Leo starring Adam Sandler release date, cast, trailer, and more

2023 has been a great year for Netflix when it comes to its movie releases! There’s been lots of variety like with the rom-com Your Place or Mine starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher, as well as thriller Fair Play headlined by Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor. But there’s still plenty more to come, including the animated film, Leo, starring Adam Sandler! The actor also co-wrote the script.

Mark you calendars and get ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with the adorable movie. Leo begins streaming Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 on Netflix. The film has three directors in charge behind-the-scenes — Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, and David Wachtenheim. Smigel is also listed as one of the cast members, so he’ll be lending his voice to the film as well.

Who else stars in the production? What can you expect to see? Here’s everything we know about the upcoming family-friendly movie!

What is Leo about?

The musical comedy tells the story from the perspective of a class pet, a jaded 74-year-old lizard named Leo. He has been stuck in the same elementary school classroom for decades and is ready to explore life outside those walls when he finds out he has one year left to live, Netflix shares.

But his plans to escape are deterred when he ends up helping some of his anxious students. The events that happen start out being strange but then turn out to be the most rewarding. Check out the official synopsis shared by Netflix below:

"Actor and comedian Adam Sandler (Hotel Transylvania, The Wedding Singer) delivers signature laughs in this coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school – as seen through the eyes of a class pet. Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo (Sandler) has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle (Bill Burr). When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever…"

On Aug. 23, Netflix released the first footage from the highly anticipated animated movie and offered an introduction to Sandler’s titular lizard named Leo. The teaser previews Leo’s adventures in the movie, which include leaving his elementary school terrarium, taking on alligators, flying on a drone, and so much more. There’s even a Sandler-centric Easter egg with a particular “Back to School” song his fans will definitely recognize. Check out the first-look teaser in the video below:

After a couple of months of waiting, the streamer finally shared the official trailer on Oct. 12! The video reveals a twist we didn’t see coming – the kids can understand and talk to Leo. And that’s exactly how he’s going to help them. He even becomes a pet-favorite! And perhaps this reptile will learn that’s the best way to live his last year. We shared the trailer below:

Leo cast

It seems like this movie is a whole family affair where the Sandlers are concerned! Actor and comedian Adam Sandler voices the main role of Leo. His wife, Jackie Sandler, and his daughters, Sadie and Sunny, join him in lending their voices to the characters. How fun! We’ve shared the cast list below:

• Adam Sandler as Leo
• Bill Burr as Leo’s terrarium-mate turtle Squirtle
• Jackie Sandler as Jayda’s Mom
• Sadie Sandler as Jayda
• Sunny Sandler as Summer
• Cecily Strong as Mrs. Malkin
• Jason Alexander as Jayda’s Dad
• Rob Schneider as Principal
• Heidi Gardner as Eli’s Mom
• Nick Swardson as Bunny
• Nicholas Turturro as Anthony’s Dad
• Robert Smigel as Miniature Horse
• Jo Koy as Coach Komura
• Stephanie Hsu as Skyler’s mom

This is the second time Sandler works with his daughters on Netflix. We first saw the family in You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. The coming-of-age comedy-drama dropped in August 2023 on the streaming service.

Check out some of the first images released for the movie below:

Stay tuned to Netflix Life as we bring you all the updates and news about Leo starring Adam Sandler! The film is set to release Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 on Netflix.

FanSided Entertainment staff contributed to this report.