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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Trolls

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

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Trolls is a 2016 American animated musical comedy film from DreamWorks Animation, based on the Troll dolls by Thomas Dam. It follows two trolls, Poppy and Branch, on a mission to rescue their village from the Bergens.

What it is

Directed by Mike Mitchell and written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, the film stars Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, and James Corden. Running 1 hour 32 minutes, it blends adventure, comedy, and music as the trolls face the giant, troll-eating Bergens.

Why it matters

Trolls launched a major media franchise, including sequels and TV specials. Released in 2016, it was the first feature in the series and established the bright, musical style that defines the brand. The film also reached Canadian cinemas that year as part of a popular family-animation lineup.

Key details

The story centres on Poppy and Branch saving their friends from the Bergens. The film is based on the Troll dolls toy line created by Thomas Dam. It was distributed in the US by 20th Century Fox and became the foundation for a franchise that continues with later entries.

In short

  • Based on Thomas Dam's Troll dolls
  • Released in 2016 by DreamWorks Animation
  • Stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake
  • Launched a franchise with sequels and spin-offs
Canadian angle

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.

Quick questions

What is Trolls about?
It follows Poppy and Branch as they rescue their village from the Bergens, giant creatures that eat trolls.
Who directed Trolls?
Mike Mitchell directed the film.
When was Trolls released?
It was released in 2016.

Sources

  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.