Mountain Mystery King of the Railway Tale of the Brave The Adventure Begins Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure The Great Race Journey Beyond Sodor Big World! Big Adventures! Race for the Sodor Cup
2000 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021
Thomas Eddie Glen (Workprints: John Bellis) Ben Small (UK)
Martin Sherman (US)
John Hasler (UK)
Joseph May (US)
Aaron Barashi (UK)
Meesha Contreras (US)
Edward William Hope (US)
Keith Wickham (UK)
Henry Kevin Frank Kerry Shale (US)
Keith Wickham (UK)
Gordon Neil Crone Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Cameo Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
James Susan Roman (Workprints: Michael Angelis) Keith Wickham (UK) Rob Rackstraw
Kerry Shale (US) Rob Rackstraw (US)
Percy Linda Ballantyne (Workprints: Michael Angelis) Keith Wickham (UK)
Martin Sherman (US)
Keith Wickham (UK)
Christopher Ragland (US)
Nigel Pilkington (UK)
Christopher Ragland (UK singing voice / US) Christopher Ragland (US)
Toby Colm Feore Ben Small (UK)
William Hope (US)
Rob Rackstraw (UK)
William Hope (US)
Background cameo Rob Rackstraw (UK)
William Hope (US)
Duck Steven Kynman Background cameo
Donald Silent cameo Joe Mills Background cameo
Douglas Silent cameo Joe Mills Background cameo
Oliver Joe Mills Background cameo
Emily Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US)
Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US) Jules de Jongh (UK singing voice / US) Jules de Jongh (US)
Annie and Clarabel Shelley-Elizabeth Skinner Silent cameo Teresa Gallagher
Toad Joe Mills Background cameo
Spencer Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Silent role Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Background cameo
Hiro Togo Igawa Silent cameo Togo Igawa Silent cameo Silent role
Nia Yvonne Grundy
Patricia Kihoro (singing voice)
Skarloey Keith Wickham Keith Wickham
Rheneas Ben Small Ben Small
Sir Handel Keith Wickham Keith Wickham
Peter Sam Steven Kynman Silent cameo Steven Kynman
Rusty Matt Wilkinson
Luke Michael Legge
Stephen Bob Golding Bob Golding
Diesel Background cameo Kerry Shale (UK) Silent cameo Kerry Shale Background cameo Kerry Shale
Michael Brandon (US) Martin Sherman (US)
Lady Britt Allcroft
Diesel 10 Neil Crone (Workprints: Keith Scott) Matt Wilkinson
Splatter Neil Crone (Workprints: Patrick Breen)
Dodge Kevin Frank (Workprints: Patrick Breen)
Victor Matt Wilkinson (UK)
David Bedella (US)
David Bedella David Bedella Picture cameo
Gator Clive Mantle
Timothy Tim Whitnall Tim Whitnall
Marion Olivia Colman Olivia Colman Silent cameo Olivia Colman
Reg Tim Whitnall
Skiff Jamie Campbell Bower
Ryan Eddie Redmayne
Philip Deleted scene Rasmus Hardiker
Flying Scotsman Rufus Jones Silent cameo Rufus Jones
Millie Miranda Raison
Bertie Kevin Frank Background cameo Keith Wickham Fantasy cameo Keith Wickham
Bill Johnathon Broadbent Johnathon Broadbent Fantasy cameo Rasmus Hardiker
Ben Johnathon Broadbent Johnathon Broadbent Matt Wilkinson
Merrick Matt Wilkinson
Owen Ben Small
Charlie Trailer only Steven Kynman (singing voice)
Scruff Kerry Shale and Matt Wilkinson (singing voice)
Stafford Silent cameo Keith Wickham
Daisy Teresa Gallagher
Connor Jonathan Forbes
Caitlin Rebecca O'Mara
Porter Steven Kynman (UK)
David Menkin (US)
Steven Kynman (UK)
David Menkin (US)
Samson Robert Wilfort
Harold Kevin Frank Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Silent cameo Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Ashima Tina Desai
Vinnie John Schwab
Gina Teresa Gallagher
Ivan Bob Golding
Raul Rob Rackstraw
Frieda Teresa Gallagher
Yong Bao Silent cameo Dan Li
Axel Rob Rackstraw
Carlos David Bedella Gabriel Porras
Etienne Rob Rackstraw
Hurricane Jim Howick
Merlin Hugh Bonneville
Frankie Sophie Colquhoun
Theo Darren Boyd
Lexi Lucy Montgomery
Beresford Colin McFarlane
Rocky Matt Wilkinson (UK)
William Hope (US)
Matt Wilkinson (UK)
William Hope (US)
Silent cameo Silent role Silent cameo
Captain Keith Wickham
Kevin Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Kerry Shale
Salty Keith Wickham Silent cameo Silent cameo Keith Wickham Silent cameo
Cranky Silent cameo Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Silent cameo
Beau Kerry Shale
Kwaku Abubakar Salim
Kobe Abubakar Salim
Ace Peter Andre
Natalie Teresa Gallagher
The American Diesel Teresa Gallagher
The Chinese Diesel Su-Lin Looi
Judy Teresa Gallagher Silent cameo
Jerome Tim Whitnall Silent cameo
Glynn Keith Wickham Silent cameo
Norman Kerry Shale
Paxton Kerry Shale Steven Kynman
Sidney Kerry Shale
Den Keith Wickham
Dart Rupert Degas
Belle Teresa Gallagher
Flynn Rupert Degas
Winston Matt Wilkinson Silent cameo Silent cameo
Sir Topham Hatt/The Fat Controller Picture cameo Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Keith Wickham

Reception

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Box office performance

[edit]
Film Release date Domestic opening weekend Box office gross Ref(s)
Domestic Other territories Worldwide
Thomas and the Magic Railroad July 26, 2000 $4,154,932 $15,933,506 $3,814,503 $19,748,009 [21]
The Great Discovery April 9, 2009 $188,317 $188,317 [22]
Hero of the Rails May 20, 2010 $137,630 $137,630 [23]
Misty Island Rescue April 21, 2011 $175,885 $175,885 [24]
Day of the Diesels September 16, 2011 $220,509 $220,509 [25]
Blue Mountain Mystery August 23, 2013 $572,255 $572,255 [26]
King of the Railway September 2, 2013 $43,367 $43,367 [27]
Tale of the Brave August 22, 2014 $348,644 $348,644 [28]
Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure July 17, 2015 $3,616,105 $3,616,105 [29]
The Great Race May 21, 2016 $3,685,225 $3,685,225 [30]
Journey Beyond Sodor August 25, 2017 $482,723 $482,723 [31]
Big World! Big Adventures! July 20, 2018 $3,299,661 $3,299,661 [32]
Total $4,154,932 $15,933,506 $16,584,824 $32,518,330
List indicator(s)
  • A dark-grey cell indicates the information is not available for the film.

Critical and public response

[edit]
Film Critical Public
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore[33]
Thomas and the Magic Railroad 21% (68 reviews)[34] 19 (23 reviews)[35] B[33]

Future

[edit]

A live-action animated film based on the Thomas & Friends franchise being directed by Marc Forster is currently in development at Mattel Films.[2][36]

Cancelled film

[edit]

A live-action animated film titled The Adventures of Thomas, which would've taken place during World War II, was scheduled to release in 2012. The film was cancelled when Mattel purchased the rights to the Thomas franchise.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EMPIRE CINEMAS Film Synopsis – Thomas & Friends: The Great Race". Empire Cinemas. March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  2. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 6, 2020). "'Thomas & Friends' Movie in Development From Mattel With Marc Forster". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Pierce Brosnan Announced As New Narrator For Thomas & Friends". HIT Entertainment (Press release). July 19, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
  4. ^ "Pierce Is New Thomas". The Mirror. July 19, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Thomas the Tank Engine Speaks". ABC News. September 10, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Thomas the Tank Engine steams into computer age". WalesOnline. September 24, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Savvas, Christina (September 24, 2009). "Hi-tech Thomas the Tank Engine returns with his very own voice". BirminghamLive. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Drake, Lucy (October 1, 2010). "Thomas the Tank Engine steams into Vue". Eastleigh News. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  9. ^ "Marcus Theatres® Announces New Family-Friendly Alternate Programming Schedule at Select Theatre Locations". Marcus Theatres. September 23, 2009. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "Thomas the Tank Engine returns to Vue". August 25, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Thomas and Friends: Day of the Diesels Blu-ray (Blu-ray + DVD)". Blu-ray.com. September 11, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  12. ^ Ed Washington (September 3, 2012). "Stars Come Out for 'Blue Mountain Mystery' Premiere". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Hall, John (December 31, 2012). "From 'Thomas the Tank Engine' to 'King of the Railway': Mattel plans global push for franchise". The Independent. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  14. ^ Caldwell, Sarah (June 20, 2013). "'Thomas and Friends: King of the Railway' trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  15. ^ Fisher, Daniela (June 26, 2014). "Thomas & Friends chug into feature movie". Kidscreen. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  16. ^ "From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave - The Movie". PR Newswire. Universal Studios Home Entertainment. June 25, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (June 26, 2014). "'Thomas & Friends' Steams Into Feature Film". Animation World Network. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  18. ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (May 13, 2015). "'Thomas & Friends' Celebrates 70th Anniversary". Animation World Network. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  19. ^ "Global premiere of Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie takes place". Toy World. July 9, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  20. ^ "Peter Andre to voice rally car in Thomas the Tank Engine film". BBC News. June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  21. ^ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad - Box Office Mojo".
  22. ^ "Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery - The Movie - Box Office Mojo".
  23. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails - Box Office Mojo".
  24. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue - Box Office Mojo".
  25. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels - Box Office Mojo".
  26. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Blue Mountain Mystery - Box Office Mojo".
  27. ^ "Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway - Box Office Mojo".
  28. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave - Box Office Mojo".
  29. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure - Box Office Mojo".
  30. ^ "Thomas & Friends: The Great Race - Box Office Mojo".
  31. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor - Box Office Mojo".
  32. ^ "Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie - Box Office Mojo".
  33. ^ a b "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  34. ^ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  35. ^ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  36. ^ Galuppo, Mia (October 6, 2020). "Marc Forster to Direct 'Thomas & Friends' Movie for Mattel Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2024.