Animation is the name of the game!

As with superhero movies, 2016 is going to be a great year for fans of animated fare as well. There are sequels and original stories galore in this selection.

If you thought 2015 was a landmark year for children’s films, wait till these behemoths roll into a theatre near you. You’ll be left smiling and clamouring for more popcorn.

Happy watching!

1. Kung Fu Panda

Po, the Panda who learned Kung Fu, meets his real parents and relatives for the first time in the third installment of the lovable series. He, along with his father, should fight and defeat a supernatural villain — Kai. It is expected to bring on an overdose of fun and cuteness to the table.

The movie is choke-full of Hollywood A-listers — Jack Black, Kate Hudson, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan and Lucy Liu — who have lent their voice to the characters.

Expected release: January 29.

2. Zootopia

Walt Disney Studios seems to have done it yet again. If the trailers are any indication, they have a winner on their hands.

The movie follows the life of a fox (Jason Bateman), wrongly accused for a crime he did not commit, who is on the run from the zoo town’s best cop— a self-righteous rabbit (Ginnifer Goodwin).

But when a conspiracy is formed against the duo, they will have to bury the differences and team up to clear their names.

The film also features the voices of Octavia Spencer, JK Simmons, Bonny Hunt, Tommy Chong and Shakira.

Expected release: March 4

3. Ratchet and Clank

If you’ve seen last year’s Guardians of the Galaxy, then the setting of this movie may feel a bit familiar.

Ratchet and Clank are two unlikely heroes, members of the Galactic Rangers, who must try and save their world from Chairman Drek (Paul Giamatti), who is hell bent on destroying all planets in the Solana Galaxy.

Some top actors have lent their voices to the key characters, including Sylvester Stallone, Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson and John Goodman. This could be the year’s sleeper hit.

Expected release: April 29.

4. The Angry Birds Movie

Right from the first day when the mobile game took the world’s smartphones by storm, there were few doubts that it would eventually make it to the silver screen.

While very little is known about the movie’s plot at this point, it is expected to shed more light on the reasons for the running feud between the green pigs and angry birds.

There is a galaxy of stars associated with the movie, but how good will it ultimately be? We will have to wait and watch.

Expected release: May 20.

5. Finding Dory

This is the direct sequel to the 2003 hit film ‘Finding Nemo.’ Not much is known about the plot at the moment, but if past experiences are any indicator, it will be one that will tug at our heartstrings.

While Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres will reprise their roles as Marlin and Dory respectively, Nemo will have a new voice actor in Hayden Rolence.

Expected release: June 17.

6. The Secret Life Of Pets

The makers of ‘Despicable Me,’ the monster-sized hit of 2010, are back with a family-friendly film that follows pet’s lives when their owners are away.

The life of Max (Louis CK), a pet dog, turns turtle when a new pet joins the household. But they should forget their enmity and forge a strained friendship when abandoned pets plots revenge against all happily-owned pets.

Expected release: July 8.

7. Storks

Legend goes that storks used to deliver babies. But in modern times, they are being utilised to deliver packages around the world via an online company — www.cornerstore.com.

Junior (Andy Samberg), their top delivery stork, accidently turns on a ‘Baby Making Machine’ and produces an unauthorised child. He must then deliver it before his boss finds out. The catch is that he could very easily revert to the age-old system of baby delivery.

While not much is known about the cast and crew, it’s a family-friendly film categorised under comedy and adventure.

Expected release: September 23.

8. Moana

Moana is an upcoming Disney movie that further breaks their own established character stereotypes. The Polynesian namesake character is poised to further break racial barriers.

Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), a sea-voyaging enthusiast, sets off on a journey when her family needs her help. Another character is Maui, a demi-god character voiced by… who else but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Expected release: November 23.

9. Henchmen

The film, based on another short animated movie, speaks about a world where there’re only super villains.

The Union of Evil is filled with characters who are ranked according to their seniority and viciousness. Hank (James Marsden) is a lowly, level three Henchman.

But when a kid, who accidentally steals the weapon of one of the most powerful villains of all, comes to him, Hank must become a hero for the first time.

Expected release: To be announced