Article by Sabrina Basilio

2017 closed with such a fresh and fierce lineup of local movies, giving us lots of hope for what 2018 has to offer. We have already provided you with a list of mainstream and independent films we can’t wait to catch in the theaters this year.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something on the more fantastic and adventurous side—maybe something to watch with the family or enjoy with friends in the middle of a busy week—we have also made you a list of highly-anticipated animated movies you might want to log into your calendars.

10 Animated Movies You Shouldn’t Miss on the Big Screen This 2018

Early Man

RELEASE DATE: January 2018

CAST:  Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, and Timothy Spall

Set in the dawn of woolly mammoths and wooden spears, Early Man follows the adventures of a plucky caveman named Dug and his best friend Hognob as they unite their tribe against the mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston).

Peter Rabbit

RELEASE DATE: February 2018

CAST: James Corden, Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne, Sam Neill, and SIA

Peter Rabbit is an upcoming adventure comedy film directed by Will Gluck and based on the stories of a character with the same name created by Beatrix Potter. This adventurous and mischievous hero of Potter’s children’s books has been given life on screen as a comedic but ever disobedient CGI rabbit whose prolonged feuds with Mr. McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) escalates into a battle for affection from the kind animal lover (Rose Byrne) who lives next door.

Isle of Dogs

RELEASE DATE: March 2018

CAST: Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Tilda Swinton, and Bob Balaban

Wes Anderson brings another stop-motion animated adventure film to the tableproduced by Indian Paintbrush and set in Megasaki, a dystopian future city in Japan.

Isle of Dogs tells the story of dogs quarantined on the remote Trash Island due to a mysterious canine flu, and a 12-year-old boy named Atari Kobayashi who ventures to the island in search of his lost dog, Spots. Atari is welcomed and helped by Chief, Rex, Boss, Duke, and King—five local dogs who are tired of their isolation and maltreatment. Together, they embark on an epic journey to help Atari reunite with Spots and protect him from the Japanese authorities who try to to take him back to Japan.

Sherlock Gnomes

RELEASE DATE: March 2018

CAST: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mary J. Blige, and Johnny Depp

This fantasy romantic comedy film is a direct sequel to 2011’s Gnomeo & Juliet, setting record as the first film from Paramount Animation to be entirely animated.

In this new chapter, Gnomeo and Juliet investigate the sudden disappearances of the other garden gnomes right in the heart of London. They befriend and recruit detective Sherlock Gnomes and his sidekick, Gnome Watson, to help them unravel the mysteries behind this. The movie takes inspiration from the classic stories of Arthur Conan Doyle and reels to the original music of Elton John.

The Incredibles 2

RELEASE DATE: June 2018

CAST: Samuel Jackson, Huck Milner, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, John Ratzenberger, and Sarah Vowell

 

Writer and director Brad Bird returns with a direct sequel to the incredible story of the incredible Parr family. This time, the light is shed on Helen Parr, who goes out to fight crime as Elastigirl while Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) stays at home to watch over their children Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack.

Their struggle to transition into the lives of a normal family is short-lived as little Jack-jack begins to discover his secret powers and a new villain named Underminer cooks up a sinister plot that forces the Parr family to reunite with Frozone and return as superheroes.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

RELEASE DATE: July 2018

CAST: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, Keegan-Michael Key, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Asher Blinkoff, and Mel Brooks

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyqEhGyeF5g

The third installment to Sony Pictures’ Hotel Transylvania franchise starts 6 years following the final events of Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015). The story centers around Dracula enjoying his dream vacation on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship with both his human and monster families. All runs smoothly until he meets and falls in love with the ship’s mysterious female captain, Ericka.

Romance arises between Dracula and Ericka, who is apparently a descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, the notorious monster slayer and Dracula’s ancient archenemy. Now it is Mavis’ turn to rally up the Drac Pack and protect Dracula from serious danger.

Duck Duck Goose

RELEASE DATE: April 2018

CAST:  Greg Proops, Natasha Leggero, Reggie Watts, Diedrich Bader, Jennifer Grey, Rick Overton, Craig Ferguson, Stephen Fry and Carl Reiner

In Duck Duck Goose, a  high-flying free-wheeling goose named Peng leaves his tight-knit flock to live life on his own terms. That is, until he gets injured in flight and instead finds himself looking after two orphaned ducklings, Chi and Chao, from the clutches of a hungry cat Banzou.

Together, the three embark on a dangerous journey through mountains, lakes, marble caves and deep river valleys to reach their respective homes. In the quest to protect his injured self and the ducklings that Benzou relentlessly hunts, Peng learns to appreciate company and teamwork despite his independent attitude.

Smallfoot

RELEASE DATE: September 2018

CAST: Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common, LeBron James, Gina Rodriguez, Danny DeVito, Yara Shahidi, Ely Henry, and Jimmy Tatro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5owigsJJCsc

The myth of the Yeti gets an exciting family-friendly twist in Smallfoot. In this reversal of the Bigfoot legend, a Yeti named Migo (Channing Tatum) bring news to his snowy village of a shocking discovery that sends the entire Yeti community in an uproar. He has just discovered how terrifying humans are with their straight white teeth, minty breath, and incredibly small feet.

His frightening stories bring him fame and perhaps a chance to be with the girl of his dreams.

Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-it-Ralph 2

RELEASE DATE: November 2018

CAST: John Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Taraji Henson, Jane Lynch, Jack McBrayer, Alan Tudyk, James Corden, and Ana Ortiz

Taking place six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph (2012), the Sugar Rush arcade cabinet has broken, forcing Ralph and his best friend Vanellope von Schweetz to travel to the Internet via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak’s Arcade. In this quest to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game, they encounter new customs, worlds, and characters such as the trendy algorithm Yesss and the Disney Princesses.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

RELEASE DATE: November 2018

CAST: Benedict Cumberbatch, Della Saba, Chris Renaud, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Garner, Kelsey Grammer, Salma Hayek. Chris Rock, Jeremy Irons, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, and Dave Franco

An animated remake of Dr. Seuss’ Christmas classic is currently in the works under Illumination Entertainment. Based on the 1957 Dr. Seuss story How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the film’s main character grumpy and cynical The Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) hatches a plan to ruin Christmas  for the village of Whoville.

Dressed as Santa Claus, he attempts to steal Christmas and prevent another big holiday celebration from happening and disrupting his tranquil solitude. Meanwhile, a young girl overflowing with the holiday spirit attempts to trap Santa in order to thank him for helping her overworked single mom. What will become of Christmas if their plans collide?

Which one of these movies are you most excited for?