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The Addams Family, a popular franchise centered around a gothic family who love all things dark and strange, has recently seen a sudden growth in popularity due to Netflix’s hit show, Wednesday.
The franchise began with a man named Charles Addams, a major cartoonist, who debuted the family in comic strips in 1938 in The New Yorker. Despite all the new adaptations of the family that followed, many of the original characteristics of the Addams family remained: their dark humor and appreciation for what many may see as twisted things persist in every rendition of the family.
An Addams family show debuted in the 60s and brought the spookiness and kookiness of the family onto the screen for the first time, and in black and white! The show aired for two seasons and provided a physical representation of all that made the family special. The show can still be watched today on a few streaming platforms, such as Pluto, so their story will never be forgotten!
After the success of the show, two films were created and were known as the most iconic installment of the franchise before Wednesday’s debut. The first film, The Addams Family, starring Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia as Morticia and Gomez Addams, continued what the show and the films began. Morticia and Gomez were openly and passionately in love, working together to lead their family through the conflicts presented to them throughout both films. Wednesday, played by Christina Ricci, and Pugsley, played by Jimmy Workman, were extremely entertaining to watch, as their antics worked in harmony with the rest of the family’s values.
The films presented an unordinary form of families of one aspect of the American dream. Morticia and Gomez are happily married, they care for all of their children, the family looks out for each other through thick and thin, they have a wonderful home, and seem to be doing quite well despite anyone who may set them apart for being different, such as the camp counselors towards Wednesday and Pugsley in The Addams Family: Family Matters.
Wednesday was an absolute hit show, and recently announced the upcoming second season. The show placed an even more modern spin on the timely Addams Family, maintaining their iconic dark characteristics with Tim Burton’s personally added touch. Jenna Ortega does an absolutely amazing job at portraying Wednesday Addams. I loved their inclusion of Wednesday from the films, Christina Ricci, and her impact in the show. It brings old and new fans together in the best way possible. The nostalgia and excitement many viewers felt at her appearance in the show proves that the connection between the two popular pieces of the franchise is strong and continues to grow stronger as viewers go back to watch the films and gush about the Addams Family’s story.
Wednesdays recently announced second season has gotten many fans excited to see what’s to come of Wednesday’s adventure, especially after season one’s cliffhanger! Hopefully, the show brings the family the recognition and love it deserves for withstanding the test of time and giving us all good laughs, sighs, and even cries.
Edited by Poorna Prakash
Cover page by Jiaying Chen
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