Rainbow Brite: New TV Show and Theatrical Movie in the Works

By Ethan Shanfeld

Rainbow Brite is getting a remix from Crayola Studios and Hallmark, which are teaming to develop a new TV series and feature film inspired by the 1980s children’s franchise.

The theatrical movie is in the works from “Fast & Furious” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” producers Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher, while Cake Entertainment is developing a series with “contemporary appeal” based on the themes of “friendship, teamwork and the power of color and optimism to overcome darkness and negativity.”

Per the series logline, “Rainbow Brite, a friend, hero, role model and creative inspiration who brings all the colors of the rainbow to the universe, is transported to a dark and gloomy place with a mission to bring color, light and happiness to the world.”

Introduced by Hallmark Cards in 1984, the original “Rainbow Brite” animated series followed a young girl named Wisp who is transported into a dull and desolate land and must bring color to the fictional world. After she locates the Color Belt and rescues the Color Kids from the King of Shadows, Wisp is renamed Rainbow Brite as she embarks on her vibrant adventure. The cartoon show was followed by a theatrical movie, “Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer,” which was released by Warner Bros. in 1985. In 2014, the series was rebooted with a three-part miniseries released on Hallmark’s streaming service, Feeln.

Crayola will handle the licensing and merchandising for the 2024 reimagined Rainbow Brite.

“In this milestone year for Rainbow Brite we are thrilled to be working with Crayola Studios, Cake and Original Film on this vivid reimagining of the beloved brand,” stated Sabrina Wiewel, EVP and chief culture and strategy officer at Hallmark. “It has proved its appeal over the past 40 years and we can’t wait to strengthen connections with loyal fans and introduce a new generation to the dazzling world of color and imagination.”

View a first look image at the new “Rainbow Brite” series below.