This article is about the original film. For the film remake, see Cuphead.
Cuphead is a 2022 animated musical fantasy adventure comedy film based on the video game of the same name developed by Studio MDHR. It was produced by Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Ilumination and Studio MDHR and directed by Peyton Reed. The film follows the titular Cuphead who, in a deal with the Devil after losing a game at the Devil's casino, is quested to repossess the souls of runaway debtors as payment for Cuphead's loss. It features the voices of Tru Valentino, Frank Todaro, Grey Griffin, Luke Millington-Drake, Wayne Brady, Joe Hanna, and Dwayne Johnson.
Cuphead premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre on August 23, 2022, and was released in theaters in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing on August 26, 2022. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the voice acting, songs, score, slapstick, sense of nostalgia, and animation but criticized the plot, characters, modernization, and similarity to both the original video game and the television series. Despite earning $282.5 million on a $127 million budget, the film underperformed at the box office, prompting the studio to take a $15.6 million write-down on behalf of the film.
Plot[]
On Inkwell Isle, Cuphead and his brother, Mugman, are two mischievous children living under the care of the wise Elder Kettle. One day, their curiosity leads them to the Devil's Casino, where they engage in a high-stakes game of craps. When they find themselves on a winning streak, the Devil himself appears and offers them a dangerous deal: if they win one more roll, they'll have all the casino's riches, but if they lose, he'll claim their souls.
Despite the Elder Kettle's warnings, Cuphead can't resist the temptation and accepts the wager. Tragically, he rolls snake eyes and loses, leaving both brothers in despair. The Devil then presents them with a chance to save themselves: retrieve the "soul contracts" from his runaway debtors before midnight the next day, and their souls will be spared. Determined to right their wrong, Cuphead and Mugman embark on a daring quest.
Armed with a magical potion from the Elder Kettle, the duo sets out on a thrilling adventure across Inkwell Isle. As they confront the debtors, they discover newfound strength and resolve through each battle. The Elder Kettle's words echo in their minds, reminding them to "do the right thing" when they face the Devil again.
The brothers eventually collect all the soul contracts and return to the Devil's Casino. Defeating the cunning King Dice, they finally confront the Devil, but this time, they refuse to hand over the contracts. Furious at their defiance, the Devil attacks them, seeking to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his. With courage and teamwork, Cuphead and Mugman defeat the Devil, shattering the contracts and breaking his grip on their souls.
Word of their heroic deeds spreads across the Isle, and the former debtors show gratitude and admiration for their bravery. Cuphead and Mugman are hailed as heroes, their names etched into the hearts of the people they saved.
After their triumph, Legendary Chalice, their ghostly friend from the astral plane, beckons them to a distant fourth Isle. There, Chalice offers the brothers a cookie that grants her a physical form but turns Mugman into a ghost. The only way to bring him back to life permanently is through a special recipe, the Wondertart, which requires rare ingredients scattered throughout the island.
The trio embarks on another adventure, facing challenges and battling creatures to acquire the needed ingredients. However, they soon discover that Chef Saltbaker, who promised to help, has sinister intentions. He plans to use the Wondertart's final ingredient—a soul—to gain control over the astral plane.
Cuphead, Mugman, and Chalice confront Saltbaker, engaging in a fierce battle to stop his malevolent scheme. In the process, Saltbaker is defeated, and his bakery is destroyed. Chalice decides to remain a ghost for the time being, always ready to assist her friends.
As the dust settles, the Isle recognizes Cuphead and Mugman's valor once more. Saltbaker, remorseful for his actions, faces the consequences of his deeds but ultimately redeems himself through community service. His bakery is rebuilt, and he brings joy to the Isle's inhabitants by preparing delicious pastries.
In the end, Cuphead and Mugman learn valuable lessons about responsibility, forgiveness, and the power of doing what's right. United by their adventures, they face the future with a bond stronger than ever, knowing that they can always rely on each other and their friends in times of need.
Cast[]
- Tru Valentino as Cuphead, an anthropomorphic cup who is Mugman's irresponsible older twin brother. He is the film's main titular protagonist.
- Frank Todaro as Mugman, an anthropomorphic mug who is Cuphead's sensible younger twin brother. He's the film's main deuteragonist.
- Grey Griffin as Ms. Chalice, an anthropomorphic chalice who is one of Cuphead's friends. She's the film's main tritagonist.
- Luke Millington-Drake as Satan (better known as the Devil), the king of Hell who is the film's first main antagonist.
- Wayne Brady as King Dice, an anthropomorphic die who is the Devil's right-hand man. He's the film's second main antagonist.
- Joe Hanna as Elder Kettle, an anthropomorphic tea kettle who is the caretaker of Cuphead and Mugman.
- Dwayne Johnson as Chef Saltbaker, an anthropomorphic salt shaker who works at and owns his own bakery. He's the film's third main antagonist.
More coming soon!
Production[]
Development[]
Coming soon!
Casting[]
Coming soon!
Animation and design[]
Coming soon!
Music[]
On June 2020, it was announced that Tom Holkenborg, Alan Menken, and Ego Plum (who composed the music for The Cuphead Show!) will compose the score, with Menken composing the songs and Stephen Schwartz writing the lyrics for them.
Release[]
Cuphead was originally scheduled to be theatrically released on July 17, 2020. On March 21, 2020, the film was later removed from the release schedule in July, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the film was still set to be released later in 2020 at the time of the film's removal. In March 2021, Sony Pictures Releasing announced to release the film both in theaters and on Netflix on August 20, 2021. In May 2021, the film was critically removed from the release schedule again. On March 4, 2022, they announced that the film would be released on August 26, 2022.
Marketing[]
Coming soon!
Home media[]
Cuphead was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray on November 22, 2022, by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Reception[]
Box-office[]
As of December 21, 2022, Cuphead grossed $83 million in North America and $199.5 million in other countries for a worldwide total of $282.6 million.
More coming soon!
Critical responses[]
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 49% of 45 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 5.30/10. Using a weighted average calculator, Metacritic assigned the film a score of 47 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.
References[]
External links[]
- Official website
- Cuphead at IMDb
- Cuphead at Box Office Mojo
- Cuphead at Rotten Tomatoes
- Cuphead at Metacritic
| v - e - dPhil Lord and Christopher Miller | |
|---|---|
| Films directed | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) • 21 Jump Street (2012) • The Lego Movie (2014) • 22 Jump Street (2014) • Tom the Hand 3 (2019) • Faster Bike (2020) |
| Films produced | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) • Storks (2016) • Brigsby Bear (2017) • The Lego Batman Movie (2017) • The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017) • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) (accolades) • The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) • Gwen and Dan (2019) • The JH Movie Collection Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) • Chocolate Fever (2019) • Spider-Gwen (2019) • Ghost in the Shell (2019) • Everest (2019) • Las Vegas (2020) • The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) • Cocaine Bear (2023) • Fast & Furious Spy Racers (2023) • Strays (2023) • Backrooms (2023) |
| Television series created | Clone High (2002–2003) |
| Television series produced | The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018) • Son of Zorn (2016–2017) • Making History (2017) • Unikitty! (2017–2020) • The JH Movie Collection Show (2018–2021) • Bless the Harts (2019–2021) |
