Animated family franchise fans have a new title to watch. Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is officially moving forward, with SC Films International starting production on the sequel to its 2017 release and preparing to introduce the project to buyers at the American Film Market.
The new film brings back writer-director Peter Lepeniotis, best known for The Nut Job, while expanding the fantasy adventure with a time-travel storyline, returning characters, and a broader production partnership. For viewers tracking major family animation announcements in the Tv & Video space, Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes looks like a notable addition to the upcoming animation slate.
Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes enters production
SC Films International has begun production on Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes, signaling renewed confidence in the original property’s global appeal. The sequel follows the 2017 animated family film Gnome Alone, which enjoyed a theatrical run in multiple markets, while Netflix handled North American distribution.
The sequel is also meaningful from an industry standpoint because it launches the first collaboration under a multi-picture, multi-year agreement between:
- SC Films International
- SiXiTZ Studios
- Magieva
That deal suggests this is more than a one-off return. It positions Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes as the opening chapter in a longer-term animation strategy built around scalable production and international sales.
What the sequel is about
The biggest creative hook in Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is its time-travel premise. This time, Chloe and Liam head into the past to save humanity from feuding families and the dangerous Troggs, joined by their gnome allies Quicksilver, Zook and Zamfeer.
That setup raises the sequel’s stakes beyond the original’s contained fantasy action. By moving into a different era, the story has room to introduce:
- larger world-building
- new visual environments
- more elaborate action sequences
- deeper mythology around the Troggs and gnome alliances
According to Lepeniotis, the new movie uses the “biggest canvas” this world has had so far. That wording hints at a more ambitious scale, likely blending family-friendly humor with an expanded adventure structure designed for international audiences.
Peter Lepeniotis returns to direct
One of the strongest selling points behind Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is the return of Peter Lepeniotis as both writer and director. Continuity behind the camera often matters in animated sequels, especially when a studio wants to preserve tone, pacing and character identity while still refreshing the concept.
Lepeniotis brings commercial animation experience to the project. His association with The Nut Job, which grossed $120 million worldwide, gives the sequel added credibility in the global family entertainment market. For distributors and streaming buyers, that kind of track record can matter just as much as brand recognition.
SC Films producer Simon Crowe described the original Gnome Alone as one of the company’s most successful titles and said the team had long wanted to make a follow-up. That suggests the sequel has been in development from a place of proven demand rather than simple nostalgia.
Production team and animation pipeline
The producing team includes Simon Crowe and Matthew Joynes for SC Films, alongside Lepeniotis, Kevin Hicks, Nathaniel Hunter and Euan Macdonald. Production is being split between California and Toronto, giving the project a North American production footprint with international sales potential.
Animation duties are being handled by SiXiTZ Studios, led by Euan Macdonald, with workflows and technologies developed in partnership with Magieva. This detail stands out because animation production is increasingly shaped by efficiency, pipeline innovation and hybrid studio collaboration.
Hunter and Macdonald also bring high-level industry credentials. The pair have previously helped build film and animation pipelines for major companies including Disney, Lucasfilm and Apple, and they shared an Emmy win in 2022 for work connected to the animation studio they co-founded.
In practical terms, that means Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is being built with experienced technical leadership, not just creative enthusiasm. For a sequel aiming to widen its visual scope, that matters.
Why the AFM launch matters
SC Films plans to launch worldwide sales for Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes at the American Film Market next month. AFM remains a key event where producers, financiers, sales agents and distributors test market appetite for upcoming titles.
Bringing the sequel to AFM does a few important things:
- It puts the film in front of global buyers early.
- It helps measure demand across theatrical, streaming and family entertainment markets.
- It strengthens SC Films’ broader slate positioning in animation.
SC Films is also taking other titles to market, including animated features Girl in the Clouds and Zsazsa Zaturnnah, plus live-action projects Breeder and Cotton Eye Joe. Together, that lineup reflects a company actively building a diversified content pipeline across genres and formats.
What this means for family animation fans
For audiences, Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes appears to offer what many animated sequels aim for but do not always achieve: familiar characters, a larger story engine and an upgraded technical approach. The return of Chloe, Liam and the gnome team gives the film recognizable continuity, while the time-travel concept opens the door to fresh scenarios and stronger franchise potential.
If the production team delivers on its promises, the movie could appeal to several groups at once:
- families looking for accessible fantasy adventure
- fans of the original Gnome Alone
- buyers seeking internationally marketable animated content
- industry watchers tracking AFM launches and indie animation growth
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Conclusion
With production underway, a returning creative lead, and a global sales push planned for AFM, Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is shaping up as a meaningful sequel in the family animation market. Its expanded storyline, experienced production partners and stronger technical foundation all point to a more ambitious follow-up than a standard franchise extension. For anyone tracking animated film development in 2026, Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is a project worth keeping on the radar.
