2015 was THE year for movie lovers, especially if you’re a fan of comic book adaptations and sci-fi. There’s even so much more to anticipate in 2016 and with the new year already here, we skimmed the movies you definitely won’t be missing out on. Just as a heads up, you’re going to want to add this page to your “Favorites” 🙂
– The Animation Mentor Staff
January
Kung Fu Panda 3
Directors: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Alessandro Carloni
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Theatrical Release: January 2016
Everyone’s favorite panda is back. The legendary animated awesomeness continues for the third time as Po must train a village of clumsy pandas to conquer the villainous Kai. Get excited because Kung Fu Panda 3 hits theaters January 29th! HIII-YAHH!!
February
Deadpool
Director: Tim Miller
Studio: Digital Domain
Theatrical Release: February 2016
For all you Marvel Comic fans out there, gear up this Winter as your favorite fictional antihero comes to life in February. After being subjected to an experiment that leaves him with new abilities, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.
March
Zootopia
Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Studio: Walt Disney Animation
Theatrical Release: March 2016
Animation has grown up right before our eyes and you won’t believe it in this highly anticipated buddy-cop comedy where animals live in a modern world designed by animals. Get ready for a different kind of talking animal movie. Reaching a new height of out-of-this-world animation, this hit will make you feel both old and young… in a good way, of course!
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Director: Zack Snyder
Studio: Warner Bros.
Theatrical Release: March 2016
For half a century, comic fans have staged theoretical mash ups between some of the biggest/all-time favorite superheros. And this Spring, one of the most classic battles of all time hits the big screen. Batman v Superman – which team are you? #TeamBlack or #TeamBlue
April
The Jungle Book
Director: John Favreau
Studio: Walt Disney Animation
Theatrical Release: April 2016
The wait is over for all Jungle Book fans worldwide. Relive your childhood memories with Favreau’s action-driven retelling of the cheery, family-friendly Disney classic we all love. Whether you loved the book or musical, all fans alike are guaranteed a thrill.
May
Captain America: Civil War
Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
Studio: Industrial Light & Magic
Theatrical Release: May 2016
Another favorite superhero mashup goes underway in 2016 with Captain America: Civil War. Highlighting a growing divide between the two of the most beloved Avengers, a political rift between the former allies could divide them forever in what could be Marvel’s most epic film yet.
The Angry Birds Movie
Directors: Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Theatrical Release: May 2016
For those of you who suffered from the Angry Birds addiction, it’s your lucky year because 3 angry birds are brought to life to investigate the mysterious arrival of pigs to their island paradise. As if catapulting your favorite feathered weapons of mass destruction into smug pigs wasn’t enough via mobile! Dream. Come. True.
X-Men: Apocalypse
Director: Bryan Singer
Studio: Digital Domain
Theatrical Release: May 2016
We’re looking forward to the “apocalypse” in May. Oh, sorry, we mean the X-Men: Apocalypse. That’s right, fanboys, gear up for the upcoming war! The Apocalypse hits theaters on May 27th and will surely leave all X-Men fans feeling “X-Static” (comic joke, okay?).
Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass
Director: James Bobin
Studio: Sony Pictures Imageworks
Theatrical Release: May 2016
Adventure-seekers, it’s finally back! Take a new journey through Wonderland in the sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass.
June
Finding Dory
Director: Andrew Stanton
Studio: Pixar Animation Studios
Theatrical Release: June 2016
The wait is now over. Everyone’s favorite but most forgetful blue tang fish gets reunited with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. Finding Dory dives into theaters this summer!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
Director: David Green
Studio: Industrial Light & Magic
Theatrical Release: June 2016
The sequel to the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot series debuts in June! We’re so excited for our very own Co-Founder Shawn Kelly, he is the Associate Animation Supervisor for this film 🙂
Warcraft
Director: Duncan Jones
Studio: Blizzard Entertainment
Theatrical Release: June 2016
Prepare to be WOWed. If you’re a fan of Blizzard’s World of Warcraft you’ll be happy to hear about the new epic fantasy/adventure based film based on the popular video game series. *Mouth drop* WOW!
July
Star Trek Beyond
Director: Justin Lin
Studio: Atomic Fiction
Theatrical Release: July 2016
Calling all long-time Trekkies (or Trekkers)! This year the franchise is adding the thirteenth film in the Star Trek franchise. Star Trek Beyond is scheduled for release in July, just in time for the celebration of the franchise’ 50th anniversary. Live long and prosper!
Ghostbusters
Director: Paul Feig
Studio: Moving Picture Company
Theatrical Release: July 2016
After a 25 year absence from the silver screen, the Ghostbusters are back in business! A brand new team of Girls vs Ghouls are hittin’ the streets of NYC. The magic of cinema that is Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston lives on for a new generation of fans to love and cherish while long-time fanatics can still embrace those childhood memories…
The Secret Life of Pets
Directors: Chris Renaud, Yarrow Cheney
Studio: Illumination Entertainment
Theatrical Release: July 2016
Want to know what your pet/s do while you’re not home? You can finally find out this July! How can you NOT watch this film – hilarious!
The Legend of Tarzan
Director: David Yates
Studio: Moving Picture Company
Theatrical Release: July 2016
If you thought Tarzan was done, think again. After living a quiet life with Jane in London, Tarzan is called back into the jungle. No one, not even Tarzan himself would think this would happen. You don’t want to miss it.
August
Kubo and the Two Strings
Director: Travis Knight
Studio: LAIKA Animation Studios
Theatrical Release: August 2016
LAIKA once again raises the animation bar high as the magic continues in Kubo and the Two Strings. Said to be a rare gem brought to life by a talented group of animators and actors, moviegoers of all ages will surely be moved by such a comedic and ultimately uplifting fairy tale draped in some of the most bizarre and exciting imagery ever seen.
Suicide Squad
Director: David Ayer
Studio: Moving Picture Company
Theatrical Release: August 2016
If you thought Jared Leto was out of this world, brace yourself for some more outlandish shenanigans in the Suidcide Squad. Reported to take place after the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the super villains in this action film take weird to another level (that’s an understatement for Mr. Leto)- you have to see it! As to whether or not ‘weird’ is good or bad, you can be the judge for that.
September
Storks
Director: Nicholas Stoller, Doug Sweetland
Studio: Warner Animation Group
Theatrical Release: September 2016
We’ve obviously seen babies before, but really though – where do they come from? Storks is here to give you an answer to this mystifying conundrum filled with nothing short of inspiring, grade A animation!
November
Trolls
Director/s: Mike Mitchell, Walt Dohrm
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Theatrical Release: November 2016
Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em (or are scared of ‘em), the Trolls are trollin’ their way to the big screen. This DreamWorks hit tells the story of epic adventures that take the Trolls beyond a world they have ever known, testing their strength and true colors (no pun intended 🙂 ). Oh, and you can expect that there’ll be nothing short of musical mash-ups along the way.
Moana
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Studio: Walt Disney Animation
Theatrical Release: November 2016
Disney fans, get ready to freak out in pure joy because you’re about to get a taste of Disney’s newest princess, Moana! Raising the bar yet again, this is another film displaying new animated heights. It also marks the first CG-animated flick for the talented artists that brought you Frozen, Big Hero 6 and The Princess and the Frog.
December
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Director: Gareth Edwards
Studio: Lucasfilm
Theatrical Release: December 2016
Remember when Princess Leia places the death star plans in R2D2 in Episode IV? How did she get those plans? Now we get some answers to that burning question in the first of the Star Wars Anthology Series, Rogue One! We are so pumped for this movie especially seeing that Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen is part of the cast. Woohoo!
Assassin’s Creed
Director: Justin Kurzel
Studio: Double Negative
Theatrical Release: December 2016
Gamers, get ready for madness in this high quality video game movie. Two thumbs up for games that become a reality 🙂
About Animation Mentor
Is it your dream to work on feature film movies like the ones seen above? Start now by getting mentored by the people who brought these films to life. Animation Mentor’s character animation program consists of six 12 week classes tailored to teach both beginners and advanced animators alike. Founded by three professional animators originally from Pixar Animation Studios, and Industrial Light & Magic, Animation Mentor was created to help anyone in the world achieve their dream to tell their own story through the world of animation.
Stop wishing and start doing! Now is the time to tell your story.
