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The Addams FamilyandThe Addams Family Valuesare both iconic movies of the early 90s. Created by cartoonistCharles Addams, the hilariously macabre family made their debut in a single-panel comic published in The New Yorker in 1938.The Addams Familyis an eccentric aristocratic family that has an obsession with all things morbid and dark, and a complete unawareness of how their unique interests make outsiders extremely uncomfortable. They came to life on television screens in 1964, when the first live-action portrayal of the family aired on ABC. Since then there have been multiple television shows, both animated and live-action that have featured this oddball family, as well as specials such as a crossover with the Mystery Inc gang fromScooby-Doo. A computer animated version ofThe Addams Familywas released in 2019 and was followed up with a sequel in 2021, calledThe Addams Family 2. These two most recent animated movies were received with mixed reviews, but were moderate successes at the box office.
While there have been many versions ofThe Addams Familythroughout various forms of media, the 1991 and 1993 films directed byBarry Sonnenfeldhave becoming the seminal work that has been used to introduce the members of the family.
The family consists of Gomez, the loving father and hopelessly romantic husband most notably portrayed byRaul Juliain the 1991 film. He has an affinity for swordplay, family tradition, and sports his trademark pencil-thin mustache. Morticia is the devastatingly beautiful mother and wife to Gomez. Played byAnjelica Huston(The Witches), Morticia is best known for her quiet poise and hands-off approach to parenting. Uncle Fester, played byChristopher Lloyd(Back to the Future), is best recognized by his wild eyes, hunched back, and pallid complexion. Pugsley is the youngest son of Gomez and Morticia (until Pubert came along inThe Addams Family Values). Other household members include Lurch, the Frankenstein-like butler, played byCarel Struycken, Thing, a disembodied hand, Cousin Itt, a hairy creature with a taste for 70s-style sunglasses, and Granny, Gomez’s mother, played byMargaret Alford.
That leaves one character that hasn’t yet been formally introduced: Wednesday Addams. Played byChristina Ricci, the eldest child of Gomez and Morticia Addams.Wednesdayis quiet, like her mother, but has a much stronger proclivity for embracing her dark side. She is constantly inventing contraptions with the intent to “murder” her younger brother Pugsley and eventually newborn brother Pubert. Her lines are always delivered deadpan, as if discussing murder was nothing more than simple facts. One of her most memorable lines is just a simple word. In the 1993 film, Morticia introduces her to another mother, she states thatWednesdayis “at that very special age when a girl has only one thing on her mind,” to which the woman responds “Boys?”Wednesdaydoesn’t miss a beat and simply replies: “Homicide.”
As the inspiration for countless Halloween costumes,Wednesdayhas become a symbol for everything that is great aboutThe Addams Family. That’s why fans were thrilled to discover thatTim Burtonand Netflix decided to collaborate on a new spin-off series, calledWednesday.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the upcoming show.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on November 11 with the latest featurettes.
Related:The Addams Family Learns to Video Chat in New ‘Wednesday’ Images
What Is Wednesday All About Anyway?
Produced by MGM Studios and directed by Tim Burton, this horror comedy series will focus on Wednesday as she navigates high school. She seeks to develop her psychic abilities, as well as solving a mystery that has plagued her family since before she was born. We last sawWednesdaywhen she was a young girl, so taking a jump into her early adulthood will open the door for more slightly-homicidal prowess and new complex relationships that she will have to navigate.
Who’s In the Wednesday Cast?
Jenna Ortegawill be playing the titular role of Wednesday Addams. Not only does she look the part, but she shares the classic Addams family trait of loving dark and scary things. As the newest addition to the “Scream Queen” team in the latestScreammovie, she has also had roles in horror movies such asInsidious: Chapter 2andThe Babysitter: Killer Queen.
In addition to the aforementioned films, she is also in theFoo Fighters’ horror-comedyStudio 666and A24’sX. If you want a sneak peek at Ortega channeling some sulky Wednesday vibes, check out her performance as the snarky teenager Ellie Alves in season 2 of the Netflix Original Series,You.
Luis Guzmánwill guest star as Gomez Addams andCatherine Zeta-Joneswill play Wednesday’s mother, Morticia Addams.Riki Lindhome, best known as an American singer and songwriter in the comedy duoGarfunkel and Oateshas been cast as Dr. Valerie Kinbott.Jamie McShane(Sons of Anarchy) will be playing the role of Sheriff Donovan Galpin whileIsaac Ordonezhas been cast as Pugsley, Wednesday’s younger brother.Fred Armisenwill be playing Wednesday’s uncle, Fester.
Gwendoline Christie(Game of Thrones) will also make an appearance as a main cast member known as Larissa Weems. Best of all, earlier in March 2022, it was announced that Christina Ricci would be joining the cast as a regular character. Details of her role have been kept under wraps, but she is supposedly playing a new character and will not be portraying an older version ofWednesday.
Related:‘Wednesday’: Christina Ricci on How It Feels Returning to the Addams Family Universe [Exclusive]
Is There aTrailer for Wednesday?
Netflix released a quick teaser for the series on August 04, 2025 showing fans their first look at Jenna Ortega as the iconic character, clad in the iconic pigtails and black wardrobe the character is known for. Thefirst teaser trailer forWednesday, which you can watch in the player above, was revealed on August 24, 2025 (a Wednesday of course), giving fans their long-awaited first good look at Tim Burton’s take on the iconic world of the Addams Family as well as an even better look at Jenna Ortega’s seemingly perfect portrayal of the pig-tailed sociopathic teen Wednesday Addams. We’ve seen some clips since then, includingone showing off Wednesday’s interrogation skills, a featurette exploringWednesday’s origins, and a video where the titular teenmocks the Emmys. We got another trailer on September 21, giving us a good look at Gwendoline Christie’s wicked headmistress. Anothertrailer, released during New York Comic-Con 2022, features Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester. After that, we’ve also seen a few featurettes, specifically onecelebrating Tim Burton’s impact on the show, one revealing theopening credits, and the latest, which goesbehind the scenes into the creation of Nevermore Academy.
Where Can I Watch Wednesday?
Once it is released, the series will be available to stream on Netflix.
When Does Wednesday Come Out?
Wednesdaywillpremiere on Netflix on Wednesday, July 25, 2025. So we’re not going to be able to watch the series for Halloween but it should still be fun to extend the spooky season a while longer with this show.
