If you thought we’d never see that iconic baseball scene set to the thrumming bass of Muse again, you thought wrong. Netflix has confirmed that it’s developing an animated adaptation of Midnight Sun, the fifth title in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.
You may not recognise that book title unless you’re a Twihard – after all, it’s not one of the four books that were originally covered in the movies starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
Midnight Sun was published in 2020, eight years after the final film in the franchise, Breaking Dawn – Part 2. It’s not completely new material, as it’s a retelling of the first book, Twilight. However, rather than following the brooding Bella Swan, we instead see the story of her 104-year-old lover, Edward Cullen.
Want to know when the Cullens and co. will make their animated debut on Netflix, and what the story will be? Here’s what you need to know.
Is there a release date for the Netflix Twilight series?
Netflix did not confirm a release date for the animated adaptation of Midnight Sun, and it’s difficult to predict one considering we’re in such early stages. We almost definitely won’t see it land on the platform this year, and next year may even be unlikely considering no cast has been confirmed yet.
Therefore, 2026 seems like the earliest we may see Midnight Sun land on Netflix – but this is just an estimation.
The Twilight TV series was first confirmed by Lionsgate Television in April 2023 and was then reported to be animated by Variety in May 2024.
Why is Netflix adapting Midnight Sun?
Netflix has not provided a quote about why this book has been chosen, but it does make sense – it’s the only title in the series to not have a direct adaptation (though many events do overlap with Twilight). The five Twilight films grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide, while the Midnight Sun book sold over 1 million copies, so there’s an audience ready for the taking.
After its glory days in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Twilight went through a period of being denounced by cast and audiences alike – Robert Pattinson famously said that it felt like the original book should have never been published, and many fans were embarrassed to continue to support the series (me included).
However, Twilight has somehow seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, largely thanks to TikTok highlighting its meme-ability, with its egregious blue filters, awkward mannerisms of Bella and pointing out that it’s not Edward or Jacob we should be thirsting after, but rather Charlie Swan… I was ahead of the curve on that one.
The series also falls into the general pop culture nostalgia trends we’ve seen, with many millennials continuing to champion popular IPs such as The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Friends and more.
In addition to all of that, the Twilight films frequented the most-watched list on Netflix, so it’s unsurprising to see the streaming platform take the reins on this project.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
What is the plot of the Netflix Twilight animated series?
If you need a refresher, the plot of Twilight follows Bella Swan, who has recently moved to the rainy, dreary city of Forks, Washington to attend a new high school. There, she meets a mysterious man called Edward Cullen, whom she’s entranced by.
She soon learns that he’s a (“say it”) vampire, and the two struggle to balance their relationship in Cullen’s supernatural, and often dangerous, world.
Midnight Sun does have some crossover with the first Twilight book, but Edward’s POV brings about some key differences.
Firstly, Edward’s ability to read people’s minds adds a whole new dimension to the story. We often only see his reaction from Bella’s perspective, but this time we’ll learn what goes through people’s heads, and just how frustrating it must be for him when he can’t use his power on Bella.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
It may also give us more of an insight into his possessive and borderline creepy behaviour, one of the biggest criticisms of the story. By no means is this justified in Midnight Sun, but reviews from Time and The Guardian say that the book tries to detail more into his thought process, and his constant personal struggle between his human origins and vampiric nature.
Reviewers also say that the book adds some much-needed dimension and colour to Bella’s personality, as we’re seeing her through Edward’s eyes. Many viewers were often bemused by his infatuation with this frustrating, bland and moody teen – so perhaps this series will show us something different.
We don’t yet know what style of art animation it will use – we’ll likely learn more in the coming months.
Who is involved in the Netflix Twilight series?
Netflix confirmed on its website that author Stephenie Meyer will serve as an executive producer with her Fickle Fish Films partner Meghan Hibbett. Also attached as EPs are Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen for Temple Hill Entertainment, and Erik Feig and Samie Kim Falvey for Picturestart.
The writer (and another EP) on the series is Sinead Daly, who has previously worked on Tell Me Lies, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Raised by Wolves, and The Get Down.
To be clear, no cast members have been announced yet, so we don’t know if anyone from the live-action films will be reprising their roles in the recording booths.
