2025 is shaping up to be a big year for animation — from blockbuster sequels to bold original visions, global animation studios are lining up new animated movies 2025 audiences can’t wait to see. In this post, we’ll walk you through a calendar-style list of the major upcoming animated movies 2025, highlight standout studios, dig into trailers and synopses, and break down picks for family vs adult animation. We’ll also cover where to watch them (theaters, streaming) and close with an FAQ to answer what fans are most curious about.

1. Calendar of 2025’s Major Animated Releases (by approximate release date)

Here’s a rough timeline of some of the biggest upcoming animated movies 2025 (dates subject to change):

Trailer roundups: There are a number of YouTube compilations collecting trailers for upcoming animated films 2025 — for instance, The Best NEW Animation Movies 2025 trailers compilation. (YouTube)

These are just some of the marquee titles to watch for. Now let’s zoom in on studio highlights, trailers & synopses, and how the slate is shaping up across age groups.

2. Studio Highlights & Trends in 2025 Animation

Disney / Pixar / Mainstream tentpoles

• Zootopia 2 is a major return for Disney Animation — the first Zootopia was beloved for its witty worldbuilding and social allegory. (Indiatimes)

• Disney/Pixar has teased that 2025 will also feature more original works and potentially more creative risks. Elio, mentioned in trailer compilations, may be one such original. (Cartoon Brew)

Anime & East Asia studios

• Scarlet is a heavily anticipated anime film, directed and written by Mamoru Hosoda. (Wikipedia)

• Arco, though a French / international production, has major voice talent in its English dub and plays with sci-fi/fantasy and time-travel. (Wikipedia)

Streaming / Hybrid animation houses

• Netflix Animation continues to flex with In Your Dreams, which will see a limited theatrical rollout before streaming. (Wikipedia)

• KPop Demon Hunters leans on musical and pop culture crossover appeal, bridging western animated styles with Korean pop influence. (Wikipedia)

Faith / independent / adult fare

• The King of Kings is a faith-based epic produced by Angel Studios / Mofac. (Wikipedia)

• There’s also room for more mature or niche animation — Arco and Scarlet both hint at emotional or philosophical narratives beyond purely kid-friendly fare.

Trends to note

• Sequel heavy: Many of the big names in 2025 are returning properties (Zootopia 2, Bad Guys 2, Smurfs reboot).

• Genre mashups: Expect fantasy, sci-fi, time travel, mythology, and musical elements more frequently.

• International & cross-border casting: Studios are bringing high-profile voice talent across languages to appeal globally (e.g. Natalie Portman in Arco, ensemble casts in Scarlet)

• Hybrid distribution: Some films will combine theatrical release with streaming windows or limited releases, accommodating evolving audience behavior.

3. Trailers, Synopses, & Voice Cast Highlights

Let’s dig into a few standout upcoming animated movies 2025, their trailers, story premises, and voice stars.

Zootopia 2

• Release: November 26, 2025 (Indiatimes)

• Premise: Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde return as full police partners. Their relationship strains lead them to therapy with Dr. Fuzzby (a quokka), while they track the mysterious pit viper Gary De’Snake. (Indiatimes)

• Voice cast / creative team: Ginnifer Goodwin (Judy), Jason Bateman (Nick) return. Ke Huy Quan voices new antagonist. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard return. (Indiatimes)

• Trailer: Teasers have emphasized emotional stakes, humor, and expanded worldbuilding in Zootopia neighborhoods.

The King of Kings

• Release: April 11, 2025 (Wikipedia)

• Premise: A faith-based epic loosely inspired by Charles Dickens’ The Life of Our Lord, dramatizing the life of Jesus in animated form. (Wikipedia)

• Voice cast: Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan, Forest Whitaker, Ben Kingsley, Oscar Isaac. (Wikipedia)

• Trailer / style: Animated with dramatic, reverent tone, large crowd scenes and biblical scope.

Arco

• Premiere: Cannes (May 2025) (Wikipedia)

• Theatrical release: France (October 22, 2025), U.S. (November 14, 2025) (Wikipedia)

• Premise: In 2932, young Arco accidentally time-travels to 2075 via a rainbow. He meets Iris and gets embroiled in a mystery. (Wikipedia)

• Voice cast:
    • French / original: Oscar Tresanini, Margot Ringard Oldra, Alma Jodorowsky, Swann Arlaud, Louis Garrel (Wikipedia)
    • English dub: Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Mark Ruffalo, Andy Samberg (Wikipedia)

• Trailer: Combines vibrant visuals, soft sci-fi tones, and emotional character beats.

Scarlet

• Release: Japan (November 21, 2025), North America (Dec 12, 2025 / later) (Wikipedia)

• Premise: A tragic fantasy inspired by Hamlet, following Princess Scarlet who can cross time/space as she seeks vengeance for her father’s murder. (Wikipedia)

• Voice cast:
    • Japanese: Mana Ashida (Scarlet), Masaki Okada, Koji Yakusho, etc. (Wikipedia)
    • International / U.S.: Sony/Columbia imprint involved; wider cast in international versions. (Wikipedia)

• Trailer: Dark, poetic, visually rich with dramatic stakes and musical scoring.

Smurfs (2025 reboot)

• Release: July 18, 2025 (Decider)

• Premise: A fully animated musical take on the classic Smurf world.

• Voice cast: Rihanna (Smurfette), John Goodman (Papa Smurf), James Corden, Sandra Oh, Nick Offerman, Amy Sedaris, Daniel Levy, others. (Decider)

• Trailer: Emphasizes musical numbers, whimsical fantasy visuals, and comedic dynamics among Smurf characters.

In Your Dreams

• Release: Limited theatrical Nov 7, 2025; Netflix streaming Nov 14, 2025 (Wikipedia)

• Premise: A whimsical adventure fantasy where characters traverse dreamscapes and reality.

• Voice cast: Simu Liu, Craig Robinson, Cristin Milioti, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Omid Djalili, others. (Wikipedia)

• Trailer / style: Colorful, imaginative, with surreal dream visuals and comedic heart.

KPop Demon Hunters

• Release: 2025 (exact date TBD) (Wikipedia)

• Premise: A musical urban fantasy where K-pop idols fight supernatural enemies, blending pop culture and fantasy.

• Voice cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, others. (Wikipedia)

• Trailer: Early teasers suggest a stylish, energetic, music-driven visual style.

4. Family Picks vs Adult / Mature Animation

One of the most interesting things about 2025 is how animated storytelling is being pushed both toward classic family fare and more mature, emotionally driven, even philosophical narratives.

Family / All-Ages Picks

• Zootopia 2 – likely to appeal to both kids and adults with its humor, friendship, and social allegory.

• Smurfs (2025) – whimsical, musical, colorful — made for broad family audiences.

• The Bad Guys 2 – crime comedy style appeals to older kids and tweens with visual gags and action.

• In Your Dreams – imaginative adventures and dreamscapes, likely heartwarming and whimsical.

• KPop Demon Hunters – while musical and fantasy, the pop culture element may skew toward teens/young adults too.

More Mature / Adult-Leaning Animation

• Scarlet – with its Shakespearean themes, tragedy, and emotional depth, this is likely best suited to older audiences.

• Arco – time travel, identity, and existential themes may resonate more with teens and adults.

• The King of Kings – though faith-based, it may aim at a broad family audience, but thematic weight suggests older viewers may engage more deeply.

This diversity gives 2025 a compelling blend — you’ll have blockbuster family attractions and daring adult animation competing side by side.

5. Where & How to Watch (Theaters, Streaming, Windows)

Theatrical First, Then Streaming or Hybrid

• Zootopia 2, Smurfs (2025), The King of Kings, Arco, Scarlet and others will likely follow the traditional theatrical-first release path in many markets.

• In Your Dreams is explicitly slated for a limited theatrical release before its Netflix streaming debut. (Wikipedia)

Streaming / Platform Windows

• After theatrical runs, many of these films will move to streaming or digital platforms, depending on studio deals.

• Netflix’s involvement in In Your Dreams ensures that film will transition to streaming quickly.

• Titles like KPop Demon Hunters may have strong streaming presence from day one (or soon thereafter).

Regional Variations & International Releases

• International markets (Japan, France, Korea, etc.) may see earlier or alternate release windows (e.g. Scarlet opens first in Japan). (Wikipedia)

• English dubbing or local voice cast versions may arrive later, depending on distribution deals.

• Some films may premiere at festivals (e.g. Arco at Cannes) before national releases. (Wikipedia)

Watchlists & Priorities

If you’re in a region like Pakistan, India, or Southeast Asia, keep an eye on distribution deals — Disney+, Netflix, and local theatrical chains will be key. Use local cinema listings, streaming announcements, and studio press releases to stay current.

6. FAQ — Answering Your Top Questions on 2025 Animated Movies

Q: Which new animated movies 2025 are must-see for families?
A: Zootopia 2, Smurfs (2025), In Your Dreams, The Bad Guys 2 are among the safest bets for family appeal — fun visuals, humor, and lighter stakes.

Q: Which animated films in 2025 are more adult or mature in tone?
A: Scarlet and Arco lean into more complex themes, emotional weight, and speculative landscapes — ideal for teens and adults who want something deeper.

Q: Are there original animated films in 2025 or is it all sequels and reboots?
A: Yes, there are originals. Arco is a fresh sci-fi fantasy property. Scarlet is a new anime fantasy. In Your Dreams is not a franchise sequel. Also, studios are developing new visions (e.g. Laika / Wildwood, original Pixar projects) highlighted in animation industry previews. (Cartoon Brew)

Q: How reliable are the release dates?
A: These are projected dates and subject to change due to production delays, distribution negotiations, or market shifts. Always check studio updates or local theater listings closer to release.

Q: How can I watch these films outside the U.S.?
A: Many will reach international theaters through distribution deals. For streaming, look for deals with Netflix, Disney+, regional platforms, or local theatrical distributors. If a film is dubbed or subtitled in your region, that may affect timing.

Q: Will any of these films compete at awards (Oscars, festival prizes)?
A: Possibly. Scarlet and Arco with their artistic and emotional ambitions may attract awards interest, especially in animation categories. The King of Kings, while faith-based, could also gain attention for design, though mainstream awards appeal depends heavily on reception.

Q: Are there announced trailers to watch now?
A: Yes — multiple YouTube compilations gather trailers for these films (e.g. The Best NEW Animation Movies 2025). (YouTube) Also, you can check official studio channels for dedicated teasers.

7. Final Thoughts & What to Watch for in 2025

The animation landscape in 2025 is promising and dynamic. While we’ll see big franchise returns, the real excitement may come from original voices and global collaborations. Between Zootopia 2’s emotional sequel, Scarlet’s haunting fantasy, Arco’s time-twisting journey, and In Your Dreams’ whimsical arc, there’s something for every kind of animation fan.

If you’re planning your must-see list, I’d keep eyes on:

• Zootopia 2 — likely the biggest tentpole of the year.

• Scarlet & Arco — for bold, serious animation beyond kid fare.

• Smurfs (2025 reboot) — for musical fun.

• In Your Dreams — to catch something imaginative before it hits streaming.