Until recently, Netflix was never really known for its originality. However, in the past couple of years, that has slowly started to change. Since the start of 2022, they’ve been on a roll when it comes to releasing unique movies, and the next exciting addition to their increasingly high-quality catalogue is Slumberland!

With their recent adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s DC comic, The Sandman, released to great critical acclaim last August, Netflix is now offering an alternative comic-based vision of the world of dreams. Based on the comic book fantasy series Little Nemo by Winsor McCay, which ran from 1905 to 1927, the Slumberland movie adaptation was announced back in January 2020 and is set to premiere on Netflix this November. Along with the official release date, Netflix has also treated us to a full-length trailer in which we get an extended peak into this all-new cinematic incarnation of McCay’s fantasy dreamland. And it doesn’t disappoint!


It follows the story of Nema, a young girl who discovers a secret map that leads her to the dream world of Slumberland. Here, she meets a mysterious horned stranger who needs her help locating an unnamed treasure, with the promise of gifting her wishes in return. Desperate to be reunited with her late father, Nema takes the bait – shenanigans ensue!

The director’s name alone has fantasy fans optimistic, with none other than Francis Lawrence at the helm. And we know Lawrence has a flair for successful page-to-screen adaptations, having brought us both the penultimate and concluding instalments of the legendary Hunger Games trilogy a few years back.


And sure enough, from what we see in the trailer, Slumberland looks visually stunning and showcases several frames lifted straight from the comic panels. Brimming with bright colours and grand-scale scenery, it’s exactly what we’d hope to see in a cinematic version of this fantastical comic series.


While we only really see two cast members showcased in the trailer, it’s safe to say that they’re absolutely killing it! Marlow Barkley’s performance as Nema is overflowing with the childlike charm and curiosity of her lovable comic book counterpart. Yet, she seems to be carrying off the nuanced layers of a childhood tainted by grief absolutely beautifully. Alongside her, we have Jason Mamoa as Flip, an eccentric creature of the dream world with inexhaustible energy and an insatiable appetite for adventure. From what we see of them so far, they appear to have excellent on-screen chemistry, and I can’t wait to see their performances play off one another in full.


While there are some notable deviations, such as the updated time period and additional plot lines, Slumberland appears to be using a premise pieced together from a collection of the original Little Nemo comics, along with a few creative additions. It looks as if this movie adaptation has been made with respect towards the source material in mind and has kept the spirit of Winsor McCay’s Little Nemo intact. Fingers crossed, it delivers!


Slumberland will premiere on Netflix this November 18th. 


Are you excited for Slumberland? Have you read the original comics, or is this your first time hearing about it? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!