Television · News and early commentary
The Sunnyridge 3 brings a strange mall mystery to Disney
Disney is at it again with another animated series: The Sunnyridge 3. DTVA News reports a 2027 premiere, but that release window should be treated as a report rather than a confirmed date here. Disney originally announced the series in June 2023, so this is a look at an upcoming show, not a brand-new greenlight.
What the series is about
According to Disney’s announcement, the comedy-mystery follows a trio of lifelong friends who investigate strange happenings in a distinctive, weird mall on the edges of suburban London. Rose, Jeru, and Wayne practically grew up at Sunnyridge Mall. This summer, however, the strangeness has gone to a completely new level.
In this genre-crushing combo, the trio will find out that the truth is always weirder than fiction. Disney credits creators Stevie Gee and Essy May, with Blink Industries producing in association with Boat Rocker for Disney EMEA.
My early impressions
From the setup and artwork, I think this show looks solid. That is an early impression, rather than a review of the finished series. The setup kind of reminds me of Cartoon Network’s The Amazing World of Gumball, and the look strikes me as tame but unique.
Obviously, I would still prefer something like Phineas and Ferb or DuckTales. Those shows are recognizable favorites for me. Phineas and Ferb stands out because of its distinctive dual-to-merged plot setup, with separate storylines coming together. And DuckTales, both the original and the reboot, has animation and art styles that I find more appealing.
Not to mention, the animation style shown for The Sunnyridge 3 feels more at home on Cartoon Network than Disney to me, but it’s not bad. That comparison is about my taste in the artwork, rather than a judgment on how the finished show moves or tells its stories.
Even with the comparison, I think The Sunnyridge 3 could start a trend for Disney-branded television. I’m curious to see how it stacks up against shows on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, but whether it actually gives Disney an edge will depend on the finished series and how viewers respond.
What do you guys think of The Sunnyridge 3?
Sources and release timing
Disney’s June 13, 2023 announcement supports the synopsis, creators, and production credits above. Read Disney’s announcement.
The reported 2027 window is attributed to DTVA News, the source named in the original article. No direct link to that report was included in the draft, and Disney’s 2023 announcement does not establish a 2027 premiere date.