Warner Bros. Pictures Animation took center stage at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival with a comprehensive presentation of its upcoming theatrical feature slate, signaling a renewed commitment to original animated storytelling and a departure from recent years of project cancellations and uncertainty. The studio, under the leadership of President and Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke, used the high-profile event to showcase its vision for a diverse lineup spanning 2026 through 2028, while also debuting a new studio logo inspired by its long heritage and premiering a fresh Looney Tunes theatrical short, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter.
The presentation comes after a turbulent period for Warner Bros. animation, during which several completed or advanced projects were shelved amid shifting corporate priorities. Notable examples include the fully animated Looney Tunes feature The Day the Earth Blew Up, which ultimately found distribution through independent company Ketchup Entertainment and achieved modest but respectable box office results worldwide, and the live-action/animated hybrid Coyote vs. Acme, which was acquired by the same distributor for a reported $50 million and is scheduled for release later this summer. These outcomes highlighted both the challenges and the external interest in Warner Bros.-developed animated properties.
Damaschke emphasized a return to creative freedom and artist-driven filmmaking, drawing parallels to the studio’s historic Looney Tunes golden age. The approach focuses on original theatrical films that prioritize heart, hope, and humor over a uniform house style, allowing for a wide range of genres, visual aesthetics, and storytelling tones. The studio has significantly expanded its resources in recent years, growing its core team and building a broad global network of animation talent across multiple countries and partner studios.
The core theatrical slate includes seven feature films. Leading the way is the long-awaited adaptation of The Cat in the Hat, set for a November 2026 release. This marks Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s first major theatrical feature under the current leadership. The film follows the iconic character’s signature blend of mischief, magic, and mayhem as he guides audiences through an imaginative world. It is written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, with Bill Hader providing the voice of the Cat.
Also highlighted were two projects developed in partnership with the U.K.-based Locksmith Animation. Bad Fairies is described as a mischievous, big-hearted comedy musical that reimagines traditional fairy tales with a fresh twist. It is directed by Megan Nicole Dong, with Olivier Staphylas serving as co-director. The Lunar Chronicles, based on the popular book series by Marissa Meyer, offers a reinvention of the fairy tale genre featuring a distinctive new heroine, an original visual style, and memorable robotic characters. It is directed by Noëlle Raffaele.
The 2027 holiday season will bring Margie Claus, a festive animated comedy from the creative minds of Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, and Damon Jones. The story centers on Santa’s wife stepping into action when her husband goes missing, assembling an unlikely rescue team to save Christmas. Additional projects slated for 2028 include the musical adventure Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, adapted from the beloved Dr. Seuss book and featuring voice performances by Ariana Grande and Josh Gad, as well as a Hello Kitty feature produced in collaboration with Sanrio and New Line Cinema.
Rounding out the announced slate is Dynamic Duo, an adventure-fantasy set within the Batman universe. Told from a teenager’s perspective, the film follows the early journeys of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as aspiring Robins. The project is a partnership between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, DC Studios, and 6th & Idaho, and it incorporates innovative puppetry techniques from the New Orleans-based Swaybox Studios.
Beyond the immediate release slate, the studio confirmed several projects in active development. These include fresh reimaginings of classic properties such as Tom & Jerry, Thundercats, and Meerkats. An original musical titled Prehistoria is also underway, marking the feature directorial debut of Hazbin Hotel creator Vivienne Medrano.
The Annecy showcase included sizzle reels, behind-the-scenes material, and conceptual artwork that illustrated the breadth of styles and tones across the lineup. By presenting this robust collection of both established intellectual properties and original stories, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation aims to reestablish itself as a major player in theatrical animation. The real measure of success, however, will come as these films reach audiences in theaters over the next several years, demonstrating whether the studio can deliver on its promise of bold, distinctive animated features.
The festival presentation generated considerable buzz among animators, producers, and fans gathered in Annecy, many of whom welcomed the clear signal of renewed investment in original theatrical animation from one of Hollywood’s historic studios. As the projects move through production, further details on voice casts, additional creative team members, and marketing campaigns are expected in the months ahead.
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