Nick’s most iconic toddler squad is crawling over to the big screen in a new live-action/CG-animated Rugrats feature film that Paramount Pictures is actively developing.

Based on the franchise that originated from a hugely successful ’90s animated series, this pic boasts a script penned by Mikey Day (Robot Chicken) and Streeter Seidell (Home Sweet Home Alone). And tapped to direct is Jason Moore, whose past credits include Pitch Perfect (2012), Broadway production Shrek the Musical and multiple episodes of vintage teen dramas Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill.

It’s worth noting that a hybrid-style Rugrats movie was in the works back in 2018, around the same time Nick ordered a CG-animated series reboot (which eventually rolled out on Paramount+ in 2021). 

Created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó and Paul Germain, the original Rugrats series aired for 13 years and earned accolades including four Daytime Emmy Awards. Over the years, it expanded into a broader franchise encompassing toys, video games, comic books, sequel series All Grown Up! and a miniseries called Rugrats Pre-School Daze.

Klasky, Csupó and Karen Rosenfelt are producing the IP’s latest entertainment extension. Rosenfelt has a lot of experience with translating Nick TV series into hit films, having overseen The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), as well as the Rugrats’ first feature adaptation.

Released at the height of the show’s popularity in 1998, The Rugrats Movie made a splash at the box office by grossing more than US$140 million worldwide against a US$25-million budget. Paramount went on to release two sequels—2000’s Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (US$103 million) and a 2003 crossover pic with Nick’s The Wild Thornberrys in the mix called Rugrats Go Wild (US$55 million).