Still in November, on the 17th, we get Happy Feet, a musical romp with penguins. More realistic-looking than some animated creatures this year, these penguins still talk. And sing. And dance. Boy, do they dance! This film is from Warner Brothers. [Trailer]
November will be a busy month!
December
The only thing on the schedule for December is Disney's Meet the Robinsons, which is based on a book called A Day with Wilbur Robinson, by William Joyce. Disney has long had a relationship with Joyce through another of his creations, Rolie Polie Olie. This movie involves time travel, robots, and a very bizarre family. No trailer is yet available, but some stills are online.
Animated feature films have come a long way in recent years. Studios produced an average of seven animated features from 1989 through 2000, but nine films competed for the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2001, and there will be enough movies in 2006 to trigger a little-known provision of the Academy Awards voting process.
In any year in which eight or more animated feature films gain a theatrical release in Los Angeles, Academy voters choose from a list of three nominated films. If there are fewer than eight, no award is given. But if there are 16 or more, as it appears there will be in 2006, voters choose from a list of five.
Many different studios are releasing animated movies this year, but it remains to be seen if the market can support so many, or how many of these studios will be back to try again next year if things don't work out well this time around.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
My wife despises the "new look" of Curious George, as well as the updating of the story evident in the trailer.
2 - El Bicho
Your wife is a smart woman. Curious George looks horrible with pupils. I hope they don't cut him huffing ether.
3 - Phillip Winn
I tried to explain that it could be worse, but our kids still love the books, so she won't budge.
4 - Sterfish
Reading this list, I'm reminded of Jerry Beck's comments about the large amount of films dealing with animals banding together for a big task. Despite that, I'm looking forward to a lot of these films.
Over The Hedge looks like a very fun film, based on the trailer. I'm very much looking forward to Cars not just because it's a Pixar film but also because John Lassiter is directing it. Happy Feet looks like fun as well and it has George Miller of Babe/Mad Max behind it. I'm also very intrigued by Meet The Robinsons (which is actually Disney-made unlike The Wild).
Overall, though, if even half of these films end up being good, it will end up being a great year for animation. One thing I'm curious about, though, is what anime films will make their way to the U.S. this year. Last year had two big films by two powerhouses of Japanese animation. I really don't know what there is to look forward to in terms of Japanese animated films this year.
5 - dannykino
A scanner Darkly is an awesome book, I hope the film lives up to P.K Dicks books (if u dont know his works- Bladerunner, Minority Report, Total Recall!!!). Looks pretty good anyway. I guess they maybe able to use CG to get rid of some of Keanus woodenness. Can't wait!!!
6 - Phillip Winn
Over the Hedge is such a darkly-written strip that I assume they're softening it *a little* for the big screen.
I did a decent bit of research for this article, and it seems that no Japanese animation is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters in 2006. There's a large pile of stuff coming out on DVD, of course, but it looks like we'll be waiting until 2007 or later to see anything on the big screen.
A Scanner Darkly is a fascinating book, but I'm guess that Keanu still acts like a robot even when illustrated. :-)
7 - Megan LeeWoonChing
Hello. This is my first time here. I think that it is really great of you all to come up with all these animation movies and I hope that you will keep up the good work. May Father in heaven lead you and guide you in all that you do to give you success. REMEMBER: DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH WASTE (URINE, FAECES, GARBAGE, POISON, & ETC.).
I have done it so far. SO CAN YOU!
8 - Anonymous
I heard there is going to be a Simpsons movie as well.
9 - Phillip Winn
July 27, 2007 for the Simpsons, so it doesn't make this list.
10 - thomas
why did i not see any elfquest being at least made.
dreamworks should cut out the bad stuff and at least try to make a movie base on the comics of elfquest.