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Animated drama

Next Gen (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Next Gen (2018) movie poster

Next Gen is a 2018 animated drama directed by Joe Ksander and Kevin R. Adams, starring Charlyne Yi as Mai, Constance Wu and David Cross. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $2.4 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
worldwide gross
$2.4M
Echo Score
85
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Next Gen (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$150M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Next Gen About?

The premise of Next Gen without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A rebellious teenager forms an unlikely bond with a discarded war robot, embarking on a thrilling adventure to stop a villain’s scheme for global domination. Combining action, adventure, and humor, they must use their combined skills to outwit the dangerous forces unleashed when advanced technology falls into the wrong hands.

Next Gen Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • robot
  • friendship
  • memory
  • dog
  • bully
  • teenage girl
  • robot sci fi
  • robot human relationship
  • talking robot
  • weapons fire
  • flying robot
  • canine
+38 more
  • baseball bat
  • robot human friendship
  • security robot
  • hovercar
  • explosion
  • aircraft
  • police robot
  • escalator
  • weapon
  • stadium
  • robot versus robot
  • doctor
  • handheld weapon
  • exploding robot
  • robot villain
  • good versus evil
  • giant robot
  • vaporization
  • sobbing
  • origami unicorn
  • killer robot
  • aerial combat
  • man killed
  • shield
  • human versus robot
  • origami
  • man vaporized
  • evil robot
  • sobbing female
  • actor voicing multiple characters
  • male robot
  • toothbrush robot
  • single mother
  • hairbrush robot
  • single parent
  • freeway
  • female computer voice
  • backpack
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Cast & crew

Next Gen Cast & Characters

Charlyne Yi leads the cast as Mai, with Constance Wu as Molly and David Cross as Dr. Tanner Rice, Q-Bots. Directed by Joe Ksander, Kevin R. Adams and Ricardo Curtis; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Next Gen

· 13 more
From the directors

More from the Directors of Next Gen

More films directed by the directors of Next Gen, best-rated first: Night of the Zoopocalypse, Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade and Gear.

Ratings

Next Gen Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Next Gen 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

85 /100

Next Gen Echo Score Breakdown

Next Gen exhibits strong visual ambition and broad appeal, tempered by uneven narrative elements. Its animation and production design receive widespread acclaim for their crisp detail and imaginative environments, while viewers praise the engaging action and family-friendly humor. However, critiques note a clumsy tone shift, a generic antagonist, and occasional pacing lapses that detract from the plot coherence. Ultimately, the film offers an entertaining experience anchored by its striking visuals despite its narrative inconsistencies.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Next Gen’s animation and production design stand out with crisp textures and inventive environments. Viewers and critics commend the detailed character models and seamless integration of action sequences. The visual scope evokes theatrical-quality imagery, overcoming typical streaming constraints. Overall, the film’s visual execution consistently elevates its cinematic appeal.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central relationship between Mei and her robot companion provides genuine warmth and resonance. Voice performances are frequently described as engaging, lending depth to the protagonists’ interactions. However, the antagonist receives limited development, resulting in a less compelling emotional contrast. In sum, character dynamics effectively ground the story despite a comparatively weak villain portrayal.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative balances familiar genre conventions with sporadic pacing challenges. Critics note inconsistent tone shifts and instances of underdeveloped ideas, while many viewers appreciate the emotional stakes and occasional freshness in its thematic exploration. Plot holes and predictability at times undermine engagement. Overall, the story delivers intermittent enjoyment but lacks full coherence and originality.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, Next Gen excels primarily through its visual design while audio elements remain understated in discussions. The film’s soundscape supports the action effectively, but emphasis rests on the vibrant color palette and polished visual effects. Soundtrack and sound design are serviceable but not highlighted. Ultimately, the sensory impact is defined by its striking imagery and engaging action sequences.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film’s energetic pacing and visual charm encourage multiple viewings. Many highlight the dynamic action set pieces and emotional beats as rewarding on subsequent watches. However, uneven tone and narrative lapses may lessen enthusiasm for repeats among some viewers. In summary, Next Gen offers solid replay value driven by its visual flair and engaging moments.

Plot

Next Gen Plot Summary

What happens in Next Gen from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the futuristic city of Grainland, a young girl named Mai Su lives a seemingly perfect life with her parents. However, everything changes when a heated argument leads to her father leaving the family, and over the years, her mother Molly becomes increasingly consumed by her grief. In her struggle to cope, Molly buys several highly advanced robots called Q-Bots, which inadvertently causes Mai to feel neglected and isolated. As robots come to replace everything from educators to law enforcement, Mai develops a fierce aversion to them, making her an outcast among her peers.

Full summary

The whole story of Next Gen, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Next Gen Box Office & Budget

Next Gen grossed $2.4 million worldwide on a $150 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.4M

International
$2.4M
Budget
$150M
Videos

Next Gen Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Next Gen.

Next Gen | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Next Gen?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
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  7. Question 7: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist in 'Next Gen'?

Cars

Cars in Next Gen

1 car on screen: the AMC Pacer Wagon.

  • AMC Pacer Wagon in Next Gen AMC Pacer Wagon Important role
Details

Next Gen Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “Das Mädchen und ihr Roboter – Die nächste Generation” and “Ήρωες Νέας Γενιάς”.

Also known as
  • Das Mädchen und ihr Roboter – Die nächste Generation
  • Ήρωες Νέας Γενιάς
  • Robot 77z3
  • Wei lai ji qi cheng
  • Robot 7723
  • Next Gen - Das Mädchen und ihr Roboter
  • 次世代伙伴
  • Nouvelle génération
  • Das Mädchen und ihr Roboter
  • Следующее поколение
  • La nueva generación
  • Nowa generacja
+18 more
  • הדור הבא
  • A Nova Geração
  • 未來世代
  • Следващо поколение
  • Gelecek Jenerasyon
  • 넥스트 젠
  • Az új generáció
  • Нова генерација
  • 未来机器城
  • เน็กซ์เจน
  • Наступне покоління
  • نسل بعدی
  • Nová generace
  • الجيل القادم
  • Biệt Đội Giải Cứu Trái Đất, შემდეგი თაობა
  • ネクスト ロボ
  • Noua generație
  • 新世代小英雄

Seen Next Gen?

FAQ

Next Gen FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Next Gen, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Next Gen?

Next Gen runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Next Gen released?

Next Gen was released on September 7, 2018.

Who directed Next Gen?

Next Gen was directed by Joe Ksander, Kevin R. Adams and Ricardo Curtis.

More films by Joe Ksander

Who is in the cast of Next Gen?

Next Gen stars Charlyne Yi as Mai, Constance Wu as Molly and David Cross as Dr. Tanner Rice, Q-Bots, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Next Gen make at the box office?

Next Gen grossed $2.4 million worldwide on a budget of $150 million.

How is Next Gen rated?

Next Gen has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70% on TMDB and 4.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Next Gen have a post-credit scene?

No. Next Gen has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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