Joyeuse Jungle!, an animated feature from director Edmunds Jansons, hits theaters on October 7, 2026. Geared for ages 4 and up, this family adventure follows a nine-year-old girl who must leave her books behind to search for her little brother in the tropical rainforest.
In the late 1950s, Elizabeth joins her parents, who’ve settled there with her brother Leo in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. She had hoped to spend her holidays quietly reading in a hammock, but ends up looking after the younger boy. When she learns he has disappeared aboard a dugout canoe, she immediately sets off in pursuit.
Her journey leads her deeper into the forest, toward the legendary Mount Tepui. Her quest no longer centers on finding Leo alone: Elizabeth must also help a mysterious animal and guide it back to the mountain. The tale blends adventure, family responsibility, and a coming-to-know nature.
'Joyous Jungle!' is a co-production between Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The screenplay is by Lote Eglīte and Līga Gaisa, while the graphic design and animation are led by Elīna Brasliņa and Mārtiņš Dūmiņš. The music is composed by Krzysztof A. Janczak.
The film, originally titled Laimīgie and internationally known as Born in the Jungle, debuted in the “Annecy Presents” section at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It’s being distributed in France by Gebeka Films.
To plan your next family outing, check out the family-friendly films to see in theaters, our picks for animated titles currently in theaters and coming soon, as well as the October 2026 movie releases.
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