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In a competitive acquisition battle, Netflix has secured The In-Claus, a highly sought-after holiday comedy package from acclaimed filmmaking duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, with Travis Braun penning the script. The project marks another high-profile win for Netflix as it continues to expand its lineup of family-friendly films.
Plot details for The In-Claus remain under wraps, but the film is based on an original short story by Braun and Gabrielle Meyer. The package was brought to Lord Miller by Lucy Kitada, the company’s Head of Film, who immediately saw its potential. Producers Chris Miller, Phil Lord, Aditya Sood, and Kitada are all attached under the Lord Miller banner.
According to industry insiders, the team at Lord Miller was instantly captivated by the story and swiftly moved to develop the project. When the finished script hit the market, it sparked significant interest from multiple studios. Ultimately, Netflix outbid its competitors, impressed by the project’s strong creative package and potential to resonate with global audiences.
The In-Claus now joins Netflix’s growing slate of family-oriented titles, including the recent animated megahit KPop Demon Hunters and the highly anticipated live-action Narnia film directed by Greta Gerwig. These titles reflect the streamer’s ongoing investment in family entertainment that blends humor, heart, and broad appeal.
Lord Miller continues to build an impressive portfolio across film and television. Their next major project, Project Hail Mary, is set for release on March 20, 2026, through MGM. The film, based on Andy Weir’s novel, stars Ryan Gosling and is being directed and produced by Lord and Miller alongside Aditya Sood, Amy Pascal, Rachel O’Connor, and Gosling himself.
Beyond Project Hail Mary, the company is producing The Last Expedition by Carly Wray—also inspired by a story by Andy Weir—and Everyday Parenting Tips, written by Travis Braun and based on a story by Simon Rich. On the television front, Lord Miller has an expansive development slate that includes both live-action and animated series for Sony’s Marvel characters, notably the upcoming Spider-Noir series starring Nicolas Cage for MGM+ and Prime Video.
Lord and Miller, who won an Academy Award for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, are also behind the much-anticipated third installment in the franchise, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, due out in June 2027.
As for Braun, his track record speaks for itself. The writer is the only person ever to top The Black List two consecutive years, with his scripts Dying For You, Bad Boy, and One Night Only each earning top recognition. Currently, he serves as showrunner for Cars: Lightning Racers, an animated series for Disney and Pixar based on the beloved Cars franchise.
Represented by UTA, Echo Lake Entertainment, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Braun’s collaboration with Lord Miller on The In-Claus promises to deliver a fresh and spirited addition to the holiday movie canon—one that Netflix hopes will capture hearts around the world.
