The Animation Blog

‘Decorado’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Poster: GKIDS Acquires North American Rights for Alberto Vázquez’s Dark Comedy

March 24, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: May 15, 2026

Synopsis: Something is wrong in the city of Anywhere. Arnold, an unemployed middle-aged mouse, confides to his wife Maria that he suspects his entire world is nothing more than a set, and his life a scripted performance.

When his best friend Ramiro dies under mysterious circumstances, he traces the conspiracy to a monolithic corporation whose influence reaches every corner of their daily lives.

Directed by Alberto Vázquez (Birdboy: The Forgotten Children, Unicorn Wars).

Written by F. Xavier Manuel (Jasmine & Jambo) and Alberto Vázquez.

Live-Action ‘Moana’ Official Trailer and Poster Revealed: Dwayne Johnson Returns as Maui, Joins Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana

March 23, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: July 10, 2026

Synopsis: Moana answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.

Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton).

Original Songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina.

Original Score by Mark Mancina.

Auli’i Cravalho, voice of Moana in the animated movies, is one of the executive producers.

Short Film Spotlight: Olive Coffee

March 22, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: The story unfolds over a single day in the life of an elderly person venturing outside. Set 50 years in the future in a world shaped by new biotechnologies, Olive Coffee explores themes of life, death, love, and choice.

Written and directed by Dingding Luo.

Music and Sound Design by Peter Howard.

Voice cast:
Frank Gerard as Oliver
Mel Torrefranca as Wendy
JP Wright as Paul
Felony Chen as Jamie

Short Film Spotlight: Historia de un oso (Bear Story)

March 21, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: An old bear goes out every day to the same corner to put on a street show with a small theater that he has built himself and filled with tin puppets. Passers-by can see the story of a circus bear who was separated from his family and his journey to return home.

Bear Story is inspired by the life of Leopoldo Osorio, director Gabriel Osorio’s grandfather, a political exile during Chile’s military dictatorship.

In won Best Animated Short Film at the 88th Academy Awards, making it the first Latin American-produced animated short film to be nominated for and win an Oscar.

Directed by Gabriel Osorio.

Written by Daniel Castro and Gabriel Osorio.

Short Film Spotlight: A Story for 2 Trumpets

March 20, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: In an indoor garden, two statues of lovers crack under the pressure of underground water.
It becomes a river of tears.

Love falls apart. A baby learns to play the recorder with a goose and drinks water that makes him grow. The child devours his teacher to find the bone that gives birth to creation.

An initiatory tale about mastering multicolored whipped cream that transforms worlds.

French title: Histoire pour 2 trompettes

Directed by Amandine Meyer.

Animated by Amandine Meyer, Capucine Latrasse, Noémie Bizien and Ugo Deseigne.

Music by Chapelier Fou.

Sound by Matthieu Canaguier and Claire Cahu.

‘My Brother the Minotaur’: First-Look Images, Release Date, Synopsis and Cast Unveiled for New Apple TV Adventure Series

March 19, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

(We’ll update this post when the trailer debuts.)

Release date: April 24, 2026 on Apple TV

Synopsis: A mix of folklore, mystery and adventure about a young minotaur (half boy, half bull) found and raised in the human world.

With the help of his loyal human brother, he recruits a group of friends to uncover the mystery of his minotaur past and fulfill his destiny, all while battling dark forces determined to see him fail.

Created by Donal Mangan.

Directed by Maurice Joyce.

‘Gabby’s Dollhouse: Fairylandia Tour’ Comes to 12 U.S. Cities — Meet Gabby and Participate in Garden-Themed Craft Activities

March 18, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation and KidsGardening are launching Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia Tour, a three-month program intertwining the new Fairylandia setting featured in the Netflix series and the hands-on enrichment opportunities found at botanical gardens across the country.

The tour stops will offer character meet and greets with Gabby (costume character, not the actress) in her Fairylandia-themed attire and garden-themed craft activities.

Featured crafts include a Kitty Fairy crown and a terrarium, and each child will be gifted an activity booklet including temporary tattoos, watercolor sheet, and button to commemorate their visit.

Short Film Spotlight: Ombr

March 17, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: The old memories of an ancient family resurface through the walls of an old abandoned house.

Directed by:
Charles Menet
Mathis Binauld
Célia Rakotoarisoa
Lucie Jelmoni
Margaux Bonnet
Njike Ngassam Rick Vanel

Original Music by Thomas Peyrounette.

Sound Design by Charles Menet.

Sound Editing by Pierre-Antoine Naline.

Sound Mix by Christian Cartier.

98th Oscars: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Wins Best Song and Best Animated Feature, ‘The Girl Who Cried Pearls’ Wins Best Animated Short

March 16, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Best Animated Feature Film:
KPop Demon Hunters
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Produced by Michelle L.M. Wong.

Best Original Song:
“Golden” – Music and lyrics by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park.

Short Film Spotlight: L’Armure (The Armor)

March 15, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Note: Switch the audio track to French. The English track is auto-generated.

Synopsis: In a faraway land, a goblin finds himself cursed and trapped in the body of an empty suit of armor. After years of failing to regain his former body, the Armor decides to end it all… until he meets Eustace.

Directed by:
Mathieu De Macedo
Elodie Dubos
Lucas Eugene
Mila Jourdan
Adélaïde Langouet
Elisabeth Moreau
Claire Pendelio
Théo Rubin

Original score by Matthieu Monot.

Sound by Baptiste Leblanc, José Vicente and Yoann Poncet.

Voiced by Emmanuel Curtil and Gabriel Bismuth-Bienaime.

‘Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show’: Special TV Version of the Theatrical Production Comes to Disney+

March 14, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: March 16, 2026 on Disney+

Synopsis: Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show is a special televised version of the touring theatrical production, featuring live performances of Bluey characters brought to life by puppeteers, with an original story by creator Joe Brumm and new music by Joff Bush.

Disney also announced that a collection of 10 Bluey Minisodes, previously only available online and in Australia, will be available for the first time on Disney+ beginning May 20.

The collection includes: Humpty Dumpty, Green Bottles, Flying Saucer, Tea Party, Pea Pod Sausages, Old Macdonald, Honk, Lollipop Song, Cinderella, and Make Mum Laugh.

Stewie Gets His Own ‘Family Guy’ Spin-Off with Seth MacFarlane Starring and Executive Producing

March 13, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: 2027-2028 on FOX and Hulu in the U.S., and Disney+ internationally.

Synopsis: After getting kicked out of his old preschool, Stewie is enrolled in a new one where he must make new friends and deal with an outspoken class turtle.

All the kids are miserable until Stewie brings out his homemade devices to take them on daily adventures throughout space and time.

Stewie (working title) received a two-season order, likely 13 episodes per season, and is executive produced by Seth MacFarlane, Kirker Butler and Kara Vallow.

‘Rick and Morty’ Season 9 Trailer, Release Date and First-Look Images

March 12, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

(Sneak peek. We’ll update this post when the official trailer drops.)

U.S. release date: May 24, 2026 on Adult Swim. Streaming August 31, 2026 on HBO Max.

European release date: May 25, 2026 on HBO Max.

Synopsis: Rick and Morty is back, baby! Season 9 is all certified bangers. No AI slop! Just Grade A organic slop, made by real humans with real human traits like back hair and cysts. Please watch, or we’ll have neglected our families for nothing.

Executive Produced by Dan Harmon and Scott Marder, who also serves as showrunner.

Voice cast:
Ian Cardoni as Rick Sanchez
Harry Belden as Morty
Sarah Chalke as Beth
Chris Parnell as Jerry
Spencer Grammer as Summer

‘Rooster Fighter’ Anime Trailer and Release Date: Action Comedy Manga Gets Adaptation on Adult Swim, Hulu and Disney+

March 11, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: March 14, 2026 on Adult Swim. Next day on Hulu (U.S.) and Disney+ (International).

Synopsis: Keiji is more than just an ordinary rooster — he’s humanity’s greatest defender! When strange creatures suddenly appear and start attacking, he confronts them head-on. His opponents may be ten stories tall, but nothing is bigger than his stout heart and his fearsome battle cry — “Kokekokko!”

Adult Swim will air the 12-episode series in English every Saturday evening at midnight.

Directed by Daisuke Suzuki.

Written by Hiroshi Seko.

Music composed by Tetsuya Takahashi.

Based on the manga by Shu Sakuratani.

‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Final Trailer: Donald Glover, Luis Guzmán and Issa Rae Will Voice Yoshi, Wart and Honey Queen

March 10, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. theatrical release date: April 1, 2026

Japanese release date: April 24, 2026

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

Written by Matthew Fogel.

Produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.

Original score by Brian Tyler.

Voice cast:
Chris Pratt as Mario
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
Charlie Day as Luigi
Jack Black as Bowser
Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
Brie Larson as Rosalina
Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.
Donald Glover as Yoshi
Luis Guzmán as Wart
Issa Rae as Honey Queen