If you’re searching for the ideal weekend movie lineup, animations have got you covered. From new anime releases to classic films that critics love, here are eight animated movies that should be on your list, offering a blend of adventure, emotion, and stunning visuals. ALSO READ: Stories of courage, hope: Your weekend movie guide Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle The Demon Slayer series is reaching its peak, and Infinity Castle delivers some of the most impressive battles and emotional moments in the franchise. Enjoy beautiful animation, intense fight scenes, and moments that will leave you speechless. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, Demon Slayer is a 2025 Japanese animated dark fantasy action film based on the Infinity Castle arc from Koyoharu Gotouge’s 2016–2020 manga Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. It serves as a direct continuation of the anime’s fourth season, following previous adaptations such as Mugen Train (2020), To the Swordsmith Village (2023), and To the Hashira Training (2024). Suzume Suzume is a supernatural road movie that combines coming-of-age storytelling with captivating visuals. It’s touching, mysterious, and the perfect choice for a weekend watch if you want a film that makes you think and feel. The plot follows 17-year-old Suzume Iwato, a high school girl, and Souta Munakata, a mysterious young man, as they travel across Japan to close mystical doors and stop a giant supernatural worm causing earthquakes. Released in 2022, the film is a Japanese animated coming-of-age fantasy adventure written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. It is the third and final installment in Shinkai’s Disaster Trilogy, following Your Name (2016) and Weathering with You (2019). ALSO READ: Weekend lineup: Seven fresh movies to stream The Wild Robot Sitting at over 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, this beautifully animated adventure explores themes of connection, survival, and friendship. It’s heartwarming and a great option for families. This 2024 American animated sci-fi film, produced by DreamWorks Animation, is adapted from Peter Brown’s 2016 novel. Written and directed by Chris Sanders, it features an all-star voice cast including Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, and Catherine O’Hara. The story follows a service robot stranded on a remote island who learns to survive by forming bonds with the native animals, ultimately becoming the adoptive mother of a young orphaned goose. Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye If you enjoy a mix of sci-fi, action, and the bizarre, Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye will keep you engaged. It’s full of unexpected twists, humorous moments, and epic battles, making it a fun choice for anime fans looking for something fresh and unpredictable. Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye is a 2025 Japanese animated sci-fi action horror film that compiles the first three episodes of the anime’s second season, adapted from Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga Dandadan. It serves as a direct follow-up to the first season and the second film adaptation, Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (2024). The compilation film is directed by Fūga Yamashiro and Abel Góngora, with a screenplay by Hiroshi Seko. ALSO READ: Ever dreamed of becoming an actress? Iradukunda just saw it coming Inside Out One of Pixar’s best, this film takes you inside the mind of an 11-year-old girl to explore her emotions. Funny, smart, and deeply moving, you might laugh and cry equally. Released in 2015, this American animated coming-of-age film was produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Pete Docter, the screenplay was co-written by Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan, Inside Out explores the mind of Riley, a young girl dealing with her family’s move. Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing For a lighter choice, this music-themed anime is colorful, emotional, and perfect for fans of rhythm games or idol stories. It’s a heartwarming tale about finding your voice and rediscovering passion. This 2025 Japanese animated musical drama is inspired by the mobile game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! developed by Colorful Palette and published by Sega. The film is the first feature-length adaptation of the iconic character Hatsune Miku. It is directed by Hiroyuki Hata, written by Yoko Yonaiyama, produced by P.A. Works, and distributed by Shochiku. ALSO READ: Creative hangouts: Inspiring young creatives to become filmmakers How to Train Your Dragon (2010) This DreamWorks classic has everything: adventure, breathtaking flight sequences, and one of the most wholesome human-dragon friendships ever seen on screen. It’s the perfect feel-good movie for a weekend marathon. Released in 2010, this American animated fantasy film was directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, with a screenplay by Sanders, DeBlois, and Will Davies. It is based on Cressida Cowell’s 2003 novel. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, the film features the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, and Kristen Wiig. Set in the mythical Viking village of Berk, the story follows Hiccup, a small and unlikely hero who dreams of becoming a dragon slayer like the other Vikings. When he injures a rare Night Fury dragon, he cannot bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup befriends the creature, discovering that the rivalry between Vikings and dragons is not as simple as it seems. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya A Studio Ghibli masterpiece by Isao Takahata, this film is a visual poem. Its hand-drawn style and powerful story about life, loss, and freedom will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a 2013 Japanese animated historical fantasy directed and co-written by Isao Takahata, adapting the 10th-century tale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. Produced by Studio Ghibli, it features an ensemble cast including Aki Asakura, Kengo Kora, and Takeo Chii in his final role. Released by Toho, it was Japan’s most expensive film at the time and received critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

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