The Moomins is a multimedia franchise spun off from Tove Jansson's famous series of books. The franchise revolves around the Moomins, a family of friendly trolls who live in the wonderful land of Moominvalley, and the strange events that add excitement to their otherwise peaceful lives. Through its countless adaptations, the franchise has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.
Adaptations of the Moomins include:
Literature
- The original book series that started it all. A total of nine books were published between 1945 and 1970, forming the basis for most of the following adaptations.
- A series of picture books:
- The Book About Moomin, Mymble, and Little My (1952)
- Who Will Comfort Toffle? (1960)
- The Dangerous Journey (1977)
- An Unwanted Guest, also known as Villain in the Moominhouse (1980)
Comics
- Moomin, a series of Newspaper Comics which ran from 1954 to 1975 by Tove and Lars Jansson. A total of 73 stories were written. If a Moomin adaptation isn't based on the original novels, chances are it's telling a story from these comics instead.
- Children's comics published in the magazine Muumi-lehti, 1991-present
TV adaptations:
- Die Muminfamilie (The Moomin Family) (1959): A German puppet show based on Finn Family Moomintroll and Moominsummer Madness.
- Mūmin (1969-1970): The first anime adaptation of The Moomins, and part of World Masterpiece Theater. Aimed at an older audience, it diverges from the books in many ways.
- Mumintrollet (Moomintroll) (1969): The first Live-Action Adaptation of The Moomins. It is not based on any book, and instead features an original story about a king who attempts to civilize the Moomin family, only to find himself drawn into their lifestyle. Nowadays, this series is most notable for the actors removing the heads on their suits during the second episodes, meaning that the Moomins have normal human heads for most of the show; this was due to the suits being too cumbersome, as well as to give the actors recognition.
- Shin Mūmin (New Moomin) (1972): After Mūmin's
infamously poor reception from Tove herself due to the many differences compared to the source material, a second World Masterpiece Theater series was made, this time aiming to follow the books more faithfully. - Mumindalen (Moominvalley) (1973): A second Live-Action Adaptation. It is the 1973 edition of the Sveriges Television's Christmas calendar, basically a televised advent calendar where one episode a day airs in December, ending on Christmas Eve. Adapts stories from Moominland Midwinter, Finn Family Moomintroll, and Tales from Moominvalley.
- The Moomins (1977-1982): A Polish felt cutout Stop Motion adaptation. Affectionately nicknamed "The Fuzzy Felt Moomins" by fans.
- Moomin / Tanoshii Mūmin Ikka (Delightful Moomin Family) (1990-1992): The second anime adaptation, much more faithful to the source material than the '60s version, and one of the most well-known adaptations of the Moomins. It received a second season titled Tanoshii Mūmin Ikka: Bōken Nikki (Delightful Moomin Family: Adventure Diary).
- Moominvalley (2019-present): A Finnish-British All-CGI Cartoon adaptation of The Moomins.
Films and short films:
- Mumi-troll (Moomin-troll) (1978): Three short films made in the USSR, based on Comet in Moominland.
- The Fillyjonk who Believed in Disaster (1978): A short film based on the story of the same name.
- Who Will Comfort Toffle? (1980): A short film based on the picture book of the same name.
- Magician's Hat (1980-1983): A three-part paper cutout Stop Motion series made in the USSR. Notable for dramatically changing the character designs (for example, giving Snufkin a beak and making Moomintroll ginger).
- Comet in Moominland (1992): Part of the 1990 Tanoshii Mūmin Ikka anime adaptation, and based on the book of the same name. Received a renewed version that was released in 2023.
- The Book About Moomin, Mymble, and Little My (1993): Another short film based on the picture book.
- Փոքրիկ տրոլների կյանքից (Life of the Little Trolls) (2008): An Armenian CG-animated short film based on the story "The Last Dragon in the World" from Tales from Moominvalley.
- Four Compilation Movies of the "Fuzzy Felt" series, using restored footage and a redone soundtrack:
- Moomins and Midsummer Madness (2008)
- Moomins and the Comet Chase (2010)
- Moomins and the Winter Wonderland (2017)
- The Exploits of Moominpappa - Adventures of a Young Moomin (2021)
- Moomins on the Riviera (2014): Based on a story from the comics.
Video games
- Jidō Eiken Taiō Mūmin to Eigo: Tanjōbi no Okurimono (1995): An Edutainment Game based on the 1990 anime, which aims to teach English to Japanese children.
- Suuri Muumijuhla ("The Great Moomin Festival", 1996): A Minigame Game developed by TATI Mixedia, released in Finnish and Swedish.
- Moomin's Tale (Mūmin no Daibōken) (1999): A Platform Game for the Game Boy Color, based on the 1990 anime.
- Muumipappa kalassa ("Moominpappa Fishing", early 2000's): A Flash game developed by RedLynx Interactive.
- A series of Nordic-and-Russia-exclusive Minigame Games for PC, developed by Norsk Strek AS:
- Muumit piilosilla ("Moomins Playing Hide-and-Seek", 1995): A Nibling comes to visit Moonminvalley, and the player must find it in a variety of scenes.
- Muumit meren aalloilla ("Moomins on the Waves of the Sea", 1996): The Moomins take their ship for a spin on the sea.
- Muumit ja Taikurin hattu ("Moomins and the Hobgoblin's Hat", 1997): A continuation of Finn Family Moomintroll, in which the player must locate the nine pieces of the King's Ruby after it broke apart.
- Muumit ja näkymätön lapsi ("Moomins and the Invisible Child", 1999): A loose adaptation of The Invisible Child.
- Muumit ja Taikatalvi ("Moomins and the Magical Winter", 2000): A loose adaptation of Moominland Midwinter.
- Muumit ja Taikalamppu ("Moomins and the Magical Lamp", 2001): A loose adaptation of the episode 33 "The Spirit in the Lamp" of the 1990 anime.
- Muumit ja salaperäiset huudot ("Moomins and the Mysterious Screams", 2006): An original story, though apparently inspired by episode 39 of the 1990 anime. Was also released for the Nintendo DS in 2009.
- Muumit ja suuri syysjuhla ("Moomins and the Great Autumn Festival", 2007): An original story in which the Moomins prepare for a festival with the help of the player. Was also released for the Nintendo DS in 2010.
- Moomin - Welcome to Moominvalley (2015): A Mobile Phone Game by Poppin Games where the residents of Moominvalley tend to a farm and collect items and decorations.
- Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley (2024): A stealth adventure game starring Snufkin, who sets out to destroy hideous parks corrupting Moominvalley's scenery.
