If you thought 2018 was exciting thanks to “Incredibles 2”, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”, and “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse”, 2019 is going to be a bigger year for animated features.
In this calendar year, we’ve got plenty of sequels and fan-favourites that will surely bring on the nostalgia and put some heartstrings. Since we’re never too old for animated films, prepare to dive into this list of feature-length animated releases for 2019.
1. “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”
- Release Date: 31st January 2019
- Voice Cast: America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, F. Murray Abraham, Kit Harington, Cate Blanchett
“As Hiccup fulfils his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.”
2. “Alita: Battle Angel”
- Release Date: 5th February 2019
- Voice Cast: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley, Keean Johnson
“Based upon the graphic novel (“Manga”) series “Gunnm” by Yukito Kishiro – From visionary filmmakers James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez, comes ‘Alita: Battle Angel’, an epic adventure of hope and empowerment. When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realises that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past.
“As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past – she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she’s grown to love.”
3. “Lego Movie 2: The Second Part”
- Release Date: 7th February 2019
- Voice Cast: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Tiffany Haddish
“5 years have passed since the events of Taco Tuesday. Duplo invaders from outer space have turned Bricksburg into a post-apocalyptic wasteland but Emmet still pretends that everything is awesome. However, when his friends, including Wyldstyle, get kidnapped by a new invader called Sweet Mayhem, Emmet must embark on a mission into space to rescue them.”
4. “Wonder Park”
- Release Date: 21st March 2019
- Voice Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Garner, Jeffrey Tambor, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, Mila Kunis, John Oliver
“Wonder Park tells the story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive. One magical day, June is running through the woods to find her way home where she discovers an old roller-coaster car and climbs inside. She suddenly finds herself in Wonderland, an amusement park she had created in her mind and put aside. All of her rides and characters are brought to life but are falling into disarray without her. Now, with the help of her fun and loveable park characters, June will have to put the wonder back in Wonderland before it is lost forever.”
5. “Pokémon Detective Pikachu”
- Release Date: 9th May 2019
- Voice Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Ken Watanabe, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy, Chris Geere, Suki Waterhouse, Rita Ora
“A young man joins forces with Detective Pikachu to unravel the mystery behind his father’s disappearance. Chasing clues through the streets of Ryme City, the dynamic duo soon discover a devious plot that poses a threat to the Pokémon universe.”
6. “Shaun The Sheep Movie 2: Farmageddon”
- Release Date: 16th May 2019
- Voice Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes
“When an alien with amazing powers crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun the Sheep goes on a mission to shepherd the intergalactic visitor home before a sinister organisation can capture her.”
7. “The Secret Life Of Pets 2”
- Release Date: 30th May 2019
- Voice Cast: Eric Stonestreet, Harrison Ford, Patton Oswalt, Tiffany Hadish, Nick Kroll, Pete Holmes, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper
The sequel continues the story of Max and his pet friends, following their secret lives after their owners leave them for work or school each day. Snowball, the reformed former gang leader of “The Flushed Pets”, has now turned his life around after becoming domesticated by a cheery little girl named Molly. Get ready for more goofy pet antics y’all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD2Frdhgvzc
8. “Toy Story 4”
- Release Date: 20th June 2019
- Voice Cast: Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, Patricia Arquette, Joan Cusack
“Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called Forky to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy.”
9. “Spies In Disguise”
- Release Date: 15th August 2019
- Voice Cast: Karen Gillan, Tom Holland, Will Smith
“‘Spies in Disguise’ is a buddy comedy set in the high octane globe-trotting world of international espionage. Will Smith (\voices Lance Sterling, the world’s most awesome spy. Cool, charming and super-skilled, saving the world is his occupation. And nobody does it better.
“Almost the exact opposite of Lance is Walter, voiced by Tom Holland. Walter is a great mind but perhaps not a great socialiser. What he lacks in social skills though, he makes up for in smarts and invention: Walter is the scientific genius who invents the gadgets Lance uses on his missions. But when events take an unexpected turn, Walter and Lance suddenly have to rely on each other in a whole new way. And if this odd couple can’t learn to work as a team, the whole world is in peril.”
10. “The Angry Birds Movie 2”
- Release Date: 29th August 2019
- Voice Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Leslie Jones, Sterling K. Brown, Eugenio Derbez, Zach Woods, Nicki Minaj
Not much has been revealed about the sequel since its announcement. While the plot is still kept under wraps, it’s likely that the pig army will seeking their revenge after the events of the first film.
11. “The Addams Family”
- Release Date: 31st October 2019
- Voice Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler, Allison Janney, Elsie Fisher
“Based on the famous New Yorker creations of Charles Addams, this animated action-comedy will follow the Addams family whose lives begin to unravel when they face-off against a crafty reality-TV host while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration, Addams-style.”
12. “Sonic The Hedgehog”
- Release Date: 7th November 2019
- Voice Cast: James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Adam Pally, Neal McDonough, Natasha Rothwell
“The hybrid CG-animated/live-action feature is based on the acclaimed ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ video game series. The film will look to capture Sonic’s irreverent tone and spirit, reuniting him with some of the most revered and infamous characters of the franchise, including the evil Dr. Eggman. Playful, mischievous, and quick on his feet in more ways than one, the world’s fastest hedgehog is known for his ability to move at supersonic speed to protect his friends from their enemies.”
13. “Frozen 2”
- Release Date: 28th November 2019
- Voice Cast:Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Evan Rachel Wood, Sterling K. Brown
Co-director Chris Buck has revealed that the sequel will continue to delve into Anna, Kristoff and Olaf, but it seems that the biggest evolution is reserved for Elsa. “(In ‘Frozen’) she had such a dramatic journey, and at the end she’s just starting to feel like she can open up and have some fun again,” he told Fandango. There are also rumours claiming that Anna and Elsa aren’t really biological sisters. Time will tell if that’s true.
Out of the 13 animated movies above, which ones are you most excited for?
