The Big Award Season Contenders

Your guide to the wide list of 2021 animated movies that will be vying for the Oscars, the Annies and other year-end prizes! By Michael Mallory

Whatever else 2021 turns out to be or not to be, it has been a great year for feature animation! This year’s slate is almost an embarrassment of riches, with so many films that are destined not to make the Oscar nominations cut, because there can only be five, but still registering as genuinely worthy examples of animated filmmaking. And this is despite a year in which production, distribution and exhibition of movies has been the most logistically challenging of any era in modern history. Still, there can only be five, therefore…

Belle (a.k.a. Belle: The Dragon and the Freckled Princess)

Director: Mamoru Hosoda Released by: GKIDS Production Studio: Studio Chizu Voice Cast: Kaho Nakamura, Takeru Satoh, Kōji Yakusho Synopsis: A teenager divides her time between the real world and a virtual world called “U” in which she is a pop music icon. Release Date: July 15 (Cannes), July 16 (Japan), October 23 (L.A.) Director Talk: “My daughter is five years old. I thought a lot about her future while making this film … I

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imagined what it would be like when my daughter and her generation, who were born with the internet, are grown up.” — Mamoru Hosoda The Word: “Though constructed around teenage neurosis, which can get pretty grim at times, Belle is an immersive experience for anyone willing to give anime a try.” — Deborah Young, The Hollywood Reporter Nomination Chances: Possible, given Hosada’s name recognition among Academy voters and his previous work (Mirai, Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt through Time). The social media plotline may be a bit convoluted, but the animation is simply stunning. Also, GKIDS has an amazing track record when it comes to the Oscar and Annie races.

Encanto

Directors: Byron Howard, Jared Bush Released by: Walt Disney Pictures Production Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios Voice Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, Wilmer Valderrama, Angie Cepeda Synopsis: A young woman, the only one in her family who does not possess a super-power, must find her natural strength when the magic of her enchanted Colombian village is threatened. Release Date: November 24 Director Talk: “The dancing is so much a part of the Colombian culture that inspired this movie. We’ve leaned into choreography in this like never before. It’s amazing what the animators accomplished with Jamal Sims, our choreographer, and [dancer] Kai Martinez.” — Byron Howard Nomination Chances: Outwardly good, though it’s a very crowded year both for Disney releases and for cultural animated films, which means something has to get squeezed out. The holiday release timing, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs and the beautiful Colombian setting gives this colorful musical a huge advantage.

Flee

Director: Jonas Poher Rasmussen Released by: NEON (U.S.) Production Studios: Final Cut for Real, Sun Creature, Vivement Lundi!, Mostfilm, Mer Film, VICE Studios, Left Handed Films Voice Cast: Riz Ahmed, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (English version) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100% Synopsis: An Afghani refugee in Denmark discloses a 20-year-old secret upon the eve of his marriage to another man, which will either ruin or save his life. Release Date: January 28 (Sundance), December 3 (U.S.) Director Talk: “I didn’t intend to do a refugee story; I wanted to do a story about my friend. That’s where it came from: our friendship.” — Jonas Poher Rasmussen The Word: “Beautifully animated to protect the identity of the main subject, Rasmussen’s film examines the lengths we will go to in order to survive and protect those we love.” — Josh Flanders, Chicago Reader Nomination Chances: In an ideal world, this groundbreaking, multinational animated documentary would be a shoo-in … but visibility (and competition) might complicate its chances. The timely message about the political and social turmoil in Afghanistan and the plight of LGBTQ+ people and refugees makes this film the perfect contender for 2021. In addition to the animation race, it also has a very strong chance of showing up in the Best Documentary Feature category.

Luca

Director: Enrico Casarosa Released by: Walt Disney Pictures Production Studio: Pixar Animation Studios Voice Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Maya Rudolph Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91% Synopsis: Two adventurous young sea monsters dare to taste the world above ground, while struggling to hide their true selves. Release Date: June 18 (Disney+) Director Talk: “We were always very aware of, ‘How much of a roller coaster ride do we want to do?’ I have always been interested in lyricism and a little bit slower pace, so it was also trying to do something a little different with an introvert at the heart.” — Enrico Casarosa The Word: “It’s full of energy and the diligence of those researchers has paid off in its settings which are seductive — and even more important — believable.” — Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald Nomination Chances: Excellent; it’s totally awash with essential Pixarness, meaning this is one of the ones to beat this year. The beautiful Italian backdrops, which were inspired by Casarosa’s own childhood village, and the message of diversity, acceptance and belonging are truly resonant.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Director: Mike Rianda; co-director Jeff Rowe Released by: Netflix Production Studio: Sony Pictures Animation Voice Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Olivia Colman Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98% Synopsis: A dysfunctional family road trip ends up a struggle to save the world from a robot insurgence. Release Date: April 23 (limited); April 30 (Netflix) Director Talk: “I think in a way you can tell deeper and more visceral stories about humans through animation by allowing the audience to feel what it’s like to be in those experiences and not just see them.” — Mike Rianda The Word: “This is the perfect movie for the whole family, which is an all-too-rare thing to find.” — Robert Levin, Newsday Nomination Chances: Excellent; audience popularity plus critical raves, plus some unobtrusive envelope pushing in terms of what’s acceptable for a family film, add up to a solid candidate. Sony Pictures Animation is riding high after the huge success of Spider-Verse and continues to take chances in terms of mixing 2D and CG animation and featuring an LGBTQ+ young heroine without making a big fuss about it. Let’s not forget that the movie was really, really funny.

Raya and the Last Dragon

Directors: Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada Released by: Walt Disney Pictures Production Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios Voice Cast: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Synopsis: A return attack by deadly creatures called Druun forces a young human warrior to locate the last protective dragon and learn to trust it, in order to save her world again. Release Date: March 5 Director Talk: “Food became a symbol of trust and a symbol of togetherness, and it’s very important in Southeast Asia … so we wanted to tell our story through food as well as the character’s journey.” — Carlos López Estrada The Word: “There is an incandescence and a buoyancy to the animation that elevates the formula.” — Simran Hans, Observer Nomination Chances: Beautiful CG animation, a great Southeast Asian heroine and cultural authenticity give the feature a big boost in the race — even though Disney is competing with itself in this category.

Sing 2

Director: Garth Jennings Released by: Universal Pictures Production Studio: Illumination Entertainment Voice Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Bono Synopsis: Buster Moon and his zoo-vocalists from Sing (2016) return to try and bluff their way into a competition reality TV show by promising the appearance of a legendary, but now reclusive, rock star. Release Date: December 22 Nomination Chances: While it will undoubtedly find its audience, this sequel has a tough race ahead, since the first Sing outing didn’t score a nomination either. However, Garth Jennings has a way with musical numbers (having directed many award-winning music videos in the past), and audiences loved the original Sing, giving it an “A” Cinemascore and $634.1 million at the box office worldwide.

The Summit of the Gods

Director: Patrick Imbert Released by: Netflix Production Studios: Folivari, Mélusine Productions Voice Cast: Lazare Herson-Macarel, Eric Herson-Macarel Synopsis: Adapted from Jiro Tanaguchi’s manga, a Japanese reporter and a mysterious mountaineer use the recovered camera of legendary Mt. Everest climber George Mallory to trace his steps. Release Date: November 24 (limited U.S. & U.K.), November 30 (worldwide on Netflix) Director Talk: “It’s the universal dimension of why we do something obsessively that interested me. I’m a cartoonist. I just draw, because that’s the way it is. In fact, I can’t live without drawing. And so I drew this parallel with mountaineering.” — Patrick Imbert The Word: “The quality of the animation is exceptionally high, but the appeal of the picture might be somewhat niche – the sober tone and measured pacing might not connect with younger audiences; the subject matter, the doggedly obsessive world of climbing, is also quite remote.” — Wendy Ibert, Screen Daily Nomination Chances: The dramatic scale, nail-biting tension, beautiful visuals and the pedigree of the director and producer of the feature should make its ascent to the top an easy goal to achieve.

Vivo

Director: Kirk DeMicco Released by: Netflix Production Studio: Sony Pictures Animation Voice Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos González, Gloria Estefan, Brian Tyree Henry, NIcole Byer Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87% Synopsis: A musician and his pet kinkajou make beautiful music together, even after the musician’s death — a tragedy that forces the honey bear to carry a message from his friend to the man’s long-lost love. Release Date: July 30 (limited); August 6 (Netflix) Director Talk: “We wanted Vivo to have all of those strong, beautiful qualities; but, at the same time, it’s a comedy. We wanted to put him up a tree and throw rocks at him.” — Kirk DeMicco The Word: “A warm, colorful, family-friendly tribute to all things Cuban.” — Nicholas Barber, BBC.com Nomination Chances: Decent; as with last year’s Soul and 2017’s Coco, Vivo’s musical element might allow it to break through the large crowd of worthies. It’s one of two Lin-Manuel Miranda animated movies in the race this year — not to mention the prolific musician’s live-action contender In the Heights! It has strong competition from Sony’s other contender, The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

OTHER STUDIO CONTENDERS

The Boss Baby: Family Business

Director: Tom McGrath Released by: Universal Pictures Production Studio: DreamWorks Animation Voice Cast: Alec Baldwin, James Marsden, Amy Sedaris Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48% Synopsis: Original Boss Baby Ted and his older brother Tim have grown up and apart, and only the appearance of a new Boss Baby can reunite the family and launch a new business. Release Date: July 2 Director Talk: “Characters that get along aren’t very interesting characters. [The Boss Baby: Family Business] went to the truth of what it can be like with our brothers and sisters in a family. It’s fun to take that truth and caricature it.” — Tom McGrath The Word: “The complicated, fast-and-furious narrative of Boss Baby: Family Business requires the rapt attention of child and adult viewer alike to even vaguely understand what the heck is going on.” — Steve Davis, Austin Chronicle Nomination Chances: 2017’s The Boss Baby surprised some by nabbing a nom, so don’t dismiss this sequel, even with Alec Baldwin having outgrown his diapers. Beautiful art direction, a great turn by Amy Sedaris as the new Boss Baby and a genuinely touching musical sequence featuring Cat Stevens’ famous “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” are reasons audiences joined the family in theaters and on Peacock this summer.

Ron’s Gone Wrong

Directors: J.P. Vine, Sarah Smith; co-director Octavio E. Rodriguez Released by: 20th Century Studios Production Studios: 20th Century Animation, Locksmith Animation Voice Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Olivia Colman Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80% Synopsis: An awkward boy in the near future forges a friendship with his equally maladroit B-Bot. Release Date: October 22 (U.S.) Director Talk: “It couldn’t be timelier to be telling the story of the joys of ‘analog,’ real world friendship in a world dominated by online relationships.” — Sarah Smith The Word: “What the animated feature lacks in daring imagination, it makes up for with endearing good humor, thoughtful cultural critique and one heck of a cute robot.” — Angie Han, Hollywood Reporter Nomination Chances: So-so; while this story of a boy and his bot has all the standard requisite ingredients, breaking through the competition will still be an uphill battle for this first major animated feature from U.K.’s Locksmith Animation.

Spirit Untamed

Director: Elaine Bogan; co-director Ennio Torresan Released by: Universal Pictures Production Studios: DreamWorks Animation, Dentsu Voice Cast: Isabela Merced, Marsai Martin, Mckenna Grace, Julianne Moore, Jake Gyllenhaal Rotten Tomatoes Score: 49% Synopsis: A young girl’s life is changed upon encountering a wild mustang named Spirit, whom she endeavors to protect from capture by a horse wrangler. Release Date: June 4 Director Talk: “Our goal was to have every single person in that audience be able to really deeply relate and connect to at least one character in this film.” — Elaine Bogan The Word: “It’ll pass the time easily enough for young viewers, but everyone else will wish they were spirited away on a more sophisticated adventure.” — Ben Travis, Empire Magazine Nomination Chances: In such a crowded, competitive year, a dark horse recognition is the only way in. A special kudos to the studio for having women at the helm of this entertaining family movie featuring strong, memorable female leads.

Wish Dragon

Director: Chris Appelhans Released by: Sony Pictures Releasing (China), Netflix Production Studios: Sony Pictures Animation, Beijing Sparkle Roll, Tencent Pictures, Base FX, Flagship Ent. Group, Boss Collaboration, Cultural Investment Holdings Voice Cast: Jimmy Wong, John Cho, Constance Wu Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65% Synopsis: A wish-fulfilling dragon accompanies a college student through Shanghai as he searches for a childhood friend, but finds life lessons along the way. Release Date: January 15 (China), June 11 (international) Director Talk: “I felt like if I worked with a Chinese studio and a Chinese crew and Chinese talent all around that we would essentially kind of meet in some common ground, which is a new thing that we get to make these films and make art across cultural boundaries now.” -Chris Appelhans The Word: “Wish Dragon is a transporting experience, but it’s far from a whole new world.” — Natalia Winkleman, New York Times Nomination Chances: This take on Aladdin’s shot at landing an Oscar nom may be wishful thinking.

YOU NEVER KNOW!

The Addams Family 2

Directors: Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon Released by: United Artists (U.S.) Production Studios: MGM, BRON Creative, Cinesite Voice Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chlöe Grace Moretz Rotten Tomatoes Score: 23% Synopsis: The creepy Addams clan goes on a road trip to bring the family closer together, while a family-shattering secret involving teen Wednesday is uncovered. Release Date: October 1 Director Talk: “Audiences really like watching the Addamses getting into different scenarios and conversations with what we call ‘normies’ — normal people — so we thought it would be fun to put them out on the road and have them get into situations with people from all over the country.” — Conrad Vernon The Word: “The Addams Family 2 allowed me a couple of nostalgic chuckles, while the kids were entertained by the antics.” -Aparita Bhandari, Globe and Mail Nomination Chances: Franchise appeal aside, this sequel would face an uphill battle in any Oscar race, let alone a fiercelycompetitive one … but ookier things have happened.

Cryptozoo

Director: Dash Shaw Released by: Magnolia Pictures Production Studios: Fit Via Fi, Electro Chinoland, Washington Square Films, Low Spark Films, Cinereach Voice Cast: Lake Bell, Michael Cera, Emily Davis, Grace Zabriskie Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69% Synopsis: 1960s cryptozookeepers are torn as to whether they should display the fantastical creatures they have caught or keep them under wraps. Release Date: August 20 Director Talk: “Winsor McCay’s 1914 animated short Gertie the Dinosaur takes the obvious ‘we cannot photograph actual dinosaurs’ and recreates dinosaurs through the power of drawing. I eventually saw his unfinished centaur film soon after, and that’s how Cryptozoo was born.” — Dash Shaw The Word: “Its ugliness I find to be deliberate, and there are beautiful moments ... [Cryptozoo] is a tiny bit of a mess, but I admired a lot of it.” — Amy Nicholson, Film Week Nomination Chances: Wide open; if ever personal taste came to bear in judging an animated film, it will be for this wildly imaginative, eccentric festival favorite.

Felix and the Hidden Treasure (a.k.a.

Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa)

Director: Nicola Lemay Released by: Maison 4:3 (Canada), Viva Pictures (U.S.), Attraction Distribution (worldwide) Production Studios: 10e Ave Productions Voice Cast: Karine Vanasse; Gabriel Lessard, Guy Nadon (French); Daniel Brochu, Vlasta Vrana (English) Synopsis: Left behind by an R&R-seeking mom, 12-yearold Felix uses the time to search for his missing treasurehunting father, landing on an island ruled by the nefarious Morgäa. Release Date: June 25 (U.S.) Director Talk: “I did initially conceive the project as a graphic novel since financing a feature is such a herculean task … A Montreal publisher showed interest in my three-page book sample. But the call for an animated feature film was just too strong.” — Nicola Lemay The Word: “Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa also visualizes the adventure quite handsomely ... The CGI also holds up to some Hollywood productions — something local audiences will treasure while seeing a landscape that’s unmistakably Quebecois.” -Pat Mullen, That Shelf Nomination Chances: A lack of wide visibility in the U.S. for this French-Canadian film will certainly not help its chances.

Back to the Outback

Directors: Clare Knight, Harry Cripps Released by: Netflix Production Studios: Netflix Animation, ReelFX, Weed Road Pictures Voice Cast: Isla Fisher, Tim Minchin, Guy Pearce, Eric Bana Synopsis: Tired of being on display, a group of reptiles and arachnids in an Australian zoo escape to make their way to the Outback accompanied by an obnoxious koala, and chased by a determined zookeeper. Release Date: December 2021 Nomination Chances: The jury is out right now.

Lamya’s Poem

Director: Alex Kronemer Released by: WestEnd Films Production Studios: Unity Productions, PiP Animation Services Voice Cast: Millie Davis, Mena Massoud Synopsis: A young refugee from the Syrian civil war escapes reality through reading the work of 13th century poet Rumi. Release Date: June 14 (Annecy) Director Talk: “Rumi’s poetry is often associated with themes of love, which seem very remote from the experiences of these refugees. But upon deeper examination, we learned that it wasn’t as strange as it might appear at first glance.” — Alex Kronemer The Word: “Lamya’s Poem is best suited for streaming distribution since the documentarian Kronemer only shows a trying ability to accomplish theatrical flair. Still, a parent viewing the film with children can surrender to its spell and ambition, and forgive its lags.” — Caroline Cao, Vague Visages Nomination Chances: While there has been some critical carping about this Canadian film’s animation production, the seriousness of its theme and message for younger audiences could attract voter attention. However, no U.S. release date was announced at presstime.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Director: Dean Fleischer-Camp Production Studios: Chiodo Brothers Productions, Cinereach Voice Cast: Jenny Slate, Isabella Rosellini Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100% Synopsis: Based on the popular series of shorts, this mockumentary chronicles the adventures and travails of a tiny mollusk who is the victim of a broken home. Release Date: September 3 (Telluride Film Festival) Director Talk: “This is a movie I want as many people as possible to see. A mainstream distributor might look at it and think it’s too niche or just for kids. But I feel like the character has resonated with people at every possible age.” — Dean Fleischer-Camp The Word: “Marcel the Shell seamlessly marries big ideas with charm and humor (and inventive stop-motion work to boot).” — Kate Erbland, IndieWire Nomination Chances: One of the things that would keep tiny Marcel out of the top tier is lack of visibility and a release date.

Ainbo

Directors: José Zelada, Richard Claus Released by: Cinema Management Group Production Studios: Tunche Films, Katuni Animation Voice Cast: Lola Raie, Naomi Serrano, Dino Andrade Synopsis: A young Amazonian and her spirit guides try to save the rainforest. Release Date: August 27 (U.K.) The Word: “So much here feels blandly generic, with frantic antics and quirky sidekick characters that kids have seen in a dozen movies before. Just as disappointingly, its plucky heroine Ainbo looks a bit plasticky.” — Cath Clarke, The Guardian Nomination Chances: A very long shot with no U.S. release scheduled, but don’t discount the power of message.

Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Directors: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Katsuichi Nakayama, Mahiro Maeda Released by: Amazon Prime Video Production Studios: Studio Khara Voice Cast: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Yūko Miyamura (Japanese); Spike Spencer, Amanda Winn-Lee, Tiffany Grant (English) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100% Synopsis: Conclusion of the ongoing (25 year) post-apocalyptic series about the battle between the Nerv forces and the antagonistic Angels. Release Date: August 23 (U.S.) The Word: “Thrice Upon a Time can at times be narratively baffling, with events playing out as much within [protagonist] Shinji’s subconscious as reality, and as with the other films in the Rebuild of Evangelion series, for every visual upgrade afforded by newer animation technology there’s at least one instance of garish CGI that looks far inferior to the old TV cel work.” — Jake Cole, Slant Nomination Chances: If you don’t know what’s going on here, you won’t know what’s going on here; rating it Fanboy — 10, Academy voters — 3.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

Director: Kôtarô Tamura Production Studio: Bones Released by: Funimation Voice Cast: Kaya Kiyohara, Taishi Nakagawa Release Date: Dec. 2020 (Japan); July 2021 (U.S.) The Word: The film was nominated for a Cristal at Annecy and a Japan Academy Film Prize.

Poupelle of Chimney Town

Director: Yusuke Hiorta Production Studio: Studio 4°C Released by: Eleven Arts Voice Cast: Masakata Kubota, Mana Ashida; Tony Hale, Stephen Root, Misty Lee, Hasan Minhaj Release Date: Dec. 2020 (Japan), Dec. 2021 (U.S.) The Word: The film was nominated for a Japan Academy Film Prize.

Sailor Moon

Eternal (a.k.a. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie)

Director: Chiaki Kon Released by: Netflix (international) Production Studios: Toei Animation, Studio Deen Voice Cast: Stephanie Sheh, Kate Higgins, Cristina Vee (English) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100% Synopsis: A solar eclipse brings a dark power over the earth which must be combated by the Sailor Guardians. Release Date: June 3 The Word: “White there are definitely some questionable storylines … Sailor Moon Eternal is a strong entry into the anime collection of this universe. Any Sailor Moon fan is sure to love Sailor Moon Eternal.” — Therese Lascon, The Beat Nomination Chances: The Academy voting membership is far broader than the Sailor Moon fan club; unless that changes, don’t expect a nom.

Where Is Anne Frank?

Director: Ari Folman Production Studios: Bridgit Folman Film Gang, Walking The Dog, Samsa Film, Submarine Film, Le Pacte Voice Cast: Emily Carey, Ruby Stokes Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68% Synopsis: Anne Frank’s imaginary diary pen-pal Kitty becomes corporeal and embarks on a search for her friend in tomorrow’s Amsterdam, while simultaneously encountering the current global political challenges. Release Date: July 9 (Cannes Film Festival) The Word: “Another daring and provocative use of animation with the power to haunt those who see it.” — Steve Pond, TheWrap Nomination Chances: Given its low visibility in America and lack of U.S. release as yet, chances are not great in the Animated Feature category; it might have a better shot if put up for Best International Feature Film.

WHAT ABOUT THE HYBRIDS?

Since its inception in 2001, the Best Animated Feature category has not recognized animation/live-action mixes — and things are unlikely to change this year, despite their box-office dominance. Still, some 2021 hybrids could attract Oscar attention in other categories.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Director: Walt Becker Released by: Paramount Pictures Production Studio: Scholastic Entertainment, New Republic Pictures, The Kerner Entertainment Co. Live-Action Cast: Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall Voice Cast: David Alan Grier Synopsis: A young girl and her gigantic dog go on the lam in New York, fleeing from representatives of a genetics company wanting to know the secret of Clifford’s super size. Release Date: November 10 (U.S.)

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

Director: Will Gluck Released by: Sony Pictures Releasing Production Studios: Columbia Pictures, Animal Logic Live-Action Cast: Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleason, David Oyewolo Voice Cast: James Corden, Margot Robbie, Colin Moody Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66% Synopsis: When books about Peter portray him as a bad little bunny begin to appear, he runs away from the garden and stumbles into dangers and adventures in the big city. Release Date: June 11

Top-Grossing Animated Films of 2021

Global box office to the nearest million dollars:

Raya and the Last Dragon The Boss Baby: Family Business PAW Patrol: The Movie Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Boonie Bears: The Wild Life White Snake 2 (Green Snake) The Addams Family 2 Belle Nezha Reborn

[Box Office Mojo/Entgroup, 10/26/21] $130 million $128 million $127 million $ 96 million $ 92 million $ 78 million $ 89 million $ 75 million $ 58 million $ 56 million

Space Jam: A New Legacy

Director: Malcolm D. Lee Released by: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Studios: Warner Animation Group Live Action Cast: LeBron James, Don Cheadle Voice Cast: Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza, Zendaya Rotten Tomatoes Score: 26% Synopsis: NBA superstar LeBron James is sucked into the Warner Bros. computer server trying to rescue his son and forced to play-off against a team of monsters with the Looney Tunes. Release Date: July 16

Tom & Jerry

Director: Tim Story Released by: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Studios: Warner Animation Group Live Action Cast: Chlöe Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost Voice Cast: Bobby Cannavale, Nicky Jam Rotten Tomatoes Score: 31% ynopsis: Tom and Jerry take over a posh Manhattan hotel during a posh celebrity wedding, wrecking everything but their reputation. Release Date: February 26 (U.S.)

Some Titles without a U.S. Release Date (at press time)

Archipel (Archipelago) (Dir. Félix Dufour-Laperrière) Blood of the Family Tree (Dir. Christine Panushka) Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People (Dir. Cesar Cabral) La Traversée (The Crossing) (Dir. Florence Mialhe) The Deer King (Dir. Masashi Ando) Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (Dir. Ayumu Watanabe) Josep (Dir. Aurel) Pompo the Cinephile (Dir. Takayuki Hirao) Nahuel and the Magic Book (Dir. Germán Acuña) Mount Fuji Seen from a Moving Train (Dir. Pierre Hébert)