Here at Collider, we cover a lot of stuff, be it Star Wars, superheroes, or cinephile fare, and everything from movies and TV, to video games and web series. There’s something for everyone. But there’s so much stuff out there that sometimes our younger audience members get left out. So every once in a while, we’d like to shine a spotlight on some family-friendly content that parents and caregivers can confidently watch with the little ones.

In today’s Collider Kids segment, we're bringing you a collection of new stories that should delight the whole family. First up is a new partnership for a family-friendly podcast titled The Punies. Developed by Kobe Bryant and his Oscar-winning Granity Studios in partnership with on-demand audio entertainment provider Cadence13, their first scripted family-friendly podcast series premiered just yesterday and will air every Saturday morning for a 10-week run, just like Saturday morning cartoons of the past. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify and iHeart Radio, The Punies made history as the first youth sports podcast to market.

Created and directed by Bryant, The Punies is a collection of scripted audio stories centering on a young boy named Puny Pete, who's ambitious and determined, yet meek and insecure with a fear of failure. Pete’s friends, known as the “The Punies,” are an ethnically and emotionally diverse group of kids who love to play sports together, and like all real friends, don’t always get along. Told with humor, music and sound effects, each episode teaches important life lessons through a combination of character dialogue, sports radio commentary and fictional product commercial breaks related to youth sports. With an underlying theme of persistence in the face of failure, The Punies stems from Bryant’s own experiences with defeat and success during his legendary career.

“Having spent my whole life playing basketball, there were many times I wasn’t on the winning team. However, those experiences ultimately proved the most valuable because they taught me perseverance, determination, and teamwork. As the father of athletes myself, I created ‘The Punies’ so that these stories will not only entertain the whole family but inspire young listeners to reach their full potential,” said Bryant.

“’The Punies’ is another example of creative storytelling that will capture the imagination and hearts of children and parents alike in this innovative, important and impactful podcast series that will capture learning about perseverance and a willingness not to fail at its core. As a company looking to break new ground and strive for excellence with premium content, C13 is proud to align with someone who is so intensely and incredibly dedicated to his craft and storytelling. We are excited to welcome Kobe to podcasting with this groundbreaking series,” said Chris Corcoran, Cadence13's Chief Content Officer.

The Punies is written by Jon Haller, who is currently the executive story editor for ABC’s Emmy-nominated series, Last Man Standing. Previously, he worked as a writing assistant for two seasons on NBC’s 30 Rock and as a writing assistant for HBO’s In Treatment.

Voice cast members of The Punies includes:

  • Cristoph Sanders - CLARK (Last Man Standing, Ghost Whisperer)
  • Diamond White - BB (Transformers: Rescue Bots, Disney’s The Lion Guard)
  • Suzie McGrath – KIMBERLY (BBC’s Eastenders, Law and Order: UK, and Star Wars: Resistance)
  • Ry Chase – PUNY PETE
  • Andy Cameron - GORDON
  • Rebecca Galarza – LILLY

'Sofia the First: Forever Royal' to Premiere on Disney Junior This September

Sofia the First: Forever Royal, a special extended-length finale episode of Disney Junior's Humanitas and Emmy Award-winning series Sofia the First, will premiere Saturday, September 8th (11:00 a.m.-12:10 p.m. EDT/PDT) on Disney Junior and the DisneyNOW app.

Set in the storybook world of Enchancia, Sofia the First tells the story of an adventurous little girl who becomes a princess overnight after her mom marries the king. Throughout her journey, she discovers that looking like a princess isn't all that difficult, but possessing the characteristics of a true princess – honesty, loyalty, compassion and grace – is what makes one truly royal. The series stars the voices of Ariel Winter as Sofia; Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady as Clover; and Tim Gunn as Baileywick.

In the finale episode, as Sofia, and siblings Amber and James, prepare for their graduation from Royal Prep Academy, Sofia is called back to the Mystic Isles to face an evil witch named Vor, who is trying to take over the kingdom of Enchancia. Presented with her biggest challenge yet, Sofia must figure out a way to defeat Vor and save her family and the people of Enchancia.

Sofia the First features recurring guest stars Eric Stonestreet as Minimus, Bonnie Hunt as Aunt Tilly, Andrew Rannells as Skye, Megan Hilty as Prisma, Ellie Kemper as Crackle, Ming-Na Wen as Vega, Colin Salmon as Orion, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Chrysta, Paty Lombard as Vor and Hugh Bonneville as the Voice of the Secret Library.

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Image via Disney Junior

Additional members of the voice cast throughout the series' four seasons include Darcy Rose Byrnes as Amber; Zach Callison, Tyler Merna and Nicolas Cantu as James; Travis Willingham as King Roland II; Jess Harnell as Cedric; Jim Cummings as Wormwood; Ashley Eckstein as Mia the Bluebird; and Meghan Strange as Robin. Disney Legend Russi Taylor (Minnie Mouse), Barbara Dirickson and Tress MacNeille (Daisy Duck), bring Fauna, Flora and Merryweather, respectively, to life.

Featuring over 100 episodes and two record-breaking primetime specials, Sofia the First will continue to air on Disney Junior and Disney Channel platforms around the world.

'LEGO DC Super-Villains' Story Trailer Teases the Upcoming Game

Darkseid has invaded the planet and the Justice League is missing, it’s up to you and your fellow Super-Villains to stop him and save rule the world. LEGO DC Super-Villains is out October 16, 2018 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC!

 

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and DC Entertainment unveiled a NEW Story Trailer for LEGO DC Super-Villains, showcasing how one rookie must take on evil and team up with the best of the bad, including The Joker, Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor, Deathstroke, Killer Frost, Sinestro, and countless others, to save the planet!

LEGO DC Super-Villains is the first LEGO game to put players at the center of a villain-centric adventure packed with favorite locations and characters from across the DC universe. The game will be available October 16, 2018 for PlayStation4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

In LEGO DC Super-Villains, the Justice League has disappeared, leaving Earth’s protection to a newcomer group of heroes from a parallel universe, proclaiming themselves as the ‘Justice Syndicate’. Renowned DC Super-Villains from the ‘Legion Of Doom’ discover Earth’s newest heroes may not be the heroes they claim to be. With each player’s completely customizable Super-Villain character in command, this team of misfit lawbreakers must join forces to discover and foil the evil plans the incognito strangers have in store.

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Image via Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

'DreamWorks' Trolls: The Beat Goes On' Season 3 Now on Netflix; New Immersive Experience on the Way

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Image via DreamWorks

Poppy, Branch and all of Troll Village are back in all new hair-raising episodes of DreamWorks Trolls: The Beat Goes On! now on Netflix.

Additionally, we have word on the coolest, most colorful party ever: DreamWorks Trolls The Experience coming to New York City this Fall. Trolls The Experience will be an immersive, interactive, fantastical activation that brings to life the colorful and musical world of DreamWorks Trolls. The visually stunning experience opens on Thursday, November 15th and will give visitors an opportunity to celebrate with the DreamWorks Trolls while creating unforgettable family memories.

Tickets for DreamWorks Trolls The Experience are available now on TrollsTheExperience.com at a discounted price for a limited time only.