2021 was a fantastic year for animated movies, reinforcing the notion that the animation industry has been experiencing a modern renaissance over the last decade or two. The Upcoming Animated Movies 2022 hopefully will also live up to the expectations. Raya and the Last Dragon, Encanto, and Disney’s Pixar offering Luca all received critical acclaim and were nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards in 2021.
2022 is shaping up to be an even better year for animated film enthusiasts, with the extra benefit of more films premiering in cinemas across the country than last year, thanks to the relaxation of COVID-related restrictions (although there will be a few notable exceptions). Here are the most anticipated upcoming animated movies 2022.
Top 5 Upcoming Animated Movies 2022
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Part I (Oct 7, 2022)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, released in 2018, was one of the best animated movies of all time, that gained international acclaim and even went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, becoming the first non-Disney film to do so since Rango (2011). Miles Morales, an educated and rebellious adolescent of African-American and Puerto Rican ancestry, is the most relatable Spider-Man ever. It’s no surprise, then, that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part Two) will hit theatres on October 7, 2022, and October 7, 2023, respectively are the most anticipated upcoming animated movies 2022. Whereas Into the Spider-Verse allowed for a limitless number of Spidermen (or women, or pigs) to exist in alternative universes, Across the Spider-Verse will center on Morales’ relationship with Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman, as well as a Spider-Man from the year 2099.
- Lightyear (Jun 17, 2022)
Buzz Lightyear is one of the most adored animated characters of all time, and Toy Story is one of the most beloved Pixar animated movie series of all time. Buzz Lightyear is bound to be one of the most anticipated upcoming animated movies 2022, from his entrance to the world as a misled toy under the impression that he was the actual space explorer his toy was based on to the inspirational and important component of the toy network that he became. It’s only natural that fans will be eager to learn more about the origins of the main human character Buzz Lightyear, who inspired the action figure of the same name.
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (September 23, 2022)
Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, was always one of the most popular characters in the hugely successful Shrek franchise. In 2011, he got his spin-off film, Puss in Boots, which was a box office hit in its own right. Since then, he appears to have been a busy little feline, having used up eight of his nine lives. Puss embarks on an epic quest to find the legendary Last Wish and reclaim his nine lives in The Last Wish making it one of the most anticipated upcoming animated movies 2022.
- Turning Red (March 11, 2022)
Turning Red, a coming-of-age fantasy comedy film from Disney and Pixar, follows Meilin “Mei” Lee, a confident 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian navigating the turbulence of adolescence. Puberty is a nightmare, and high school family conflict is hard enough, but Mei changes into a gigantic red panda when she gets stressed or excited! Given Disney and Pixar’s impeccable track record, this is a fantastically unique premise that is undoubtedly an anticipated upcoming animated movie 2022.
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (July 1, 2022)
The little mischievous Minions characters were once everywhere, and while their popularity has dwindled in recent years, Minions: The Rise of Gru may be just what it takes to reintroduce the critters to the world’s collective mind. The plot follows Gru (voiced once again by Steve Carell) as he navigates his way through the realm of supervillains with a little help from his minions. There are lots to get thrilled about with an all-star voice cast that includes RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin. Isn’t the cast so damn exciting? Surely one of the most anticipated movies 2022.