Are you a fan of mature-themed Pixar movies that work complex themes into striking color palettes and humor-filled adventures? Do you live for the elastic facial expressions tied to animated characters — uninhibited by human musculature and skeletons? What about the immortality animated characters benefit from, as they can fall from damaging heights without a scratch? No matter your reason for flocking to animated movies, 2024 has some must-sees in the pipeline.
‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ | March 8, 2024
Premiering eight years following the last Kung Fu Panda installment, the upcoming Jack Black-led outing follows Po, who searches for a new dragon warrior to fill his shoes, for it is now his destiny to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. There’s just one catch: a wicked sorceress plans to resummon all the dastardy villains Po previously banished to the spirit realm. The film welcomes Bryan Cranston, Viola Davis, and Akwafina into the soiree, with Dustin Hoffman returning as Shifu and James Hong reprising his role as Mr. Ping. It’s important to note that Po’s original butt-kicking team will be largely amiss. Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Sine direct with a screenplay from Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.
‘Inside Out 2’ | June 14, 2024
Riley is now in her teenage years, and she’s got some new emotions rolling around in her brain. Most notable of the bunch: Maya Hawke’s anxiety. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, and Liza Lapira return as joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust, respectively. Other teenage-centric emotions are also set to make an appearance, including envy, ennui, and embarrassment, but the voices behind these emotions are being kept under wraps. Kelsey Mann directs with a screenplay by Meg LeFauve.
‘Despicable Me 4’ | July 3, 2024
In the beloved franchise’s upcoming fourth installment, Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new family member: Gru, jr…and the little fella is intent on tormenting his father. Gru also faces a new nemesis in Maxine Le Mal (voiced by the incomparable funnyman Will Ferrell), and his family is forced to go on the run. Other voice actors include Sofia Vergara as Valentina (Le Mal’s girlfriend), Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Kristen Wiig, and Steve Coogan. Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage direct with a screenplay by Ken Daurio and Mike White.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ | December 13, 2024
The upcoming animated extension to the epic Lord of the Rings saga takes place hundreds of years before the Battle of Helm’s Deep, focusing on the untold story of its founder, Helm Hammerhand (The King of Rohan). The blood-splattering times will feature a strong voice cast, including Brian Cox as The King of Rohan, Shaun Dooley, Miranda Otto, and Luke Pasqualino. Based on the J.R.R. Tolkien story, the 2-hour and 10-minute prequel is directed by Kenji Kamiyama with a screenplay by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ | December 20, 2024
While the plot for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is being largely kept under wraps, the installment sees familiar faces (and voices) in Jim Carrey’s Mr. Robotnik, Idris Elba’s Knuckles, Ben Schwartz’s Sonic, James Marsden’s Tom Wachowski, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s Tails. Jeff Fowler directs with a story by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington.
