Midyear spotlight on the year’s animation highlights. The season has delivered a mix of family‑friendly adventures and sharper, adult‑oriented tales, proving that animation is broad in scope and ambition. Here’s a refreshed look at the standout titles of 2025 (through the first half).
100 Meters
Adapted from a manga by Uoto, this GKIDS release traces two rivals from adolescence to adulthood as they chase speed on the track. Director Kenji Iwaisawa leans into expressionistic visuals that amplify the thrill, the joy, and the sting of defeat.
Arco
Ugo Bienvenu’s vibrant French animated gem reframes reality through two futures. Iris, a 10‑year‑old whose world is shaped by a holographic guardian, encounters Arco, a rainbow‑traveler from a distant era, prompting a dialogue about hope and responsibility. The film’s color palette and design reinforce its themes of resilience and change.
The Bad Guys 2
The wolf pack returns in a sequel that doubles down on redemption while keeping its cheeky tone. The group navigates the challenges of staying good after a big makeover, offering sharper insights into consequences and continuing growth alongside laughs.
The Colors Within
Naoko Yamada’s coming‑of‑age drama uses bold 2D animation to follow three teenagers as they navigate school life, friendship, and self‑discovery. The film’s patient pace and expressive visuals let quiet moments carry real emotional weight, culminating in a powerful musical payoff.
The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
This space‑era Looney Tunes adventure leans into classic humor while tipping its hat to science‑fiction cinema. Porky Pig and Daffy Duck juggle money troubles with an alien threat on the horizon, delivering rapid gags and affectionate character work.
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback
Within the sprawling Conan universe, this 28th feature delivers a brisk, noir‑tinged mystery. A retired detective’s case sparks a kinetic investigation that balances brainy plotting with high‑velocity action and a jazzy score that underscores the mood.
Dog Man
Dav Pilkey’s canine hero steps into a zippy, action‑packed adventure. The film blends goofy humor with heartfelt beats, charting Dog Man’s crime‑fighting quest while grounding it in loyalty and personal growth.
Elio
Pixar’s sci‑fi journey centers on a boy’s search for belonging, aided by an upbeat alien companion. The movie leans into bright visuals and a breezy sense of wonder, delivering a finale that lands with emotional punch while honoring the studio’s legacy of character warmth.
Fixed
Genndy Tartakovsky pushes boundaries with a chaotic, boundary‑pushing comedy about a dog facing an impending neuter. The humor revels in outrageous energy and sharp gags, yet the film also sustains surprising heart beneath its wild exterior.
KPop Demon Hunters
Netflix’s stylish, globally flavored animated adventure rides a wave of viral energy. Packed with catchy songs, sharp visuals, and solid friendship‑driven storytelling, it became a cultural touchstone for modern animated releases.
Ne Zha 2
This Chinese blockbuster expands the Ne Zha saga into an expansive fantasy epic. It blends mythic scale with bold action and inked visuals, crafting a blockbuster that feels both epic and intimate in its mythmaking.
Predator: Killer of Killers
Dan Trachtenberg brings the Predator universe into animation with an anthology that spans decades. The film pairs brutal style with inventive battles and a finale that reshapes expectations for the franchise’s future.
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