If you think 2012 was a good year for animated movies, wait until you find out what the new year has in store for us. Of course, the accuracy of our little list of animated pics waiting in the wings is at the mercy of the studio gods, who love to play around with release dates. So we encourage you to check our updated features list on our website regularly for more news, pictures and up-to-the-minute trailers!
The Croods. The first of DreamWorks’ 2013 triple hitter, Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch) and Kirk DeMicco’s (Space Chimps) comedy/adventure centers on a prehistoric family who leave the comforts of their home for an awesome adventure. Showcases the voice talent of Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage, Catherine Keener and the unstoppable Cloris Leachman. March 22
Epic. Based on the popular book by the multi-talented and Oscar-winning author/illustrator William Joyce (The Leaf Men), this great-looking adventure follows a young girl who finds herself transported to a deep forest where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. Director Chris Wedge (Ice Age) and his ace team at Blue Sky Studios and a top-notch voice cast (Amanda Seyfried, Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Aziz Ansari, Christoph Waltz, Beyonce and Steven Tyler) add to the must-see quotient of this late spring release. May 24
Monsters University. Director Dan Scanlon and the A-list team at Pixar take us back to the college days of Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) where they meet for the first time and dislike each other immediately. Steve Buscemi, Julia Sweeney, Dave Foley and Jennifer Tilly provide the voices of the rest of the colorful characters. June 21
Despicable Me 2. The not-so-evil mastermind Gru (Steve Carell) is ready for his second big-screen adventure in this much-anticipated sequel, which also features the voices of Al Pacino, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove and Steve Coogan. Original directors Chris Renault and Pierre Coffin and scribes Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul are all back for Illumination’s summer escapade. July 3
Turbo. A garden snail (Ryan Reynolds) pursues his dream of becoming a super speedy racer in this lively CG-animated features, directed by David Soren (Merry Madgascar). Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Giamatti, Snoop Dog and Maya Rudolph round out the voice cast list. July 19
The Smurfs 2. Director Raja Gosnell revisits the enchanted world of Peyo’s little blue creatures in this fun summer adventure from Sony Animation, which finds Gargamel casting a new spell which turns the real Smurfs into evil creatures called the Naughties. Most of the first film’s original cast returns and are joined by Christina Ricci, Anton Yelchin and J.B. Smoove. July 31
Justin and the Knights of Valour. Spanish director Manuel Sicilia (The Missing Lynx) tells the story of a young boy who sets his sights on becoming a heroic knight. With the voices of Antonio Banderas, Saoirse Roanan, Freddie Highmore, Rupert Everett, Olivia Williams, Alfred Molina and Julie Walters. Animation by Banderas’ toon house Kandor Graphics. August 9 [U.K.]
Ernest & Celestine. This beautifully hand-drawn animated feature centers on the improbable friendship between a bear and a mouse, who learn how to realize their dreams and stand up to bigotry. Directed by Benjamin Renner (A Mouse’s Tale), Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar (A Town Called Panic), based on a best-selling series by French novelist Daniel Pennac. Fall 2013
Mr. Peabody and Sherman. Another classic TV toon becomes a big-screen CG extravaganza thanks to the team at DreamWorks Animation, led by director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little). Showcases the voice talents of Ty Burrell (Modern Family) as genius dog Mr. Peabody and Max Charles as his young friend and fellow time traveler. Ariel Winter, Allison Janney and Stephen Colbert also lend their voices to this very promising project. Nov. 1
Frozen. Hans Christian Andersen’s haunting fairy tale The Snow Queen gets the Disney feature treatment, thanks to veteran animator/director Chris Buck (Tarzan, Pocahontas) and screenwriter Shane Morris. Kristen Bell stars as the heroine of the tale, while Idina Menzel (Wicked) voices the Snow Queen. Peter Del Vecho (Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog) is producing the CG-animated pic, which was originally planned as a 2D project. Nov. 27
Dorothy of Oz. Originally slated for a 2012 release, this musical adaptation of Roger S. Baum’s sequel to the beloved classic is directed by Will Finn and Dan St. Pierre. With top-notch voice work by the amazing Patrick Stewart, Hugh Dancy, Megan Hilty, Bernadette Peters, Dan Aykroyd, Tom Kenny, Martin Short, and Lea Michelle in the titular role. Produced by Prana Studios and Summertime Entertainment. TBA
A Letter to Momo. Written and directed by Hiroyuki Okiura (Cowboy Bebop: The Movie), this offbeat 2D feature follows a young girl who discovers mysterious creatures and events after she moves with her mother from Tokyo to the remote Japanese island of Shio. GKIDS is releasing the Production I.G pic in the U.S. TBA
Pinocchio. Noted Italian animation helmer Enzo D’Alo offers a faithful 2D adaptation of the classic tale by Carlo Collodi about the wooden toy’s adventures, with animation produced by 2d3D, Cometa Film, Walking the Dog and Iris Productions. TBA
The Rabbi’s Cat. This award-winning French pic is set in Algiers during the 1920s and follows the whimsical tale of a clever cat who wants to convert to Judaism after he swallowing a parrot and begins to speak human! Directed by Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux, from the acclaimed graphic novel by Sfar. GKIDS will release the pic in theaters after its Oscar-qualifying run in late 2012. TBA
