Sony Pictures Animation has been around for some time but has only recently started to find its own voice. While creatively they may be hitting a bit of a renaissance period, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some fantastic movies in their filmography thus far. The future is definitely bright for the company, yet there are also some underrated gems amongst their archives.
As the world of cinema continues to evolve and with the gap in the market due to Blue Sky Animation getting dissolved, this may be the best time to start paying attention to Sony and what they have in store over the coming years; alongside looking at the art they have previously curated.
Worth Checking Out: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (2009)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs was one of the earliest films in the studio’s history and demonstrated that Sony would be able to bring something unique to the table when it came to quirky storytelling. The film is both fun and full of creative energy.
A huge part of that is due to the partnership of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who have gone on to great success in the industry and have been hugely influential in the animation studio. The writers and directors created a movie that spawned spin-offs and sequels and told a totally different story.
Get Excited About: Tut (TBD)
Tut is one of the upcoming projects from Sony which is still being kept pretty secretive. The official synopsis has been released though and describes the project as “an Afro-futuristic, coming-of-age take on the story of Tutankhamun, the boy king, that will take audiences on a journey through Ancient Egypt – a celebration of the culture that introduced the world to countless modern conventions and technologies.”
With Matthew A. Cherry, the man behind Hair Love in the director’s chair, it’s sure to be an interesting and culturally significant film that aims to tell a story unlike anything audiences have seen before. It’s certainly one to keep an eye on.
Worth Checking Out: Wish Dragon (2021)
Wish Dragon has actually been released in China and certainly appeals to the Asian market, but will be making its debut internationally on Netflix in the coming months. The movie is a one of the kind production for Sony, playing off of Chinese culture within its narrative.
Directed by Chris Appelhans the basic premise of the story is actually based partially on that of Aladdin. However, with a dragon filling in for the genie, this beautifully animated adventure is sure to have the whole family engaged from start to finish.
Get Excited About: Vivo (2021)
With the musical talents of Lin-Manuel Miranda already setting this picture apart, Vivo is set to debut on Netflix this year and definitely looks like a lot of fun. A short trailer has already been released of the production, giving the first glimpse at the monkey known as Vivo.
With Kirk DeMicco at the helm, Vivo tells the story of a kinkajou monkey who spends his days singing in the streets of Havana, Cuba. Vivo must go on a journey to deliver the love letter of his friend before time runs out. It appears to be a musical romantic story with a surprising twist.
Worth Checking Out: Arthur Christmas (2011)
There are plenty of Christmas classics that audiences love to revisit every year, but one of the most underrated animated hits in its own right is Arthur Christmas. The incredibly British production was actually created in association with Aardman Animations.
With Santa supposedly coming towards his retirement, his son looks to step up in his place. However, an undelivered present sees Arthur Christmas take the reigns and prove himself to be the rightful heir to the sleigh. It’s an amusing and touching holiday movie.
Get Excited About: Black Knight (TBD)
Sony continues to create innovative premises when it comes to their upcoming titles and Black Knight is definitely one of the most unique amongst them. While details are thin on the ground, there have been a few stills released from the production which tease what audiences might come to expect.
The concept behind Black Knight is as follows: “Black Knight is an original, action-adventure epic that tells the story of a highly skilled and faithful knight who, after failing to protect his king, must transform himself into the Black Knight to save the kingdom.”
Worth Checking Out: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
It’s really the movie that completely reinvigorated Sony Animation as a studio, considering its unique approach to the source material, brand new technology, and the creative risks which the production team decided to take. It’s a modern masterpiece of superhero cinema.
Widely praised for its strong storytelling and comic book art-influenced animation, Spider-Verse tells the story of Miles Morales, the next Spider-Man. It’s a coming of age tale with a Multiversal twist that has seemingly even come to influence the live-action MCU.
Get Excited About: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse 2 (2022)
Speaking of the Into The Spider-Verse franchise, fans may be aware that a number of spin-offs and sequels are currently in development at Sony. These include the likes of a TV show and potentially even a Spider-Woman or Ghost-Spider feature-length film.
But before all of this, Into The Spider-Verse 2 is currently in production with a 2022 release date scheduled. There’s plenty that audiences want to see from the sequel, but based on the post-credits scene of the original film, it’s likely that Spider-Man 2099 will play a part in the narrative.
Worth Checking Out: The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)
As one of the latest releases from Sony Pictures The Mitchells Vs. The Machines have demonstrated that the company has really found its visual voice. The movie is a creative gem, pushing the boundaries of what audiences have come to expect within the medium.
For the animation company, the Netflix release has been a massive hit. Fans are enjoying seeing the Mitchell family have to come together to fight off a wave of robots in their own one-of-a-kind way. It’s emotional, hilarious, and easily one of the best movies the studio has produced.
Get Excited About: Fixed (TBD)
Fixed is a totally unique project for the studio and one that is being kept under wraps for the time being. A few major details have been released thus far about the production though. For starters, Genndy Tartakovsky, the man behind the Hotel Transylvania series is in the director’s chair.
What’s more, this will be the studio’s first R-rated animated comedy, akin to the likes of Sausage Party. The premise makes mention of a dog that’s going to get neutered and looks to spend his final day with his friends having some crazy fun.
