Upcoming Animated Movies In 2021 The Whole Family Will Love

The pandemic of 2020 has forced us to get creative as we invent ways to keep ourselves entertained. You can only rewatch your favorite (or formerly favorite) animated shows and movies so many times. For many of us, movie theaters are a distant memory, and streaming service subscriptions have risen as we eagerly grasp at any new content we can get our hands on. But there's help on the horizon. Despite roadblocks and setbacks, pandemic-related and otherwise, the animated movie industry is determined to continue entertaining us when we need it the most.

Heading into 2021, we've got a slate of releases to look forward to. Some of them are sequels to classics we know and love, while others are fresh inventions full of promise. Hopefully, we'll be able to make it to theaters by the time most of these pieces are released, but if not, each of them is sure nonetheless to amuse and delight the whole family from wherever we have the pleasure of viewing them.

The 2002 film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, like its subject, had a soul so unbreakable and enduring that it's still alive almost two decades later. In the original story, the stubborn and fiery stallion fights off numerous attempts to tame him, from an army colonel to a kind-hearted Lakota named Little Creek, who eventually becomes his friend. The popular animated film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, has a loyal fanbase that even set up a Change.org petition for a sequel. Netflix distributed an animated series based on the film, Spirit Riding Free, in 2017.

This series paved the way for nostalgic fans to finally get their cinematic sequel, Spirit Untamed, which is set to come out on June 4, 2021 and is a continuation of the animated series. The Spirit sequel is an example of the unique strength of animated productions during this pandemic. Most of the work has been done remotely, in contrast to the more physical requirements of live-action films.

The upcoming animated film Raya and the Last Dragon is sure to excite each generation for a unique reason. On March 12, 2021, we'll meet a fierce female warrior named Raya who, 500 years after dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity from the monstrous Druun creatures, must find the last living dragon in order to combat the renewed threat of the Druun. Not only will we be treated to a strong female protagonist in the form of Raya, who will be voiced by Star Wars' Kelly Marie Tran, but the dragon Sisu is also voiced by a rising female star, Awkwafina.

Younger viewers will be drawn to the aesthetics of the fantasy world and the adventure of the plot, which takes place in a landscape inspired by Southeast Asian cultures and directed by Don Hall of Moana and Big Hero 6. Slightly older generations, on the other hand, can find nostalgia in the similarities that many fans have already drawn between the aesthetics, world-building, and themes of this story and the Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra series, although, it's important not to over-simplify Asian representation and epic tales, and we should go into Raya ready to appreciate it in all its unique, enchanting glory.

With a due date of March 26, 2021, The Boss Baby: Family Business will deliver full-grown versions of the titular toddler, Ted (still impeccably voiced by Alec Baldwin), and his older brother, Tim, from the 2017 original. This time around, Ted is an uncle, and the new Boss Baby is Tim's daughter, Tina, voiced by Amy Sedaris. Eva Longoria and Jeff Goldblum have also joined the cast.

The original film was loosely based on a picture book by Marla Frazee. Considering that a simple children's book has spawned a media empire (including the Netflix series released in 2018, The Boss Baby: Back in Business, and even an interactive Netflix special), maybe it really is the babies who are behind everything. The espionage bent of this film only serves to support this conspiracy. But the story of birth and the awkward growth of a family is timeless at any age.

The Tales of Arcadia saga is expansive, a trilogy of three animated series — Trollhunters, 3Below, and Wizards — created by Guillermo del Toro. And even the original Trollhunters story was based on a book co-written by del Toro with David Klaus. Now, it's finally concluding with an animated Netflix original film.

If your family hasn't been following along with these series, now there's a reason to occupy some of your indoor hours with the shows in preparation for the film's release in the first few months of 2021. The story takes place in the fictional town of Arcadia Oaks, which is the unlikely secret hotspot for a flurry of supernatural and even extraterrestrial activity. Guillermo del Toro has commented on the creative freedom afforded by partnering with Netflix, and this may be what's allowed him to dance across the boundaries of genre to create an enthralling part-fantasy, part-sci-fi world for his teenage heroes — one that he'll top off with the upcoming adventure film.

Children's literature is a great source for filmmakers hoping to make animated movies. For proof, look no further than My Father's Dragon. Distributed by Netflix, My Father's Dragon is set for release in 2021, and it's based on the book of the same name by Ruth Stiles Gannett. (And it's also illustrated by her stepmother, Ruth Chrisman Gannett!)

The protagonist, Elmer Elevator, has taken his escapades into the animated film world before, with the anime film adaptation Elmer's Adventure: My Father's Dragon in 1997. In the story, Elmer runs away from home to Wild Island in order to rescue a dragon being held captive there. Director Nora Twomey has stated that the film reminds her of the works of Roald Dahl, a surreal, whimsical author who has fascinated audiences of all ages for generations. Twomey says that you can't always tell what's real in this film, and that in itself is a great adventure.

With three Despicable Me films released so far, not to mention the Minions movie from 2015, this animated franchise is one of the most financially successful in history. The appeal comes, in part, from the unintentionally endearing Gru, who, in spite of himself, has a heart of gold purer than any he could ever steal (corny but true). And it also owes itself, of course, to the adorable, unintelligible absurdity of the Minions.

Big-eyed, bright-colored, baby-talking creatures like these might seem to have been invented to hold the attention of children, but the loyal minions of the Minions themselves are truly the parents, who shamelessly circulate Minion memes to their Facebook friends all day long. So, everyone should be excited about the upcoming film. On July 2, 2021, Minions: The Rise of Gru will combine the franchise's two core strengths and show us the Minions' first encounter with a 12-year-old Felonius Gru. While it purports to be the story of how Gru became evil, the film will actually illuminate his underlying good.

The Hotel Transylvania franchise has been making us laugh since 2012, and in 2021, it looks like Dracula and company will be returning to the big screen. We don't know a whole lot about the plot yet, but according to Variety, Genndy Tartakovsky is writing the screenplay and serving as a producer. Plus, in addition to voicing Mavis, Selena Gomez will be serving as executive producer.

We suppose the really big question is whether or not the film will actually take place in the hotel. After all, the second movie spent quite a bit of time at a summer camp, and part three takes place on a cruise ship (and the lost city of Atlantis). Regardless of the setting, we're expecting a tender examination of family dynamics and generational conflict through a fantasy lens. Granted, it'll be exacerbated in a family of monstrous immortals, but still, it's something we all understand. Keep an eye on August 6, 2021 for this Adam Sandler flick.

Though The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run was released in select countries around the globe in 2020, the film is still on the run toward American screens and won't arrive until 2021. The first two installments of the film series have definitely left us ready to soak up the third whenever it arrives. The frenetic action in this film starts when SpongeBob's beloved pet snail, Gary, is snail-napped, and the gang must journey to the Lost City of Atlantic City to save him. The premise's play on words hints that we can expect an absurd and shockingly clever experience that's similar to the one delivered by 2015's critically acclaimed film.

The eagerly awaited movie will feature cameos from household names like Keanu Reeves and Snoop Dogg, which is fitting because the household is where most people will finally see it. Instead of releasing in theaters, the film will only find U.S. audiences through premium on-demand rental services and, eventually, exclusively through CBS All-Access, which will expand to feature every season of SpongeBob Squarepants, as well. Nothing like wholesome family entertainment to get memories of 2020 "ex-sponged."