Top 10 Animated Movies to Look Forward to in 2025

Instead of looking at the animated movies coming to cinemas, what I offer is a list of works expected to be released this year from abroad and in America. There are some wonderful works that should be great, and the big question will concern whether the two major distributors, GKIDS or Well GO USA, will pick them up. They’re still working through last year’s catalogue of releases. Trailers are provided where possible:

Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires

This Elseworlds take on Batman lore promises to be good because it’s also connected to a bit of Mesoamerican folklore concerning the bat. Both Aztec and Mayan cultures hold this creature sacred, representing various Underworld aspects. Here, instead of focusing on the Wayne family, another clan’s parents are killed, and Yohualli Coatl enacts swift revenge!

Here, the conquistadors are not the only threat. No Batman adaptation is complete without The Joker! As for how he got reimagined, much has been spoiled in other reports, and it’s better to be surprised.

The Day the Earth Blew Up:
A Looney Tunes Movie

Feb 28, 2025

Unlike other Warner Bros. productions that were shelved (only to be released later), I’m glad this studio is thinking twice now. Thankfully, this work was on the slate after the hooha with Scoob! Holiday Haunt and Batgirl.

Here, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig join forces to save the world from aliens in this first 2D-animated Looney Tunes movie made for the big screen. When they can’t be Duck Dodgers and the eager space cadet, this ought to be the next best thing!

Elio

June 2025

PIXAR’s next project looks very promising as they have go back to space. Instead of Buzz Lightyear, it’ll be a young boy. And everyone he meets believes he is the emissary. No, we’re not talking about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine here, but just an individual whom others believe represents his species.

But when he’s a dreamer and isn’t really up to date on the latest world’s affairs, who knows what’s going to happen, and all we can do is pray!

The Polar Bear Prince

In theory, this Norwegian animated film should debut at Annecy this year, and if I only had the money to go, I would! This country has produced a lot of unique films over the years. The most memorable is Handling the Undead and The Troll Hunter. But I rarely hear about what they got in the animated front. And they’re off to a fantastic start with the adventure The Polar Bear Prince, which is abased on the folk tale of the same name.

From the synopsis: In this movie, we meet the fearless, curious, and adventurous girl Liv, who longs to escape from the forest where she lives. One day she meets a white polar bear in the forest and she decides to follow him. In his ice castle, a warm friendship blossoms between the two, a friendship that could turn into love. The white bear is not just a bear; he is also Prince Valemon, enchanted by a sorceress; bear by day, man by night.

Night of the Zoopocalypse

March 7

When Clive Barker is involved in creating this world, this work ought to be bizarre. Unlike other attempts to make his stories family friendly, this one should be easy since the bizarre will focus on the animals rather than humans. And when animated, it’s safe to fine tune certain elements so that all ages can enjoy this film!

Ne Zha 2

Expected during Chinese New Year

The next instalment of the little tyke’s adventures (if not growth) is finally getting released. After a long wait of seven years, it’s expected to arrive come Chinese New Year, and what we know so far is that he and Ao Bing will get to reincarnate, and hopefully be ready to face new challenges together!

The Smurfs Movie

July 18, 2025

When attempting to continue a long-standing franchise, many movies have become a hit-and-miss affair. From traditional animation to a blend of live-action with CGI and returning to basics, trying to find a formula that works depends on what can bring in a new generation of fans. During last year’s Annecy film festival, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that director Chris Miller promised to honour the style which Peyo put in his books.

The story remains unknown, but with such an all-star cast, I can’t wait! Rihanna will voice Smurfette and my money is on either John Goodman or Nick Offerman as Papa Smurf.

Wildwood

The wait for Studio Laika‘s next film has been long. And when I feel they have never disappointed, just what they have planned in a fairy tale inspired by Brothers Grimm is enough to sate my tastebuds. Chris Butler and Travis Knight are the perfect pairing, and when they’re are respectively better known for Kubo and ParaNormal, I can’t wait to see what they got up their sleeve.

From the official synopsis:

Prue McKeel and her best friend Curtis are drawn into a hidden, magical forest, after Prue’s baby brother Mac is kidnapped by crows, led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.

Lost in Starlight

This film bound for Netflix is being hailed as this company’s first Korean-language animated film, and the premise should be as enduring as Satellite Girl and Milk Cow. This country is known for other strangely enchanting tales, such as Empress Chung and Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs; however, this latest film may well introduce more of this country’s style to the mainstream. According to the synopsis:

“Astronaut Nan-young and musician Jay embark on the longest-ever long-distance relationship—one that bridges Earth and Mars.” The leads will be voiced by K-drama superstars Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung, and the film is directed by up-and-coming Korean animation director, Han Ji-won.

Les Légendaires

Although Guillaume Ivernel‘s works are not as well known internationally, that’s because he’s not been consistent at it. Although Dragon Hunters did well back home in France, its global release had little fanfare, and his next film, Spycies, bombed in the global market.

I have hope for his latest because it’s a familiar trope used before. This adventure involves a group of heroes who get turned into children after fighting an evil wizard! They can relish in getting a second chance, or reverse the curse, and return to the life they had.