The biggest year inanimation,especially in regards to movies, is coming very soon.2024 has had and continues to have several standout releases and upcoming films in the animation category, includingKung Fu Panda 4, Inside Out 2,andThe Wild Robot.While not every release, such asThe Garfield Movie,was successful with audiences and critics, this year still showcased some strong new stories and the return of manyiconic animated movie characters.
That being said,2026 is an exciting year for animated moviesas several franchises expand their stories with upcoming installments that could add new narrative layers.Several animation studios have announced the continuation of many of their popular titles,keeping a lot of these stories alive for new generations. Others lack specific details about their casts and main storylines, but are still exciting possible additions to the lineup nonetheless. All of these, in short, make 2026 a huge year for animated movies across the board for audiences.
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2026 Will Be A Huge Year For Animated Movies
Several Franchises Will Be Releasing New Installments in 2026
2026 is set to be a huge year for animated movies and animation as a whole as franchises such asShrek, Super Mario Bros,andToy Storyget new installments.Though it is still two years away, several animated films are confirmed to be released in 2026 that will expand upon or remake beloved titles for modern audiences. Many of thesemovies are based on animated showsor video games, while others still are reboots of former live-action properties whose transition to animation opens up a lot of possibilities. These titles include:
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Jeff Rowe
August 08, 2025
Despite the already exciting roster, 2026 could have even more to offer as many other animated films may also be released alongside these, expanding on the animation genre further.One particular example isBig Hero 7,which is currently listed as being set to be released in 2026.However, nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Despite the distance from its theatrical release, one confirmed animated film stands out as being the potential choice for biggest release of 2026 due to the success of the franchise and its most recent addition.
Which Animated Movie Will Be The Biggest Release Of 2026?
Shrek 5 Is The Most Likely Candidate For Biggest Release Due To Its Popularity
Shrek 5will likely be the biggest release of 2026 when it comes to animation, due to the franchise’s longevity and the success ofPuss In Boots: The Last Wish. Shrekis a huge part of the cultural zeitgeist, especially among Gen Z and the TikTok generation, who further popularized the character through various memes and shorts. That integration into the culture will likely draw audiences more than the other releases that depend on nostalgia over current popularity, strengthening its box office potential.Shrek 5’s potential is also strengthened by its latest outing’s success, whose strong story drew in audiences.
What also helpsShrek 5’s case is the fact that the fans of the franchise have been waiting 14 years for the next installment; longer than any of the other sequels on the list. It’s pretty much guaranteed thatShrek 5will blow the doors off the box office, being that every otherShrekmovie in the franchise topped more than $200 million. Figure in today’s numbers andShrek 5could very well be a billion-dollar release.
2001
$267,851,831
2004
$441,426,807
2007
$322,719,944
2010
$238,736,787
2011
$149,260,504
2022
$186,090,535
That praise could lead to possibly smooth sailing forShrek 5and make it one of many notable entries for the 2026 animation category as well as its general lineup.
The success ofPuss In Boots: The Last Wishsupports this, as it showcases the continued popularity of these characters.The film received a 95% critic and a 94% audience score onRotten Tomatoes, allowing the franchise to recover afterShrek: Forever After’s limited success. Both groups discuss how the sweet story with smoothly integrated adult themes and greatcharacters inPuss In Boots: The Last Wishstrengthened the franchise. That praise could lead to possibly smooth sailing forShrek 5and make it one of many notable entries for the 2026 animation category as well as its general lineup.
What Other Notable Movies Are Releasing In 2026
Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Is One Notable Entry For 2026
Various live-action projects will be joining these animated movies in 2026, a few of which have their roots in animation. Alongside of these animated franchises, several live-action ones will be releasing additions to their stories in 2026, paralleling the many remakes.The Batman Part II, Fast X: Part 2,andThe Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumare just a few of the upcoming franchise additions.On the reboots front,Masters of the Universeis set to return as a live-action film, marking the franchise’s first live-action outing since 1987.
A 2026 title that has already gotten quite a bit of audience attention is the upcoming second prequel to theHunger Gamesfranchise.Updates onHunger Games: Sunrise On The Reapingare limited, but the simultaneous announcement of the book and movie release as well as the main subject has created many debates among audiencestwo years before either title’s release date. This buzz over 2026’s lineup about both its live-action andanimationprojects showcases just how exciting it is to see these franchises grow as new stories arrive alongside of them.
