2026 may be two years away, but some of the biggest animation movie studios have already announced their next move. Amid shocking Marvel villain announcements and live Disney princesses concerts, movie studios have also revealed their busy slate of upcoming projects. Ofthe numerous animated moviesannounced, an impressive number of them are slated for 2026. They range from sequels to animated adaptations to original movies, and are spread across familiar studios like Disney, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Warner Bros., and Dreamworks. A line-up like this is not one to be missed.
Animation has only gotten more inventive and more beloved as the years go by.Into the Spiderverse’sinfluence on animation is unmatched,stunning audiences with its colorful comic book style. Hayao Miyazaki’sThe Boy and the Heronwas a win for hand-drawn animation, becoming Studio Ghibli’s highest-grossing film and taking home an Oscar. From Lego to stop-motion,recent animated movieshave generated a lot of well-earned praise, and in 2026, they seem to be aiming right for nostalgia. It will make 2026 the most exciting year for animated movies in over a decade.
10 Feel Good Disney Animated Movies Under 90 Minutes Long
The average runtime for a movie these days is around two hours, but several Disney movies will appeal to viewers looking for a shorter watch.
2026 Will Be A Huge Year For Animated Movies
Aang: The Last Airbenderis one of the examples
2026 will start with a bang: Avatar Studios’ first project,Aang: The Last Airbender,will hit theaters in January. The Nickelodeon show’s popularity surged when it arrived on Netflix in 2020, and a theatrical animated debut will no doubt draw a crowd. The movie line-up covers almost every month, featuringThe Cat in the Hatin March,Super Mario Bros. in April,Toy Story 5in June, andShrek 5in July. There will be something for everyone, guaranteeing filled seats in theaters. ThePAW Patrolsequel will delight younger audiences, while adults will run to favoritesShrekandAvatar.
Pixar offersHoppers, an upcoming movie about a girl who switches brains with a beaver
The decision to feature some of the most beloved characters on screen will contribute to 2026’s animated success.The movies are mostly sequels or childhood favorites. This approach worked forthe very successfulInside Out 2, which made $1.4 billion, andDespicable Me 4,which opened with $122 million. If this trend continues, 2026’s movies will be an even bigger turnout. However, critics of the increase in sequels will be searching for originality. Pixar offersHoppers, an upcoming movie about a girl who switches brains with a beaver. John Hamm and Piper Curda are featured in the voice cast.
When Cinema’s Last Greatest Year For Animated Movies Was
2010 marked a significant change for the American animation industry
Animation keeps getting better. It dazzled with the creativity ofNimonaandThe Mitchells vs. the Machinesand birthed the unforgettable earworms ofFrozenandEncanto. However, no year was as good for animation as 2010. 2010 marked a significant change for the American animation industry as most studios crossed over into a steady use of 3D computer-generated techniques. They adapted impressively, which is reflected in the technological advancements made since and in audience turnout. Of the 10 highest-grossing films in the United States that year,half of them were animated and all were nominated for a prestigious award.
2010 was as memorable as it was successful.Toy Story 3becameone of the best films of the year,rebooted the franchise, and won two Oscars.Tangledfeatured Disney’s first 3D princess and created efficient animation techniques.How to Train Your Dragonbecame one of Dreamworks’ most lucrative franchises, spawning a trilogy, TV shows, and an upcoming live-action movie.Despicable Mestarted the highest-grossing animated franchise. Its soundtrack and characters are still impacting pop culture. Studios set a high bar, and they’re planning to vault right over it.
Toy Story 3
Cast
Toy Story 3 continues the beloved animated series, reuniting Woody, Buzz, and the gang as they face new challenges when they are mistakenly sent to a daycare center. With Andy headed to college, the toys must collaborate to navigate the perils of their new environment and find their way back.
How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon is a 2010 animated film set in the Viking world of Berk, where Hiccup, the son of Stoick the Vast, befriends a dragon and defies the village’s traditional dragon-slaying ways, leading to a reevaluation of the Viking-dragon conflict.
