“Aren’t you getting too old to be watching cartoons?”

It’s a question that seems to be on the rise lately. Animation has long been a genre tossed aside in the corner as most deem it a medium that only caters to children. Many online content creators mention how prestigious award shows like the Oscars usually toss their Best Animated Film award to mainstream companies like Disney and Dreamworks, often snubbing works by lesser-known animation studios. 

But the fight for animation lives on, as notable figures in the industry continue to push for more animated films to be put on screens for all to enjoy. Guillermo del Toro puts it best during his BAFTA acceptance speech for his work on Pinocchio, “Animation is not a genre for kids. It’s a medium for art, it’s a medium for film and I think animation should stay in the conversation.” It’s exciting then to hear that this coming year will have plenty of animated features for audiences to enjoy, we’ve narrowed down a few worth checking out.

Orion and the Dark

From the screenplay of the brilliant Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich) comes the lighthearted story of Orion and the Dark. Taking inspiration from the children’s storybook of the same name by Emma Yarlett, Orion and the Dark follows the story of Orion and his fear of heights, pets, and most especially the dark. Hoping to deal with his fears, he tags along with the embodiment of his fears, Dark, to find there is nothing to be afraid of. It promises a tale of facing one’s challenges head-on and getting over your fears.

The Garfield Movie

Chris Pratt caused quite a stir after his work on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but as divisive as his voice work can be, many are still looking forward to his take on the beloved comic book cat, Garfield! This isn’t the first time the lasagna-loving feline made waves on the big screen after Bill Murray lent his voice twice for Garfield: The Movie and Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties. Here’s hoping the lazy cat’s return will bring just as much fun for the whole family to enjoy. 

Coyote vs. Acme

Who doesn’t love the Looney Tunes? From their colorful cast, Wile E. Coyote and the speedy Roadrunner tend to stand out for the hilarity of their chases. How many of you remember that iconic paint commercial of Wile E. Coyote attempting to dupe Roadrunner by painting a fake highway? In the Looney Tunes’ latest mix of live-action and animation, a style taken from their Space Jam franchise, Wile E. Coyote has had it and decides to take Acme, the company often supplying him items to catch Roadrunner, to a legal battle. Perhaps the most surprising part of this film is that it was nearly shelved by Warner Bros. as a tax write-off. Thankfully, an uproar from fans online led them to rethink their decisions, and have opted to find interested parties to screen the film this year. 

Kung Fu Panda 4

Jack Black is back as the loveable dragon warrior Po as he takes on the next step of becoming the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. But to do so, he has to find a worthy successor. And to make things harder for the bouncy hero, the wicked sorceress Chameleon has plans to re-summon all the master villains Po to use their powers for havoc. Will Po manage to find the new dragon warrior and face Chameleon’s wrath at the same time?

Robot Dreams

In recent years, CGI and 3-D animated films have become the norm, leading most major studios to ditch 2-D animation as a whole. Fortunately, there are still plenty of animators out there who continue to believe in the medium. Robot Dreams by Spanish film director Pablo Berger centers on Dog, a lonely dog living in Manhattan. Seeking a companion, Dog decides to create a robot to be his friend. All seems well until Dog is forced to leave his nuts and bolts buddy behind one day, leaving one to wonder if they’ll ever cross paths again. Much of the beauty of this film is the quality of its drawings, bringing life to the pages of Sara Varon’s graphic novel the piece is based on. 

Fixed

Even rarer than 2-D animated films are animated films geared toward adults only. Genndy Tartakovsky of Hotel Transylvania and Dexter’s Laboratory fame hopes to challenge that notion. In Fixed, an all-around good dog named Bull finds out he’s due to be neutered soon. Hoping to make the most of his life before he loses his precious bits, Bull decides to spend the next 24 hours with his best friends to make the most of it.