12 Animated Movies Like DC League Of Super-Pets You Should Watch Next

It's the question we've all been asking — who steps in to save the superheroes when they're the ones in trouble? The answer, of course, is their pets. This is the premise of the animated adventure "DC League of Super-Pets," based on the team of furry, feathered, and scaly heroes from the pages of DC Comics. Giving the Avengers and the Justice League a run for their money, the group is headed up by Krypto the Super-Dog, Superman's best pal and partner in crime-fighting in Metropolis.

Featuring the vocal talents of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Kate McKinnon, "DC League of Super-Pets" sees the group of unlikely heroes stepping in to save the Justice League when they're kidnapped by Lex Luthor and his malevolent guinea pig, Lulu. With plenty of paw-some adventures and action-packed sequences, this is a different breed of superhero film that shows not all heroes wear capes — some of them wear collars as well.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, co-director and screenwriter Jared Stern said, "I really wanted people to come away from this movie feeling like animation is a technique and not a genre. I wanted them to feel like, 'That was a really great superhero movie and it had everything I love in a superhero movie."

If you're looking for another thrilling, fun animal adventure flick or more animated superhero spectaculars, here are 12 films like "DC League of Super-Pets" that you should watch next.

If you've ever wondered what your pets get up to when you're not looking, the 2016 animated comedy "The Secret Life of Pets" has the answer. Max (Louis C.K.) is a pampered pooch who enjoys a comfortable life with his owner in New York City. When Max becomes the reluctant big brother to the unruly Duke (Eric Stonestreet), the pair find themselves lost in the big city and form an uneasy alliance with a bunny called Snowball (Kevin Hart) who leads a gang of abandoned pets vowing revenge on the humans who have wronged them.

While the plot takes many twists and turns, perhaps the best moments of "The Secret Life of Pets" come when the owners close the doors on their pets and we get to see the things they don't — from a parrot living out his high-flying dreams to a cat trying and failing to resist the tempting treats in the fridge. Similarly, "DC League of Super-Pets" delivers on the concept of pets acting in unexpected ways, putting them front and center of the action as they swoop in to save their human owners.

The key to an animated film's box office success is often the voices behind the characters, and both films boast incredibly talented casts, bringing life to the heroes and pets. Kevin Hart has been particularly prolific in recent years, both lending his voice to "DC League of Super-Pets" and stealing the show as Snowball the bunny in "The Secret Life of Pets."

Based on Dav Pilkey's novel series of the same name, "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie" sees two best friends — George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) — inadvertently bringing their comic book creation to life when they trick their mean principal, Mr. Krupp, into believing he is Captain Underpants. When a malevolent mad scientist — the gloriously named Professor Poopypants (Nick Kroll) — arrives at the school, George, Harold, and Captain Underpants need to step in to save the day and keep their sense of humor intact.

There are clear similarities between the films — particularly a love of comic books, with the hilarious, handcrafted stories created by George and Harold forming a big part of the narrative. They also share a common voice actor, with Kevin Hart voicing Ace in "DC League of Super-Pets" and George in "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie," and there are even some fun similarities between the origins of the titular underpants-wearing hero and Superman that fans will love.

Filled with zany humor, "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie" is a rambunctious and entertaining animated comedy with everything from a super-sized toilet to a farting choir. The film was undeniably a success with its target family audience, but critics also appreciated it. The Times' Ed Potton wrote, "[It's] a hugely likable animated film about two cornerstones of childhood: wild imaginations and bottom jokes."

Based on the best-selling book series, "The Bad Guys" turns the spotlight on the titular villains, known for their elaborate heists. When they're finally caught, smooth-talking leader of the pack Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) makes a deal to obtain a get-out-of-jail-free card, agreeing to be reformed by the goodie-two-shoes guinea pig Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade). With no intention of holding up their end of the deal, the gang plan to complete their previously thwarted heist, pulling off the ultimate con of pretending to be good.

The Super-Pets might be cuter and cuddlier than the Bad Guys — made up of a wolf, a snake, a piranha, a tarantula, and a shark — but there are still similarities between the two groups. Each has its own unique abilities and skills, and whether super-powered or not, they all have something to bring to the table. In a fun coincidence, both films also prominently feature a guinea pig, and while Professor Marmalade may appear to be good, there is perhaps more to him than meets the eye.

"The Bad Guys" adopts the well-known tropes of the heist movie genre and gives them a fun anthropomorphic animal spin. The cast of characters is undoubtedly fun to root for despite their wicked tendencies, and the film takes you on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns that keeps you guessing right to the very end.

"DC League of Super-Pets" imagines a society where the super-powered animal companions of well-known comic book heroes live harmoniously alongside them, but "Zootopia" removes the human element to explore a thriving metropolis filled with anthropomorphic mammals. Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) defies expectations when she becomes the first rabbit to join the police force, leaving the rural village of Bunnyburrow for the hustle and bustle of the titular city. Desperate to try and prove herself and escape from parking duty, Judy takes on a case investigating the mysterious disappearance of some of the city's residents, teaming up with con artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman).

While none of the characters in "Zootopia" exhibit the powers of the Super-Pets, they are nonetheless real-life heroes — particularly Judy, who makes for an inspiring and likable protagonist. The strength of "Zootopia" is undoubtedly in its world-building, with the dazzling design of the city (and its modifications for animals big and small) presenting an idyllic, utopic vision. It also doesn't shy away from some hard-hitting issues, exploring the discrimination that still exists from their more violent pasts.

"Zootopia" is one of those unique films that can speak to young and old alike. For younger audiences, there are plenty of gags and exciting action sequences, and for adults, there's a timely message about prejudice, acceptance, and healing. "Zootopia" was a hit with audiences, making more than $1 billion worldwide and winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2017.

Exploring new territory with an original team of heroes, Disney-Pixar's "The Incredibles" focuses on the Parrs — a family with extraordinary powers who are forced into hiding when superheroes are banned by the government. Bob, aka Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), works a boring job in insurance and dreams of his glory days, while Helen, aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), finds herself stretched thin trying to look after their kids and keep the home together. When Mr. Incredible receives a mysterious summons to resume his hero duties, the whole family gets involved to save the day.

Whether it's the biological family unit in "The Incredibles" or the chosen family formed in "DC League of Super-Pets," both films have a strong emphasis on strength in numbers and teamwork. A central idea in any superhero team story, each member has something to bring to the table, an ability that no one else has, and a key contribution they can make to the overall mission. When one is in trouble, others can step in to help out, and this is something that both films emphasize.

With a worldwide box office of more than $631 million, "The Incredibles" was a huge success, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 2004. It also hit the right notes with critics, who praised the film's humor and sense of fun, and it went on to win two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Achievement in Sound Editing.

Based on the 1968 novel "The Iron Man" by Ted Hughes, this charming animated sci-fi movie introduces us to the titular alien robot (voiced by Vin Diesel) after he crash lands on Earth. Discovered by 9-year-old Hogarth (Eli Marienthal), the pair form an unlikely friendship that's challenged when paranoid government agent Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald) believes the robot has dishonorable intentions and seeks to destroy him.

Set during the Cold War, "The Iron Giant" is rich in allegory and meaning, exploring the feeling of suspicion and distrust that existed at the time — particularly regarding something unexplainable that could also have the potential to be a weapon. While this side of the story is important, there's also an endearing story of friendship and how a young boy is able to see the good in the alien when others don't.

While tonally very different from "DC League of Super-Pets," there is a surprising connection between them, with both films sharing a fascination with a certain red-caped Kryptonian hero to some degree. While not an on-screen character in "The Iron Giant," Superman is nonetheless thematically very important to the story, with Hogarth introducing his new friend to the comic book hero and helping him to see he could be just like him — culminating in the film's emotional and dramatic conclusion. Considered to be a flop at the box office when it was released in 1999, "The Iron Giant" has subsequently been branded a cult classic, attracting new audiences when it was re-released in 2015.