Zootopia 2, Toy Story 5, Elio and More: The Highlights of the Annecy Animation Film Festival
Pixar presents the villain of "Toy Story 5"
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival recently took place in France. New footage and exciting details about the upcoming animation highlights were presented. Of course, the upcoming Disney and Pixar productions were also discussed.
Zootopia 2
New images and new footage for "Zootopia 2" were shown on site - including popular characters such as Judy and Nick. New characters such as Gary De'Snake, who is voiced by "Everything Everywhere All At Once" star Ke Huy Quan, were also on show.
In "Zootopia 2", detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde set out on the trail of a mysterious reptile that suddenly appears in the city and plunges the metropolis into chaos. In order to get to the bottom of the puzzling case, the two must go undercover to investigate. In the process, their partnership is put to the test. The film was directed and written by Jared Bush. Bush previously co-directed and co-wrote the first part. He was also responsible for "Encanto" as director and screenwriter. "Zootopia 2" awaits us in cinemas on November 26, 2025. You can watch the first trailer for the sequel here.
Toy Story 5
In 2026, animation fans can expect another installment in a popular series: we're talking about "Toy Story 5". The first two minutes of the film have now been shown exclusively at the Annecy Animation Festival. In the scene, a bunch of Buzz Lightyear figures are stranded in the wilderness and seem to be magically drawn to the stars. Pixar also introduced the film's main villain: a children's tablet named LilyPad. The story seems to revolve around how the new technology comes into Bonnie's life and how the old toys deal with it. You can get a first impression of the tablet from a first concept image. The movie is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026.
Elio
The first 27 minutes of the Pixar film "Elio" were also shown. The film is about young Elio, who is mistaken by aliens for the official ambassador of Earth. Suddenly he has to prove himself in an intergalactic crisis. The people behind "Elio" include "Coco" director and screenwriter Adrian Molina. The film will be released in cinemas on June 20, 2025.
Hoppers
In 2026, Pixar fans can expect another highlight with "Hoppers". In the film, animal lover Mabel uses a new technology that allows human consciousness to "hop" into lifelike robotic animals. This enables Mabel to communicate with beavers. In the process, she discovers secrets in the animal world that she could never have imagined. The first footage was shown exclusively on location. A first image was also released to a wider audience. The film is scheduled for release on March 6, 2026.
Gatto
A new film called "Gatto" was also announced. The creators of the Pixar film "Luca" are behind the project. The plot sounds quite adventurous and original: The story is set in Venice and follows a black cat named Nero, who is indebted to a local mafia boss. He is forced to enter into a completely unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his true purpose in life. What makes it special is its unique visual style – combining 3D animation with a hand-painted look. A first concept image was also released at the festival. "Gatto" is set to open in theaters on June 18, 2027.
Arco
Another highlight of the festival was the French animated film "Arco". The story focuses on a time-traveling boy who becomes stranded in the year 2075. Originally he comes from the distant future in the year 2932.
The film has already been shown at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Producer Natalie Portman and director Ugo Bienvenu are behind the project. "Arco" won the Cristal Award for Best Feature Film at the Annecy Festival. At the moment, it is not yet known when the movie will be released.