Top 10 Anticipated Animated Movies of 2024

Top 10 Anticipated Animated Movies of 2024

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most anticipated animated features expected to come out in 2024. Release dates are subject to change, especially in a business as unpredictable as animation.

#10: “The Tiger’s Apprentice” (2024)

Blending Chinese mythology and a contemporary San Francisco backdrop, Laurence Yep’s 2003 novel lept off the pages with ideas tailormade for a visual medium. Cartoon Network began developing a live-action/animated hybrid adaptation fifteen years ago. After that version was abandoned, along with Cartoon Network’s focus on live-action projects, the source material eventually reached Paramount. DreamWorks alumnus Raman Hui is helming “The Tiger’s Apprentice” with a script from Christopher L. Yost and David Magee. Ironically, the latter wrote another film about a boy and a tiger, “Life of Pi.” Assembling an all-star ensemble including Henry Golding, Sandra Oh, and Michelle Yeoh, this action fantasy will debut on Paramount+. After such a long journey to the screen, we’re eager to see what shape the film takes.

#9: “The Wild Robot” (2024)

Chris Sanders is a name sure to ignite excitement within any animation fan. He made his feature directorial debut with Dean DeBlois on “Lilo & Stitch.” Moving from Disney to DreamWorks, he went on to direct the first “How to Train Your Dragon” and “The Croods.” Making his live-action directorial debut in 2020’s “The Call of the Wild,” Sanders is returning to animation with another film about nature. Marking his first fully animated feature in over a decade, “The Wild Robot” reunites Sanders and DreamWorks. Based on the bestselling illustrated book by Peter Brown, this buddy survival picture follows a robot stranded on a deserted island with a lonely gosling. The premise sounds well-suited for Sanders, who has a knack for telling stories about worlds colliding.

#8: “Fixed” (2024)

Genndy Tartakovsky has few limits as an animator. He’s entertained families through shows like “Dexter’s Lab” and movies like “Hotel Transylvania.” Tartakovsky has also tapped into the adult animation demographic with “Samurai Jack,” “Primal,” and “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal.” “Fixed” continues Tartakovsky’s string of adult-oriented projects, but it returns to his comedy roots. The setup echoes a demented “Lady and the Tramp” as a bloodhound named Bull finds himself falling for a show dog. As bad timing would have it, it appears that Bull is about to be neutered. The humor draws inspiration from the likes of Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and Judd Apatow. For those who only associate hand-drawn animation with “kid stuff,” this film just might fix your perception.

#7: “Orion and the Dark” (2024)

Charlie Kaufman’s films always have an animated personality, but he wouldn’t dive headfirst into the medium until he co-directed 2015’s “Anomalisa.” DreamWorks’ “Orion and the Dark” may be more family-friendly than his previous work, but the premise tackles a theme that’s often prevalent in Kaufman’s work: anxiety. The titular Orion, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, is scared of virtually everything, most notably the dark. Orion faces his literal worst nightmare when he’s whisked away by the personification of darkness, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser. Once Orion becomes better acquainted with the dark, though, he may find that there’s nothing to be terrified of. Kaufman’s screenplay is based on Emma Yarlett’s children’s book while Daytime Emmy nominee Sean Charmatz makes his feature directorial debut.

#6: “The Garfield Movie” (2024)

There was a period where Garfield was everywhere, from the funny pages, to TV, to car windows across America. The only frontier that this cultural icon struggled to concur was the big screen, receiving two less-than-stellar live-action movies. We’re sure that Bill Murray was happy to pass the torch to Chris Pratt, who voices Garfield in his first cinematic animated feature. In a plot somewhat reminiscent of “Garfield on the Town,” the story finds the domesticated cat torn between his owner John (Nicholas Hoult) and his estranged family with Samuel L. Jackson voicing Garfield’s father. Directed by Mark Dindal of “Cats Don’t Dance” and “The Emperor’s New Groove,” we’re already clearing our Mondays to watch this film. The snack bar better have lasagna, though.

#5: “Harold and the Purple Crayon” (2024)

A love for animation often stems from an obsession with drawing. As such, we bet that a lot of animators were inspired by Crockett Johnson’s classic children’s book growing up. The simple yet expressive drawings have taught generations about the power of imagination, which can be unleashed through a single crayon. “Harold and the Purple Crayon” has already inspired multiple short films and a Daytime Emmy-winning animated series. In 2024, Harold will draw his way into a Broadway musical and a feature film, the latter of which combines live-action and animation. Oscar nominee Carlos Saldanha of Blue Sky Studios is overseeing this film starring Zachary Levi and Zooey Deschanel. Much remains unknown, but in the vein of the titular purple crayon, the possibilities are endless.

#4: “Kung Fu Panda 4” (2024)

“Kung Fu Panda 3” wrapped up Po’s journey as the Dragon Warrior on a satisfying note. This long-awaited fourth installment will see the hungry panda adopt a new role as the Valley of Peace’s Spiritual Leader. The story sees Po mature from student to mentor as he trains the next Dragon Warrior. Our heroes must also go up against a shapeshifting chameleon voiced by Viola Davis, who seeks to steal Po’s Staff of Wisdom. With this power, Chameleon plots to summon foes from Po’s past, such as Ian McShane as Tai Lung. In addition to series mainstays like Jack Black, “Kung Fu Panda 4” introduces Awkwafina as a corsac fox and Ke Huy Quan as a master thief. We’re ready for another fistful of awesome.

#3: “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” (2024)

The Looney Tunes have taken center stage in several feature films, although most of them have either been compilations of their shorts or live-action hybrids. “The Day the Earth Blew Up” stands out as the first theatrical Looney Tunes movie not to rely on existing footage or live-action co-stars. Daffy and Porky take center stage in this alien invasion comedy, which pays homage to “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “Duck Dodgers.” The film also marks something of a comeback for Petunia Pig, Porky’s rarely-seen love interest. Director Peter Browngardt has already proven his love for the franchise through the “Looney Tunes Cartoons” series. His foray into features should be a looney good time… assuming Warner Bros. doesn’t shelve it as a tax write-off.

#2: “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” (2024)

Peter Jackson’s trilogy may be the definitive adaptation, but Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 rotoscoped version has been gaining more of a following. “The War of the Rohirrim” returns the franchise to animation with a few new twists. This prequel borrows visual cues from the Jackson trilogy, even bringing back actors like Miranda Otto as Éowyn. What sets this film apart from past adaptations is an ambitious anime inspiration. Director Kenji Kamiyama took a similar approach to “Blade Runner” through the “Black Lotus” series. Warner Bros. Animation is teaming with Japanese animation studio Sola Entertainment, enlisting a cast led by Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, the ninth king of Rohan. As you might have guessed, Helm’s Deep was also named after him, and this film demonstrates why.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Despicable Me 4” (2024)
We Could Use Our Minion Fix Right About Now

“Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie” (2024)
Never Mess with a Karate-Chopping Squirrel from Texas

“Spellbound” (2024)
“Shrek” Co-Director Vicky Jenson Helms the Next Film From Skydance Animation

“Night of the Zoopocalypse” (2024)
Zombie Night at the Zoo… Why Isn’t That a Thing?

“Thelma the Unicorn” (2024)
Being a Unicorn Isn’t All Rainbows, Sunshine, and… Unicorns

#1: “Inside Out 2” (2024)

Now that “The Incredibles” finally got a sequel, “Inside Out” is the film that’s left many Pixar fans demanding more. It’s taken almost a decade, but we’re finally delving back into Riley’s ever-expanding mind. Now a teenager, Riley’s head must room for new emotions such as Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke. Yes, we’ve seen shows like “Big Mouth” personify Anxiety, but if the first “Inside Out” proved anything, it doesn’t matter if an idea has been done before. It’s the execution that matters, and if “Inside Out 2” can capture the creative and emotional honesty of its predecessor, we guarantee that it’ll feel as if we’re hearing these ideas for the first time. For now, the only emotion we’re experiencing is anticipation.

Which animated film are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments.