Kris Bowers is bringing his acclaimed musical talents to Netflix’s upcoming animated comedy Steps, serving as composer for the feature ahead of its November 20, 2026 release.
The score was recorded over July and August at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, adding another major creative collaboration to a film that marks a milestone for Netflix Animation. Steps will be the first feature to be fully animated in-house by Netflix Animation Studios.
Bowers is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and an Emmy-nominated composer whose work has spanned film and television. His credits include The Wild Robot, Bridgerton, King Richard, The Color Purple and Origin. He also co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary short The Last Repair Shop with Ben Proudfoot.
Directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, Steps puts a fresh spin on the familiar Cinderella story by shifting the spotlight to the characters traditionally portrayed as the evil stepsisters.
The film centers on Lilith, voiced by Ali Wong, who has grown tired of living in Cinderella’s shadow. After stealing the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and hijacking the Royal Ball alongside her sister Margot, voiced by Stephanie Hsu, Lilith accidentally transforms Margot into a frog and sends the kingdom into chaos.
The situation takes an even darker turn when Priscilla, voiced by Nikki Glaser, seizes control of the kingdom and establishes herself as a ruthless ruler. With the fairy-tale world in danger, Lilith must put aside her differences with Cinderella, voiced by Amanda Seyfried, and join forces with her former rival.
Their unlikely alliance sends them on an adventure involving biker trolls, dangerous henchmen and the mysterious Screaming Woods. While saving the kingdom is part of the mission, the sisters’ complicated relationship remains at the heart of the story.
The voice cast also includes Daniel Radcliffe as the Prince, Young Mazino as Gef, Peter Dinklage as Roderick, Bette Midler as the Fairy Godmother and WWE Superstar Damian Priest as Cracktor.
For Tzue, the story goes beyond a traditional fairy-tale adventure. Steps explores the relationship between two sisters who appear to have little in common but gradually discover that their differences may not be as significant as they once believed.
The film also draws from Tzue’s own experiences growing up as a Taiwanese American child in suburban New Jersey and feeling like an outsider. That perspective helped shape a story aimed at audiences who have struggled to see themselves reflected in traditional fairy tales.
Steps is produced by Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing, with Poehler and Lessing producing through Paper Kite Productions. The screenplay was written by Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Jen Chuck, Dana Schwartz and Felicia Ho, with the story credited to Tramer, Madejski, Schwartz, Ho, Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci.
With Bowers now handling the film’s score, Steps brings together an ensemble cast and creative team for a modern animated fairy tale centered on sisterhood, identity, redemption and the idea that even characters labeled as villains can find their own happily-ever-after.
Steps premieres on Netflix on November 20, 2026.