Animation lovers, get ready—the next few years are packed with exciting releases from the biggest studios and beloved indie houses alike. From Pixar's return to form to Disney's original storytelling push and international gems from Cartoon Saloon, there's something for everyone. We've ranked the most buzzed-about upcoming animated movies by anticipation, so you know exactly which ones to mark on your calendar.
8. 'Coco 2' (2029)
Pixar's 2017 masterpiece Coco remains one of the studio's crowning achievements, blending vibrant Mexican culture, unforgettable music, and an emotional gut-punch of an ending. The sequel, currently slated for 2029, has huge shoes to fill. While details are scarce, if Pixar pours even half the passion into Coco 2 as it did the original, audiences are in for a treat. The original earned two Oscar nominations and ranks among the highest-grossing animated films ever, so expectations are sky-high.
7. 'Toy Story 5' (2026)
The Toy Story franchise needs no introduction. After Toy Story 4 won the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2020, Pixar is bringing Woody, Buzz, and the gang back to face a new foe: technology. It's a timely concept, and if the studio handles it with the same depth as past installments, this could be a standout. Some argue the series should have ended with Toy Story 3, but anticipation remains massive for this latest chapter.
6. 'Hexed' (2026)
Disney Animation's Hexed follows a teenage girl who discovers magical powers, leading her and her cautious mother into a witch realm called Hexe. Starring Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones, this original fantasy is a welcome departure from Disney's live-action remake obsession. After mixed results with Wish and Strange World, but hits like Encanto, Hexed has a promising premise and a talented team. It's one to watch.
5. 'Gatto' (2027)
Pixar is diving into mobster territory with Gatto, directed by Luca's Enrico Casarosa. The story follows a black cat who must forge an unlikely friendship to settle debts with a feline mob boss. With a unique "living painting" animation style blending 2D hand-painted textures and CGI, Gatto looks visually stunning. If sequels are the price for original projects like this, it's a bargain. For fans of gangster movies, this cat caper is a must-see.
4. 'Julián' (2026)
Irish studio Cartoon Saloon, known for Wolfwalkers and Song of the Sea, returns with Julián, based on the acclaimed children's book Julián is a Mermaid. The film follows a boy spending summer with his grandmother, discovering his Caribbean heritage and his true self as a mermaid. Directed by Louise Bagnall, who earned an Oscar nomination for her short film, Julián premieres at Annecy this June. Cartoon Saloon rarely misses, and this could be one of the decade's best animated films.
3. 'Wildwood' (2025)
From the studio behind The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings, Wildwood adapts Colin Meloy's novel about a girl who ventures into an enchanted forest to save her brother. With a voice cast including Carey Mulligan and Mahershala Ali, and a story steeped in Pacific Northwest folklore, this promises to be a visually rich and emotionally resonant adventure. Early buzz suggests it could be a major awards contender.
2. 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse' (TBA)
The sequel to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the most anticipated animated films ever. After that cliffhanger ending, fans are desperate to see Miles Morales' story continue. The franchise has redefined superhero animation with its groundbreaking visual style and heartfelt storytelling. With Spider-Noir also making waves, the Spider-Verse is bigger than ever. Expect this to be a cultural event when it finally drops.
1. 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' (2024)
Anime studio Sola Entertainment brings J.R.R. Tolkien's world to life in this epic animated feature set 183 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, it tells the story of Helm Hammerhand and the fortress that bears his name. With a style blending Japanese anime and Western fantasy, this is a bold new take on Middle-earth. For fans of epic storytelling, this is the most anticipated animated movie on the horizon.
Whether you're counting down to sequels like Toy Story 5 or original visions like Gatto and Julián, the future of animation is bright. Which one are you most excited to see?
