What a time for animated movies! In 2024, Kelsey Mann’s directorial Inside Out 2 reached the USD 1-billion mark in just 19 days of its release becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Now, eager fans are looking forward to more such films in the coming years. On this line, the roster of upcoming animated movies slated to release in 2026 has some big banner names and sequels. Whether you are a comic book adaptation fan or enjoy the art of animation, you cannot simply miss these films.
You must be wondering why talk about 2026 when several movies of 2024 are yet to roll out. Well, if reports are to be believed and the forecast is correct, 2026 will be another significant year for animated films. Prominent titles like Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in The Hat is slated for release on 6 March, followed by Toy Story 5 on 19 June, Shrek 5 on 1 July and a Walt Disney Animation Studios’ gem Frozen 3 towards the latter half of 2026.
Not just these, the 2026 calendar has more highly anticipated titles scheduled which we have listed below. Truly, it seems like ‘tis the time for animated genius. However, readers must note that their premiere dates might change. But that doesn’t mean we can’t keep these movies on our radar, does it?
Upcoming animated movies slated to release in 2026: Here are the details
Aang: The Last Airbender
Tentative release date: 20 January 2026
Directed by: Lauren Montgomery, William Mata
This Paramount Pictures film is the first of the three planned animated movies of the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. It was initially scheduled to release in October 2025, but the postponement was announced just a week after several details about the film were revealed at the Cinemacon 2024. Although very little is known about its plot, this animated film will be a continuation of the hit Nickelodeon series.
Aang: The Last Airbender will follow the adventures of an adult Ang (voiced by singer Eric Nam). Actor Dave Bautista will be the voice behind a villainous character in the film.
Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat
Tentative release date: 6 March
Directed by: Alessandro Carloni, Erica Rivinoja
This Warner Bros production is based on the popular Dr Seuss story. It will follow the star feline as he cheers up his siblings who struggle to adapt to their new town. This marks the character’s animated debut on the big screen, adapted from the 1957 book of the same name.
While a lot is still under wraps, the cast is something that we have deets about. The Hollywood Reporter states Bill Hader will be voicing The Cat. Others on the team include Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry and Paula Pell.
The Super Mario Bros Movie 2
Tentative release date: 3 April 2026 (USA), 24 April 2026 (Japan)
Director: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
After the box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), the upcoming animated film is also expected to be a hit. According to Digital Spy, the makers are yet to reveal the official name and are calling it a direct sequel. This implies this film could also be a spin-off.
The first film introduced Mario and his brother Luigi as plumbers eager to work. But a turn of events transported them to an alternate universe. Here, they are separated. While Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, Luigi is in the Dark Lands and is held captive. The sequel is expected to broaden the characters’ horizons beyond the Mushroom Kingdom and Dark Lands for a new set of adventures.
The cast would be hard to imagine without Chris Pratt and Charlie Day voicing Mario and Luigi, respectively, and Anya Taylor-Joy voicing Princess Peach. According to Nintendo, some new characters and voice cast are expected to join the project.
Read more: The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2: Potential plot, release date other details
Toy Story 5
Tentative release date: 19 June 2026
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Despite going separate ways in Toy Story 4, Woody and Buzz are set to hit the theatres again in this upcoming animated movie of 2026. The fifth movie in the series was confirmed in February 2023. In April 2024, Disney announced its release date, which will be 2026.
Although about the plot and cast are still awaited, it would be rather surprising if Tom Hanks and Tim Allen do not lend their voices to Woody and Buzz, respectively. We also keep our fingers crossed for the return of other characters like Joan Cusack as Jessie, Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog and Jeff Pidgeon as the Pizza Planet Aliens.
Read more: Frozen III, Toy Story 5, and Zootopia 2 sequels are in the works, announces Disney
Shrek 5
Tentative release date: 1 July 2026
Directed by: Walt Dohrn, Brad Ableson
Another major upcoming animated movie releasing in 2026 is the fifth instalment from the Shrek film franchise. While Walt Dohrn will be directing the film along with Brad Ableson, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz will be reprising their voice roles for Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona, respectively.
Other details of Shrek 5 are not yet known, but we look forward to another exciting narrative like the previous four films and the success of the Puss in Boots spinoffs.
Paw Patrol 3
Tentative release date: 31 July 2026
Directed by: Cal Brunker
Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures announced the third film of the Paw Patrol franchise shortly after the last Paw Patrol: A Mighty Movie rolled out in 2023.
Although further details about the movie are awaited, the Paw Patrol 3 synopsis on IMDb reads, “The PAW Patrol Dinosaurs gone wrong in the jungle, the rescuers of the Dinos Saves the Day.”
For over a decade, the beloved show has instilled the value of community, teamwork, friendship and belongingness. With this upcoming animated movie, the makers aim to broaden its universe with a new adventure.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie
Tentative release date: 9 October 2026
Directed by: Jeff Rowe
As this film has yet to receive its official name, various media reports are referring to it as
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Movie. A sequel to the 2023 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the upcoming animated project is expected to follow the turtles as they embark on yet another adventure around New York City, looking for the best pizza spot and sniffing out danger and explosives.
The last film revolved around how Donatello (voiced by Micah Abbey), Michaelangelo (voiced by Shamon Brown Jr.), Leonardo (voiced by Nicolas Cantu) and Raphael (voiced by Brady Noon) wanted to live as normal teenagers. However, Splinter (voiced by Jackie Chan) forbids them from going to the surface as he is sceptical of humanity. When Superfly (voiced by Ice Cube) attempts to take over the human world alongside his army of mutants, the youngsters rise to the occasion.
According to Collider, although the upcoming film’s plot is under wraps, Rowe has hinted that he is keen on making Shredder the antihero.
Frozen 3
Tentative release date: 25 November 2026
Directed by: TBA
The Walt Disney Animation Studios production is one of the most anticipated animated films of 2026. The second film arrived in 2019, six years after the first movie. Now with Frozen 3 scheduled for release in 2027, the pattern is broken by a year. Both previous films have been among the highest-grossing animated movies of all time. Hence, hopes are high for the upcoming film.
Coming to the voice cast, Josh Gad and Idina Menzel have announced their return as Olaf and Elsa, respectively, while we await confirmation on other reprising cast members like Kristen Bell as Anna, Jonathan Groff as Kristoff and Sterling K. Brown as Mattias. Information about the potential story is also quite scarce so far.
Other animated movie sequels we would love to see
The world of animated movies spells nostalgia for many. Films like The Lion King, Moana and Frozen, with their impeccable animation, spell-binding scenes and heartwarming stories, have elevated the experience of watching a movie.
Besides those on the list, we wish several other animated classics to return to the big screen for another round of sequels. From Bambi and Pooh to The Cars and childhood favourites Baby Looney Tunes and Tinkerbell, there are more than one can count. Additionally, the era of Barbie animated movies is also etched in our memories, and we wouldn’t miss seeing one such film in the theatres for sure.
(Hero and feature image credit: Frozen II/ Photo by DISNEY – © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved./IMDb)
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Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.
