Apple Signs Deal to Create Shows Based on 'Where the Wild Things Are'

Apple has inked a deal with the Maurice Sendak Foundation and plans to create Apple TV+ kids shows and specials based on the popular book "Where the Wild Things Are," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

wherethewildthingsare
Under the terms of the deal, Apple and The Maurice Sendak Foundation will "reimagine new children's series and specials based" on the author's illustrations and books, which include "Where the Wild Things Are," "In the Night Kitchen," "Outside Over There," and "The Nutshell Library."

This is the first time that the Maurice Sendak Foundation has established a multi-year overall agreement with a streaming television service. Writer, director, and Sendak collaborator Arthur Yoinks will work with Apple to develop various projects.

There's no word on what Apple paid for access to Maurice Sendak's characters, but Apple has also signed overall content deals with the Jim Henson Company for a Fraggle Rock series, Sesame Workshop for various TV shows like "Helpsters," and WildBrain (formerly DHX Media) for Peanuts content like "Snoopy in Space."

Back in 2009, director Spike Jonze worked with Maurice Sendak for a "Where the Wild Things Are" film, and it sounds like Apple's deal will focus on television content rather than another movie.

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
73 months ago

Why? the movie was so terrible and depressing. Surely we don't need more of those.
”I am serious and don‘t call me Shirley.” :p
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
73 months ago
hope it's nothing like the movie.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
73 months ago
Seeing a lot of his work, Sendak was a gifted artist and illustrator. This will take off and is an excellent move by Apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
73 months ago

How is Apple making $$$ over this? I dont understand.
You’re focusing too narrowly on the most direct kind of investment and return. Apple isn’t depending on selling subscriptions to get a return on what they’ve paid for tv+ content.

This is a future forward play. While productivity software was the most predominant use for Macs, and apps, including entertainment, the most common use for iOS devices, video content is quickly dominating the overwhelming time spent on Apple devices. Allowing Netflix, Disney and other major players to have complete leverage over the user experience on Apple devices would corner the company into losing control of its platforms. Netflix has already been using its weight to push Apple around.

Apple is a trillion dollar company because of the consistent experience they’re able to provide their users across their ecosystem and they’ve controlled that experience because they own and run the App Store. They have no such control over video content. While they don’t have to make all the content or even a large part of it, providing their own reference baseline like they did with iLife and iWork apps, they’ll be able to guide the other big video streamers along. They can only do this by becoming one of them.

Is a $2 billion a year investment worth it to maintain a $1 trillion dollar company?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdriftmeyer Avatar
73 months ago

Does everything ever written have to become a series or movie (or both) at some point?
It beats the hell out of rehashed medical, police, military hero dramas
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
73 months ago
i don't mind dark and depressing. just don't bore me.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)