14 Animated Films and Shows We Can’t Wait to See This Fall

As a long-time fan of Disney animation, I must say that the announcement of Moana 2 has left me both intrigued and slightly puzzled. On one hand, the original Moana was a delightful film with a captivating story and beautiful music, particularly thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contribution. However, the fact that Dwayne Johnson is producing and starring in a separate live-action remake makes me wonder if this sequel is really necessary.

2024 has been an eventful year for animation, with the arrival of nostalgic premieres such as X-Men ’97, alongside box office hits like Inside Out 2. Moreover, the ongoing efforts of animation unions to enhance working conditions within their industry have gained significant attention. The pace does not seem to be letting up; the remainder of this year promises a plethora of new series and films, along with a mix of sequels, prequels, and spinoffs for viewers’ enjoyment.

This fall season of 2024 offers a diverse range of animation series, from an action-packed animated series by a controversial Hollywood figure, to a heartwarming tale about a raccoon and his love for collecting, as well as the long-awaited return of a renowned animation director’s feature-length production. In this article, we will discuss 12 series that seem particularly compelling or intriguing. And rest assured, there are no anime series listed here, but keep an eye out for our separate list focusing solely on the most anticipated anime releases, which we will publish later this week.

September

Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy (September 13, Disney+)

Despite ongoing debates among fans about the live-action versions of the Star Wars saga, its animation division has consistently provided enjoyment. For younger viewers, shows like Young Jedi Adventures are engaging, while some episodes from the anime anthology Star Wars: Visions have been truly brilliant. Series such as The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Bad Batch have held their ground more often than not, and the newest offering, Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, appears to be a fun addition to the lineup.

This production, created by the duo known as “IP whisperers” Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit (notably behind Detective Pikachu and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem), playfully disrupts the Star Wars chronology through a young man’s manipulation of a mysterious, reality-bending artifact. Boasting a voice cast that includes Mark Hamill reprising Luke Skywalker in a disheartened portrayal and Ahmed Best lending his voice to the beloved fan creation “Darth Jar Jar,” it offers a lighter take on a universe that can sometimes be overly self-important.

Twilight of the Gods (September 19, Netflix)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=bS-MnTSchIw

What stands out most in “Twilight of the Gods” is undoubtedly its creators. Known as “From Zack Snyder,” it’s a new addition to his collaborative work with Netflix, following projects like “Army of the Dead” (which was quite enjoyable) and the less popular “Rebel Moon”. Joining Snyder in the creator roles is Jay Oliva, a longtime storyboard artist for Snyder who has also demonstrated skills as an action director. He’s known for his work on millennial classics like “The Jackie Chan Adventures” and for directing solid DC Comics straight-to-video films and episodes of the critically acclaimed “Young Justice”.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating “Twilight of the Gods” with Zack Snyder at the helm and Hans Zimmer composing the music. With his penchant for dramatic flair, even the infamously violent Norse mythology seems ripe for reinvention. This new addition to Netflix’s collection of adventure animations promises to hold its own among popular titles like “Castlevania” and the recently licensed “Scavengers Reign”.

Transformers One (September 20, Theaters)

In a similar vein to recent animated films like “Spider-Verse” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” the first animated Transformers film since 1986, titled “Transformers One,” is taking on the challenge of revitalizing a franchise that has been overshadowed by live-action adaptations and reliance on nostalgia. Notably, it’s particularly toy-oriented, as every new character is essentially designed with a corresponding action figure in mind.

Speaking of which, “Transformers One” could break free from being just another commercial success due to the skilled hands guiding Cybertron. Director Josh Cooley, known for “Toy Story 4,” and co-writer Eric Pearson, who has worked on “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Godzilla vs. Kong,” have a proven track record of managing big franchises without turning them into bland corporate products. With a talented voice cast, led by Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, “Transformers One” is expected to flood toy stores this fall. However, it might also breathe new life into the Transformers franchise, offering an exciting reboot for these robots in disguise.

The Wild Robot (September 27, Theaters)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=njPNg0A9VpY

At first glance, The Wild Robot appears to be filled with hints and tributes, much like a parade of inspiration. In the narrative about a robot exploring nature, there are echoes of The Iron Giant, Wall-E, films by Hayao Miyazaki, and other works. However, the contrast between the two trailers is striking, as the inclusion of Dreamworks-style voice acting and humor in the second trailer gives it a feel that’s almost like a different movie entirely. Yet, The Wild Robot (adapted from a book series by Peter Brown) maintains an undeniable beauty that makes you momentarily forget its familiar thematic ground.

The movie also signifies the comeback of director Chris Sanders, known for his work on feature animations such as “Lilo & Stitch”, “How to Train Your Dragon”, and “The Croods”. After venturing into live-action films with “The Call of the Wild” in 2013, this animation project, which seems reminiscent of Sanders’ story about an outsider discovering a new family (similar to “Stitch”), appears to be a delightful homecoming for him.

October

The Legend of Vox Machina season three (October 3, Prime Video)

Translating the text into more natural and easy-to-understand language: Proposing a TV series based on the “Dungeons & Dragons” game is quite risky. The game can be confusing for newcomers, and while it’s undeniably shaped pop culture for decades (and produced an amazing movie), there’s a danger of oversimplifying its charm by turning it into rote mythology if you try to adapt it from the tabletop. Fortunately, the first two seasons of “The Legend of Vox Machina” have successfully captured the wide appeal of a long-running “D&D” game and made it suitable for television viewing. Instead of coming off as an exclusive tribute to devoted fans, it’s lively and easy to understand.

Under the direction of Titmouse Inc., the studio known for Cartoon Network productions, Vox Machina leaps across storylines from the popular Critical Role web series. The main characters are modeled after Dungeons & Dragons roles such as ranger, cleric, and druid. Vox Machina exhibits a lively, roguish vibe reminiscent of the misfits in Star Wars. Above all, it’s a show that appears to be relishing its own existence, eschewing typical fantasy pompousness for exhilarating adventures, making it enjoyable regardless if you possess a dice bag.

Gremlins: The Wild Batch (October 3, Max)

Reviving the classic 80’s IP, Gremlins, and transforming it into an animated series feels reminiscent of what we might have seen on Fox Kids during the early ’90s. Yet, the long-awaited wait for a Gremlins cartoon was definitely worth it. Just like how Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous maintains its balance, the initial season of Secrets of the Mogwai successfully combines the adorable escapades of the title creatures with an exhilarating ambiance that neither underestimates nor shies away from the fact that these little monsters are still as terrifying as they were in the first movie.

In the second season, titled “The Wild Batch“, the storyline takes the characters on a fresh expedition from Shanghai to San Francisco and beyond. Max, the streaming platform, hints at more mischievous Mogwai, along with other mysterious entities. However, if ’80s nostalgia is your thing, just make sure you’re ready to indulge it past bedtime.

Piece by Piece (October 11, Theaters)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=7Bc6trBc1kc

It might seem surprising, given its origins as a toy line, but the Lego film franchise has become an unexpected success. The Lego Movie and its sequel surpassed expectations, while The Lego Batman Movie has maintained popularity longer than many recent live-action Gotham City tales. However, it’s unlikely that people anticipated their next release to be a biographical film about the musician Pharrell Williams.

Determining the precise nature of “Piece by Piece” is no easy feat, particularly within the boastful domain of musical biopics. Produced jointly by I Am Other and featuring many individuals who played pivotal roles in Pharrell’s journey from collaborating with groups like The Neptunes and N.E.R.D., to his music gracing films such as “Despicable Me” and the remake of “The Lion King”, it’s an ambitious project indeed. The trailer delights in showcasing Snoop Dogg as a Lego figure, but there’s more at play here – it’s a high-budget exploration. As we eagerly await its release, we’ll be intrigued to see where it finds its footing among its intended audience.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (October 10, Netflix)

Despite the multiple installments in the Tomb Raider game series, movies, and reboots, the only animated Tomb Raider show we’ve seen is an anthology series from 2007 that seems to have been overlooked. However, the new series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, brings the character back to a medium that suits her perfectly. The franchise has always benefited from its suspenseful, cliffhanger-filled nature, making it ideally suited for Netflix’s popular binge-watching format.

Despite connecting the reboot trilogy with the initial games, the Lara Croft series has never primarily revolved around backstory. Instead, the main challenge lies in adapting its core elements of exploration, level navigation, and puzzle-solving from gameplay to a watchable format. However, Lara Croft herself is inherently thrilling, which makes it crucial for Netflix and showrunner Tasha Huo to create a compelling narrative worthy of exploration.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory season two (October 17, Netflix)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=IEixYyTkRnE

The Jurassic World series has had its ups and downs, but one aspect where it truly shines is the undervalued animated spinoff, Camp Cretaceous. Despite having teenagers as main characters and lacking the intense dinosaur action that the live-action movies are famous for, Camp Cretaceous delivered a compelling and frequently suspenseful perspective on the universe of the blockbuster films. Its character interactions and cat-and-mouse sequences mirrored the classic Jurassic Park films in a way that the World sequels never achieved.

In a fresh narrative twist, Chaos Theory finds the characters maturing and navigating a thrilling spy-like plot with darker sequences and a developing romance, quite a departure from their previous survival efforts in the tropical wilderness of Isla Nublar (as seen in Camp Cretaceous). For dedicated fans of Camp Cretaceous, it’s an exciting opportunity to witness the evolution of cherished characters, a rare occurrence in today’s streaming landscape where shows often get canceled. For new viewers, it offers the allure of dinosaurs, making it an appealing entry point.

November

Carl the Collector (November 14, PBS Kids)

As someone who grew up watching PBS Kids, I can’t help but feel a nostalgic warmth when I think about shows like Arthur, Reading Rainbow, and Wishbone. Yet, what excites me now is that this beloved platform is still thriving. The latest additions to their inclusive roster, such as Work It Out Wombats! and Lyla in the Loop, are just a testament to that. Among these new shows, I’m particularly looking forward to Carl the Collector. This series tells the story of a young raccoon on the autism spectrum, which aligns perfectly with PBS Kids’ focus on empathy education. In fact, Carl the Collector is all about fostering curiosity about different ways of thinking, making it a perfect fit for their lineup.

One notable feature of the show is the diverse team at PBS, which goes beyond just the creator, children’s author Zachariah Ohora. This team encompasses neurodiverse writers, production personnel, animators, consultants, and voice actors, as stated by PBS. This thoughtful strategy sets it apart in the animation industry regarding staff diversity, and hopefully, it will contribute significantly to PBS Kids’ enduring legacy.

Spellbound (November 22, Theaters)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=HHGIRpaFgCs

Filmmaker Vicky Jensen, who last directed an animated film in 2004 with “Shark Tale”, has returned to animation after a two-decade break. This time around, she’s working on “Spellbound” for Netflix. Similar to her previous work on “Shrek”, the plot revolves around royal figures transforming into monsters and a journey through a mystical realm to rescue them. The voice cast is as star-studded as ever, with familiar names like Tituss Burgess and Nathan Lane joining the ranks.

As a movie reviewer, I found that what really elevates “Spellbound” into a more thrilling realm is the musical talent behind it. Veteran Disney composer Alan Menken, known for hits like “The Little Mermaid“, “Beauty and the Beast“, and “Aladdin“, teams up with Tony-nominated lyricist Glenn Slater to create its enchanting soundtrack. While Netflix has dabbled in musicals before, particularly with the well-received “Matilda“, “Spellbound” serves as a test to determine if they can truly excel in the animated musical genre. They’ve already conquered stories about fighting; perhaps they can now conquer singing stories as well.

Moana 2 (November 27, Theaters)

Given the upcoming wave of Disney sequels, such as more than two Frozen films and another Zootopia, some might view Moana 2 as a strategic move to reinforce their creative efforts. This is particularly true given that Dwayne Johnson, the actor in Moana 2, will also be producing and starring in a separate live-action adaptation of the original film. Moana, although not as universally recognized as Frozen‘s “Let It Go,” was generally well-received, yet it didn’t initially seem like a natural fit for a sequel. Interestingly, Moana 2 didn’t start out as a movie at all; it began life as a Disney+ series, and the transition to a theatrical film was only recently announced this year.

The trailer for Moana 2 makes the sequel seem comparatively weightless. The plot concerns Moana meeting back up with demigod Maui and going on another oceanic adventure. However, with a change in songwriters (Lin-Manuel Miranda has lost his Disney stranglehold to the team-up of Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear), a continued focus on Maori culture, and a lack of Frozen-esque cultural saturation or Zootopia’s tiring discourse weighing it down, it could bring enough fresh energy to warrant its creation.

Arcane season two (November TBA, Netflix)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=AEbfiLaOdJA

It’s not surprising that the popular multiplayer game League of Legends, known for its action-packed playstyle and growing mythology, received an animated spinoff. However, what was unexpectedly impressive was the quality of the first season of Arcane , as it delivered top-notch action fantasy. Both newcomers and dedicated fans of League of Legends can enjoy this series, which follows sisters Vi and Jinx as they navigate a world on the verge of war.

Not only does the stunning animation from the French studio Fortiche, best known for “Arcane”, stand out, but they were also responsible for the charming Marvel shorts “Rocket & Groot” in 2017. “Arcane” is set to make a comeback this fall for its second (and unfortunately final) season, offering more of the skillful storytelling and enchanting atmosphere that we loved from the first. Although “Arcane” may not have many episodes, two remarkable seasons are certainly better than none, and alongside series like “Castlevania”, it demonstrates that video-game adaptations can rise above generic mediocrity.

More coming this year

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (TBA, Disney+)

Disney+ has had quite a few Spider-Man cartoons under its belt, including most of his classic shows except for the often overlooked and rights-complicated The Spectacular Spider-Man. Lately, it’s also been home to the beloved preschool show, Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Given this, introducing another animated series focusing on the character’s early life might seem excessive. Is there really a need for yet another series that delves into the mystery of what occurs when you don’t know about the radioactive spiders lurking nearby?

Instead of Tony Stark, the well-known Norman Osborn is set to mentor Spider-Man in this new version, offering a fresh take on the story. The animation style is reminiscent of the original comics by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. As no trailers have been released yet, it’s difficult to determine where this series will rank among Spider-Man’s animated history. However, based on some impressive concept art, it has the potential to stand out, especially given the MCU’s departure from Peter Parker’s original character roots.

2024-08-28 14:55