Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog (2025) is a vibrant animated adventure directed by Benjamin Mousquet, and serves as a sequel to Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022).
Produced by nWave Studios, Octopolis, and Sony Pictures International, the film continues the whimsical saga of Chickenhare—a half-chicken, half-hare hero—on a quest that’s as heartwarming as it is high-stakes.
This time, Chickenhare sets out to find a mysterious groundhog said to possess the power to reverse time, a mythical ability that may be the only hope to save his species. Alongside his loyal companions Abe and Meg, he journeys through treacherous landscapes, facing rival factions and ancient obstacles. But they’re not the only ones chasing the legend, and the race against time becomes a test of courage, friendship, and self-discovery.
Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog draws inspiration from a blend of mythic storytelling, ecological urgency, and the emotional resonance of hybrid identity. Rooted in the graphic novels by Chris Grine, the film expands the whimsical world of Chickenhare—a creature born of two species—into a deeper quest for belonging and restoration.
The idea of a groundhog with the power to reverse time taps into folklore and the universal longing to undo loss, making the story both playful and profound.
The sequel builds on themes introduced in Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness, but this time with higher stakes: extinction, ancestral memory, and the death of the Tree of Life. The creators seem to channel classic adventure tropes—hidden mountains, rival factions, ancient powers—through a lens of emotional growth and ecological metaphor. It’s a tale where time isn’t just a plot device, but a symbol of healing, legacy, and the courage to rewrite one’s fate.
Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog carries a whimsical yet resonant significance beneath its animated surface.
At its heart, the film is a fable about identity, legacy, and the courage to rewrite fate. Chickenhare—a creature born of two worlds—embarks on a quest not just to save his species, but to reclaim agency over time itself. The mythical groundhog, said to possess the power to reverse time, becomes a symbol of second chances and ancestral healing. As Chickenhare and his companions navigate rival factions and ancient landscapes, the story unfolds as a metaphor for embracing difference, confronting extinction, and daring to believe that the past need not define the future.
The film’s significance also lies in its layered storytelling: it’s a family-friendly adventure that gently introduces themes of ecological loss, personal transformation, and mythic responsibility. By blending humor, action, and emotional depth, it invites viewers—young and old—to consider what it means to belong, to remember, and to act before it’s too late.
Benjamin Mousquet is a Belgian animation director known for his work on visually rich, emotionally resonant family films. He began his career as a layout artist and animator on titles like A Turtle’s Tale and Bigfoot Family, gradually honing a style that blends kinetic adventure with heartfelt storytelling. His directorial debut, Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022), introduced audiences to the quirky hybrid hero Chickenhare, and its success paved the way for the sequel, Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog (2025). Mousquet’s direction is marked by playful worldbuilding, mythic undertones, and a deep affection for outsider protagonists navigating epic quests.
Chris Grine, the original creator of the Chickenhare graphic novels published by Dark Horse Comics, brings a whimsical yet emotionally grounded sensibility to the screen. His storytelling often centers on hybrid identities, ecological themes, and mythic adventure, making him a natural fit for the film’s narrative expansion. Grine’s visual imagination and character-driven humor infuse the screenplay with heart and depth, bridging comic origins with cinematic flair.
Dave Collard, co-screenwriter of the film, is known for his work in animated storytelling that balances comedy, action, and emotional resonance. While his full biography remains under wraps, his contribution to Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog reflects a talent for crafting high-stakes, family-friendly narratives that pulse with urgency and warmth. Together with Grine, Collard helps shape a tale that’s both mythic and intimate—where time travel, extinction, and belonging converge in a vibrant animated world.
Chris Grine is an American comic book artist and writer celebrated for his quirky, emotionally resonant storytelling. He’s best known as the creator of Chickenhare, a graphic novel series first published by Dark Horse Comics in 2006, which earned an Eisner Award nomination for “Best Publication for a Younger Audience” in 2007. Grine’s work often blends humor, adventure, and mythic undertones, with a particular focus on hybrid identities and outsider protagonists. Beyond Chickenhare, his portfolio includes titles like Time Shifters, The Secrets of Camp Whatever, and graphic novel adaptations of Animorphs, showcasing his versatility across genres and age groups. Grine currently works at Hallmark, where his creative flair extends to projects like “165 Bots with Stuff” featured on the Shoebox blog. His storytelling is marked by visual inventiveness and emotional depth, making him a natural fit for animated adaptations like Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog (2025), where his original characters leap from page to screen.
