Believe it or not, Animal Crackers almost didn't happen. It sat on a shelf for years due to distribution nightmares before finally landing on Netflix in 2020. But when you look at the cast of Animal Crackers, you have to wonder how anyone let it sit in a vault. It is honestly one of the most stacked voice casts in recent animation history. We aren't just talking about a couple of "flavor of the week" influencers. No. This movie pulled in genuine Hollywood royalty, from Emily Blunt to Sir Ian McKellen.
The story follows Owen Huntington, a guy trapped in a soul-crushing job at a dog biscuit factory. His life flips when he inherits a run-down circus and a mysterious box of animal crackers. These aren't your standard grocery store snacks. Eat a bear, you become a bear. Eat a hamster, well, you get the idea. It’s a wild premise that required a very specific type of vocal energy to keep it from feeling too ridiculous.
John Krasinski and Emily Blunt: A Rare On-Screen (Vocal) Pairing
Long before they were fighting off sound-sensitive aliens in A Quiet Place, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt played Owen and Zoe Huntington. It's kinda rare to see this real-life power couple working together on a project that’s actually kid-friendly.
John brings that "everyman" charm he perfected as Jim Halpert, making Owen’s frustration with his mean father-in-law feel incredibly relatable. He isn't playing a hero; he's playing a guy who just wants to make his family happy. Emily Blunt, as Zoe, provides the backbone of the film. While Owen is busy turning into various animals and causing chaos, Zoe is the one trying to keep the circus—and their lives—from falling apart. Their chemistry is obvious, even if you’re just hearing their voices. They recorded many of their lines together, which is actually pretty unusual for animated features where actors usually stand alone in a booth. It makes the dialogue feel snappy. Real.
The Supporting Players You Definitely Recognized
You can't have a circus without a villain, and who better to play a flamboyant, narcissistic antagonist than Danny DeVito? He plays Cheyenne, though he’s often overshadowed by the sheer legendary status of Ian McKellen.
Sir Ian McKellen voices Horatio P. Huntington. He’s the villain. He’s theatrical. He’s everything you want from a classically trained Shakespearean actor playing a man who wants to steal magic cookies. McKellen’s voice has this specific gravelly authority that makes even the silliest lines about "magical crackers" sound like a monologue from King Lear.
📖 Related: Despicable Me 2 Edith: Why the Middle Child is Secretly the Best Part of the Movie
Then there’s Danny DeVito. He plays Bluebird. It’s classic DeVito—loud, raspy, and high-energy.
And let’s not forget Sylvester Stallone. Yes, Rocky himself. He plays Bulletman, a human cannonball who has suffered... well, a lot of head trauma. Stallone leanings into his own tough-guy persona for laughs here, and it works surprisingly well. It’s a self-aware performance that acknowledges he’s a massive guy playing a tiny, slightly broken circus performer.
The Mastermind Behind the Voices: James Arnold Taylor
While the big names get the top billing on the poster, the "secret sauce" of the cast of Animal Crackers is James Arnold Taylor. If you’ve ever watched Star Wars: The Clone Wars, you know him as Obi-Wan Kenobi. In this film, he plays Buffalo Bob, but he also handled a massive amount of the additional voice work.
Voice acting is a small world.
Directors Scott Christian Sava and Tony Bancroft (who directed the original Mulan) knew they needed more than just celebrity faces. They needed technical pros. Taylor provides the connective tissue that makes the world feel inhabited. It's easy for an animated movie to feel like a series of disjointed celebrity cameos, but the presence of veteran voice actors like Taylor and Tara Strong (who plays Talia) keeps the performances grounded in the needs of the animation rather than just the ego of the actor.
👉 See also: Death Wish II: Why This Sleazy Sequel Still Triggers People Today
Why the Casting Matters for the Movie's Legacy
Most people don't realize that Animal Crackers was an independent production. Usually, a cast this expensive is reserved for Disney, Pixar, or DreamWorks. The fact that an indie studio managed to snag Patrick Warburton, Gilbert Gottfried, and Raven-Symoné is a testament to the script's heart.
Gottfried, in particular, delivers one of those performances that reminds you why his voice was so iconic. He plays Mario Zucchini. It’s chaotic. It’s grating in exactly the way it was meant to be. This was one of his later film roles before his passing, making it a bit of a nostalgic trip for fans of Aladdin.
A Quick Breakdown of the Main Roles
- John Krasinski as Owen Huntington: The lead who just wants a better life.
- Emily Blunt as Zoe Huntington: The supportive, strong-willed wife.
- Ian McKellen as Horatio P. Huntington: The greedy uncle and primary antagonist.
- Danny DeVito as Bluebird: The eccentric circus veteran.
- Sylvester Stallone as Bulletman: The indestructible (but confused) stuntman.
- Patrick Warburton as Brock: The arrogant, muscle-bound rival at the dog biscuit factory.
- Wallace Shawn as Mr. Woodley: Zoe's father and Owen's grumpy boss.
You might notice a pattern. This is a cast of character actors. Wallace Shawn brings that same "Inconceivable!" energy he had in The Princess Bride. Patrick Warburton uses that deep, deadpan baritone that made Joe Swanson and The Tick famous. Every voice is distinct. You never find yourself wondering "Wait, who is talking right now?" which is a common failure in modern CG movies.
The Controversy and the Delay
Why did it take so long to see this cast? The movie was actually finished around 2017. It premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival to great reviews. But then, the business side got messy.
The original distributors went under or changed focus. The film was stuck in legal limbo. Fans of the actors were confused—trailers had been out for years, yet the movie was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until Netflix stepped in that the world finally got to hear McKellen and Stallone together in a circus comedy. This delay is why the animation might look a tiny bit dated compared to 2024 standards, but the vocal performances remain timeless.
✨ Don't miss: Dark Reign Fantastic Four: Why This Weirdly Political Comic Still Holds Up
Honestly, the cast of Animal Crackers is the primary reason the film works. Without the sincerity Krasinski brings or the sheer menace McKellen provides, the "magic cookie" plot might have felt a bit too thin. They elevated the material.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Voice Actors
If you're looking at this cast and wondering how a small film got so many big names, or if you're just a fan of the movie, here is what you should take away:
- Watch for the Chemistry: Listen to the scenes between Owen and Zoe. Knowing they are a real-life couple adds a layer of warmth to their bickering that is hard to fake in a recording studio.
- Notice the Character Acting: Pay attention to Patrick Warburton and Wallace Shawn. They aren't trying to sound like themselves; they are leaning into their "vocal archetypes." It’s a masterclass in how to use a recognizable voice to fit a specific trope.
- Check the Credits: Beyond the big names, look for James Arnold Taylor and Tara Strong. If you’re interested in the craft of voice acting, these are the people you should study. They do the heavy lifting that makes animation move.
- Compare the Performances: If you have kids, ask them who they think the "bad guy" is. McKellen’s performance is so distinct that even young children can pick up on the personality shifts through his tone alone.
To get the most out of your next viewing, try to ignore the character designs for a moment and just listen to the range. You'll hear legendary actors having more fun than they usually do in live-action dramas. It’s a rare chance to hear Hollywood A-listers just... play.
The best way to appreciate the work is to watch the "Behind the Scenes" clips available on the official production blogs or YouTube. Seeing Danny DeVito in a recording booth is an experience in itself. From there, you can explore the other works of Tony Bancroft, who has a knack for pulling incredible performances out of high-profile talent.