2025 promises to be another exciting year for animated films, with a mix of high-profile sequels and intriguing original creations. Leading the way are sequels like Disney’s Zootopia 2, DreamWorks’ The Bad Guys 2, and Nickelodeon/Paramount’s The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, along with the Untitled Smurfs Animated Film.
However, the year also brings a wealth of original projects that are sure to capture attention, including Pixar’s sci-fi adventure Elio, DreamWorks’ Dog Man, Sony Pictures Classics’ The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol, and Laika’s highly anticipated Wildwood (with a tentative release date).
Additionally, Netflix is rolling out a diverse slate of animated films, such as In Your Dreams, K-Pop: Demon Hunters (working title with Sony Pictures), Lost in Starlight (Netflix’s first Korean-language animated film), Plankton: The Movie (in collaboration with Nickelodeon), Pookoo (with Skydance Animation), and The Twits, adapted from Roald Dahl’s work. For anime fans, Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures is set to release Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the anime event of the year.
Additionally, three Oscar-qualifying films from 2024 will carry over into 2025: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, The Colors Within, and The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.
Looking ahead to next year’s Oscar race, Zootopia 2 is a strong contender, given that the original film won the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2017. Elio carries the Pixar pedigree, even though it encountered a rocky start, with Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian replacing Adrian Molina as directors.
The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol, directed by Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville), has caught the attention of critics for its imaginative portrayal of French filmmaker Pagnol.
Netflix’s The Twits also stands out for its unique adaptation of Roald Dahl’s twisted sensibility. And Wildwood could make waves, given Laika’s impressive history of nominations, with five previous films up for Academy Awards.
Here’s a detailed rundown of the 2025 animated releases, with further updates to follow:
- “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” (Netflix/Aardman, January 3) This potential Oscar contender, directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, is a North American streaming debut on Netflix. The duo faces off against their old enemy Feathers McGraw in a comedic adventure involving a rogue “smart gnome,” Norbot (voiced by Reece Shearsmith).
- “The Colors Within” (GKids, January 28) GKids is bringing The Colors Within to theaters after its successful debut at Annecy and winning the Audience Award at Animation Is Film. Directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice), the anime follows a high school student with the ability to perceive the emotions of others through colors.
- “Dog Man” (DreamWorks/Universal, January 31) DreamWorks adapts Dav Pilkey’s beloved children’s graphic novel series in this superhero comedy. Directed by Peter Hastings, the film follows a policeman and his dog who are fused together to become the titular hybrid hero. The cast includes Isla Fisher, Stephen Root, and Ricky Gervais.
- “Attack on Titan: The Last Attack” (Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures, February 10 Only) The final two episodes of the Attack on Titan anime series are condensed into this theatrical release, based on Hajime Isayama’s award-winning manga.
- “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep” (Netflix, February 11) The second anime adaptation of The Witcher series delves into Geralt of Rivia’s investigation into mysterious attacks by mer-people.
- “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” (Warner Bros. Animation/Ketchup Entertainment, February 28) Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, voiced by Eric Bauza, star in this 2D animated feature, where they foil an alien plot to conquer Earth. Directed by Pete Browngardt, the film captures the wacky charm of Looney Tunes.
- “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX — Beginning —” (GKids, February 28) This theatrical debut uses re-edited episodes from the upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX TV series, blending mobile suit battles with sports. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, the film marks the collaboration between studio khara and Sunrise.
- “Night of the Zoopocalypse” (Viva Pictures, March 7) Animals turn into zombies after a meteorite strikes their zoo. The film features a voice cast that includes David Harbour and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.
- “Sneaks” (Briarcliff Entertainment, April 18) This comedy adventure, directed by Rob Edwards (The Princess and the Frog), follows two animated sneakers voiced by Anthony Mackie and Chloe Bailey, as they try to escape a villain in New York City.
- “Elio” (Pixar/Disney, June 13) This intergalactic coming-of-age comedy follows 11-year-old Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), who is mistaken as Earth’s leader after being transported to an alien paradise. Directed by Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, Elio is Pixar’s next big release.
- “Untitled Smurfs Animated Film” (Nickelodeon/Paramount, July 18) In this musical fantasy reboot, Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) leads a voice cast that includes Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, and Kurt Russell. Directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Matt Landon, the film promises to bring fresh life to the classic Smurfs characters.
- “The Bad Guys 2” (DreamWorks/Universal, August 1) The sequel to The Bad Guys sees the gang pulled back into action by the female-led group The Bad Girls. Directed by Pierre Perifel, the voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz, and Awkwafina.
- “Zootopia 2” (Disney, November 22) Detective duo Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return for a new adventure in Zootopia 2, as they go undercover to investigate a mysterious figure named Gary. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprise their roles.
- “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants” (Nickelodeon/Paramount, December 19) Directed by Derek Drymon, this new installment in the SpongeBob franchise finds the beloved sponge facing off against the legendary Flying Dutchman (voiced by Mark Hamill).
- “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” (Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures, TBD 2025) The first installment of the final arc in the Demon Slayer series, this film will center on the epic battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demon leader Muzan Kibutsuji.
- “In Your Dreams” (Netflix, TBD 2025) Directed by Alex Woo and Erik Benson, this magical adventure follows two siblings as they enter the dream realm to save their parents’ marriage.
- “K-Pop: Demon Hunters” (Netflix, TBD 2025) A musical action-adventure about a K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon hunters. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, this film features an intriguing blend of music and fantasy.
- “Lost in Starlight” (Netflix, TBD 2025) This cosmic love story explores the relationship between astronaut Nan-young and musician Jay, with the voices of K-drama stars Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung.
- “The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol” (Sony Pictures Classics, TBD 2025) Directed by Sylvain Chomet, this hand-drawn animated film explores the life of French filmmaker Pagnol as he contemplates his past works and reconnects with his younger self.
- “Plankton: The Movie” (Nickelodeon/Netflix, TBD 2025) The second SpongeBob spin-off, Plankton: The Movie follows the villainous Plankton as his schemes for world domination are foiled. Directed by Dave Needham, the film stars Mr. Lawrence, Tom Kenny, and Bill Fagerbakke.
- “Pookoo” (Skydance Animation/Netflix, TBD 2025) This buddy comedy features two enemies — a woodland creature and a bird — who magically swap places and embark on an adventure. Directed by Nathan Greno, the film promises humor and heart.
- “The Twits” (Netflix, TBD 2025) Directed by Phil Johnston, this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s darkly humorous story about the evil Twits is brought to life with animation by Jellyfish Pictures and a star-studded voice cast.
- “Wildwood” (Laika, TBD) Laika’s highly anticipated Wildwood brings the studio’s signature stop-motion animation to a fantasy adventure set in Portland, Oregon. Directed by Travis Knight, the film follows a young girl’s journey through an enchanted forest.
