Director: Angela Stempel
Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Paul Rust, Dulé Hill, Alex Newell
Lulu Is a Rhinoceros is a 2025 American animated family film directed by Angela Stempel, following a spirited rhinoceros named Lulu whose mission to share kindness with the world leads her on an unexpected and music-filled adventure alongside a cast of colorful new companions.
What is Lulu Is a Rhinoceros about?
Lulu is a rhinoceros with an enormous heart and an even bigger belief in the goodness around her. Feeling called to make a difference, she sets off from everything she knows and steps into a wider world that is not quite ready for someone quite like her. Along the way she encounters a group of unlikely friends, each carrying their own worries and hopes, and together they discover that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to keep moving anyway. Told through original songs and bright, expressive animation, the story follows Lulu as she faces moments of doubt, finds community where she least expects it, and learns that spreading joy is its own reward — even when the path is bumpy.
Cast & crew
Director Angela Stempel leads a voice cast that includes Auliʻi Cravalho, known for her breakout role in animated musicals, alongside Utkarsh Ambudkar, Paul Rust, Dulé Hill, and Alex Newell, whose stage background lends warmth to the film's musical sequences. Jeff Bennett, H Michael Croner, and Darius Johnson round out the ensemble, each bringing a distinct energy to their characters.
Context & significance
Short-form animated features have become a staple of family viewing in the Persian-speaking diaspora, offering stories that parents and young children can share regardless of language background. Lulu Is a Rhinoceros plays in its original English audio without Persian dubbing or subtitles, making it most accessible to bilingual families already comfortable watching English-language animated content. Its themes of belonging, friendship, and the courage to be different translate across cultures and speak directly to diaspora children navigating multiple identities. For Iranian-Canadian and Iranian-American families looking for light, music-driven animation to watch together on a weekend evening, Lulu delivers a gentle, affirming message.
Where & how to watch
Lulu Is a Rhinoceros is available now on K-Time in original English audio, without Persian dubbing or subtitles. Watch on your browser, smart TV, or phone — no extra download required, no geo-blocking, and no VPN needed. Cancel anytime.