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
Universal Pictures
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.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Part 1 — June 2, 2023
Sony Pictures
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
Paramount Pictures
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
Dreamworks
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
Disney
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.
Migration — December 22, 2023
Illumination
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
Aardman
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
Netflix
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
HarperCollins
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.
