Netflix will add the animated hits featuring Anne Hathaway to its December lineup, with both Rio and its sequel Rio 2 becoming available to stream starting December 1, 2025. This move brings renewed attention to the popular movies as part of a broader selection of entertainment options for the holiday season in the United States.
December Release Date for Rio and Its Sequel on Netflix
The 2011 animated musical comedy Rio and the 2014 follow-up Rio 2 will debut on Netflix US on December 1, 2025. This marks the first time both films will appear on Netflix after previously being available on Disney+. The inclusion of these titles was revealed in an early preview of Netflix’s December additions, which also features titles like Mean Girls (2024), Emily in Paris Season 5, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Plot and Production Background of Rio
Directed by Carlos Saldanha and produced by Blue Sky Studios, Rio follows a domesticated Spix’s macaw named Blu, voiced by Jesse Eisenberg, who travels to Brazil to meet Jewel, the bird voiced by Anne Hathaway. The original film achieved substantial success, earning $483.9 million worldwide and receiving a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics applauded its
“colorful visual palette, catchy music, and funny vocal performances.”
Additionally, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Real in Rio.”
Continuation of the Story in Rio 2
Rio 2 picks up where the first movie left off, with Blu and Jewel journeying into the Amazon rainforest alongside their children. The returning cast includes Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, and George Lopez, while new voices like Bruno Mars and Kristin Chenoweth join the project. Although the sequel garnered a lower Rotten Tomatoes score of 50%, critics described it as a “bright, noisy, overstuffed sequel.” Nonetheless, audiences responded positively, awarding it an A grade on CinemaScore. Both Rio movies remain among the most financially successful projects produced by Blue Sky Studios before the company closed in 2021.
What This Means for Viewers and Blue Sky Studios’ Legacy
The arrival of Rio and Rio 2 on Netflix provides audiences with an opportunity to revisit these beloved animated adventures during the holiday season. The streaming availability continues the legacy of Blue Sky Studios’ popular works, ensuring their stories remain accessible despite the studio’s closure. Fans of Anne Hathaway and the wider cast can now enjoy the colorful animation and memorable music with a fresh new platform, promising entertainment for families and fans alike.
