Nickelodeon Announces Cast for “Baby Shark’s Big Show!”

by Jennifer SwartvagherNovember 17, 2020

Doo doo doo doo! Nickelodeon has announced the cast for its highly anticipated new preschool series Baby Shark’s Big Show!. The new animated series will premiere with an original holiday special on Friday, Dec. 11, at 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Based on the world-famous pop culture phenomenon, the 2D-animated series will feature Kimiko Glenn (Orange is the New Black); Luke Youngblood (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone); Natasha Rothwell (Insecure); Eric Edelstein (We Bare Bears); Debra Wilson (MADtv); and Patrick Warburton (Family Guy).

Co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and SmartStudy, the global entertainment company behind the beloved children’s brand Pinkfong, Baby Shark’s Big Show! is made up of 26 half-hour episodes and will follow Baby Shark and his best friend William as they journey on fun-filled comedic adventures in their community of Carnivore Cove, make new friends and sing original catchy tunes along the way.

Meet the inhabitants of Carnivore Cove:

Baby (Glenn) – A sweet, bubbly, and abso-toothly fearless little shark who has a habit of biting off more than he can chew.

William (Youngblood) – A quick-witted pilot fish with a flair for the funny, William is always down for jaw-some adventures with his best bud Baby.

Mommy (Rothwell) – Fun-loving with a fierce streak, Mommy Shark works for the Mayor of Carnivore Cove.

Daddy (Edelstein) – A worrier who can’t help his loud and goofy nature, Daddy Shark is a dentist who flosses when he’s nervous.

Grandma (Wilson) – A new-agey prankster who’s all about good vibes and bubbleberry pies.

Grandpa (Warburton) – A charismatic shark who loves to tell stories about the glory days.

In Baby Shark’s Big Fishmas Special, the season’s hottest toy, Burpin’ Bubbz, is at the top of Baby and William’s Fishmas wish lists, and when Santa Jaws goes missing, it’s up to them to save the holiday. Following the premiere, the special will be available on Nick Jr. On Demand and Download-To-Own services, as well as NickJr.com and the Nick Jr. App, which will also feature short-form content.

Baby Shark’s Big Fishmas Special is part of Nickelodeon’s “Nickmas” holiday-themed lineup which features joyous premieres and specials from the network’s live-action, animation and preschool series, including the season two premiere of original festive competition series, Top Elf; the brand-new star-studded special The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular; and all-new episodes of hit series Blue’s Clues & You!, The Casagrandes, Danger Force, All That and more, plus classic fan-favorite holiday episodes of Rugrats, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Loud House.

New episodes of Baby Shark’s Big Show! will roll out across Nickelodeon’s preschool platforms in the U.S. beginning spring 2021, followed by Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels internationally.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Nickelodeon

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Stay Tuned for More “Puppy Dog Pals” on Disney Junior

by Jennifer SwartvagherOctober 9, 2020

Get ready for more adventures with Bingo and Rolly! Disney Junior has ordered a fifth season of Puppy Dog Pals. Season four of the series premieres Fri., Oct. 23 at 9:00 a.m. PT on Disney Channel and on DisneyNOW.

The hit animated series centers on fun-loving pug puppy brothers Bingo and Rolly, whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on exhilarating adventures in their neighborhood and around the globe. Whether helping their owner Bob, exploring with their pal Keia or overseeing their own Puppy Playcare center, the pugs’ motto is that life is more exciting with your best friend by your side.

Season four of Puppy Dog Pals stars newcomer Elisha “EJ” Williams as quick-witted, problem solver Bingo; Gracen Newton (Child Support) as silly, energetic Rolly; Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as A.R.F.; and Jessica DiCicco (The Loud House) as Hissy. Harland Williams is the show’s creator, serves as consulting producer and voices the role of Bob, the pups’ devoted owner. Sean Coyle is executive producer and Michael Olson is co-executive producer/story editor for season four. The fifth season will be executive produced by Olson and Coyle will serve as consulting producer. The series is a production of Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.

Extensions for the series include storybooks from Disney Press, DVDs from Walt Disney Studios and music releases on major streaming platforms from Walt Disney Records. Plush toys, costumes, accessories and apparel are available at the Disney store, shopDisney.com and retailers nationwide.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney Junior

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You Can Now Buy a Baby Yoda Speaker That Fits in Your Pocket

by Karly WoodAugust 13, 2020

Bitty Boomers have been around for awhile, but now the ultra portable Bluetooth speakers are getting a galactic new lineup. Just in time for some major holiday shopping, you can now shop the Star Wars Bitty Boomer Collection!

So what are Bitty Boomers? They are super adorable, wireless and licensed speakers that boast clear and powerful sound. The newest lineup includes The Child, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper, and you can also pre-order The Mandalorian and a Mandalorian and The Child duo pack.

Bitty Boomers are an affordable $20 each and come in at two inches tall. They have a four hour battery life, can connect to any bluetooth device and come with a backclip clip and strap.

You can already shop the Star Wars collection at bittyboomers.com. While you’re there, check out the other collections that include Spongebob Squarepants, Disney, MLB, Marvel and more.

––Karly Wood

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ViacomCBS Announces Exclusive Digital Release for “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run”

by Jennifer SwartvagherJune 24, 2020

Can’t wait to get back to Bikini Bottom? It was just announced that The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will debut digitally in the US via premium video on demand in early 2021. Afterwards the move exclusively to CBS All Access, ViacomCBS’ subscription video on demand and live-streaming service.

“We are thrilled to have The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS’ biggest brands, join CBS All Access’ expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS,” said Marc DeBevoise, Chief Digital Officer, ViacomCBS and President & Chief Executive Officer, ViacomCBS Digital. “This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang from Bikini Bottom to the service in the biggest way possible.”

In addition, all prior seasons of SpongeBob Squarepants will be available on the expanded service soon.

“I’m incredibly proud of this film, and the phenomenal cast and film making team that made it happen,” said Mireille Soria, President of Paramount Animation. “Bringing this movie to life was a true collaboration and labor of love, and I’m thrilled for audiences to enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

This new movie follows SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and the rest of the gang from Bikini Bottom in the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event. After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.

Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation Production and Development said, “We’re happy to give kids and families a much-deserved lift in any way we can, and the PVOD release of the new SpongeBob theatrical and putting all seasons of the TV series on CBS All Access are two of the best ways I can think of to get immersed in the optimism and joy that this terrific character represents.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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First Subscription-Based Retailer to Launch Kid-Sized Face Masks

by Jennifer SwartvagherJune 10, 2020

Now that weaning masks will become the norm, kid-sized masks will become a necessity. MaskClub, the first subscription-based buy one, donate one online mask destination, is expanding its mask offerings with a new line of kid-sized masks, answering to the new CDC recommendation that all people ages 3+ wear a face covering when in a community setting. These new kid-sized masks are available in exclusive designs to help parents prepare their children for participating in summer programs and heading back to school in the fall.

The new child-sized masks from MaskClub, a company from Trevco, one of the top licensing companies with over 800+ licensed brands, are double-ply cloth masks printed and sewn in the USA with fun, kid-approved designs like Sesame Street, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Nickelodeon favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, JoJo Siwa, Blue’s Clues & You!, PAW Patrol, and more. To fit kid’s faces and ears, the masks feature smaller fabric areas and shorter elastic bands. The company recognizes that wearing a face mask can be an adjustment for kids, but the thousands of playful designs makes it easier for parents and kids to wear masks.

“In these unprecedented times, we wanted to help families adjust to the new normal by creating kid-friendly face coverings,” says Founder, Trevor George. “With MaskClub, the whole family can now get matching masks from superheroes to cartoon characters like Elmo or Cookie monster, familiar characters that kids know and love.”

For every mask purchase, the company will donate a medical grade mask to First Responders Children’s Foundation for distribution to paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, firefighters and medical personnel treating COVID-19 patients. To date, MaskClub has donated 100,000 medical masks to first responders.

MaskClub is the first and only company to offer a mask subscription model, where customers will receive a new mask every month from their favorite brand. Subscriptions are $9.99/ month, almost 30% off single mask purchases ($13.99), and customers will have access to exclusive art and exclusive brand launches in the future.

For more information on adult and kid masks, visit MaskClub.com or Instagram. Customers are encouraged to share how they are staying safe and wearing their masks with the hashtag #maskclub.

*Editor’s Note: According to the CDC, children under age 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance should not use a cloth face covering.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of MaskClub

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Now You Can Get Face Masks Featuring Your Favorite Nickelodeon Characters

by Jennifer SwartvagherMay 29, 2020

Getting your child to wear a mask is easier when they come in fun designs. ViacomCBS Consumer Products announced it has entered into agreements with multiple global licensees to create face masks featuring iconic characters from many popular Nickelodeon properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, which is available now at the SpongeBob Shop, as well as PAW Patrol, Blue’s Clues & You! and JoJo Siwa. The reusable masks, which are not for medical use, will be available through major retail outlets worldwide later in the summer.

“ViacomCBS is proud to support Save the Children and its COVID-19 Global Response by donating 100% of our proceeds from this new face mask initiative,” says Pam Kaufman, President, ViacomCBS Consumer Products. “During this unprecedented time, we hope Nickelodeon’s beloved characters and iconic brands will provide solace and ultimately make these new circumstances more manageable.”

All ViacomCBS proceeds from the sales of Nickelodeon face masks will benefit Save the Children’s COVID-19 Global Response and will be redistributed to the region where the mask was purchased. Many licensees producing Nickelodeon face masks have also committed to make charitable contributions to Save the Children.

“We are grateful to ViacomCBS for choosing Save the Children as one of its charity partners for this campaign, which will raise vital funds to support children hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children. “As the virus continues to take hold around the world, we are seeing its devastating impact on children’s lives everywhere, especially among children already at risk. From Appalachia to the refugee settlement camps in Lebanon, South Sudan and Bangladesh, the pandemic has uprooted children’s routines, disrupted their schooling and is affecting their mental health and well-being.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Nickelodeon

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Give Your Room a Virtual Makeover with These Fun Zoom Backgrounds

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 21, 2020

People across the country are utilizing video conference services such as Zoom to stay connected with family, friends and coworkers. Whether you are looking to hide your messy room or you simply want to add a bit of fun to happy hour with your friends, there are plenty of Zoom backgrounds to meet your video conferencing needs. Check out some of the best backgrounds we have rounded up so far.

The DoorDash Lunchroom has backgrounds for some of your fave restaurants, like The Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Baskin Robbins and Panera Bread.

Take meetings from the Bahamas. There are even swimming pigs!

Add a little Harry Potter magic to your next meeting from Platform 9 3/4 to The Great Hall.

Unsplash offers many beautiful Zoom backgrounds from gorgeous office spaces to luxurious beach shots.

From the Golden Girls living room to Rory’s apartment in Star’s Hollow, Modsy has put together a collection of re-imagined pop culture interiors.

Delish created fun Easter and Passover themed backgrounds to brighten up your virtual holiday celebrations.

HBO has countless backgrounds based on Game of Thrones, Westworld, Euphoria, Insecure, Succession and more.

Pixar has released backgrounds for your favorite movies including Toy Story, Up, Finding Nemo and Inside Out. You can also find backgrounds for based on Cars and The Incredibles.

“Werk” from the set of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Host a virtual meeting from under the sea with Spongebob.

These Schitt’s Creek backgrounds will transport you to the Rosebud Motel.

CBS All Access can transport you into one of their hit shows including Star Trek Discovery.

FOX can help make your meetings more animated transporting you to the worlds of The Simpsons or Bob’s Burgers.

Hold your next meeting with Agent Coulson at the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. base.

Insert yourself into one of your favorite ABC shows like American Idol or Modern Family.

Zoom provides instructions on how to use virtual backgrounds. The company says there are no size restrictions for virtual backgrounds but it recommends cropping the image to match the aspect ratio of your camera before uploading it.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Trang Dang from Pixabay

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The Most Anticipated Family Movies of 2020

by Jeff ToteyJanuary 5, 2020

Finding movies that the whole family will enjoy can be tough. So we looked around and found the most buzzed-about new movies for kids and parents—it turns out 2020 holds a treasure trove of new adventures for families. From theatrical release dates to cast information, we’ve got everything you need to know. Keep reading to see our top picks for the best new kids’ movies in 2020, and don’t forget the popcorn!

Dolittle

This is the third adaptation based on the Doctor Dolittle character since the classic 1967 film that starred Rex Harrison and 1998’s version with Eddie Murphy. This time it’s Robert Downey Jr. who talks to the animals in a reimagining of the story. Here, an eccentric famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure. Along for the ride is a bunch of animals with attitudes to match.

Directed by: Stephen Gaghan
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Ralph Fiennes, Jim Broadbent, Octavia Spencer, Antonio Banderas and more.
Studio: Universal Pictures
In theaters January 17, 2020

Sonic the Hedgehog

You may remember a little hubbub that arose after Paramount Pictures released a trailer for the Sonic the Hedgehog movie back in April. Fans hated the design of the main character, so the studio had to go back in and redesign the little blue guy, forcing the film to become delayed. Based on the Sonic video game franchise, Sonic has traveled to earth to hide from Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and asks a small-town sheriff (James Marsden) for help. While the film probably won’t do any favors for Jim Carrey’s career, it should delight many a young fan. Expect some mild rude humor jokes and over-the-top antics.

Directed by: Jeff Fowler
Cast: Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey and James Marsden
Studio: Paramount Pictures
In theaters: February 14, 2020

The Call of the Wild

Adapted from the beloved literary classic of the same name by Jack London, this film vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail-delivery dog sled team—and later its leader—Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master. The movie mixes live action with high tech animation to make the wild animals look as realistic as possible.

Directed by: Chris Sanders
Cast: Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford and Colin Woodell
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In theaters February 21, 2020

Onward

Pixar has come a long way since the first Toy Story movie. This new adventure is set in a suburban neighborhood in a fantasy world where modern-day fairies, unicorns, mermaids, dragons and more live together in a land with no magic. But that's about to change for one family when two teenage elves, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, embark on a quest to find magic that will allow them to see their deceased father one more time. Disney and Pixar have a good track record for providing entertaining family fare, and we don’t expect anything less with this new movie.

Directed by: Dan Scanlon
Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Octavia Spencer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Pixar Animated Studios
In theaters March 6, 2020

My Spy

My Spy follows JJ, a hardened CIA operative (Dave Bautista) who has been demoted and finds himself at the mercy of a precocious 9-year-old girl named Sophie (Chloe Coleman) when he has been sent undercover begrudgingly to monitor her family. When Sophie discovers hidden cameras in her apartment, she uses her tech skills to locate where the surveillance operation is set. In exchange for not blowing JJ’s cover, Sophie convinces him to spend time with her and teach her to be a spy. Despite his reluctance, JJ finds that he is no match for Sophie’s disarming charm and wit.

Directed by: Peter Segal
Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal and Ken Jeong
Studio: STX Films
In theaters: Mar. 13, 2020

Mulan

Disney’s new live-action version of Mulan appears to be a faithful adaptation of the animated film. It features a fearless young woman who risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father masquerading as a man. Unlike the former film, this is not a musical and doesn’t feature a friendly dragon to help Mulan get through her tasks, but it does send a positive message that upturns the ideals of a woman’s role in society. This may be more suited for the older kids in the family.

Directed by: Niki Caro
Cast: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An and Gong Li
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In theaters March 27, 2020

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

Oh, that lovable rogue is back. Like the first film, this sequel doesn’t have the same tone that the original Beatrix Potter’s book did, but kids love him. In the new movie, Bea, Thomas, and the rabbits have created a makeshift family, but despite his best efforts, Peter can’t seem to shake his mischievous reputation. Adventuring out of the garden, Peter finds himself in a world where his mischief is appreciated, but when his family risks everything to come looking for him, Peter must figure out what kind of bunny he wants to be. If you liked the last film, you’ll probably like this one too but expect some rude humor.

Directed by: Will Gluck
Cast: James Cordon, Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, David Oyelowo, Elizabeth Debicki and Margot Robbie
Studio: Columbia Pictures
In theaters April 10, 2020

Trolls World Tour

Trolls may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the first movie was popular enough to warrant a sequel and at least the music is catchy. This time around, Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) discover that they are one of six different types of Troll tribes located in six different lands and of course, they each prefer their own brand of music. Ozzy Osburne (we’re not kidding) is the villain this time playing the role of King Thrash who is bent on destroying all other kinds of music. This film will introduce little ones to different styles of music including funk, country, techno, classical, pop and rock in this animated adventure.

Directed by: Walt Dohn
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, James Corden, Mary J. Blige and more
Studio: Universal Pictures/DreamWorks
In theaters April 17, 2020

Scoob

Zoinks! Scooby-Doo is coming back to movie theaters, and this time the movie promises to be a lot more family-friendly. The movie is sort of a hybrid showing how Scooby and Shaggy first met, how they met Fred, Daphne and Velma, and how they solved their first case. The story then fast forwards to the present, where the Mystery Inc. crew will face their biggest case yet! Plus, parents will love that a few other Hanna-Barbera characters will be shown as well, including Dick Dastardly, Dynomutt, The Blue Falcon and Captain Caveman.

Directed by: Tony Cervone
Cast: Frank Welker, Zac Efron, Will Forte, Jason Issacs, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan and Gina Rodriguez
Studio: Warner Bros.
In theaters May 15, 2020

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

It takes a special kind of parent to endure SpongeBob Squarepants. This summer, that special parent could be you. The famous sponge stars in his third full-length animated movie only this time he is being rendered in a 3D live-action/computer-animated version. The regular voice cast of the animated TV series is also expected to join on the fun.

Directed by: Tim Hill
Cast: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Keanu Reeves, Awkwafina, Reggie Watts and Snoop Dogg
Studio: Paramount Animation/Nickelodeon Movies
In theaters May 22, 2020

Soul

Ever wonder where your passion, your dreams and your interests come from? What is it that makes you... YOU? This new film by Pixar Animation Studios promises to take the viewer on a journey from the busy streets of New York City to the cosmic realms to discover the answers to life’s most important questions. Directed by Pete Docter, who also directed Up and Inside Out and because of that, we know that Soul will have lots of “heart.”

Directed by: Pete Docter
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs and Tina Fey
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Pixar Animated Studios
In theaters June 19, 2020

Wonder Woman 1984

The new adventures of Wonder Woman happen in 1984 with Diana Prince facing two new foes: The Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) and Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal). Plus, Steve Trevors is back, but we're not entirely sure how that happened. Truth? This is about all we know about the movie as of yet. Though many DC Comics movies are dark, the first Wonder Woman didn't follow suit, and this one looks to be just as uplifting.

Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal
Studio: Warner Bros.
In theaters June 5, 2020

Jungle Cruise

Disney’s latest ride-turned-movie involves the popular Jungle Cruise attractions. The movie stars Dwayne Johnson as a riverboat captain/tour guide offering super cheap cruises along the Amazon rivers and providing special effects to elevate the experience. Although his fake adventures turn real when an explorer (Emily Blunt) hires him to help her locate a rare plant that offers special healing powers. The trailer for the action/comedy looks like a cross between Pirates of the Carribean and The Riverboat Queen with elements that may prove to be too scary for the younger set.

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons and Paul Giamatti
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
In theaters July 24, 2020

—Jeffrey Totey

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The Most Popular Baby Names of 2019

by Shahrzad WarkentinDecember 18, 2019

Deciding on baby names is just one of the many challenges new parents face, but it’s a big one. Should you go traditional or unique? Family name or inspired by a favorite character? There are so many options to choose from, but some are a little more popular than others. As the year comes to an end, it’s time to take a look at the most popular baby names of 2019.

BabyCenter just released its annual list of the top baby names of the year, and despite a few names shifting spots, the list looks very similar to the one from 2018. The data was based on nearly 600,000 BabyCenter parents who shared their baby’s names. Topping the list, which is divided into boys and girls’ names, are Sophia and Liam. This is the tenth year running for Sophia at the number one spot, but the first year for Liam, which knocked Jackson out of the top spot after six years. Isla made the biggest leap from 74 to 36. Arabic names Muhammed and Aaliyah cracked the top ten for the first time.

photo: smpratt90 via Pixaby

According to BabyCenter, here are the top 20 boys and girls’ names for 2019:

Most Popular Girls’ Names of 2019

Sophia
Olivia
Emma
Ava
Aria
Isabella
Amelia
Mia
Riley
Aaliyah
Layla
Zoe
Charlotte
Mila
Harper
Evelyn
Camila
Eliana
Chloe
Lily

Most Popular Boys’ Names of 2019

Liam
Jackson
Noah
Aiden
Grayson
Caden
Lucas
Elijah
Oliver
Muhammad
Mason
Carter
Mateo
Jayden
Ethan
Logan
Sebastian
James
Alexander
Benjamin

Coming in at 100 are Zara and Jason. You can check out the full lists of the top girl and boy names here.

BabyCenter also analyzed the data collected on baby names to look for trends that have made an impact on selections this past year. It should come as no major surprise that Star Wars had an impact on baby names, with names from the new anthology films and TV series, like Cassian and Kira (Qi’ra) gaining in popularity. Other name trends include a resurgence of names popular in the ’90s, like Brittany and Austin, as well as names inspired by The Bachelor and, possibly strangest of all, actor Keanu Reeves. Not only did Keanu get a big boost, but the characters he portrayed, like Duke from Toy Story 4 and Sage from the upcoming SpongeBob movie, also shot up.

The site also made some predictions on the trends for baby names in 2020. Predicted trends include nonbinary names, like Sam and River, names from the roaring ’20s, like Richard and Virginia, as well as names inspired by female athletes, country music stars and Disney+.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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SpongeBob Is Coming to the Big Screen & Keanu Reeves Has a Cameo in the New Movie

by Erica LoopNovember 14, 2019

SpongeBob fans rejoice! The beloved Nick character is making his way to the big screen in an all-new theatrical release—and the trailer is here!

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run, which is written and directed by Tim Hill, features a new CGI look for the fan fave and his friends.

So what can you expect from the big screen narrative? Reportedly, the film focuses on the story of Gary the snail’s kidnapping (or rather, snail-napping) and SpongeBob and Patrick’s quest to find him.

Along with a cast that includes the voices of Awkwafina, Tom Kenny, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Douglas Lawrence and Reggie Watts, Keanu Reeves makes a cameo as a tumbleweed.

Gary's been snailnapped! SpongeBob & Patrick embark on an adventure to #SaveGary Watch the official trailer for The @SpongeBobMovie: Sponge on the Run. In theatres May 2020 pic.twitter.com/NBMD6Sz1tS

— SpongeBob (@SpongeBob) November 14, 2019

Even though you can watch the trailer right now, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run won’t make its theatrical debut until May 22, 2020.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Paramount Pictures International via YouTube

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Dolittle

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The Call of the Wild

Onward

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Mulan

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Scoob

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

Soul

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