Next Gen

One lonely girl forms a bond with a secret experimental robot that crash lands near her neighborhood. The robot, carrying a mysterious mission and a bright, curious personality, becomes her confidant and protector. As their friendship deepens, they venture beyond the confines of school halls into a neon drenched cityscape where gadgets hum and danger lurks. Together they outsmart bullies who torment the kid, and they uncover a plot by a power hungry mastermind who plans to rearrange the city's code and rules. Their partnership blends humor with heart as the unlikely duo learns to trust their instincts and use wit to stay safe.

Directed by Kevin R Adams and Joe Ksander, Next Gen grows from an original story by Wang Nima and Ryan W Smith. Released in 2018, the film carried a reported budget of 22 million and aims to blend fast paced action with warm family storytelling, using bright design and kinetic robot set pieces.

Box office data is not publicly reported as Next Gen was released primarily on streaming platforms. While it did not rely on large scale theater grosses, the film reached a global audience through Netflix-like services and on demand channels.

Cultural impact has been modest, mostly among families and animation fans. The film sparked online chatter around its robot hero Project 77 and the buddy dynamic, with praise for its bold visuals, kinetic chase scenes, and moments of humor that land with both kids and parents. It's accumulated a small but loyal following on streaming platforms and in fan discussions.

Reception has leaned mixed to positive, with critics noting the animation quality and humor while sometimes labeling the plot as familiar or standard for its genre. The film probes friendship across differences, resilience in the face of bullying, and the idea that technology should serve communities and people rather than replace them.