This article was written for the May-June ’25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 350).

At a Glance: What some of the big animation studios are unveiling at the Annecy International Animation Festival.

Aniventure/Cinesite

Animal Farm

Directed by: Andy Serkis

Synopsis: This new animated adaptation of George Orwell’s acclaimed novella follows a group of farm animals who rebel against their human owners, only to face new challenges under the rule of a cunning pig named Napoleon. As their troubles escalate, the animals discover that revolution is just the beginning and must find the courage to stand up to Napoleon and save Animal Farm.

Voice Cast: Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Steve Buscemi, Glenn Close, Laverne Cox, Kern Culkin, Woody Harrelson, Jim Parsons, Andy Serkis, Kathleen Turner, Iman Vellani

Creative Quote: “After many years dreaming of bringing George Orwell’s beloved fairytale to the screen, I am beyond thrilled to finally share our animated version of his epic, emotionally heartfelt and witty allegory, here at Annecy 2025,” says Serkis. “We hope that its contemporary take will entertain and challenge enquiring hearts and minds of all ages, as we truly believe that it is quintessentially a family experience. Sometimes, stories do find their way to an audience at the right time. And the time for Animal Farm has most definitely come around again.”

Disney

Zootopia 2

Directed by: Jared Bush and Byron Howard

Synopsis: Detectives Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.

Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Quinta Brunson

Creative Quote: “One of my absolute favorite things about Zootopia is that there’s so much of Jared and my goofy friendship reflected in these films,” says Howard. “There are ridiculous animals in these stories because we love ridiculous animals, there are one thousand stupid puns in these movies because we love stupid puns. The fun that we have working together shows up everywhere in the films, and the fun’s contagious… Every day we see someone on the crew with a sneaky smirk on their face, just waiting to unleash another terrible animal pun. Will it be Chocolate Moose? Iguana hold your hand?”

Premieres: November 26, 2025

DreamWorks/Universal

The Bad Guys 2

Directed by: Pierre Perifel and JP Sans

Synopsis: The sequel finds our master criminals (now known as the Good Guys) pulled out of retirement and forced to do one last job by an all-female squad of evildoers!

Voice Cast: Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Alex Borstein, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Lilly Singh, Richard Ayoade

Creative Quote: Director Pierre Perifel tells us, “It was incredibly fun and challenging to expand on the world we had created three years ago for The Bad Guys and push this next chapter towards bigger cinematic heights. I am so proud of what our talented crew of artists accomplished with this new opus. The film is a massive action-comedy that plays right off the tone we had established in the first movie. Not only is it both highly sophisticated in its visuals, music and plot, but also incredibly silly in its humor and outrageous set pieces. The whole film really is a thrilling ride from start to finish.”

Premieres: August 1, 2025

Netflix

Long Story Short

Creator: Raphael Bob-Waksberg

Synopsis: Long Story Short is an animated comedy from the creator of BoJack Horseman about one family, over time. Jumping through the years, we follow the Schwooper siblings from childhood to adulthood and back again, chronicling their triumphs, disappointments, joys, and compromises.

Voice Cast: Lisa Edlestein, Paul Reiser, Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Angelique Cabral, Nicole Byer, David Franco, Michael Dietz

Creative Quote: “There’s nothing like Annecy when it comes to celebrating the vast, beautiful universe of animation,” says Bob-Waksberg. “I’m honored I get to be a part of it. And honestly, I’ll take any excuse I can to get out of the United States right now. With all my projects I aspire to create something that will make people laugh, make people cry, and make angry dorks on the internet call me dumb and bad. I achieved all three with BoJack Horseman. With my new show I’m hoping to get at least two.”

Production by: ShadowMachine, Tornante

Premieres: August 22, 2025

Fixed

Director: Genndy Tartakovsky

Synopsis: From visionary director Genndy Tartakovsky comes this original adult animated comedy about Bull, an average, all-around good dog who discovers he’s going to be neutered in the morning! As the gravity of this life-altering event sets in, Bull realizes he needs one last adventure with his pack of best friends as these are the last 24 hours with his balls! What could go wrong…?

Voice Cast: Adam Devine, Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn,  Bobby Moynihan, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Michelle Buteau, River Gallo

Creative Quote: Tartakovksy says, “Fixed was a fever dream that somehow made it to reality! I woke up one day and realized — we actually made a 2D, hand-animated, R-rated cartoony feature. Not only did I get to collaborate with some of my favorite artists, but we did it through the lens of a heartfelt raunchy comedy. A true animation miracle! I can now retire in peace.”

Production by: Sony Pictures Animation, Renegade, Lightstar

Premieres: August 13, 2025

In Your Dreams

Director: Alex Woo

Synopsis: This comedy adventure that follows Stevie and her brother Elliot as they journey into the absurd landscape of their own dreams. If the siblings can withstand a snarky stuffed giraffe, zombie breakfast foods, and the queen of nightmares, the Sandman will grant them their ultimate dream come true … the perfect family.

Voice Cast: Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Omid Djalili, Gia Carides, SungWon Cho, Zachary Noah Piser

Creative Quote: “There are two things that I love about this movie that makes it feel truly special,” says Woo. “The first is its exploration of the duality of dreams — the mysterious, often surreal experiences we have while we sleep, and the aspirational goals we chase when we’re awake. I find the intersection of these two ideas fascinating, and I think the audience will too. The second is more personal: I’ve always wanted to tell a story about siblings. I have a younger brother, and our relationship has been full of ups and downs, but through it all, we’re always there for each other. He’s the person I’ve shared the most years, tears, and jeers with, and capturing that dynamic felt like a powerful emotional anchor for a film.”

Production: Kuku Studio

Premieres: Fall 2025

Paramount

Smurfs

Director: Chris Miller

Synopsis: When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

Voice Cast: Rihanna (Smurfette), Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Mariduena, Kurt Russell, John Goodman

Creative Quote: “The new Smurfs movie sets itself apart from its predecessors by visually embracing the charm and style of Peyo’s original comics that first brought the little blue tinies to life,” says Miller. “The movie combines a vibrant color palette, expressive character designs in an immersive CG environments that evoke a nostalgic connection to Peyo’s world, creating a more entertaining cinematic experience that long-time fans and newcomers will appreciate. Our movie is all about heart and humor, blending the classic slapstick charm of the original comics with a fresh, sharp wit. The Smurfs are sincere, never cynical, but far from naïve. Life in Smurf Village means that everyone has a “thing” — a built-in identity, but the journey in this film is not about the individual, it’s about the strength of the community. That is the Smurf super power, because collective kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. Smurfs is a fun ride that’s got the heart, comedy and brains for everyone!”

Production: Paramount Animation, IMPS

Premieres: July 18, 2025

Sony Pictures Animation

GOAT

Director: Tyree Dillihay; Co-director Adam Rosette

Synopsis: This original action-comedy set in an all-animal world follows Will, a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball – a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will’s new teammates aren’t thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that “smalls can ball!”

Creative Quote:  Dillihay says, “I am so excited to bring the first-ever look at my dream project, GOAT, to the fans at Annecy! The film is a love letter to the undying spirit of the underdog, and we can’t wait to share a sneak peek with one of the best fandoms in the world!”

Premieres: February 13, 2026

Sony Pictures Classics

A Magnificent Life (Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol)

Director: Sylvain Chomet

Synopsis: In 1955, 60-year-old Marcel Pagnol is a well-known and acclaimed playwright and filmmaker. When the editor in chief of ELLE magazine commissions a weekly column about Pagnol’s childhood, he begins exploring his incredible life and career along with a vision of himself as a young boy.

Voice Cast: Laurent Lafitte, Flora Montgomery, Matthew Gravelle

Creative Quote: “I have always been a great admirer of Marcel Pagnol’s work, so I was immediately won over by the idea of writing and directing an animated biopic on his life,” says Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville, The Illusionist). “I wanted to tell his story and try to understand and reveal the man behind his work. It is through the innocence of Marcel as a child that I have chosen to express the profoundly human and universal values of the man, because I am convinced that our era needs to return to this poetry and language of humanity.”

Production by: What The Prod, Mediawan, Bidibul, Walking the Dog

Premieres: Fourth Quarter of 2025