Author: The Animation Blog (Page 1 of 587)

‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ Teaser Trailer, Stills and Poster: Animated Series Unravels New Mystery

February 2, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: April 23, 2026 on Netflix.

Synopsis: In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Our heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days.

But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this untold story set in the Stranger Things universe.

Executive produced by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, and Eric Robles.

‘Backyard Sports’ Returns in Animated Special Starring Tiffany Haddish, Arturo Castro and Ego Nwodim

February 1, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: It’s Opening Day at Steele Stadium and team superstar Stephanie “Bubbles” Morgan is in crisis. She’s lost her lucky bubble gum!

With just 30 minutes until game time, the Backyard kids embark on a wild mission to track it down and save their season.

Based on the video game series originally created by Humongous Entertainment.

Directed by Mike Roberts.

Story by Joseph Purdy and Christopher Waters.

Written by Joseph Purdy.

Additional writing by Will McRobb and Teddy McDonald.

Short Film Spotlight: Coup de Soleil (Sunburn)

January 31, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Note: Make sure the original French audio track is enabled.

Synopsis: Seduced by a myth that promised him resistance to the sun, a vampire journeys to a small village in the south of France to hunt for the precious elixir: the blood of its appetizing locals. But the blazing sun stands between him and his prize.

Directed by:
Elisa Cavalli
Thémis Cavène-Perez
Loriane Dantas
David Delaunay
Laura Ecale
Oriane Gomez
Margaux Rougier
Emma Siegl

Music by Victor Basier.

Sound by José Vicente, Yoann Poncet, Guilhem Favard and Tristan Le Bozec.

Voiced by Stefo Linard, Vincent Gleizes, José Vicente and Oriane Gomez.

‘Mr. Crocodile’: Trailer and U.S. Release Date Unveiled for Preschool Series Based on French Children’s Book

January 30, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. release date: February 23, 2026 on Nickelodeon.

Synopsis: Mr. Crocodile follows the toothy, lovable Mr. Crocodile, alongside his best friend Daisy, as he cheerfully navigates life with boundless enthusiasm and comical misunderstandings due to his instinctive crocodile logic.

New to a diverse and lively mobile home community, Mr. Crocodile lives with Daisy, and they split their time between her Mom and her Dad’s homes. Together, they turn everyday activities into zany adventures as they share an unconditional acceptance of each other’s approach to life.

Mr. Crocodile launched in select markets internationally last year and will continue to roll out globally on Nick Jr. channels following the U.S. debut.

Developed by Joann Sfar and Simon Nicholson.

Directed by Fabien Brandily.

Based on the French children’s book Monsieur Crocodile a Beaucoup Faim (Mister Crocodile is Very Hungry) by Joann Sfar.

Short Film Spotlight: Is All Cheese Sentient?

January 29, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Red and Eddy are just intergalactic delivery workers… until they decide to start a revolution. When a corporate deep-state scheme threatens the multiverse, they team up with SpaceCheese and Barstool Man to fight back.

The short film blends absurd humor with themes of mental health, capitalism and resistance. It is part of the larger Bohrsville universe, a narrative world the creators have been building for over a decade.

Written by T.J. Rowe and Rich Nardo.

Directed and edited by T.J. Rowe.

Voiced by T.J. Rowe and Rich Nardo.

Music by Dingboat.

‘Disney Jr. Ariel – The Little Mermaid’ Season 2 Now Available on Disney+

January 28, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Disney+ release date: January 28, 2026
Disney Jr. release date: November 10, 2025

Synopsis: In the second season, Ariel and her pals discover a magical new undersea realm and embark on imaginative journeys through the beautiful Crystal World, meeting new friends like the adventurous mermaid Akiko and her crystal axolotl, Axyl.

Voice cast:
Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel
Taye Diggs as King Triton
Amber Riley as Ursula
Gracen Newton as Flounder
Cruz Flateau as Fernie
Elizabeth Phoenix Caro as Lucia
Kai Zen as Akiko

Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid, guest stars as Marina Neptina, Ariel’s favorite singer.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Becomes the New Home of the ‘Looney Tunes’ Library

January 27, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Beginning in February, TCM will introduce the Looney Tunes library to its monthly programming lineup, launching with Bugs Bunny as TCM’s Star of the Month, and a week-long tribute featuring 45 classic Bugs Bunny cartoons.

The Looney Tunes shorts will continue to be programmed on an ongoing basis across TCM’s schedule beyond February, establishing the network as a consistent Looney Tunes destination.

Yoshi Joins ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’: First-Look Clip, Poster and New Release Date Revealed

January 26, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. theatrical release date: April 1, 2026.

Japanese release date: April 24, 2026.

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

Written by Matthew Fogel.

Produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.

Original score by Brian Tyler.

Voice cast:
Chris Pratt as Mario
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
Charlie Day as Luigi
Jack Black as Bowser
Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
Brie Larson as Rosalina
Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.

‘Invincible’ Season 4 Official Trailer and Release Date: Hit Series from the Creator of ‘The Walking Dead’ Returns

January 25, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: March 18, 2026 on Prime Video.

Synopsis: Synopsis: While the world recovers from catastrophe, a changed Mark fights to protect his home and the people he loves, setting him on a collision course with a threat that could alter the fate of humanity forever.

Created by Robert Kirkman.

Based on the comic book series by Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley.

‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Teaser Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast, Stills and Poster: Fan Favorite Returns in Disney+ Series

January 24, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: April 6, 2026 on Disney+.

Synopsis: Set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this pulpy adventure finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.

There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

Created by Dave Filoni.

Developed by Filoni and Matt Michnovetz.

Short Film Spotlight: Lavatory Lovestory

January 23, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Love always comes unexpectedly — even at work, no matter how unusual that place may be.

Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Short Film (2009).

Written and directed by Konstantin Bronzit.

Based on an idea by Dmitry Visotsky.

Music by Valentin Vasenkov.

Sound by Vladimir Golounin.

98th Oscars Nominations: KPop Demon Hunters, Elio, Zootopia 2, Arco and Little Amélie Compete for Best Animated Feature Film

January 22, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Best Animated Feature Film:

Arco – Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie Portman.

Elio – Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice Drumm.

KPop Demon Hunters – Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong. (“Golden” was also nominated for Best Original Song.)

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain – Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri Magalon.

Zootopia 2 – Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett Merino.

Best Animated Short Film:

Butterfly (French title: Papillon) – Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens.

Forevergreen – Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears.

The Girl Who Cried Pearls – Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski.

Retirement Plan – John Kelly and Andrew Freedman.

The Three Sisters – Konstantin Bronzit.

The Oscars ceremony airs live on March 15 at 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT on ABC and Hulu, hosted by Conan O’Brien.

Music Video Spotlight: Juana Molina – Desinhumano

January 21, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: A song inspired by the story of the Monkey King from the Chinese novel Journey to the West.

In this story, a powerful monkey, born from a magical stone, is trapped beneath a mountain by Buddha after becoming too powerful and causing chaos in heaven.

Hand painted with acrylics on acetate film.

Directed by Dante Zaballa.

Animated by Dante Zaballa and Nespy5euro.

Painted by Ago Carrera, Azul Segovia, Dante Zaballa, Eze Matteo, Juana Molina, Marina Pla, Seba Gaugin, Simon Wilches Castro, Sofi Galarce, Sukermercado and Vrea.

Short Film Spotlight: D.S. al Coda

January 20, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Consumed by the fear of becoming deaf, Yann draws and memorizes the sounds around him.

Directed by:
Maxime Wattrelos
Emma Feret
Jeremy Trochet
Louis Cocquet
François Mainguet
Rachel Cuvilliez
Florian Lecocq

Voiced by Jean-Christophe Herbeth.

Music and Sound Design by Maxime Wattrelos.

Sound Editing by Pierre-Antoine Naline.

Sound Mix by Christian Cartier.

‘Iyanu’ Season 2 Teaser Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Cast: Series Rooted in Yoruba Culture Returns with New Episodes

January 19, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: Spring, 2026 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max.

Synopsis: Season two follows Iyanu as she steps fully into her role as protector of Yorubaland, facing a formidable new threat led by Queen Adura and the mysterious People of the Deep, rising from the kingdom’s ancient past.

Voice cast:
Serah Johnson as Iyanu
Okey Jude as Biyi
Sam Kugbiyi as Toye
Faith Gesiere Agua as Queen Adura
David Onwubalili as Boju