2026: The Year Ahead In Animated Film

So here we are in the year 2026, and that means it's about time for our annual look ahead to the animated films coming out this year. Most would probably agree that 2025 wasn't the best year ever for animation, but it definitely had its highlights. This year is looking like another mixed bag, with a brace of sequels as well as several originals. Any of which could be good. There will probably be several indie and international films that aren't on the schedule yet, as well as a number of straight-to-streaming movies.

All You Need Is Kill

Studio 4°C presents a new adaptation of the Japanese novel of the same name. You may know it better through the previous Hollywood adaptation, the Tom Cruise vehicle Edge of Tomorrow. Or Live, Die Repeat or whatever they're calling it now. This time, it's a young woman who is stuck in a time loop during an alien invasion.

ETA: Out Now (US)

Tafiti: Across The Desert

A young meerkat and his bushpig companion (Timon and who?) set off on a quest to find a blue flower that can heal his grandpa, who has been bitten by a snake. Timo Berg and Nina Wels direct this German animation, based on a successful series of childrens' books.

ETA:  January 30

Arco

The winner of 2025's Cristal for Best Feature at Annecy International Animation Film Festival comes from director Ugo Bienvenu. The French sci-fi/fantasy sees a young time-traveller thrown from his own time and into the distant past. There he meets a girl his own age who shelters him and is determined to help him get back to his own time.

ETA:  Jan 30 (US) March (UK)

Scarlet

Mamoru Hosoda's newest feature centres on the titular warrior princess, who seeks revenge for her father's murder. Made in a fresh hybrid 2D/3D animation style and with a high fantasy setting, this promises to be fresh territory for Hosoda.

ETA: Feb 06 (US)

Time Hoppers: The Silk Road

This kid-friendly sci-fi is a faith-based production. But unusually, it's from a muslim perspective not a Christian one. This feature is just part of a Time Hoppers multi-media franchise, which will also include a video game and a TV series.

ETA Feb 07 and 08 (US)

GOAT

Sony Pictures Animation's latest is the inspiring tale of a diminutive goat with big dreams of playing basketball.. sorry, 'Roarball' at the highest level. Featuring a colourful cast of talking animals, it's basically Zootopia meets Space Jam.

ETA: Feb 13

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby- Beginning Of A New Era

Big screen spin-off of the bonkers anime about 'derby girls'- cute anime girls who race like horses. This feature follows on from two seasons of TV and a video game, so it's hard to say how newcomer-friendly it will be.

ETA:  Feb 27 (US)

Hoppers

Like Avatar but cuter and furrier, Pixar's latest features a main character able to hop into a robot beaver to infiltrate the animal kingdom.We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong makes his Pixar debut with this, and brings a whole new sense of humour and a manic energy unlike anything the studio has produced so far. If the trailers are to be believed, we're in for a treat.

ETA: March 6

The Pout-Pout Fish

This under-the-sea animation features a perennially grumpy fish voiced by Nick Offerman, who reluctantly finds himself on a journey with a relentlessly cheerful seahorse. Based on the childrens' bestseller of the same name.

ETA March 20 (US)

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Sequel to Illumination's smash hit original, this time taking inspiration from the Mario Galaxy games originally released on Nintendo Wii. The original was a big hit with audiences (taking over $1 billion) but not so much with critics. Can the sequel win them both over?

ETA: April 03

Animal Farm

Andy Serkis' adaptation of the classic George Orwell novel could hardly look more different than the original animated adaptation, with major plot changes and a wackier tone. Featuring an all-star cast, led by Seth Rogen as Napoleon, and featuring Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Woody Harrelson, Laverne Cox, Jim Parsons and Serkis himself.

ETA: May 01

Toy Story 5

31 years after the original, the fourth sequel arrives. Written and directed by Pixar legend Andrew Stanton, the fifth film deals with the toys facing the arrival of electronics competing for children's attention. It seems the film ignores the ending of Toy Story 4 to reunite Woody and Buzz.

ETA: June 19

Minions 3

Third spin-off from the Despicable Me series. No plot details or casting have been revealed, despite this only being a few months away. Nonetheless, it's sure to be chaotic, cute and spawn a million memes. It's Minions, what else would you expect?

ETA: July 01

Coyote Vs. Acme

This animated/live-action film is finally seeing the light of day after being unceremoniously scrapped by Warner Bros in their infamous cost-cutting measures. It features Wile E Coyote suing the ACME Company, and will feature appearances from other Looney Tunes characters.

ETA  Aug 28

Forgotten Island

There are precious few details available about this upcoming DreamWorks Animation feature. What we do know is that it follows two best friends who become stranded on a mystical island, and it features the voices of Dave Franco, Jenny Slate and Manny Jacinto. As for the rest, we'll just have to wait and see!

ETA: September 25

The Legend Of Aang: The Last Airbender

The first feature-length outing in the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise follows the exploits of an adult Aang. Originally intended for cinemas, Paramount, in their infinite wisdom, decided to move this eagerly anticipated film to a Paramount+ only release.

ETA: October 9

Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom 

Aardman's adorable stop-motion sheep is back for his third big screen outing. Following the sci-fi shenanigans of Farmageddon, it's a Halloween theme this time as Shaun and his flock deal with the appearance of an apparently fearsome beast. Meanwhile, Shaun turns mad scientist. These two things may in fact be related.

ETA October 31 (UK)

The Cat In The Hat

The latest animated adaptation of a Dr Seuss book comes from Warner Bros Animation. It doesn't look like it bears much resemblance to either the original book or the deeply disturbing Mike Myers live-action movie, instead forging a path of its own. Featuring Bill Hader as the titular feline.

ETA November 8

Hexed

We know next to nothing about this new original feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios. It follows an awkward teenager who discovers he has magical powers, transforming his life and revealing a hidden magical realm. Other than that? Details are being kept firmly under wraps. We can't wait to learn more! Directed by Moana 2 helmer Jason Hand and Josie Trinidad (making her feature directorial debut).

ETA November 25

The Angry Birds Movie 3

Third movie in the franchise based on the popular (but surely not as popular as it used to be) mobile game. Lily James, Keke Palmer, Tim Robinson and MrBeast join the cast for the further adventures of Red and Chuck.

ETA December 23

Wild Wood

Laika's long-awaited return doesn't have a confirmed release date, but hopefully, it is finally coming this year. A dark fantasy about a young girl setting off to rescue her brother from the mystical woods, this promises to be Laika's most ambitious film yet. Based on the book by Colin Meloy, it features the most elaborate puppets and sets the studio have ever made.

Also Released

• Miss Moxy Feline adventure ETA Out Now (UK)
• Little Amélie or the Character of Rain Award winning French feature. ETA: February 13 (UK)
• The Day The Earth Blew Up Looney Tunes feature. ETA February 13 (UK)