How a typo in a fictional singing competition nearly bankrupted a koala's theater

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the animated world of Sing, a struggling koala theater owner attempts to save his business by hosting a singing contest. A clerical error by his elderly iguana assistant accidentally inflates the prize money from $1,000 to $100,000, setting off a chaotic chain of events that threatens everything he owns.

Directed by Garth Jennings and produced by Illumination Entertainment, Sing (2016) centers on Buster Moon, a koala desperate to prevent his theater from facing foreclosure. The film’s narrative is driven by the unintended consequences of a misprinted flyer, which attracts a diverse cast of anthropomorphic animals—including a mother pig, a punk-rock porcupine, and a teenage gorilla—to audition for a prize that does not actually exist in the theater's empty coffers. The production itself was a massive undertaking, featuring over 65 pop songs, with the rights alone consuming 15% of the film's $75 million budget.

The film’s development was a five-year process, originally conceived under the working title Lunch. Once released, it became a significant commercial success, grossing $634 million worldwide. Notably, Sing held the record for the highest-grossing film to never reach the number one spot at the North American box office, a title it maintained until 2023. Critics offered mixed to positive reviews, often praising the voice performances and musical energy while noting the familiarity of its plot. Despite the mixed critical reception, audiences were enthusiastic, awarding the film an 'A' grade via CinemaScore.

Beyond the screen, the project fostered a unique creative culture. Director Garth Jennings continued a tradition of collaboration with friends Edgar Wright and Wes Anderson, who provided additional voices for the film. The animation was executed entirely in France by Illumination Mac Guff. Following its theatrical run, the film found further success in home media, selling 3.3 million units in 2017. The franchise has since expanded, with a sequel released in 2021 and a third installment confirmed to be in development as of April 2023.

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