Steven Universe: The Movie

Did You Know?

• The film's soundtrack peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
• The song 'Happily Ever After' was later adapted into the title theme of the epilogue limited series Steven Universe Future.
• Chance the Rapper served as a co-executive producer on the film.

Plot

The film opens with the Diamonds introducing Steven, now 16, to the Gem Empire, but he declines their offer to stay. Back on Earth, the Crystal Gems celebrate peace until a drill lands and Spinel appears, using a Rejuvenator to poof Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst back into their gem forms and weaken Steven's powers. Steven poofs Spinel with the scythe. The Gems regenerate without memories; Pearl believes she is Greg's servant, and Spinel becomes happy-go-lucky. Bismuth identifies the weapon as a Rejuvenator. Steven tries to restore memories by reenacting Ruby and Sapphire's first fusion, which succeeds temporarily but does not restore full memory. He recovers Amethyst's memory through shared experiences. Peridot discovers the drill injects a toxin that will kill all life; Steven's attempt to remove it accelerates the process. The group takes Pearl to a concert to trigger her memory of rebellion, but she remains obedient to Greg. Steven fuses with Greg, forming Steg, which restores Pearl's memory. Spinel flees, and Pearl reveals she was Pink Diamond's playmate.

Voice cast

Zach Callison voices Steven Universe, a 16-year-old Gem-human hybrid. Sarah Stiles plays Spinel, Pink Diamond's former playmate, drawn in a 1930s rubber-hose style. Michaela Dietz voices Amethyst, Deedee Magno Hall as Pearl, and Estelle as Garnet. Erica Luttrell voices Sapphire, Lo Mutuc as Ruby, Uzo Aduba as Bismuth, Jennifer Paz as Lapis Lazuli, and Shelby Rabara as Peridot. Grace Rolek plays Connie Maheswaran, Tom Scharpling as Greg Universe, Christine Ebersole as White Diamond, Patti LuPone as Yellow Diamond, and Lisa Hannigan as Blue Diamond. Matthew Moy voices Lars Barriga, Kate Micucci as Sadie Miller, Ted Leo as Steg, Aimee Mann as Opal, and Toks Olagundoye as Nanefua Pizza.

Release

The film aired on Cartoon Network on September 2, 2019, preceded by a three-day Every Steven Ever marathon starting August 31. A digital release followed on September 3, 2019. The DVD, released on November 12, 2019, includes the documentary Behind the Curtain: The Making of Steven Universe: The Movie and animatics with and without commentary. The film was later included in the Steven Universe: The Complete Collection DVD on December 8, 2020. An early screening took place at The Theater at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on August 26, 2019. In Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, it had a theatrical run from October 24 to October 30, 2019, earning $24,012 internationally. A planned sing-along screening on March 23, 2020, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the sing-along edition aired on Cartoon Network on March 6, 2020.

Reception

The film was seen by 1.57 million viewers on its commercial-free premiere, making it the highest-rated broadcast of the series in over three years. Critics universally acclaimed the film before broadcast, highlighting the music, animation, and Sarah Stiles's performance. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 9.3/10 average rating. Reviewers noted its effectiveness as a stand-alone story and its strong emotional content, with praise for its musical numbers and animation.