Trolls World Tour expands the colorful universe established by its 2016 predecessor, introducing audiences to a multigenre musical landscape where six distinct troll tribes each represent a different style of music. The 2020 DreamWorks Animation sequel arrived during an unprecedented moment in theatrical distribution, pioneering a premium video-on-demand approach that reshaped how studios released family films during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film brings back Queen Poppy and Branch, voiced by Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake respectively, as they venture beyond the Pop Trolls’ village to discover that their musical world is far larger than they ever imagined. Their journey takes them across diverse territories, each home to trolls who have built entire civilizations around their chosen genres, from classical to techno, funk to country.
Beyond its entertainment value, Trolls World Tour delivers a message about musical diversity and collaboration, themes that resonated with families spending more time at home during its initial release. The film grossed approximately $139 million worldwide against a $91 million budget, with its soundtrack receiving particular praise for its ambitious cross-genre collaborations featuring artists like SZA, Kelly Clarkson, and Rachel Bloom.
What Is Trolls World Tour About?
Following the events of the first Trolls film, Queen Poppy rules over Pop Village with her best friend Branch at her side. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when Rock Troll leader Queen Barb sends an invitation for the Pop Trolls to attend a rock concert. The journey reveals that six magical strings—one for each music genre—power the different troll kingdoms, and Barb intends to collect them all using her powerful guitar to erase every form of music except rock.
Poppy and Branch must travel through increasingly dangerous territories to recruit allies. They visit the ruined Symphonyville where Classical Trolls once thrived, befriend the Country Trolls of Lonesome Flats, narrowly escape the Smooth Jazz Troll Chaz, and reach Vibe City to meet the Funk Trolls. Along the way, they discover that not everyone is who they claim to be, including their Country Troll friend Hickory, who is revealed to be a disguised Yodeling Troll bounty hunter.
At Volcano Rock City, Barb uses her six-string guitar to transform captured trolls into Rock Zombies. Poppy ultimately saves the day by blocking the guitar with gumdrops, creating a beatbox rhythm that restores everyone through heartfelt singing. The ending emphasizes that all music genres deserve equal respect, and trolls can now freely blend styles without dominance from any single one.
April 10, 2020 (PVOD)
Walt Dohrn
Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake
90 minutes
- Pioneered early VOD release during COVID-19 pandemic
- Features six distinct music genres with dedicated troll tribes
- Soundtrack includes star-studded collaborations across musical styles
- Spawned the sequel Trolls Band Together in 2023
- Received mixed critical reviews but strong audience reception
- Justin Timberlake served as executive music producer
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Animated Musical Comedy |
| Budget | $91 million |
| Box Office | $139 million worldwide |
| Age Rating | PG (mild action, rude humor) |
| Streaming | Peacock, Netflix (varies by region) |
| Runtime | 90 minutes |
Trolls World Tour Cast and Crew
Voice Cast
Anna Kendrick returns as the enthusiastic Queen Poppy, whose sunny optimism drives much of the film’s plot as she believes all music genres can coexist peacefully. Justin Timberlake voices Branch, whose gruff exterior hides a softer side that develops throughout the adventure. Timberlake also served as executive music producer for the soundtrack, bringing professional musical expertise to the project.
Rachel Bloom portrays the villainous Queen Barb, the Rock Troll leader who believes rock music should dominate all others. Her performance brings both comedic energy and genuine menace to the antagonist. The supporting cast includes James Corden as the lovable Biggie, whose village is destroyed early in the film before he rallies the remaining Pop Trolls.
Musical Guests and Genre Leaders
The film features an impressive roster of musicians voice acting as the leaders of each troll tribe. Kelly Clarkson voices Delta Dawn, the Country Troll leader, while Anderson .Paak plays Prince D, the Funk Troll prince. Anthony Ramos voices King Trollex of the Techno Trolls, and Ozzy Osbourne appears as King Thrash, Barb’s father who was imprisoned for his more moderate views on music.
Sam Rockwell provides voices for both Hickory and Dickory, revealed to be Yodeling Trolls disguised as Country Trolls. George Clinton and Mary J. Blige voice the Funk Troll royalty King Quincy and Queen Essence. Jamie Dornan appears briefly as Trollzart, the Classical Troll leader.
The film also features contributions from Ester Dean, Icona Pop, Kenan Thompson, the Haim sisters, Dierks Bentley, and Chris Stapleton, among others, filling out the diverse musical world of the six troll tribes.
Production Team
Walt Dohrn and David P. Smith directed the film, with Guillermo del Toro credited as an uncredited co-director. Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger served as writers and producers, continuing their collaboration from the first film. Universal Pictures and Universal 1600 Pictures handled distribution, while DreamWorks Animation produced the film.
Trolls World Tour Release Date and Where to Watch
Original Theatrical and VOD Release
Trolls World Tour premiered on April 10, 2020, but its release story is unique in animation history. Originally planned as a theatrical release, Universal Pictures shifted the strategy amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic, making it one of the first major studio films to debut simultaneously in premium video-on-demand. This decision proved controversial with theater chains but opened new distribution possibilities for family films.
The film earned approximately $14 million domestically during its limited theatrical run before theaters closed, with global theatrical totals reaching around $50 million. However, strong premium VOD performance supplemented these numbers significantly, demonstrating the viability of at-home releases for family-oriented content during challenging times.
Current Streaming Availability (2025)
As of 2025 and into 2026, Trolls World Tour remains available across multiple platforms, though streaming rights have shifted over time. The film originally launched as a Peacock exclusive through NBCUniversal’s streaming service, where it has maintained a presence. Netflix has carried the title through rotating licensing agreements in various regions, and Disney+ offers access in some areas through bundle arrangements.
Viewers can also rent or purchase digital copies through Amazon, iTunes, and other major VOD platforms. No official 2025 theatrical rerelease has been announced, and the current streaming landscape shows the film primarily available on Peacock and Netflix depending on regional licensing agreements.
Trolls World Tour Songs and Soundtrack
The Trolls World Tour soundtrack, released March 13, 2020, by RCA Records, represents a significant expansion from the first film’s musical offerings. Executive produced by Justin Timberlake, the album features original compositions alongside genre-appropriate covers, showcasing the diverse musical palette of the six troll tribes.
Several tracks stand out among the original songs. “The Other Side” by SZA and Justin Timberlake opens the soundtrack with a collaboration bridging pop and R&B influences. Anna Kendrick leads the cast on “Trolls Wanna Have Good Times,” while the Haim sisters contribute “Rock N Roll Rules” with Ludwig Göransson.
| Track | Title | Artists | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “The Other Side” | SZA & Justin Timberlake | 3:08 |
| 2 | “Trolls Wanna Have Good Times” | Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake et al. | 3:25 |
| 9 | “Rock N Roll Rules” | Haim & Ludwig Göransson | 3:10 |
| 11 | “Born to Die” | Kelly Clarkson | 3:26 |
| 13 | “Barracuda” | Rachel Bloom | 4:06 |
| 15 | “Crazy Train” | Rachel Bloom | 3:15 |
Beyond the original soundtrack, the film incorporates numerous well-known songs during various scenes. Daft Punk’s “One More Time” scores a Techno Troll rave sequence, while the Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane” accompanies Barb’s dramatic entrance. Other notable inclusions feature “Russian Roulette,” “The Sound of Silence,” and “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” with Snoop Dogg. For those interested in in-game events, a Monopoly GO Partner Event Guide can provide further details.
The soundtrack received an American Music Award nomination, and singles “The Other Side” and “Don’t Slack” (Anderson .Paak and Timberlake) achieved notable chart success. Critics and audiences generally praised the diverse soundtrack, considering it superior to the original Trolls soundtrack for its ambitious genre-blending approach.
Production Timeline
- 2018 — DreamWorks officially announced Trolls 2 with Walt Dohrn attached as director
- March 2020 — COVID-19 pandemic forces delays to theatrical release plans
- April 10, 2020 — Film premieres via premium video-on-demand, pioneering the day-and-date release model
- 2023 — Sequel Trolls Band Together released, continuing the franchise’s musical adventures
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Uncertainties |
|---|---|
| Directed by Walt Dohrn and David P. Smith with DreamWorks Animation production | Future streaming platform rotations remain unclear as licensing deals expire and renew |
| Complete voice cast confirmed through official credits and IMDb | No direct sequel titled Trolls World Tour 2 has been officially announced by DreamWorks |
| VOD-first release during COVID-19 pandemic is well-documented | Specific plans for additional franchise expansions beyond Trolls Band Together have not been confirmed |
| Budget and box office figures verified through industry tracking sources | International streaming availability varies significantly by region and changes over time |
The Franchise in Context
Trolls World Tour represents an ambitious expansion of the Trolls franchise, moving beyond the straightforward pop-focused first film to embrace musical diversity as its central theme. The decision to assign each troll tribe a distinct genre—pop, rock, classical, funk, techno, and country—allowed the animation team to explore varied visual aesthetics while delivering a message about tolerance and collaboration.
The film’s release strategy during the pandemic influenced broader industry conversations about theatrical versus streaming distribution for family content. Its success demonstrated that families would embrace premium VOD options during challenging circumstances, potentially reshaping future release window considerations for animated features.
The franchise continued with Trolls Band Together in 2023, which shifted focus to boy band music and Branch’s family origins while maintaining the musical collaboration themes established in World Tour. Comparing these approaches reveals DreamWorks’ willingness to experiment with different musical directions while keeping core characters at the center of each adventure.
Critical Reception and Industry Response
“A colorful explosion of music that celebrates every genre while delivering exactly what fans expect from the Trolls franchise.”
— Rotten Tomatoes critic consensus
Trolls World Tour received generally positive reviews from audiences while critics offered mixed assessments. Rotten Tomatoes shows strong audience scores, with viewers praising the colorful animation, energetic musical numbers, and sing-along appeal. Critics acknowledged the film’s entertainment value but noted it followed a formulaic structure similar to many animated sequels.
The soundtrack received particular acclaim, with many reviewers considering it superior to the original film. The diverse roster of musical artists and the ambitious cross-genre collaborations were frequently highlighted as standout elements. The film has maintained strong performance metrics on home entertainment platforms, indicating lasting appeal among family audiences.
Summary
Trolls World Tour stands as a significant chapter in the DreamWorks Animation catalog, combining colorful animation with a celebration of musical diversity across six distinct genres. The 2020 sequel brought back Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake while introducing memorable characters voiced by musicians including Kelly Clarkson, Rachel Bloom, and Anderson .Paak. Its unique VOD-first release during the pandemic and ambitious soundtrack distinguished it from typical animated sequels. As part of a growing franchise that now includes Trolls Band Together, the film continues to entertain families through multiple streaming platforms. For those exploring animated musicals or the broader animation landscape, comparing this release with titles like How to Train Your Dragon 2 reveals the diverse approaches studios take to family entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Trolls World Tour 2?
No direct sequel titled Trolls World Tour 2 has been announced. The franchise continues with Trolls Band Together (2023), which follows Poppy and Branch on a new musical adventure.
What is the age rating for Trolls World Tour?
The film is rated PG by the MPAA for mild action and rude humor, making it appropriate for most children and families.
How much did Trolls World Tour make at the box office?
The film grossed approximately $139 million worldwide against a $91 million budget, with significant VOD revenue supplementing limited theatrical earnings.
Who are the main voice actors in Trolls World Tour?
Anna Kendrick voices Queen Poppy and Justin Timberlake voices Branch. Rachel Bloom plays antagonist Queen Barb, with supporting roles from James Corden, Kelly Clarkson, and Anderson .Paak.
Where can I watch Trolls World Tour in 2025?
The film streams on Peacock and Netflix depending on regional licensing. Digital rental and purchase options remain available through Amazon and iTunes.
How long is Trolls World Tour?
The runtime is 90 minutes, making it a manageable length for family viewing.
Who directed Trolls World Tour?
Walt Dohrn and David P. Smith directed the film, with Guillermo del Toro serving as uncredited co-director.
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Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Coast Monitor.