Top 10 Most Anticipated Animated Movies of 2022

Next up, fans can embark on a new adventure with the beloved characters from the iconic video game in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Notably, this film marks the first appearance of characters Tails/Miles Prower and Knuckles the Echidna on the big screen.

Following the immense success of the first Sonic movie, Paramount and Sega are back with a sequel. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is directed by Jeff Fowler, with the script penned by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. The movie is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno. Set after the events of the first film, Sonic decides to stay in Green Hills. Meanwhile, his human friends Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) and his wife Maddie Wachowski (Tika Sumpter) travel to Hawaii for Rachel’s (Natasha Rothwell) wedding. The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie grossed over $304 million worldwide on a budget of $90 million, making it one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations of all time.

Reports in March last year showed that Sonic-related revenue had quadrupled. With cinemas now returning to normal around the world, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is expected to have a spectacular release and could potentially break new records.

Pinocchio is a 2022 American fantasy musical comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, with a screenplay by Zemeckis and Chris Weitz. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, the film is a live-action remake of Disney's 1940 animated classic, based on the 1883 Italian book by Carlo Collodi.

The nostalgic charm of the Pinocchio fairy tale is beautifully revived with stunning visuals, enhancing the imagination for audiences of all ages. There are few changes to the iconic depiction of Pinocchio, with his colorful attire remaining a highlight. Set in late 19th-century Italy, Geppetto, a lonely woodcarver, lives with his cat Figaro and goldfish Cleo. He creates a wooden puppet named Pinocchio. One night, while asleep, Geppetto wishes that Pinocchio could become a real boy, and his wish sets off a thrilling adventure full of challenges for the brave but naïve wooden boy. The larger-than-life story of a wooden puppet, Pinocchio, who finds himself lost among bad influences, unfolds.

The film takes a slightly exaggerated approach in certain aspects. Beautiful scenes depict Pinocchio’s escapades, from performing at the circus to having fun on a treasure island, vividly illustrating the joy of a boy seeking freedom without rules.

With the advancement of technology, live-action and animated hybrid films have gained massive popularity and tremendous success. Coming soon, audiences will be treated to another exciting movie in this genre, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, featuring the incredible vocals of Shawn Mendes and music from the composer of The Greatest Showman.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is adapted from Bernard Waber’s beloved children’s book series. The story begins when the Primm family moves into their new home on East 88th Street in New York. Young Josh, only 12 years old, is shy and struggles to make friends. One day, Josh discovers that a singing and dancing crocodile named Lyle lives in their attic. The two quickly become friends and embark on adventures through New York. Despite being a crocodile, Lyle is incredibly friendly, enjoys helping around the house, and plays with other kids. Not only that, but Lyle possesses a voice that is truly captivating. When Lyle's former manager, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), returns to claim him for another performance, the Primm family realizes that Lyle has brought immense joy and change into their lives. From there, Josh and Lyle begin an exciting yet heartwarming journey to escape the clutches of Hector.

Following the success of Encanto, Disney is set to unveil a magical new world of ecosystems unlike anything we've seen before in the upcoming film Strange World.

Strange World is directed by Don Hall and written by Qui Nguyen, an American-Vietnamese screenwriter who also contributed to the script of Encanto. The first glimpses and trailers for Strange World have given us a preview of the strange, uncharted world we're about to explore. The plot centers around the Clade family, avid explorers who embark on an adventure through space and time. The strange world they discover is an entirely unfamiliar place, far beyond anything they could have imagined. Strange World delves into the relationship between humanity and ecosystems, exploring how humans react to the mysteries of nature. The creatures in Strange World are unlike anything we've ever seen, with bizarre forms that are far more complex than their initial appearance suggests.

From what we've seen in the trailer, this strange world, filled with constant surprises, may prove easier to navigate than the conflicts and struggles within the Clade family itself.

Netflix has introduced its latest animated feature, The Witch Boy, directed with the creative support of Minkyu Lee, and featuring a unique soundtrack powered by the music of HAIM. Last year, Netflix brought a fresh perspective to animated films, and this movie continues that trend.

Adapted from the bestselling graphic novel by Molly Knox Ostertag, The Witch Boy is set in a magical secret community where girls are born to become witches, while boys are destined to be shapeshifters. Life goes on as usual until Aster, a young boy, discovers that he is developing witch-like powers. When the magical world faces a mysterious threat, Aster embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his identity and powers, as well as the magic surrounding him. As a musical, the soundtrack is a crucial element of the film. Recently, HAIM has been making waves in the film industry, collaborating with renowned directors such as Paul Thomas Anderson.

This will be HAIM's first film soundtrack, and with such creative collaboration, The Witch Boy promises to be yet another distinctive and enchanting Netflix original.

This Oscar-nominated animated feature from Cartoon Saloon is soon to be released on Netflix as a new adaptation of My Father’s Dragon.

Directed by Nora Twomey of The Breadwinner, the film is based on a screenplay by Meg LeFauve, who also worked on Inside Out and Captain Marvel. The story follows Elmer, who, while migrating with his mother to a new city, runs away to search for a wild island and a small dragon in need of rescue. Elmer’s adventure with fierce creatures, an enigmatic island, and his friendship with the dragon promises thrilling and emotional experiences. My Father’s Dragon is based on a 1948 children's book with illustrations, written by Ruth Stiles Gannett. The book was awarded the prestigious Newbery Medal for its outstanding contribution to children's literature in the United States.

Many creators and executives have described the film as highly ambitious, so let’s recap everything we know so far about My Father’s Dragon.

The Ice Age: Adventures of Buck Wild is a spin-off movie featuring the weasel Buck, who first appeared in the Ice Age series back in 2016. This sixth installment in the Ice Age franchise, produced by Blue Sky Studios, was released on Disney+ on January 28, 2022.

In The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild, the mischievous brothers, Crash and Eddie, decide to venture beyond the snow valley, feeling that their love for danger is making their overprotective sister Ellie worried. As they sneak away on an adventure to find independence, they find themselves trapped beneath the ice in a lost world, surrounded by dinosaurs and other bizarre creatures. Fortunately, they are rescued by Buck, their eccentric weasel friend who loves thrills and hunting dinosaurs. Buck teaches Eddie and Crash survival skills, and the trio becomes close as they try to escape Orson, a massive dinosaur with a vendetta, whom Buck had previously banished to a volcanic island. While evading Orson and his unruly minions, they befriend Zee, a brave zorilla, who becomes Buck’s female companion.

The director’s chair is held by John C. Donkin, a former veteran of the Ice Age franchise, who is making his directorial debut with this project.

Turning Red, also known as the shape-shifting red panda movie, is an adorable Pixar film set to be released this March for audiences worldwide. Pixar’s films have always been top-notch, and Turning Red is no exception, offering both relatability and a meaningful storyline.

The story centers around 13-year-old Mei Lee, a lively and outspoken girl who embodies all the chaos typical of adolescence. Her mother is constantly hovering over her, trying to protect her at all times. However, Mei Lee finds this overprotectiveness stifling and frustrating. As she undergoes changes in her interests, relationships, and physicality, her emotions explode, causing her to transform into an adorable red panda. This sudden transformation brings a whirlwind of challenges for Mei Lee, as she must learn to control her emotions and help others accept her new, unique self. The film tackles typical teenage issues, especially the rebellious phase that comes with adolescence.

Mei Lee represents the struggles of many kids her age. The movie perfectly blends themes of friendship, family, and the complexities of relationships. It’s a perfect mix of sweetness and bitterness, like a chocolate candy that makes for an unforgettable March experience.

The Bad Guys is an animated film that offers a blend of humor and meaningful themes. The story revolves around a gang of outlaw animals, all on the run from the law, with their leader at the helm.

This group consists of a greedy snake with a talent for cracking safes, a tech-savvy spider who is a “homegrown witch,” a brave but naive piranha, and a kind-hearted but large shark, once infamous for his master disguise as Mona Lisa to steal the famous painting. The film kicks off with humor, introducing these oddball characters with wild personalities and extraordinary skills. But what happens when this notorious gang of criminals decides to change their ways? Could they be more than just criminals? With a mix of comedic twists, insightful stories, and vibrant characters drawn in a creative blend of computer graphics and traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, this film tells a compelling story of redemption.

The movie carries a powerful message about the potential for change, the possibility of redemption, and the desire for goodness, even in those who were once bad.

DC League of Super-Pets is a new animated film from DC, offering a lighter and more colorful tone compared to their usual superhero movies. However, it attempts to appeal to both children and adults, which may leave it feeling a bit lacking in both areas.

For adults, the film's plot is quite predictable, a bit far-fetched, and sometimes meandering, but it still brings a refreshing feeling with its connections to well-known heroes from the DCEU. The movie starts by retelling the iconic origin story of Superman, depicting his journey as a young boy sent in a spaceship by his parents to escape the destruction of his home planet, Krypton. Lucky for him, he's accompanied by his loyal dog Krypto, who shares Superman’s powers. However, Krypto's attachment to Superman leaves him feeling neglected, especially when Superman begins to develop feelings for Lois Lane. When danger strikes and Superman and the Justice League are captured, Krypto loses his powers.

For children, DC League of Super-Pets is a fun and entertaining watch, with beautiful, eye-catching animation. The story brings a lot of positive and heartwarming emotions, while the humor and jokes are light enough to keep young audiences engaged and entertained.