Netflix reveals every new animated movie in 2023, 2024

Netflix announced its long-awaited feature-length animated slate on Monday. Nine different films are currently being written at the studio. For all the ups and downs of the streaming business model, it’s clear the company still wants to go toe-to-toe with Disney, Universal, and the other major players in the animation space.

A new Adam Sandler movie, a new Ultraman film and a new Ultraman project are all on the horizon. Chicken Run sequel to the canceled, then rescued adaptation of ND Stevenson’s beloved graphic novel Nimona, here’s what the next two years look like for Netflix’s original animated movies.

Nimona (summer 2023)

Image: Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis When a knight in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman

What to Watch: ND Stevenson’s original webcomic-turned-graphic novel NimonaIt is a wonderful emotional experience, full of unexpected surprises. The adaptation of the film, by The Spies In Disguise directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, almost didn’t happen — it was canceled when Disney acquired and shuttered Blue Sky Studios, the home of the Ice Age movies. Netflix acquired it and brought back the movie.

The Monkey King (summer 2023)

Image courtesy of Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting Stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s greatest foe of all — his own ego! A young villager challenges the self-centeredness of the Monkey King and teaches him how even the smallest stone can make a huge difference in the world.

Cast:Jimmy O. Yang and Bowen Yang.

What to Watch: Director Anthony Stacchi previously helmed Laika’s deeply weird and enjoyable adventure The Boxtrolls Monkey King has been a staple in Asian stories for centuries, whether they are historical epics or modern animated films. It is one of Chinese legend’s most lively characters, which makes him a lot of fun to watch on the screen.

Leo (fall 2023)

Image: Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis Adam Sandler, actor and comedian (Hotel Transylvania, The Wedding Singer) delivers signature laughs in this coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school — as seen through the eyes of a class pet. Leo, a jaded 74 year old lizard (Sandler), has spent decades in Florida’s same classroom with Bill Burr and his turtle terrarium-mate. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever…

Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Jackie Sandler, Heidi Gardner, Nick Swardson, Nicholas Turturro, Robert Smigel, Jo Koy, Stephanie Hsu

What to Watch: The Directors Robert Marianetti Robert Smigel and David Wachtenheim all have experience in Saturday Night Live’s “TV Funhouse” segments (the A Duo of Ambiguously gay men shorts, The X Presidents, etc.). The clip shown at Netflix’s animation preview showcased a lively musical number with some of the slapstick humor and animal/kid bonding of Netflix’s Vivo.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

Image: Aardman/Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis Aardman is the award-winning multi Academy and BAFTA winner.Creature Comforts, Wallace & Gromit, You can also find out more about the following: Shaun the SheepSam Fell is a BAFTA nominee, and an Academy Award winner.ParaNorman You can also find out more about the following:The Flushed AwayComes Chicken Run – Dawn of the NuggetThe eagerly awaited sequel to one of the most beloved stop-motion animation films ever made. Chicken Run. Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream — a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. Back on the mainland, the entire chicken race faces a terrible new threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk — this time, they’re breaking in!

Cast:Thandiwe, Zachary Levi and Bella Ramsey. Imelda, Lynn Ferguson. David Bradley. Jane Horrocks. Romesh, Mays. Josie Sedgwick Davies. Nick Mohammed.

What to Watch: Video footage from the Advance Chicken RunThe sequel sounds and looks Amazingly,The film is similar to the 2001 original, like if it was made last week and rediscovered in 2001. Mel Gibson is the only original member of cast who has not returned. Westworld’s Thandiwe Newton stepping into the lead role), which makes this all seem even more familiar. Chicken Run The story of this film will surely intrigue fans.

The Dreams You Have (2024).

Image: Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis The perfect family A perfect family? Yeah… in your dreams. This is a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. These kids, who are complete opposites of each other, make for an unlikely team to face the ridiculousness in their own subconscious. They discover, as they travel, that they are stronger together than apart.

Cast:No listing.

What to Watch: A rare completely original movie from Netflix — not an adaptation, spinoff, or IP extension — In Your DreamsThe dark horse of this list is definitely Alex Woo, especially when considering his few previous credits in animation, which were all aimed at very young children. The initial visuals are beautiful and haunting, promising a fantasy world and story outside of the typical kid’s adventure model.

Saving Bikini Bottom : The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2019)

Image: Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob squarePants travel to Texas when Bikini Bottom is suddenly scooped up from the sea. The town faces a plot by a villain.

Cast: Carolyn Lawrence, Tom Kenny, Wanda Sykes, Clancy Brown, Bill Fagerbakke, Mr. Lawrence, Rodger Bumpass, Johnny Knoxville, Craig Robinson, Grey DeLisle, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Matty Cardarople

What to Watch: By this time, you know whether you’re a SpongeBob fan or not. The latest SpongeBob episode, in which CG characters are seen running about real-life settings with live action, appears to take him away from his comfort zone of the sea and focus on land. While that isn’t a first for the character, the central focus on Sandy is a new spin.

This Christmas 2024

Locksmith Animation

Netflix: Synopsis Based on the successful series of children’s books by BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Richard Curtis (Four weddings and a funeral; Love Actually; Yesterday), Locksmith Animation’s heartwarming film marks the feature film directorial debut of renowned character animation and story artist veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & RobotsThe How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy). This ChristmasThe story is a collection of interwoven stories about family and friendship, love and loneliness and Santa Claus making an important mistake. There are also a lot of turkeys. Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, FrozenAdam TandyIt’s a Thick Thing, FindersProducers include ).

Cast:No listing.

What to Watch: It’ll be hard for this one to live up to the liveliness of Netflix’s first-ever original animated movie, Klaus — But that movie was hugely popular for the streaming services, which suggests they will keep an eye out on making Christmas movies that are aimed at everyone. Curtis’ Love Actually is a giant mixed bag of a movie, but it’s also beloved and hate-beloved in equal measure, so signs suggest this could be a meaningful addition to his Christmas canon.

Thelma The Unicorn 2024

Image: Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis Thelma, a pony from the small town of Thelma dreams to become a glamorous music star. Thelma, a small pony who dreams of becoming a glamorous music star, is instantly transformed into a unicorn in a moment filled with pink and glitter. The new fame does come at a price. Thelma The UnicornThis is an entertaining, heartfelt and funny ride by directors Lynn Wang.Unikitty!Jass HessNapoleon Dynamite).

Cast:No listing.

What to Watch: In the initial previews, everything about this movie looks appealingly weird and wonderful — and absolutely in every respect like a meeting of the minds between the person behind the manic, cute Lego Movie Comedies spin-off Unikitty!The oddball in the background Napoleon Dynamite.

Ultraman (Version 2024)

Image: Netflix

Netflix: Synopsis Based on the beloved Japanese character, Netflix’s UltramanThe film follows the baseball player Ken Sato when he goes back to Japan, his native country, to take up the superhero role that defends Earth. He soon finds more than he bargained for when he’s forced to raise the offspring of his greatest foe. Ken has to take a journey of courage, as he must balance fatherhood with his estranged dad and Kaiju Defense Force, to find out what Ultraman is all about.

Cast:No listing.

What to Watch: Lost OllieDirector Shannon Tindle with co-director John AoshimaDuck Tales, Gravity Falls) bring a pretty radical vision to this Ultraman story — the long-lead preview shows a variety of CG animation styles, from the now more traditional 3D look to flashes of intense stylized 2D imagery like the PR still above. (Think Spider-Man Into the Spider-VerseIt’s also impressive how the character jumps and moves around, particularly during action scenes. This new, innovative take on Ultraman will be a treat for Ultraman fans. But it could also end up as a showcase of style for those who enjoy experimental animation and pushing boundaries.