Barney's World is a Canadian-American computer-animated preschool television series which premiered on Max on October 14, 2024, and premiered on Cartoon Network in the US on October 18, 2024.[1] The series would start airing on Treehouse TV in Canada on October 14, 2024 as well. Produced by Mattel Television Studios and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, the series serves as a relaunch to the Barney franchise, which spawned its first television series Barney & Friends which was based on its predecessor Barney & The Backyard Gang. Unlike the previous two series, which were live-action, this is the first Barney series to be animated. This series is aimed at children from the ages of two to six[2] and uses a socio-emotional curriculum.[3]
Set in a local playground, the show is centered around dinos Barney, Billy, and Baby Bop, and their three kid best friends. Throughout silly and imaginative adventures together, Barney helps kids explore big preschool emotions and shows them how to love themselves and others. The series also highlights themes of love, community, and encouragement.[4]
Cast[]
Dinosaurs[]
- Barney (Voice: Jonathan Langdon)[5]
- Baby Bop (Voice: Bryn McAuley)[5]
- Billy (Voice: Jonathan Tan)[5]
Children[]
- David (Voice: Jayd Deroché)[5]
- Mel (Voice: Diana Tsoy)[5]
- Vivie (Voice: Ella Paciocco)[5]
- Liam (Voice: Liam Quiring-Nkindi)[6]
- Lulu (Voice: TBA)
Adults[]
- Grady (Voice: Eddie Glen)
- Ms. Lewis (Voice: Lisa Michelle Cornelius)
- Nonna (Voice: Norma Dell'Agnese)
- Luis (Voice: Alejandro Ampudia)
- Grace (Voice: Jean Yoon)
Others[]
- Bartholomew Bookworm (voiced by Anthony Sardinha)
- Butterfly (voiced by Cory Doran)
- Aster (voiced by Jonathan Tan)
- Susan (voiced by Bryn McAuley)
- Squirrel #1 (voiced by Ella Paciocco)
- Pigeon (voiced by Diana Tsoy)
- Squirrel #3 (voiced by Bryn McAuley)
- Hermie (voiced by Elijah-Justus Lewis)
Production[]
Development[]
Development of the series began during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] During Mattel's 2021 Virtual Analyst Day Presentation, Barney was included to be a "new series in development" by Mattel Television.[8] On February 13, 2023, Mattel announced that it would relaunch the Barney franchise with an animated series set to debut in 2024. Announced to be co-produced by Mattel Television and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, the series will be executive produced by Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan for Mattel Television and by Colin Bohm, Doug Murphy and Pam Westman for Nelvana. The new series will introduce audiences to the world of Barney through "music-filled adventures centered on love, community, and encouragement."[9]
The title of the series, now called Barney's World, was officially revealed on May 9, 2023.[4] On September 4, 2024, it was announced that Michelle Mendelovitz and Josh Silverman would executive produce the series on behalf of Mattel and while Doug Murphy and Pam Westman remained as executive producers on behalf of Nelvana. Athena Georgaklis and Mellany Welsh were also added on behalf of the latter company.[10]
Episodes[]
| # | Episode | Written By | Directed By | Songs Used | Original Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Laura Zak | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | October 14, 2024 |
| David is annoyed about leaving to help his little sister. Barney creates a magical adventure, where David discovers the joy of helping others. | |||||
| 2 |  |
Jim Nolan | Adrian Thatcher | "I've Got You" | October 14, 2024 |
| Barney magically creates a night-time adventure in the park, but David is afraid of the dark. To help him, Barney turns himself into a glowing action figure. | |||||
| 3 |  |
Nick Lopez | Adrian Thatcher | "Clean Up, Clean Up" | October 14, 2024 |
| When Mel misplaces her treasure chest, Barney takes his friends on a larger-than-life treasure hunting adventure. Mel learns the importance of cleaning up and taking care of community spaces. | |||||
| 4 |  |
Jehan Madhani | Adrian Thatcher | "The Sharing Song" | October 14, 2024 |
| Vivie learns the value of sharing, when the gang can't decide what to do with a ripe tomato. | |||||
| 5 |  |
Laura Zak | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | October 14, 2024 |
| Barney helps his friends make cars for a magical go-kart race. Barney helps show Mel that winning isn't everything. | |||||
| 6 |  |
Noelle Wright | Adrian Thatcher | "It's Brave to Tell the Truth" | October 21, 2024 |
| When Vivie accidentally breaks Mel's airplane and is afraid to say so, Barney helps Vivie find the courage to tell the truth. | |||||
| 7 |  |
Nikki Lytton | Adrian Thatcher | "Body Check-In Song" | October 21, 2024 |
| Mel tries to do a trick on her scooter and wears herself out. Barney and Billy show her the importance of listening to her body's needs. | |||||
| 8 |  |
Scott Gray | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | October 21, 2024 |
| David feels like he's too small, so Barney turns him into a giant to help him love himself just the way he is. | |||||
| 9 |  |
Jim Nolan | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | October 21, 2024 |
| Vivie doesn't feel like she's good at soccer, so Barney helps her practice through special workouts. | |||||
| 10 |  |
Laura Zak | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love to Listen to Your Ideas" | October 21, 2024 |
| Mel loses her pretzel and Barney takes his friends on a high-seas adventure to find another one. Along the way, Captain Mel learns the importance of teamwork and listening to others. | |||||
| 11 |  |
Noelle Wright | Adrian Thatcher | "We Can Do Great Things" | January 13, 2025 |
| Determined to save the community garden, Barney and his friends magically become butterflies and help a ladybug in need. | |||||
| 12 |  |
Nick Lopez | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | January 13, 2025 |
| David doesn't want to play the same games as Mel and Vivie. When Barney can't keep up with the kids' various games, David learns to listen to other people's perspectives too. | |||||
| 13 |  |
Scott Gray | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | January 13, 2025 |
| After Mel breaks her arm, David starts to miss her. Through a magical game, Barney helps Vivie and David do something nice for Mel when she gets back. | |||||
| 14 |  |
Jim Nolan | Adrian Thatcher | "Look What We Can Do" | January 13, 2025 |
| When Mel is frustrated with her new cast, Barney creates an imaginative pirate game for her and her friends. With the help of a pretend robot arm, Mel learns to accept her abilities. | |||||
| 15 |  |
Jennifer Skelly | Adrian Thatcher | "Say How I Feel" | January 13, 2025 |
| Vivie wants to show off her drawing, but everyone's attention is on Mel's cast. Vivie fakes an injury, but when that doesn't work, Barney helps her speak up for what she needs. | |||||
| 16 |  |
Nick Lopez | Adrian Thatcher | "Body Check-In Song" | January 13, 2025 |
| After her cast is removed, Mel is upset that her arm isn't as strong as before. Barney takes the gang on an enchanted forest adventure, where Mel learns that it's OK for some things to take time. | |||||
| 17 |  |
Roxy Simons | Adrian Thatcher | "BIG Feelings" | January 13, 2025 |
| Vivie becomes angry when a pigeon ruins her drawing. Through a game of "Pirates and the Sea Queen," Barney and his friends help Vivie de-escalate her anger and learn how to manage feelings. | |||||
| 18 |  |
Lexie Kahanovitz | Adrian Thatcher | "Everyone Is Special (In Their Own Way)" | January 13, 2025 |
| To help Mel appreciate nature, Barney gives his friends the ability to talk to the plants and animals in the park. | |||||
| 19 |  |
Jim Nolan | Adrian Thatcher | "There's So Much to Be Thankful For" | January 13, 2025 |
| Barney's magical scavenger hunt helps Mel discover that finding things she's grateful for can bring her joy. | |||||
| 20 |  |
Nikki Lytton | Adrian Thatcher | "Everyone Is Special (In Their Own Way)" | January 13, 2025 |
| When David feels too quiet to play the same way Mel and Vivie do, Barney helps them recognize the value of different play styles through a game of Superheroes. | |||||
| 21 |  |
Jim Nolan | Adrian Thatcher | "I Can Feel Joy" | April 7, 2025 |
| Barney becomes frustrated when his magic misfires. With the help of his friends, he finds joy can help him solve his problem. | |||||
| 22 |  |
Nick Lopez | Adrian Thatcher | "Everyone Is Special (In Their Own Way)" | April 7, 2025 |
| When Vivie wishes she could be just like a bird in the park, Barney helps her find ways to pretend to be one by using her imagination. | |||||
| 23 |  |
Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White | Adrian Thatcher | "I'm Growing Up (Everyday)" | April 7, 2025 |
| David is outgrowing his bike, but doesn't want to give it up. Barney brings his friends on an adventure, where they help a hermit crab find a new shell. | |||||
| 24 |  |
Lexie Kahanovitz | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | April 7, 2025 |
| When the kids notice Grady feeling sad, Barney shows them how small acts of kindness and paying it forward go a long way. | |||||
| 25 |  |
Matt Sax and Duke Doyle | Adrian Thatcher | "Clean Up, Clean Up", "Barney's Birthday Song (Happy Birthday to You)" | April 7, 2025 |
| It's Barney's birthday and his friends are making a quilt as a birthday present. David can't choose just one thing to add, so Billy and Baby Bop help him decide. | |||||
| 26 |  |
Nick Lopez | Adrian Thatcher | "It's Brave to Tell the Truth" | April 7, 2025 |
| Mel finds Grady's sunglasses, but doesn't want to return them. Barney takes her and her friends on a high seas adventure to help Mel see she's acting like a pirate by taking others' things. | |||||
| 27 |  |
Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White | Adrian Thatcher | "Show Nature I Care" | April 7, 2025 |
| After Vivie's ball is popped by a cactus, Barney brings the kids to an enchanted to show how some plants protect themselves for safety. | |||||
| 28 |  |
Ernie Bustamante | Adrian Thatcher | "I Can Feel Joy" | April 7, 2025 |
| When Baby Bop feels left out of Mel and Vivie's game, Barney shows her the next best thing is to find something else to do. | |||||
| 29 |  |
Nikki Lytton | Adrian Thatcher | "I Love You (I Love Me Too)" | April 7, 2025 |
| After Barney notices Vivie forgot to make a valentine for someone, he takes the kids on a magical quest to figure out who it is. | |||||
| 30 |  |
Susan Kim | Adrian Thatcher | "Say How I Feel" | April 7, 2025 |
| When Baby Bop's teasing bothers Mel, Barney helps her find the courage to tell Baby Bop how she feels. | |||||
NOTE: Every episode starts with the "Barney's World Theme Song".
Release[]
Upon the initial announcement, Mattel confirmed that the relaunch will be available for streaming, and broadcast partners were to be announced later in 2023.[11] On May 9, 2023, it was officially revealed that the series would air on Cartoonito and stream on Max.[12] Max was chosen as the streamer for the show due to the steaming service focused on growing its kids business, while also showcasing passion for the Barney IP.[13] Executive Producer Pam Westman confirmed that the series would air on the Treehouse TV network in Canada,[14] with it later being announced by Corus Entertainment, parent of Nelvana, on June 5, 2024 that the series was set to debut on the network.[15] During Mattel's 2024 Virtual Analyst Day Presentation, Chief Brand Officer Lisa McKnight mentioned that the series is set to debut in late-Fall 2024.
In August 2024, footage of the series was leaked online before an exact release date was announced and before footage was officially unveiled.[16] Victoria Ramirez, a director of global marketing and music distribution for Mattel Television, publicly confirmed on August 28, 2024 (via Instagram) that the series is set to launch in October 2024 (before retracting her public comment and reducing its privacy). On October 14, 2024, the series would premiere on Max, which will then followed by a linear premiere on Cartoon Network starting October 18, 2024. “Select” episodes of Barney’s World will also be available on YouTube, where the series premiere streamed early on October 11, 2024 in specific countries. Barney's World will also launch on Cartoonito in EMEA and APAC regions, and on Discovery Kids in Latin America.[5][17] In Canada, Barney's World premiered on October 14, 2024 on Treehouse and is also available to stream on STACKTV.[18] Footage of the series was officially unveiled on September 4, 2024 via a trailer and character introductions of Barney, Baby Bop and Billy.
International[]
The following list contains the international titles of Barney's World and where the respective dubbed titles are set to be available:
- Mundo do Barney (Brazil)
- Le Monde de Barney (France)
- Barneyn maailma (Finland)
- Barneys Welt (Germany)
- Il Mondo di Barney (Italy)
- バーニーの世界 (Japan)
- 바니의 세상 (South Korea)
- Светът на Барни (Bulgaria)
- El Mundo de Barney (Latin America)
- Swiat Barneya (Poland)
- عالم بارني (Lebanon)
- Barney'nin Dünyası (Türkiye)
Reception[]
Upon the initial announcement of the animated series, the initial first look at the redesigned Barney drew criticism.[19][20][21][22] Notable criticisms came from David Joyner, the original body of Barney on Barney & Friends,[23] Jessica Zucha,[24] who portrayed Tina on Barney & The Backyard Gang and Barney & Friends, and Dianna De La Garza, the mother of Demi Lovato, who portrayed Angela on Barney & Friends, with the latter two disapproving the change.[25] On February 4, 2025, Mattel revealed via their Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call, that Barney's World ranked as a top five children's show on Max.[26]
Gallery[]
Key Art[]
.jpg "Barney's World - Key Art - Horizontal (slim).jpg (1.53 MB)")
.jpg "Barney's World Key Art (Vertical).jpg (1,008 KB)")
Other Media[]
Barney's World tie-in products presented during Mattel's 2024 Virtual Analyst Day Presentation.
With the initial announcement of the relaunch, it's also set to bring forth a full range of kids’ products including toys, books, clothing, and more[9] in 2025.[27] Merchandise for the series was first shown off at Licensing Expo 2023 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 13-15, 2023. More tie-in products for the series was presented during Mattel's 2024 Virtual Analyst Day Presentation on March 7, 2024. The first tie-in media products based on Barney's World to debut in 2024 included the album Barney's World: Vol. 1 (released October 2024) and a book titled I Love You (released December 2024).
See also: Media based on Barney's World
Shorts[]
Main article: Barney's World (shorts)
The Barney's World shorts (alternatively titled Meet Barney) are a series of short episodes of Barney's World. The series premiered on the official Barney YouTube channel on September 4, 2024, with character introduction videos for Barney, Baby Bop, and Billy. Subsequent shorts, under the title Meet Barney, were uploaded to the YouTube channel beginning on September 15, 2024. On September 30, 2024, the shorts began airing on television on Cartoon Network in the US and on Treehouse in Canada.
Barney at Licensing Expo 2023.
Events[]
On June 13, 2023, Mattel debuted a costume iteration of Barney as seen in Barney's World at the Las Vegas Licensing Expo. The respective costume would continue to be seen at various licensing expos, including Licensing Expo 2023/2024 and Brand Licensing Europe 2023/2024[28] and at the "Hallo-READ!" event at The White House in Washington, DC.
Trivia[]
- In late 2024, Mattel depicted "classic Barney" as an employee for the respective company working behind the scenes on Barney's World in a social media reel.[29]
Comparisons[]
- Compared to a twelve minute Barney & Friends episode which contains five songs, this series only contains one song per episode,
- Compared to the Barney & Friends and Barney & The Backyard Gang series where Barney comes to life from a doll, this is the first Barney series to not depict that. Instead, Barney magically appears when the children step on purple spots and shout his name by saying "Hey Barney!".
- Compared to episodes of Barney & Friends where there would be an ending song in every episode ("I Love You"), this series does not contain one.
People[]
Interest[]
- Bob West expressed interest in wanting to return as the voice of Barney for the show .[30] However, West later confirmed on his April 16th 2023 live-stream, that he would not be the voice of Barney, but has expressed interest in doing something for the series.
- David Bernard Wolf, a former musical director of the franchise, expressed interest in wanting to compose the music for the relaunch.
Videos[]
Trailers[]
Promos[]
Cast[]
