2012 has passed and Awards season is upon us, so we'll soon know what the critical successes of 2012 were (in terms of box-office successes, I'll refer you to someone much more knowledgeable about that than I - though what I can easily judge, is that 2012 was not a good year for stop-motion). So, now we look to the future - or, more accurately, the present - and our inner film-savant surfaces as we offer our predictions on what will be big in 2013.
Financially speaking, 2013 is sure to be the year of Pixar once again as their Monsters, Inc. prequel Monsters University is sure to be huge. It certainly looks hilarious enough, but there's a bit of scepticism surrounding just how well that film will hold up to the 2001 original - I have high hopes! And indeed Pixar's latest (which is released on 21st June in the US and 12th July in the UK) is my most anticipated 2013 animated release, but there's a lot to look forward to this year.
Disney's Frozen which releases towards the end of 2013 (27th November in the US; 20th December in the UK) looks beautiful and is now receiving additional direction by Wreck-It Ralph co-writer Jennifer Lee, who joins Tarzan director Chris Buck at the helm. In fact, Wreck-It Ralph is going to be a 2013 release here in the UK too (hence why we've delayed our 3rd Annual A113Animation Awards), on 8th February.
This year will see a lot of sequels too: Despicable Me 2 (28th June, UK/3rd July, US), The Smurfs 2 - ugh - (31st July, 2013), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (27th September, US/ 25th October, UK) and Disney's Cars spin-off Planes now being released theatrically (to compete with DreamWorks' Turbo: released 19th July, US and 18th October, UK) on 9th August in the US and 16th in the UK. I have varying levels of interest in those films... There's still plenty of great original films (and adaptations) coming too though and I'm particularly excited for DreamWorks' Mr. Peabody and Sherman (released 1st November, US/29th November, UK) and The Croods (22nd March), as well as Blue Sky's adaptation of William Joyce's Leaf Men book, Epic (opens 24th May).
Well, there's my verbose picks for 2013; now your turn. Which animated films are you particularly looking forward to in 2013? Comment below, and I look forward to discussing them all with you for the remainder of this year!
I'm looking forward to "Frozen" the most, since Disney is back on track, and then "Monsters University". (Of course, being Pixar and all)
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in all three of the DreamWorks films, "The Croods" in particular. I also want to see "Epic" despite the problems present in both trailers. I have no interest in "The Smurfs 2" and "Planes" whatsoever, and I have very little interest in "Cloudy 2" as well.
There's one film you left out: "Walking with Dinosaurs 3D", but it's possible that the film may not open this year. We've heard very little about it.
Yeah, Frozen does look and sound very good!
DeleteIn terms of DreamWorks, I'm really hyped up for two of them. I'm not sold at all on Turbo at the moment yet though - but there's time. I'm quite interested in Cloudy 2, but only because I loved Cloudy 1 so much!
Walking with Dinosaurs? I don't think I've heard anything about that! Is it based on the BBC series?
Yes, "Walking with Dinosaurs" is based on the BBC series. That's all I know about it though, that and who is directing it.
Delete"Turbo", IMO, looked cute and fun from the teaser so that's all I'm expecting.
I like Turbo's premise, but the trailer really didn't impress me. Maybe just because DreamWorks have been so impressive recently; it looked like one of their pre-2008 films more than their recent great ones.
DeleteI'm particularly looking forward to MU, main,y because Monsters inc. was a great favourite of mine!
ReplyDeleteBut also Frozen, that also will be something I'll look forward to... However Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2! I didn't like the first one, stall, so I probably won't be giving that a second chance.
Overall looking forward to the prospect of some good Movies this year!
Not as excited for 2013 releases as I was for 2012.
ReplyDeleteMy most anticipated list on this list is obviously The Smurfs 2. From the trailers it looks very funny, the character design is beautiful, and the film-makers respect the original material.
Seriously though, does this even classify as an animated film ? Or as a film, period ?
My real list goes more like : 1) Monsters U. But I need to see a trailer and get what the story is about, 'cause right now I'm in the dark.
2) Epic. Looks EPIC.
3) Frozen.
Then I'm still not sure. The Croods looks like the most interesting of the DreamWorks films. The other ones will have to convince me if they want my money.
Yeah, 2012 really was a great year for animation! Lots of variety as well. Whereas 2013 is almost wholly computer animation - no stop-mo!
DeleteThe Smurfs 2 can crawl back to the hole in the ground from whence it came.
I more or less agree with your list though.
Monster U!
ReplyDeleteMU is also my most anticipated animated movie of 2013 (as always Pixar is a must-see event) and Disney's Frozen comes in a close second. Walt Disney Animation Studios is in a sort of new Renaissance and has released excellent films throughout these years so I have high hopes for this one.
ReplyDeleteNon Disney, I'm very interested in The Croods mainly because Chris Sanders is the director and based on his previous efforts (Lilo & Stitch and How To Train Your Dragon) this one should be great. Also Mr. Peabody & Sherman looks interesting.
In the sequel department I'm looking forward to Despicable Me 2 since the first one is a delight so I have high hopes for the sequel.
I'm not very interested in Epic because I'm not a huge Blue Sky fan (and their previous original film Rio was very dissapointing) but I'll give it a chance (I'm not having high expectatiins though). Another film that doesn't look good is Turbo so I'm not holding my breath for that one either.
Films that I definetely won't see in theaters are Planes (quick money device) and The Smurfs 2 (I don't even consider it to be animated).
Haven't seen the first Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs so I don't know what to expect with the sequel.
Good list, Munir!
DeleteYeah, I'm not too fussed about Planes. But you really should check out Cloudy 1! I loved it: really quirky, funny and great animation!
I will just in time for the sequel's premiere! I also agree with Damien, we need a MU trailer ASAP!
DeleteI was wondering if there is any new information on the two Studio Ghibli films directed by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata? I know they will premiere this summer in Japan but any international release dates? Those films are going to be epic!
It has been an oddly long time since the teaser...
DeleteSorry, I've no idea. I respect them greatly, but I don't follow Ghibli news all that much. But, given their previous record, I imagine a 2014 release (maybe even 2015!) is more likely.
1. Monsters University
ReplyDelete2. Despicable Me 2
3. Turbo
4. Frozen
5. Mr. Peabody and Sherman
6. The Croods
7. Cloudy 2
I'm optimistic about Turbo, and I'm skepticism about The Croods and Cloudy 2. Hopefully The Croods exceed my expectations, but I have little faith in Cloudy 2.