A Series of Unfortunate Events (also known as Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events) is a 2004 American animated gothic black comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation, loosely based on the novel series of the same name by Lemony Snicket, covering the first three novels The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room and The Wide Window. Directed by Brad Silberling, Mario Piluso and Richard Williams (as his last directorial animated feature) , the film stars the voices of Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, Timothy Spall, Catherine O'Hara, Billy Connolly, Cedric the Entertainer, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Coolidge and Meryl Streep, as well as Jude Law as an live-action Lemony Snicket. In truth, Lemony Snicket is the pen name of American born writer Daniel Handler.
DreamWorks Pictures purchased the film rights to Daniel Handler's book series in 2000 and soon began development of an animated film with Barry Sonnenfeld attached to direct. Handler adapted the screenplay and courted Jim Carrey for the voice of Count Olaf. Sonnenfeld eventually left over budget concerns in January 2003 and Brad Silberling took over. Robert Gordon rewrote Handler's script and storyboarding started in November 2003.
A Series of Unfortunate Events received positive reviews, with many praising Carrey's performance and the animation, while some criticized its comical tone and short length – only focusing on the first three books in the series. The film also grossed $209.1 million worldwide earned numerous accolades; receiving nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Movie Award, and Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Film.