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Warner Bros. Pictures Animation Unveils 2026-2028 Slate at Annecy, Signals Return to Original Theatrical Features
At the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (WBPA) stepped onto the stage in the Bonlieu Grande Salle and turned a page that had been closed for months. The studio presented a full‑length slate of seven theatrical features, a new logo that nods to its storied past, and a brand‑new Looney Tunes short, all aimed at reassuring investors, talent, and fans that the studio is back in the business of making original animated films.
The show came after a period of turbulence in which several WBPA projects were shelved or diverted. The fully animated The Day the Earth Blew Up found a home with independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment, delivering modest but respectable worldwide returns. A hybrid live‑action/animation film, Coyote vs. Acme, was also acquired by Ketchup for a reported $50 million and is slated for a summer release. These outcomes underscored both the internal challenges WBPA had faced and the external appetite for its classic IP.
President and Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke made it clear that the studio’s future will be built on artist‑driven storytelling. "We’re returning to the heart, hope, and humor that defined the golden age of Looney Tunes," Damaschke told reporters, adding that the studio will move away from a single house style in favor of a spectrum of genres, visual aesthetics, and narrative tones. The presentation also revealed that WBPA has broadened its core team and cultivated a global network of animation talent across multiple countries and partner studios.
The core theatrical slate includes:
The Cat in the Hat (November 2026) – a Dr. Seuss adaptation written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, with Bill Hader as the voice of the titular cat. This is WBPA’s first major feature under Damaschke’s leadership. Bad Fairies – a mischievous, big‑hearted musical comedy that reimagines traditional fairy tales, directed by Megan Nicole Dong with co‑director Olivier Staphylas, produced in partnership with UK‑based Locksmith Animation. Lunar Chronicles – based on Marissa Meyer’s book series, the film offers a new heroine, original visual style, and robotic characters, directed by Noëlle Raffaele, also a Locksmith collaboration. Margie Claus (2027 holiday season) – a festive comedy created by Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, and Damon Jones, following Santa’s wife who assembles a rescue team when her husband disappears. Oh, The Places You’ll Go! (2028) – an adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book featuring Ariana Grande and Josh Gad. Hello Kitty (2028) – produced in collaboration with Sanrio and New Line Cinema. * Dynamic Duo – an adventure‑fantasy set within the Batman universe, told from a teenager’s perspective, featuring the early journeys of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. The project partners WBPA, DC Studios, and 6th & Idaho, and incorporates puppetry techniques from New Orleans‑based Swaybox Studios.
Beyond the announced releases, WBPA confirmed several projects in active development. These include reimaginings of classic properties such as Tom & Jerry, Thundercats, and Meerkats, as well as an original musical titled Prehistoria, marking the feature directorial debut of Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel.
The Annecy showcase featured sizzle reels, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and conceptual artwork that illustrated the breadth of styles and tones across the lineup. Industry observers noted that the presentation generated considerable buzz among animators, producers, and fans, 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 coming months. The ultimate measure of success will come as the films reach audiences in theaters over the next several years, demonstrating whether WBPA can deliver on its promise of bold, distinctive animated features.
The show came after a period of turbulence in which several WBPA projects were shelved or diverted. The fully animated The Day the Earth Blew Up found a home with independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment, delivering modest but respectable worldwide returns. A hybrid live‑action/animation film, Coyote vs. Acme, was also acquired by Ketchup for a reported $50 million and is slated for a summer release. These outcomes underscored both the internal challenges WBPA had faced and the external appetite for its classic IP.
President and Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke made it clear that the studio’s future will be built on artist‑driven storytelling. "We’re returning to the heart, hope, and humor that defined the golden age of Looney Tunes," Damaschke told reporters, adding that the studio will move away from a single house style in favor of a spectrum of genres, visual aesthetics, and narrative tones. The presentation also revealed that WBPA has broadened its core team and cultivated a global network of animation talent across multiple countries and partner studios.
The core theatrical slate includes:
The Cat in the Hat (November 2026) – a Dr. Seuss adaptation written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, with Bill Hader as the voice of the titular cat. This is WBPA’s first major feature under Damaschke’s leadership. Bad Fairies – a mischievous, big‑hearted musical comedy that reimagines traditional fairy tales, directed by Megan Nicole Dong with co‑director Olivier Staphylas, produced in partnership with UK‑based Locksmith Animation. Lunar Chronicles – based on Marissa Meyer’s book series, the film offers a new heroine, original visual style, and robotic characters, directed by Noëlle Raffaele, also a Locksmith collaboration. Margie Claus (2027 holiday season) – a festive comedy created by Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, and Damon Jones, following Santa’s wife who assembles a rescue team when her husband disappears. Oh, The Places You’ll Go! (2028) – an adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book featuring Ariana Grande and Josh Gad. Hello Kitty (2028) – produced in collaboration with Sanrio and New Line Cinema. * Dynamic Duo – an adventure‑fantasy set within the Batman universe, told from a teenager’s perspective, featuring the early journeys of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. The project partners WBPA, DC Studios, and 6th & Idaho, and incorporates puppetry techniques from New Orleans‑based Swaybox Studios.
Beyond the announced releases, WBPA confirmed several projects in active development. These include reimaginings of classic properties such as Tom & Jerry, Thundercats, and Meerkats, as well as an original musical titled Prehistoria, marking the feature directorial debut of Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel.
The Annecy showcase featured sizzle reels, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and conceptual artwork that illustrated the breadth of styles and tones across the lineup. Industry observers noted that the presentation generated considerable buzz among animators, producers, and fans, 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 coming months. The ultimate measure of success will come as the films reach audiences in theaters over the next several years, demonstrating whether WBPA can deliver on its promise of bold, distinctive animated features.
