With the new year fully underway, 2022 is bringing you quite the lineup of movies about animals– many of which are sure to bring a smile to your face (and quite possibly, your pet’s)! Check out these 9 upcoming films below, and plan accordingly so that you and your pals can be the first to see these spectacular flicks.

The Tiger Rising (January 21, 2022)

The Tiger Rising is an inspiring story of a young boy learning to cope with grief, making new friendships, and realizing the agency he has in the world. Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo, it’s a story of hope, loss, and everything in between.

The Amazing Maurice (February 13, 2022)

Inspired by the legend of the Pied Piper, The Amazing Maurice is based on the book by Terry Prachett, which follows a vagabond cat named Maurice and his posse of surprisingly intelligent rodent friends. 

Dog (February 18, 2022)  

Starring Channing Tatum as Briggs, Dog is an epic adventure of former Army Ranger and his dog Lulu as they race down the coast to make it to their old friend’s funeral in time. The film is co-directed by Tatum, who also plays the lead alongside dog Lulu, propelling him into a new phase of his career. Fans are excited to see Tatum in this new space as both director and actor, and are also prepared to bring a box of tissues to what is sure to be a tender, comedic, tear-jerker of a film. 

Turning Red (March 11, 2022)

Whenever 13-year-old Mei gets too excited, she turns into a giant red panda– a seemingly strange phenomenon, until Mei’s parents explain their ancestral connection to red pandas. Navigating middle school was already difficult enough without being part red panda, but thankfully, Mei’s friends are incredibly supportive of her strange secret. Full of laughs, stylized Pixar animation, and empowering female friendship, Turning Red will be Disney’s third straight-to-streaming release, made “free” to Disney+ members beginning March 11.

DC League of Super Pets (May 20, 2022)

While super-dog Krypto is not the most socially adept around other animals, he finds his best friend in Superman as they fight alongside with their similar superpowers to protect the city of Metropolis. When Superman is captured, it’s up to Krypto and his rugged pack of super animals to save the day. 

Jurassic World: Dominion (June 10, 2022)

Jurassic World: Dominion is the third in the Jurassic World sequence, following Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Set four years after the last film, Dominion follows the consequences of letting loose dinosaurs across the globe, and the team trying to prevent such disastrous events. 

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (September 16, 2022) 

After discovering he’s already sped through 8 of his 9 lives (due to his unquenchable thirst for dangerous adventures), Puss decides to set out on yet another adventure– this time to restore his 9 lives. 

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (November 18, 2022)

Based on a children’s book about a crocodile living in New York City, Lyle the crocodile must prove himself worthy of staying outside of the zoo in this live-action adaptation. 

Strange World (November 23, 2022) 

Not much is known yet about this fascinating fantasy film by Disney, other than, according to IMDB: “The legendary Clades are a family of explorers whose differences threatened to topple their latest and most crucial mission” (IMDB)– and this strange world they reside in is filled with fantastical creatures of all kinds.

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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