By Matthew Watkins
With new releases from the likes of Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Aardman, Netflix, and more, this is what to look forward to in 2023.
2022 finally saw the film industry return in a huge way, and what has been arguably the best year for movies in a long time, with tons of fantastic movies gracing our screens. Whether you’re a fan of horror movies, action movies, rom-coms, and even superhero movies, 2022 has, without a doubt, delivered in spades.
One genre that has simply knocked it out of the park were animated movies. Animated movies have returned in a big way with some utterly breathtaking films throughout the year, from Lightyear to Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, and even Bob’s Burgers. 2023 looks to keep that trend going with some exciting new releases from the likes of Disney, DreamWorks, Pixar, Illumination, Aardman, Netflix and more. Below are the most anticipated animated movies of 2023.
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie — April 7, 2023
Certainly one of the most talked-about releases of 2023, after multiple delays, fans of the iconic plumbing duo can finally expect to see the movie hit the big screen on April 7. Despite a few concerns regarding casting choices and the memory of the universally panned original 1993 Mario movie still burned into those unfortunate enough to see it, the well-received preview trailers have certainly got many excited. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as Mario and Luigi, respectively, alongside the likes of Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Keegan-Michael Key, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is either going to be a roaring success or another stain on one of Nintendo’s most beloved video game franchises.
Related: The Best Movies From Netflix Animation, Ranked
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Part 1 — June 2, 2023
2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a beautifully animated surprise hit that received universal acclaim and even went on to become the first non-Disney movie to win Academy Award for Best Animated Feature since Rango (2011) (per Variety). Miles Morales, the intelligent and rebellious teenager of African-American and Puerto Rican descent, is quite possibly the most relatable Spider-Man to date. After several delays, fans can now rejoice at the news that the next installment, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) has now been confirmed for release on June 2, 2023, and will be followed with a second part slated for a March 29, 2024 release. With a Spider-Verse opened to the possibility to unlimited Spider-Men (or Women, or Pigs) in alternate dimensions, the sky is the limit on what to expect. That said, we do know that Across the Spider-Verse will focus on Morales’ relationship with Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman as well as a Spider-Man 2099.
Elemental — June 16, 2023
The official premise for Elemental released by Disney Pixar reads: “In a city where fire, water, land and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.” It’s been reported that the plot is loosely based on director Peter Sohn’s own experience of growing up as the son of immigrants in the multicultural city of New York. Considering Pixar's immaculate record and amazing ability to evoke the strongest of emotions from even the most apathetic of viewers, one can expect to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions involving a whole heap of heart, laughter, and, most likely, tears. Elemental is scheduled to hit theaters on June 16.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem — August 4, 2023
The heroes in a half shell — Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael — became peak 80s pop culture icons. What started off as a popular comic strip quickly became an uber popular animated TV series. Since then, the world was treated to everything from countless action figures, lunch boxes, video games, and, of course, movie adaptations. There’s been many of these over the years, and depending on the era you were raised in, there will be a different movie which resonates with you the most. Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can rest assured that this latest movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, is in good hands, as the film’s producers, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, are self-proclaimed TMNT fanatics themselves and have promised to do it justice.
Trolls 3: Trolls Band Together — November 17, 2023
Starting life as one of the biggest toy fads from the late-50s through to the 90s, these wacky-haired trolls have evolved into the stars of one of the biggest animated franchises in the world. Following the success of the original 2016 animated movie and its 2020 sequel Trolls World Tour, they’ll be hitting the big screen once again this year in what is sure to be an explosion of color and music in Trolls Band Together. Although little information has been given on the project, it’ll likely follow the same winning formula as the others in that it will be a jukebox musical, featuring an array of classic hits, and perhaps a few new tunes, as the gang "band" together to overcome adversity.
Wish — November 22, 2023
Released during Disney’s 100th anniversary, Wish poses the question, “How did the wishing star, upon which so many Disney characters wished, come to be?” and follows young Ashna (voiced by Ariana DeBose) as she struggles to overcome the most formidable of foes to save her community in the kingdom of Rosas, with a little help from some good old fashion magic. The movie is shaping up to be one of Disney’s most exciting animated projects in a long time and is reported to be full of Easter eggs relating back to older Disney classics. Not only that, the art style is being described as a hybrid between traditional 2D and modern CGI.
Related: Best Stop-Motion Animated Movies, Ranked
Migration — December 22, 2023
Migration will be the 16th feature film from Illumination, the studio made famous by Gru and his crew of yellow Minions. Not much is known about the movie at current, except that it is a family adventure-comedy based on a family of ducks who try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime. With a proven track record and successful franchises like Despicable Me and Minions, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing under its belt, this is definitely one for fans of animated movies to keep on their radar.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget — Release Date TBD, 2023
Over 20 years after the release of the original Chicken Run, fans of Aardman’s unique brand of quirky and sometimes irreverent humor will be champing at the bit to catch this much anticipated sequel. Dawn of the Nugget will allow audiences to catch up with Ginger and Rocky after their grand escape from the chicken farm. Life seems to be complete for the couple until they learn of a deadly plot to turn hundreds of chickens into easily edible chicken nuggets, and they’re forced back into action to save said chickens. Thandiwe Newton and Zachary Levi will be taking over from Julia Sawalha and Mel Gibson as the voices of Ginger and Rocky, respectively. The original Chicken Run holds a highly respectable 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, so it’s fair to say that eggs-pectations are high.
Escape from Hat — Release Date TBD, 2023
Recently, Netflix has proven to be a real force to be reckoned with when it comes to animated originals, and Escape from Hat looks to further affirm this notion. Based on the children's book of the same name by Adam Kline, it has a fantastically imaginative premise that follows a rabbit on an impossible quest to escape a magician’s hat and return to his human family. Being directed by Mark Osborne of Kung Fu Panda and The Little Prince fame, it’s safe to say the project is in good hands. Unfortunately, information on the movie is still scarce, and a release date has yet to be announced.
High in the Clouds — Release Date TBD, 2023
In 2005, the children’s book High in the Clouds by Phillip Adargh and musician Paul McCartney was published to great acclaim. It tells the epic tale of a young squirrel, left without a family or home, as he embarks on a perilous journey across the wilderness to reach an animal sanctuary. Perfect for an animated movie adaptation, the movie has been in development hell since 2013. Recently, however, news started to look positive as it has been reported that Netflix has teamed up with Gaumont Films, per Rolling Stone, to produce the movie, which is slated for release later this year. Whilst no exact date has been announced, fans of McCartney will be thrilled to hear that he has composed original music for the score.
Nimona — Release Date TBD, 2023
The development timeline for this fantasy adventure drama, is long and muddled. Originally being made by 20th Century Fox and its subsidiary Blue Sky Animation Studios, the project found itself in limbo after Fox was bought by Disney and Blue Sky was shut down, with rumors circulating that Disney’s reluctance to get involved in the project was due to its prominent LGBTQ+ themes. On April 11, 2022, it was announced that Annapurna Pictures had revived the project, with DNEG Animation taking over production, and re-set the film for a 2023 release on Netflix. The story follows Nimona, a teenage shapeshifter who is the target of assassination. Things become complicated, however, when the assigned assassin discovers that Nimona may be the only one able to exonerate him from a crime he did not commit.
FAQs
The Most Anticipated Animated Movies of 2023? ›
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.
What is the number one animated movie of 2023? ›1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.
What will DreamWorks release in 2023? ›- Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (June 30, 2023)
- Trolls Band Together (November 17, 2023)
- The Boss Baby 3 (February 9, 2024)
- Kung Fu Panda 4 (March 8, 2024)
- Go Dog Go The Movie (July 16, 2024)
- Shrek 5 (September 27, 2024)
- Mr Peabody And Sherman 2 (April 2025)
- Madagascar 4 (2025)
This one may feel like a shock to the system, but "Finding Nemo" is turning 20 in 2023. The Pixar movie is now a classic, and the kids who saw this in the theater with their parents are now watching it with their kids. This is one that will still be popular in another 20 years, and then 20 years after that.
What is the animated animal movie in 2023? ›High in the Clouds — Release Date TBD, 2023
It tells the epic tale of a young squirrel, left without a family or home, as he embarks on a perilous journey across the wilderness to reach an animal sanctuary.
- Finding Nemo (2003) ...
- Up (2009) ...
- Frozen (I) (2013) ...
- The Bad Guys (2022) ...
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) ...
- Coco (I) (2017) PG | 105 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy. ...
- Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) PG | 117 min | Animation, Drama, Family. ...
- Tangled (2010) PG | 100 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy.
The children's cartoon to see in February is Maurice the Fabulous Cat, a feature film by Toby Genkel, in theaters February 1, 2023.
Is Shrek 5 confirmed? ›As of April 2023, there is no Shrek 5 release date.
In a recent interview, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed a fifth movie with the original cast was in the works but there is no confirmation as to when it will begin production or release.
Their upcoming slate of films includes Elemental (2023), Elio and Inside Out 2 (both 2024), an untitled film in 2025 and two untitled films in 2026.
What Pixar movie is coming out in 2023? ›Elemental is a 2023 American computer-animated romantic comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
What is Disney's 55th animated movie? ›
Disney returns to the wild with its 55th animated film Zootropolis.
What is Disney's 59th animated movie? ›Raya and the Last Dragon will be the 59th animated feature in the Disney Animation Canon.
What is Disney's 60th animated? ›Review: 'Encanto,' Disney's 60th animated film, is among the best films of 2021. Could Walt Disney's 60th animated feature, “Encanto,” be its first to be nominated for a best picture Oscar since 1991's “Beauty and the Beast”?
Which movie has doll in 2023? ›Its plot follows the eponymous artificially intelligent doll who develops self-awareness and becomes hostile toward anyone who comes between her and her human companion. M3GAN premiered in Los Angeles on December 7, 2022, and was theatrically released in the United States on January 6, 2023, by Universal Pictures.
What is the cartoon that predicted the future? ›“Futurama” showed us creator Matt Groening's vision of the future, and we have reason to believe that he already knows what our world will look like years from now. Just look at this episode from the series, which first aired in 1999.
What is Disney's next animated movie? ›The studio's most recent release is Strange World in 2022, with their next release being Wish on November 22, 2023, followed by three untitled films in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
What is the first R rated animated movie? ›The sequel to the hugely popular original, Frozen II exceeded expectations as the highest-grossing Disney animated movie of all time.
Did Mario beat Frozen 2? ›MOVIE Earns Biggest Global Animated Opening All Time, Beating FROZEN II. Universal's The Super Mario Bros. Movie debuted with $375.6M globally, the largest animated global opening ever, ahead of Disney's 2019 Frozen II ($358M).
Will there be a cats and Dogs 3? ›Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite! is a 2020 American spy action comedy film, starring the voices of Melissa Rauch, Max Greenfield, and George Lopez. It is a stand-alone sequel to 2010's Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and the third and final film of the Cats & Dogs film series.
Which movie is coming out on 13 january 2023? ›
A film by Aasmaan Bhardwaj, Kuttey is set to release on January 13, 2023 on big screen. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Arjun Kapoor, Konkona Sensharma, Kumud Mishra, Radhika Madan & Shardul Bhardwaj in pivotal role.
What movie does a cat turn into a human? ›A stuffy businessman finds himself trapped inside the body of his family's cat. A stuffy businessman finds himself trapped inside the body of his family's cat. A stuffy businessman finds himself trapped inside the body of his family's cat.
Are they making a Kung Fu Panda 4? ›When Is Kung Fu Panda 4 Coming Out? Kung Fu Panda 4 is slated to hit theaters on March 8, 2024. The film will have some tough competition as it shares a release date with A Quiet Place: Day One and will be followed by Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on March 15.
Will there be a Shrek 7? ›In May 2004, producer Jeffrey Katzenberg revealed that the Shrek story would span over five films but in 2009, DreamWorks announced that the fourth film, Shrek Forever After, would be the last in the series.
Who is the villain in Shrek 5? ›The Pied Piper is a minor character in Dreamworks' 5th full-length animated feature film Shrek and a major antagonist in DreamWorks' 20th full-length animated feature film Shrek Forever After.
What is Pixar upcoming 2025? ›- Starring. Will Smith.
- Production company. Pixar Animation Studios.
- Release date. June 27, 2025 (United States.
- Language. English.
The 2025 movie slate includes projects like Hocus Pocus 2, Disenchanted, and Lucasfilm's Rogue Squadron. Sister Act 3, National Treasure 3, Kingsman: The Blue Blood, and Avatar 3 are also likely to come in 2025.
Is there going to be a Cars 4? ›Although Pixar's Cars 4 is still possible, it definitely won't be arriving any time soon. Nothing has been officially confirmed on Cars 4, and the next Pixar sequel on the horizon is the recently announced Inside Out 2, which will release in theaters on June 14, 2024.
What movies are coming out in 2023 Moana? ›With no indication that Moana 2 is even being officially developed, it's pretty safe to say that this sequel won't be one of Disney's 2023 releases. Animated movies take years of preparation and development, and Disney almost always announces its plans for movies long before they release.
Is Moana coming out in 2023? ›Given that there has been no official announcement of Moana 2 being developed, it is safe to say that it won't be released in 2023. Disney almost always announces its plans for movies long before their release, and the chances of Moana 2 being released before the end of 2023 are slim to none.
What is Pixar upcoming in 2026? ›
Nutcrackertopia is an upcoming American computer-animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Pictures. It will be Pixar's 32th animated feature, and is scheduled to be theatrically released on March 6, 2026.
Has Disney made an R movie? ›9. Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) Down and Out in Beverly Hills made history as Disney's first R-rated film! Of course this was produced under the Touchstone umbrella (to this day Disney has not released an R-rated movie from its own Studio).
What is Disney 40th animated film? ›| # | Film | Date of original release |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | The Emperor's New Groove | December 15, 2000 |
| 41 | Atlantis: The Lost Empire | June 15, 2001 |
| 42 | Lilo & Stitch | June 21, 2002 |
| 43 | Treasure Planet | November 27, 2002 |
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
The 52nd Disney animated feature film.
Bolt is a 2008 computer-animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Byron Howard and Chris Williams and is the 48th film in the Disney Animated Canon. Despite the 3D animation, it was not released as a Pixar film, despite being produced by the Pixar chief creative officer, John Lasseter.
What is Disney's 56th animated movie? ›Moana - Disney's 56th animated movie.
What was Disney's 47th animated movie? ›Meet the Robinsons is a 2007 American computer-animated science-fiction comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 47th Disney animated feature film, it is loosely based on the 1990 children's book A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce.
What is Disney's 58th animated feature? ›Frozen II, the 58th animated feature released by Walt Disney Animation Studios, was one of the biggest hits of 2019.
What is the 50th Disney movie? ›Tangled is the 50th animated movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios!
What is the new Disney movie about puberty? ›Disney's newest animated film, “Turning Red,” in which an adolescent girl contends with puberty, cultural expectations and her newfound tendency to turn into a giant red panda when overtaken by emotion, has viewers buzzing.
What movie had a psycho doll? ›
Child's Play (1988)
This is the most famous of the scary doll movies by far. Everyone, even non horror fans, knows who Chucky is.
'The Mummy: Resurrection' — January 10, 2023
When a huckster gets his hands on a "cursed" Egyptian sarcophagus, his obsession with resurrecting the mummified princess within it becomes dangerous. This British horror film is available to stream on January 10 and is directed and written by Steve Lawson.
Barbie is set to be rated PG-13.
What 80s movie predicts the future? ›Back to the Future (1985) & Back to the Future II (1989) Back to the Future had everything–it was smart, funny, incredibly entertaining and way ahead of its time in so many ways.
What is the new cartoon about puberty? ›“Turning Red,” one of Disney's Pixar latest animated films, is tackling the historical hush-hush topic of puberty and the challenges that come with being a pre-teen in this day in age.
Is there a Back to the Future cartoon? ›Back to the Future: The Animated Series is an animated television series based on the Back to the Future trilogy of feature films. The series lasted two seasons, each lasting 13 episodes, and ran on CBS from September 14, 1991 to December 26, 1992, the date of the last original episode.
Is Frozen 3 confirmed? ›Frozen 3 has been officially confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Iger, but the animated film is currently in pre-production stages.
What is the new Disney Princess in 2024? ›During the 2022 D23 Expo Presentation, it was announced that Snow White would be released in 2024. On September 15, 2022, the film was announced to have a release date of March 22, 2024.
Will there be a Frozen 3? ›Frozen III was announced on Tuesday, February 8th, 2023. While we don't know how long the film has been in production, we shouldn't hold our breath for a trailer.
What is the biggest movie of 2023? ›What is the biggest movie of all time 2023? ›
“Avatar” directed by James Cameron is the highest grossing box office movie of all time.
Is there any anime movies coming out in 2023? ›Anime Movies Coming Out in 2023
It is currently scheduled for release on 3rd March 2023. One of Netflix's most anticipating anime movies coming out in 2023 is Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King. It is based on the Black Cover anime series that gained a big following and ended in 2021, after four seasons.
Movie Info
Young Christians start an underground revolution to reunite Christians and regain freedom in a world transformed by the coronavirus.
What is the longest Hollywood movie ever made? Cleopatra remains the longest Hollywood movie ever made, with a runtime of four hours and eight minutes (248 minutes). This is closely followed by Gone with the Wind, which comes in just 10 minutes behind.
Which movie took 14 years to complete? ›| Film | Release year | Number of years |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolis | 2001 | 5 |
| Microcosmos | 1996 | 3 |
| Movie 43 | 2013 | 4 |
| Mughal-e-Azam | 1960 | 14 |
Guinness World Records says the longest film ever made is "The Cure for Insomnia" released in 1987. The 85-hour experimental film was directed by John Henry Timmis IV.
What is the movie title 2025? ›We are in 2025: since the appearance of covid-19 in 2020, the world is no longer the same: a new system with a single world government has been put in place.
Who won best animated film in 2023 nominees? ›The voice cast includes Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz, fellow Oscar nominee Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. LOS ANGELES -- "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" has had an Oscar wish come true.
Who won the Oscar 2023 animation? ›In winning the 2023 Academy Award for best animated feature, director Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio continues its remarkable run of accolades, from the Golden Globes to the Baftas.
What was the 1 animated Disney movie? ›99 Years of Storytelling
In 1937, Walt Disney Animation Studios released its first fully animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, pioneering a new form of family entertainment.
What Pixar movies are coming in 2023? ›
When Will Elemental Be Released? Elemental will arrive in the heat of the summer movie season with its release scheduled to land on Father's Day weekend, June 16th, 2023.