Mike the Meerkat: The Movie (2018 film)

Warning: this is not a real movie.

Mike the Meerkat: The Movie is an American comedy adventure film based on the series with the same name. It is produced by Universal Studios and distributed by Mike the Meerkat Productions. It stars the voices of Lennon Richardson Gabriel Combs, and Colbi Shofler reprising their roles from the series, with Matthew Lillard, Frank Welker, and Kevin Hart in supporting roles.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on May 4, 2018. It was also a box office success, grossing over $500 million against a $200 million budget, and received critical acclaim for its plot, casting, performances, humor, and fittingness to the series.

Plot
Mike the Meerkat, Harold the Dog, and Bowser the Turtle continue to live their normal lives in Animal City. As they continue to be friends, they have tons of adventures at their house.

In his Lab, Teddy the Bear creates a disintegration potion to use on Mike, Harold, and Bowser to destroy them for calling him, a pipsqueak. He then mixes the ingredients and assumes that the potion works and runs over to their house. Mike, Harold, and Bowser are attacked by Teddy, who tries to use the potion on the three. The potion fails and they all call Teddy a pipsqueak again, causing Teddy to vow revenge. He then returns to his lab and creates a new potion. He uses the potion on them and teleports them to Outer Space for revenge.

The three eventually find themselves on Planet Nektar, an alien planet from another Solar System. Bowser researched the place a long time ago, and therefore knows the planet. As Harold and Mike continue to question the Aliens, Bowser reveals that the only way to find directions is to travel into the Arena and defeat the most powerful challenger, Wrestler Shaggy Rogers. The three then find their way to the Arena.

On Earth, Teddy researches where the three teleported so he can make sure that they don’t return to Earth. Teddy then creates a research device that shows him that they are on Nektar. As he discovers, he creates a VR device that teleports him into Shaggy’s mind, showing him how to defeat the three and know the three. Teddy then creates a video game system to speak to Shaggy through his mind.

On Nektar, the three find their way to the Nektarian Arena. The Announcer reveals that Shaggy is their Galaxy’s most powerful being. Shaggy chooses his opponent, who turns out to be Mike. Shaggy then fights Mike and nearly kills him. Harold and Bowser join the battle and the three eventually win, forcing Shaggy to reveal that Teddy overthrew Animal City and plots to kill every animal in sight. The three then try to escape the Arena, but are arrested for taking part in a fight, which turned out to be illegal on Nektar.

In Jail, the three try to search for a way to escape the cell. Mike and Bowser dress Harold up as a girl to distract the police guard while they steal the key. The plan nearly succeeds until the guard discovers Bowser. Harold knocks out the guard, accidentally causing the alarms. Mike, Harold, and Bowser escape the Prison and discover a portal back to Earth. Mike, Harold, and Bowser then travel through the portal, losing the police and preparing for their final battle with Teddy.

On Earth, Mike and his friends discover that Teddy created a potion, which makes him grow into a giant Teddy bear. Teddy then captures the three and prepares them for an ultimate sacrifice in the morning. Teddy decides to start early and captures Mike. Harold and Bowser then escape the Jail cell and go after Teddy, who attacks all three at the same time. The three then discover that they have the power to grow inside of them and grow into giant animals. Their teamwork leads them to defeating Teddy and saving Animal City. They then realize the error of their ways and decide to stop calling Teddy a pipsqueak, ending their rivalry once and for all, but Teddy is still arrested.

In a mid-credit scene, Teddy and Shaggy are locked up in the same cell and Shaggy reveals that he has a new plan for revenge.

Voice Cast

 * Lennon Richardson as Mike, an African Meerkat who is friends with Harold and Bowser who is teleported to Planet Nektar by Teddy.
 * Lennon Richardson as Harold, a St. Bernard who is friends with Mike and Bowser who is teleported to Planet Nektar by Teddy.
 * Gabriel Combs as Bowser, a Box Turtle who is friends with Harold and Mike who is teleported to Planet Nektar by Teddy.
 * Colbi Shofler as Teddy, an evil Teddy Bear who is called pipsqueak and teleports Mike, Harold, and Bowser to Planet Nektar in an act of revenge.
 * Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers, the world’s best wrestler and champion in the Nektarian Arena.
 * Frank Welker as Giant Teddy, the gigantic version of Teddy.
 * Kevin Hart as Officer Joe, a police officer who watches Mike, Harold, Bowser, Teddy, and Shaggy in prison.

Production
In May 2017, Universal Studios and Cartoon Network announced a Mike the Meerkat feature film, with Lennon Richardson, Gabriel Combs, and Colbi Shoflerimmediately attached to star in. Matthew Lillard, Frank Welker, and Kevin Hart joined the cast in June. Filming took place between August and December 2017, with a trailer released in January, revealing the film’s plot, title, release date, and characters.

Reception
The film received critical acclaim for its plot, casting, performances, humor, and fittingness to the series. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 97% score, based on 879 reviews, with an average score of 8.99/10. The website’s critical consensus reads, “While its plot may not be entirely original, Mike the Meerkat’s first feature film has plenty of heart, humor, and action to spare.” On an A+ to F Scale, the film received an “A+”.

Release
The film was released theatrically in the United States on May 4, 2018. It was also released digitally on July 27, 2018, and on Blu-Ray and DVD on August 14, 2018.

Future
Sequels

The first sequel, titled Mike the Meerkat: The Attack of B-10, was released theatrically in the United States on May 7, 2019. The second sequel, titled Mike the Meerkat: World War, is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States and on demand on March 15, 2021.

Prequel

A prequel, titled Mike the Meerkat: Origins, was released theatrically in the United States on January 22, 2020.

Spin-Off

A spin-off, titled Bowser Goes to Hollywood, was released theatrically in the United States on December 20, 2019.

Television Films

A television film, titled A Mike the Meerkat Christmas, was released on Netflix on December 25, 2020. A sequel, titled A Mike the Meerkat Halloween, is scheduled to be released on Netflix on October 31, 2021.