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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Trolls

Trolls is a 2016 American animated musical comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and based on the Troll dolls created by Thomas Dam.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Trolls is a 2016 American animated musical comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and based on the Troll dolls created by Thomas Dam. Directed by Mike Mitchell, the film follows Poppy and Branch as they try to rescue their friends from the Bergens.

Plot

The film follows Poppy and Branch after their village is threatened by the Bergens. Their journey combines adventure, comedy, and music as they try to rescue their friends.

Production

Trolls was developed by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Mike Mitchell. It is based on the Troll dolls created by Thomas Dam and features a screenplay by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.

Release and reception

The film premiered in 2016 and was distributed in the United States by 20th Century Fox. It was marketed as an animated musical comedy and became the first feature in the Trolls franchise. In Canada, the film was released in cinemas in 2016 and is part of a major family-animation franchise that has also been distributed in Canada.

Franchise

Trolls later expanded into a franchise with sequels and television specials. The original film introduced the main characters and visual style associated with the series.

Key facts

  • The film is based on the Troll dolls toy line created by Thomas Dam.
  • It was produced by DreamWorks Animation and released in 2016.
  • The story centres on Poppy and Branch, two trolls who travel to save their village.
  • The antagonists are the Bergens, giant creatures that eat trolls.
  • The voice cast includes Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, and James Corden.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canadian cinemas in 2016 and is part of a major family-animation franchise that has also been distributed in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Trolls about?
It is about Poppy and Branch, two trolls who set out to save their village from the Bergens, who eat trolls.
Who directed Trolls?
The film was directed by Mike Mitchell.
What is Trolls based on?
It is based on the Troll dolls created by Thomas Dam.
Who stars in Trolls?
The voice cast includes Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, James Corden, and several others.
When was Trolls released?
It was released in 2016.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolls_(film)
    Supports: Release year, plot, director, cast, studio, and basis on the Troll dolls line.
  2. Wikiwand — https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Trolls_(film)
    Supports: Animated musical comedy description, director, screenplay, cast, and plot summary.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/trolls
    Supports: Runtime, genre, director, cast, and plot synopsis.
  4. DreamWorks — https://dreamworks.com/movies/trolls
    Supports: Official franchise description and plot premise.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolls_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise context, sequels, and expansion beyond the original film.