About Moonzy: The Dark Side of the Moon
Luntik's grown comfortable. He's living on the Moon with his mother, popping down to Earth whenever he wants to see his friends. But comfort breeds questions—and one day he asks the one his mother's been dreading: where's his father? The answer sends him on a mission that'll take him to the dark side of the Moon, that mysterious half we never see, where things get dangerous and strange fast. He won't be alone. Kuzya's tagging along, and so are Vupsen and Pupsen, those mischievous caterpillars who've been part of the Moonzy universe since the beginning. What awaits them there isn't a cozy story—it's adventure, discovery, and real peril.
What We Know So Far
This film is a direct sequel to 2024's Luntik. Returning Home, continuing the thread that the previous film established. According to the production details, the film's being directed and written by Darina Shmidt, with producers including Sergey Selyanov, Aleksandr Boyarsky, and Anton Zlatopolskiy. It's a Russia 1 and Cinema Foundation of Russia co-production—meaning it's got institutional backing and a real theatrical footprint. The voice cast includes returning talent like Anna Slynko, reprising her role as Luntik. That continuity matters. You don't recast your lead unless you have to.
Why People Are Watching for This
Honestly, the Moonzy franchise has earned its audience. The original Luntik and His Friends TV series ran for over a decade and became a genuine cultural touchstone in Russian children's media. What's striking is that the franchise didn't just rest on TV success—it moved into feature films, which meant expanding the mythology, raising the stakes, deepening character relationships. The 2024 film proved the formula could work on a bigger screen. Now we're getting a sequel that's not just repeating the formula but actually pushing it. A quest to the dark side of the Moon? That's not a retread. That's ambition. And it's coming from a studio that knows how to build worlds kids actually want to return to.
Release Date & Where to Watch
Moonzy: The Dark Side of the Moon is expected to hit Russian theaters on August 27, 2026, distributed by Volga. The film hasn't been released yet, and international distribution details—including streaming availability—haven't been confirmed. Movie OTT will track platform announcements as they're made. For now, check the Where-to-Watch widget for updates as release information becomes available.
Frequently asked questions
When is Moonzy: The Dark Side of the Moon releasing? The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in Russia on August 27, 2026. International release dates haven't been announced yet.
Is Moonzy: The Dark Side of the Moon out yet? No. The film is still in post-production and won't arrive in theaters until August 2026. Movie OTT will update as the release approaches.
Where will I be able to watch Moonzy: The Dark Side of the Moon? Streaming and international distribution details haven't been confirmed yet. Once they are, Movie OTT will have the information—check back as we get closer to release.
Do I need to watch the previous Moonzy films first? While this is a direct sequel to Luntik. Returning Home, the original TV series and earlier films have established the characters and world. You won't be completely lost jumping in here, but you'll get more out of it if you're already familiar with the Moonzy universe.
Who's directing this film? Darina Shmidt is directing and writing the screenplay. She's working with Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company on the production.
What's Next
There's something genuinely exciting about a franchise that's willing to get bigger, weirder, and more ambitious instead of just repeating what worked. The dark side of the Moon—that's not a small idea. It's the kind of premise that could either soar or stumble, and you won't know which until August 2026 rolls around. For now, all we can do is wait and see if Luntik's search for his father becomes the kind of story that sticks with you the way the original series did.