The Art of The Mitchells vs. The Machines

The official behind-the-scenes art book for Sony Pictures Animation’s feature film The Mitchells vs. The Machines.

Foreword by Debbie Rianda

Ramin Zahed’s The Art of The Mitchells vs. The Machines gives insight into how the filmmakers behind Sony Pictures Animation’s movie The Mitchells vs. The Machines were able to bring a fresh, new vision to the screen through concept art, sketches, and early character designs. The book also features exclusive commentary from director/cowriter Michael Rianda and codirector/cowriter Jeff Rowe, alumni of the team behind Emmy Award-winning Gravity Falls, and producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the innovative and creative minds behind The LEGO Movie and the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines is an animated action-comedy about an ordinary family who find themselves in the middle of their biggest family challenge yet . . . saving the world from the robot apocalypse. No big deal, right? It all starts after creative outsider Katie Mitchell is accepted into the film school of her dreams and is eager to leave home and find “her people,” when her nature-loving dad insists on having the whole family drive her to school and bond during one last totally-not-awkward-or-forced road trip. But just when the trip can’t get any worse, the family suddenly finds itself in the middle of a robot uprising! Everything from smartphones to Roombas to evil Furbys is employed to capture every human on the planet. Now it’s up to the Mitchells, including upbeat mom, Linda, quirky little brother, Aaron, their squishy pug, Monchi, and two friendly but simple-minded robots to save humanity.

Featuring the voices of Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Beck Bennett, Fred Armisen, Eric Andre, and Oscar winner Olivia Colman, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is about embracing the things that make us unique, learning what it means to be human in a world increasingly filled with technology, and holding tight to the people most important to you when the unexpected hits.

About the Authors:

Ramin Zahed is an L.A.-based author and editor in chief of Animation Magazine. He has written for numerous outlets including Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, and Sight & Sound. His recent books include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: The Art of the Movie, The Art of Klaus, The Art of Captain Underpants, and The Art of DreamWorks Animation.

Debbie Rianda is the inspiration for Linda Mitchell and director Michael Rianda’s mom.