List of Universal Pictures theatrical animated feature films

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This is a list of theatrical animated feature films released by Universal Pictures, the film division of Comcast's NBCUniversal.

Contents

Universal Pictures releases films from Universal-owned and non-Universal owned animation studios. Most films listed below are from Illumination which began as the feature animation department of Universal, producing its first feature-length animated film Despicable Me in 2010. Beginning with How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World in 2019, Universal also itself released animated films by DreamWorks Animation, which were originally released under their then DreamWorks Pictures film production label, but the company was later acquired by NBCUniversal in 2016. [1] [2] [3] Other studio units have also released films theatrically, including Universal Animation Studios, which now focuses mainly on animating television shows and direct-to-video films, Amblimation, which was DreamWorks Animation's predecessor, and Big Idea Entertainment, which is a division of that company.

The studio's distribution unit acquires film rights from outside animation studios to release films under the Universal Pictures or Focus Features film labels. For example, Laika's stop-motion animated features were released by Universal through its Focus Features label. Other studios globally have released films through Universal Pictures which maintains distribution rights in certain territories.

Films

Color legend
Amblimation (1991–95) 
Universal Animation Studios (2006–present) 
Big Idea Entertainment (2008–present) 
Illumination (2010–present) 
DreamWorks Animation (2019–present) 
Other Universal studio 
Third-party studio 
Live-action/animation hybridS
Distribution onlyD
An adult animated productionA

US releases

TitleOriginal theatrical release date [rls 1] Animation studio
The Snow Queen [D] [S] November 20, 1959 [rls 2] [rls 3] Soyuzmultfilm  
Pinocchio in Outer Space [D] December 22, 1965 Belvision Studios
An American Tail November 21, 1986 Amblin Entertainment and Sullivan Bluth Studios  
The Land Before Time November 18, 1988
Jetsons: The Movie [D] July 6, 1990 Hanna-Barbera  
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West November 22, 1991 Amblimation  
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story November 24, 1993
Casper [S] May 26, 1995Amblin Entertainment and The Harvey Entertainment Company  
Balto December 22, 1995Amblimation 
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle [S] June 30, 2000 Jay Ward Productions and TriBeCa Productions  
How the Grinch Stole Christmas [S] November 17, 2000 Imagine Entertainment
The Cat in the Hat [S] November 21, 2003 DreamWorks Pictures and Imagine Entertainment
Curious George February 10, 2006 Universal Animation Studios and Imagine Entertainment 
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie [D] January 11, 2008 Big Idea Entertainment and Starz Animation  
The Tale of Despereaux December 19, 2008 Relativity Media and Framestore Animation  
Despicable Me July 9, 2010 Illumination  
Paul [A] [S] March 18, 2011Relativity Media, Working Title Films, Big Talk Studios, and StudioCanal  
Hop [S] April 1, 2011Illumination and Relativity Media 
The Lorax March 2, 2012Illumination
Ted [A] [S] June 29, 2012 Media Rights Capital, Fuzzy Door Productions, Bluegrass Films, and Smart Entertainment  
Despicable Me 2 July 3, 2013Illumination 
Ted 2 [A] [S] June 26, 2015Media Rights Capital, Fuzzy Door Productions, Bluegrass Films, and Smart Entertainment 
Minions July 10, 2015Illumination 
The Secret Life of Pets July 8, 2016
Sing December 21, 2016
Despicable Me 3 June 30, 2017
The Grinch November 9, 2018
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World February 22, 2019 DreamWorks Animation  
The Secret Life of Pets 2 June 7, 2019 [4] Illumination 
Abominable September 27, 2019 [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio  
Trolls World Tour April 10, 2020 [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] DreamWorks Animation
The Croods: A New Age November 25, 2020 [16] [17]
Spirit Untamed June 4, 2021 [18] [19]
The Boss Baby: Family Business July 2, 2021 [20]
Sing 2 December 22, 2021 [4] [17] [21] Illumination 
The Bad Guys April 22, 2022 [22] DreamWorks Animation and Scholastic Entertainment  
Minions: The Rise of Gru July 1, 2022 [4] [17] [21] Illumination 
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish December 21, 2022 [23] [24] [25] DreamWorks Animation 
The Super Mario Bros. Movie April 5, 2023 [26] [27] [25] Illumination and Nintendo  
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken June 30, 2023 [28] [29] DreamWorks Animation 
Strays [S] [A] August 18, 2023 [30] [31] Picturestart, Lord Miller Productions, and Rabbit Hole Productions 
Trolls Band Together November 17, 2023 [32] DreamWorks Animation 
Migration December 22, 2023 [33] Illumination 
Kung Fu Panda 4 March 8, 2024 [34] DreamWorks Animation 
Despicable Me 4 July 3, 2024 [33] Illumination 
The Wild Robot September 27, 2024 [35] [36] [37] DreamWorks Animation 
Dog Man January 31, 2025 [35] [38] DreamWorks Animation and Scholastic Entertainment

Upcoming

TitleIntended theatrical release date
by Universal Pictures 		Animation studio
How to Train Your Dragon [S] June 13, 2025 [39] DreamWorks Animation and Marc Platt Productions  
The Bad Guys 2 August 1, 2025 [35] [40] DreamWorks Animation and Scholastic Entertainment
Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie [S] September 26, 2025 [35] [41] DreamWorks Animation
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 April 3, 2026 [42] [43] Illumination and Nintendo 
Minions 3 July 1, 2026 [44] [45] Illumination
Shrek 5 December 23, 2026 [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] [45] DreamWorks Animation 
LarryBoy 2026 [51] [52] Big Idea Entertainment and Kingstone Studios 
Untitled Illumination filmJune 30, 2027 [45] Illumination 
Untitled live-action/animated Lego film [S] TBA [53] The Lego Group, Animal Logic, and Rideback  

International releases

TitleOriginal theatrical release date [rls 4] Animation studio
Small Soldiers [A] [S] July 10, 1998 [st 1] DreamWorks Pictures and Amblin Entertainment 
The Abrafaxe – Under The Black Flag [D] October 25, 2001(German) [st 1] Abrafaxe Trickfilm 
Momo [D] December 21, 2001(Italy) [st 1] Taurus Produktion
Coraline [D] February 6, 2009 Laika [st 2]
9 [A] September 9, 2009Starz Animation [st 2]
Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! July 10, 2009(Denmark) [rls 5] Universal Animation Studios and Imagine Entertainment 
Nikté [D] December 18, 2009(Mexico) [st 1] Animex Producciones  
ParaNorman [D] August 17, 2012Laika [st 2]
Underdogs [D] July 18, 2013(Argentina) [st 1] Prana Studios and 100 Bares Producciones
Moshi Monsters: The Movie [D] December 20, 2013 [st 1] Spider Eye Productions
Song of the Sea [D] September 6, 2014(Ireland) [st 1] StudioCanal and Cartoon Saloon
The Seventh Dwarf [D] September 25, 2014(Germany) [st 1] Zipfelmützen Film GmbH & Co. KG
The Boxtrolls [D] September 26, 2014Laika [st 2]
Yellowbird [D] October 11, 2014 [st 1] TeamTO
Ratchet & Clank [D] April 29, 2016 Rainmaker Entertainment and Blockade Entertainment [st 3]
Kubo and the Two Strings [D] August 19, 2016Laika [st 2]
Ethel & Ernest [D] October 28, 2016 [st 1] Cloth Cat Animation
The Breadwinner [D] September 8, 2017(Canada) [st 1] Elevation Pictures, StudioCanal, and Cartoon Saloon
Woody Woodpecker [S] October 5, 2017(Brazil) [rls 5] Universal Animation Studios and Cinemotion 
The Boss Baby March 21, 2018(Japan) [st 4] DreamWorks Animation 
The Addams Family [D] October 11, 2019 [st 1] Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Cinesite [st 5]  
The Addams Family 2 [D] October 1, 2021 [st 1] [54] [55]
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On [D] [S] February 17, 2023(United Kingdom) [56] A24, Cinereach, You Want I Should, Human Woman, Sunbeam Television & Films, and Chiodo Bros. Productions [st 2]
Mavka: The Forest Song [D] March 29, 2023(France) [st 1] [57] Animagrad Animation Studio and Film.UA
Piece by Piece [D] October 11, 2024 [58] The Lego Group, Tremolo Productions, and I Am Other [st 2]

Highest-grossing films

† indicates films playing in theaters around the world in the week commencing 21 March 2025.

This list does not include films combining live-action with animation.

RankFilmWorldwide grossStudioYearRef.
1 The Super Mario Bros. Movie $1,363,298,473 Illumination and Nintendo 2023 [59]
2 Minions $1,159,398,397 Illumination 2015 [60]
3 Despicable Me 3 $1,034,799,4092017 [61]
4 Despicable Me 2 $970,761,8852013 [62]
5 Despicable Me 4 $968,240,7102024 [63]
6 Minions: The Rise of Gru $939,628,2102022 [64]
7 The Secret Life of Pets $875,457,9372016 [65]
8 Sing $634,151,679 [66]
9 Kung Fu Panda 4  $546,362,086  DreamWorks Animation 2024  [67]
10 Despicable Me $543,113,985 Illumination 2010 [68]  

See also

Notes

Release Notes

  1. ↑ Listed are the original theatrical release dates in the United States (or other non-U.S. territories) when the film was contributed by Universal. Different distributors are attributed and credited for distributing each film throughout the history of Universal.
  2. ↑ Original Soviet release date was November 15, 1957
  3. ↑ Released by Universal Pictures in North America
  4. ↑ Listed are the original theatrical release dates in the United States (or other non-U.S. territories) when the film was contributed by Universal. Different distributors are attributed and credited for distributing each film throughout the history of Universal.
  5. 1 2 Not released theatrically in the United States, released as DTV film

Studio/Production Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Released by Universal outside North America
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Released by Focus Features.
  3. ↑ Released by Gramercy Pictures.
  4. ↑ Released by Universal in Japan
  5. ↑ Released theatrically by MGM in USA

Rights Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal". Los Angeles Times. 28 April 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
    2. ↑ "NBCUniversal Unveils New DreamWorks Annimation Senior Management". The Hollywood Reporter. 23 August 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
    3. ↑ McNary, Dave (August 22, 2016). "Comcast Completes $3.8 Billion Purchase of DreamWorks Animation". Variety. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
    4. 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (January 25, 2017). "'Sing 2' Set for Christmas Day 2020 Release". Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
    5. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (March 26, 2014). "DreamWorks Adopts FLIX for Story Development". Animation Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2014. Culton, who made her directorial debut with Sony's Open Season, is currently writing and directing a film about a young girl and a Yeti for DWA with the working title Everest.
    6. ↑ "Two in One Interview: NY Illustrators – Character Designers". ctnanimationexpo.com. CTN Animation Expo. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
    7. ↑ Gachman, Dina (March 21, 2013). "Bringing 'The Croods' to Life: A Spotlight Interview with Producers Kristine Belson and Jane Hartwell". Studio System News. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
    8. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 5, 2016). "'How To Train Your Dragon 3' Flies To 2019; Uni's DWA To Scale 'Everest'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
    9. ↑ McNary, Dave (18 May 2018). "DreamWorks-Pearl Studio Animated Movie 'Everest' Retitled 'Abominable' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
    10. ↑ "@Trolls". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
    11. ↑ Lee, Ashley (February 28, 2017). "Universal Sets 'Trolls' Sequel for 2020 Debut". The Hollywood Reporter.
    12. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 28, 2017). "Universal DreamWorks Animation Announces 'Trolls 2'; Sets for April 10, 2020". Variety.
    13. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 6, 2017). "'Fast & Furious 9' Drives To Easter Weekend 2020; 'Trolls 2' Moves To Spring 2020 – Update". Deadline.
    14. ↑ "Emmys: Trolls Light Up Animation Race With Holiday Special". Hollywood Reporter. June 12, 2018.
    15. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-03-04). "'Trolls World Tour' Fills Easter Void Left By 'No Time To Die'". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
    16. ↑ Fuster, Jeremy (September 19, 2017). "Universal Revives 'Croods 2,' Sets DreamWorks Animation Sequel for 2020". The Wrap.
    17. 1 2 3 D'Alessandro, Anthony (12 April 2019). "'Sing 2' To Croon Summer 2021; 'The Croods 2' Moves To Holiday Season 2020". Deadline.
    18. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (7 October 2019). "DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021". Deadline. Deadline. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
    19. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (10 November 2020). "Jennifer Lopez Romantic Comedy 'Marry Me' Heads To Summer". Deadline. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
    20. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (May 25, 2017). "'Boss Baby 2' With Alec Baldwin to Hit Theaters in Spring 2021". Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved May 26, 2017.
    21. 1 2 Tartaglione, Nancy (April 1, 2020). "'Minions: The Rise Of Gru', 'Sing 2' Set New 2021 Release Dates; 'Wicked' Still Brewing Slot". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 1, 2020.
    22. ↑ "DreamWorks Animation Stakes Release Dates For 2021 & Beyond". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
    23. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 26, 2019). "'Puss In Boots 2' In The Works: 'Spider-Verse' Oscar Winner Bob Persichetti Directing". Deadline. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
    24. ↑ "'Puss in Boots' Sequel With Antonio Banderas Set for Fall 2022". TheWrap. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
    25. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 25, 2022). "'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Heads To Christmas Time". Deadline. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
    26. ↑ Pallotta, Frank (November 14, 2017). "'Super Mario Bros.' animated movie in the works at Illumination Entertainment". CNNMoney. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
    27. ↑ Lang, Brent (6 November 2018). "Inside Illumination's Plans for Animated 'Super Mario Bros.' Movie". Variety. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
    28. ↑ "Massimo Proietti: "Disruptive ideas are needed"". E-DUESSE.IT. December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
    29. ↑ Grobar, Matt (March 16, 2023). "DreamWorks Movie Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Casts Lana Condor, Toni Collette". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 16 March 2023.
    30. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 15, 2022). "Strays: Universal Dates Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx & Will Forte Comedy For Summer 2023". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 14, 2022.
    31. ↑ Mendelson, Scott (2023-05-08). "Universal Moves 'Strays' to August as 'Please Don't Destroy' Comedy Pivots to Peacock". TheWrap . Retrieved 2023-05-08.
    32. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2021-11-22). "'Trolls 3' Lands Release Date, DreamWorks Animation Title Will Be Exclusive Theatrical". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
    33. 1 2 Moreau, Jordan (February 18, 2022). "Despicable Me 4 Set for Summer 2024 by Illumination, Universal". Variety . Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
    34. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 12, 2022). "DreamWorks Animation's 'Kung Fu Panda 4' Is Happening; Universal Sets 2024 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
    35. 1 2 3 4 "The Numbers - Theatrical Release Schedule Changes for the Week Ending November 12, 2023". The Numbers. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
    36. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2023-12-19). "DreamWorks Animation's 'The Wild Robot' To Bring Life To Early Fall 2024 Box Office". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
    37. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (23 April 2024). "DreamWorks Animation's 'The Wild Robot' Will Go One Week Later In The Fall". Deadline. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
    38. ↑ Grobar, Matt (29 January 2024). "'Dog Man' Movie Based On Books From 'Captain Underpants' Creator Set For 2025 Release From Universal And DWA". Deadline. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
    39. ↑ Betancourt, Emiliana (19 November 2024). "'How to Train Your Dragon' Live-Action Trailer: Hiccup and Toothless Come to Life After Hit Animated Trilogy". Variety. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
    40. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (26 March 2024). "DreamWorks Animation Sets 'The Bad Guys 2' For Late Summer 2025". Deadline. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
    41. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (25 April 2024). "'Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie' to Get the Big-Screen Treatment in 2025". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
    42. ↑ MAR10 Day 2024 , retrieved 2024-03-10
    43. ↑ Lang, Brent (March 10, 2024). "New 'Super Mario Bros.' World Animated Movie in the Works From Illumination, Nintendo". Variety . Retrieved March 10, 2024.
    44. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 11, 2024). "Universal Sets Illumination's 'Minions 3' For Independence Day 2027 Frame; Franchise Nearing $5B Global". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 11, 2024.
    45. 1 2 3 D'Alessandro, Anthony (2025-01-10). "Universal Delays 'Shrek 5', Moves Up 'Minions 3' & More". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
    46. ↑ Lang, Brett (November 6, 2018). "'Shrek,' 'Puss in Boots' Getting Rebooted (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
    47. ↑ Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
    48. ↑ Lang, Brent (April 4, 2023). "'Shrek 5' With Original Cast, Donkey Spinoff With Eddie Murphy, 'Sing 3' and More Teased by Illumination's Chris Meledandri (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
    49. ↑ McPherson, Chris (June 24, 2024). "Eddie Murphy Finally Delivers Huge Update on 'Shrek 5' and 'Donkey' Spin-Off Movie [Exclusive]". Collider . Retrieved June 24, 2024.
    50. ↑ Sharf, Zack; Shanfeld, Ethan (2024-07-09). "'Shrek 5' Set for July 2026 With Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz Returning". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
    51. ↑ "New VeggieTales 'LarryBoy' Feature Film Announced for 2026". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
    52. ↑ Marie, Leah; Klett, Ann (2024-02-06). "VeggieTales' cucumber star LarryBoy to get his own faith-based feature film in 2026". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
    53. ↑ "New LEGO Movie to Be Live-Action and Animation Hybrid From The Lost City Directors". Movies. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
    54. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-10-15). "'The Addams Family 2' Is In The Works After Great $35M+ 4-Day Weekend, MGM/UAR Set Fall 2021 Release". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
    55. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 8, 2020). "'The Addams Family 2': Bill Hader & Javon "Wanna" Walton Join Voice Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
    56. ↑ Hazelton, John (10 January 2023). "Why 'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On' team turned down the big studios". Screen International . Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
    57. ↑ Sarto, Debbie Diamond (13 July 2022). "Universal Pictures Content Group Snags 'Mavka. The Forest Song' French Distribution Rights". Animation World Network. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
    58. ↑ Earl, William (January 26, 2024). "Pharrell Williams Creating a Lego Animated Biopic With Focus Features" . Retrieved January 26, 2024.
    59. ↑ "The Super Mario Bros. Movie". Box Office Mojo.
    60. ↑ "Minions". Box Office Mojo.
    61. ↑ "Despicable Me 3". Box Office Mojo.
    62. ↑ "Despicable Me 2". Box Office Mojo.
    63. ↑ "Despicable Me 4". Box Office Mojo.
    64. ↑ "Minions: The Rise of Gru". Box Office Mojo.
    65. ↑ "The Secret Life of Pets". Box Office Mojo.
    66. ↑ "Sing". Box Office Mojo.
    67. ↑ "Kung Fu Panda 4". Box Office Mojo.
    68. ↑ "Despicable Me". Box Office Mojo.
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