In this follow-up movie to the theatrical Sponge on the Run (2020), Our favorite absorbent hero (voiced by the brilliant Tom Kenny) goes into the deepest depths of the ocean to face off against the Flying Dutchman — voiced by none other than Mark Hamill. Written and directed by Derek Drymon. Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies, Dec. 19

Stevie and her brother Elliot use magic to enter the realm of dreams to meet the Sandman, who could grant them the wish of saving their parents’ marriage. This charming original feature by Kuku Studios is directed by Alexander Woo and Erik Benson, and features the voices of Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Omid Djalili and Bob Bergen. Netflix/Kuku Studios

Members of a popular female K-Pop band slay evil spirits between musical gigs in this colorful action-adventure movie directed by Maggie Kang (The Lego Ninjago Movie) and Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon), produced by Michelle Wong, and co-produced by Scott Berri. Sony Pictures Animation/Netflix

Charles Dickens tells the story of Jesus Christ to his son in this CG-animated feature, with a star-studded voice cast including Oscar Isaac (Jesus), Kenneth Branagh (Dickens), Ben Kingsley, Mark Hamill, Uma Thurman, Forest Whitaker and Pierce Brosnan. Directed by vfx veteran Seong-Ho Jang. Penned by Seong-Ho and Rob Edwards  (The Princess and the Frog). Mofac Animation

A famous Parisian rapper named Tough Dog seeks a shy girl’s help when he accidentally swaps bodies with a kitten in this CG-animated feature directed and written by Albert Pereira-Lazaro (Lascars) and co-written by Léonie de Rudder. Mac Guff/SND

A rebellious teenage humpback whale ventures with his companions to the deepest sea, where he must summon his mystical song to save the oceans from destruction in this CG-animated feature written and directed by Reza Memari (Richard the Stork) and produced by Maite Woköck. Telescope/La Boite a Fanny/PFX/Global Screen

Acclaimed director Sylvain Chomet’s (The Triplets of Belleville) much-anticipated new movie is set in 1955 and follows the life and adventures of the celebrated French writer, playwright and filmmaker. Onyx Films/ON Animation/Walking the Dog/Sony Pictures Classics.

This follow-up to 2024’s Mononoke movie (Phantom in the Rain) is directed by Kenji Nakamura. A spinoff of 2006’s horror anthology series Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, it’s set at the end of the Edo period of Japan and follows a mysterious medicine seller who faces supernatural enemies. Studio EOTA, March (Japan)

Anime artist Yoshitishi Shinomiya’s first directing debut is inspired by the changing Japanese landscape after the devastating 2011 earthquake. It centers on a young boy living in an abandoned firework factory who devises a plan to move on with his life after his father’s disappearance. Asmic Ace/Miyu Productions

Dave Needham directs this latest SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff movie, written by Kaz, Chris Viscardi and Mr. Lawrence (voice of Plankton), which follows Plankton as his world is completely changed when his global domination plans are thwarted. With Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence and Clancy Brown. Nickelodeon Movies/Netflix

Written and directed by Nathan Greno (Tangled), this visually stunning buddy comedy centers on a small woodland creature and a majestic bird, two sworn enemies  of the Valley, that magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. Skydance Animation/Netflix

Written, directed and produced by Oscar nominee Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Internet), this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book centers on the miserable and mean Mr. and Mrs. Twit, who run the most idiotic amusement park in the world (Twitlandia), and the brave orphans and magical animals who band together to stop their madness. With the voices of Margo Martindale, Johnny Vegas, Natalie Portman and Emilia Clarke. Netflix/Jellyfish Pictures

LAIKA’s sixth animated feature is based on  Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis’ book that follows Prue McKeel and Curtis Mehlberg as they attempt to save Prue’s infant brother Mac from the crows, led by Alexandra, while drawn into a hidden magical forest. The dark fantasy adventure is directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler. Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant are part of the amazing voice cast. Produced by Knight and Arianne Sutner. LAIKA/Focus Features