Animated films of 2021

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released Raya and the Last Dragon in theaters in the United States on March 5, 2021, in 2D, RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX. The film was simultaneously available on Disney+ Premier Access as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on movie theaters. In July 2021, shortly after its premium access run, the film became the second most-viewed streaming title behind Netflix's fifth season of Lucifer. The film has grossed over $130 million worldwide and received positive reviews from critics, who praised the animation, action sequences, and voice acting, though some called it similar to The Last Airbender.

It premiered on Netflix on April 16, 2021, and was followed by a streaming television series titled I ♥ Arlo in August 2021. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the animation, voice acting, and soundtrack, but criticized the story and similarities to The Muppet Movie and Spongebob Squarepants.

The film was originally planned to be released theatrically by Sony Pictures Releasing under the title Connected in 2020, but due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on movie theaters, Sony sold the main distribution rights to Netflix. Netflix retitled it to Rianda and Rowe's preferred title, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and released it in select theaters on April 23, 2021, before its streaming release a week later. The film received critical acclaim for its animation, voice acting, action scenes, themes, humor, and LGBT representation.

Spirit Untamed was theatrically released in the United States on June 4, 2021. The film received mixed reviews from critics who deemed the film inferior to the original and unnecessary. The movie was a box-office disappointment after grossing $42 million worldwide against a budget of $30 million.

Wish Dragon was released theatrically in China on January 15, 2021 and on Netflix internationally on June 11, 2021. Critical reviews were mixed; while the animation, voiceover performances, and emotional core were praised, reviewers were critical of the film's humor, and its comparisons to Disney's Aladdin received a mixed response.

Luca premiered at the Aquarium of Genoa on June 13, 2021, and was originally set to be theatrically released in the United States on June 18, 2021. However, in response to the ongoing pandemic, the film was released on Disney+, along with a simultaneous limited run at the El Capitan Theatre; it was also released in theaters in countries without the streaming service. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its visuals, voice acting, and nostalgic feel.

The film was theatrically released in the United States on July 2, 2021 in traditional and select RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema and 4DX locations, by Universal Pictures; it also streamed on paid tiers of Peacock for 60 days. The film grossed $147 million worldwide, and received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, who mainly criticized the story, new characters, and chaotic nature, although the animation, voiceover performances, and humor were generally praised.

Netflix released the film on June 30, 2021. It received negative reviews from critics, with criticism for its writing, comedy, and underutilized potential, though its concepts, animation, and acting were praised.

Vivo was released in select theatres on July 30, 2021, and digitally on Netflix on August 6, 2021. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the animation, voice performances, and musical numbers.

The film premiered at the Vue Leicester Square in London on August 8, 2021. It was theatrically released in the United Kingdom and Ireland one day later before it was released in both Canada and the United States on August 20, 2021. It was also made available on Paramount+ on the same day. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and became a box office success, grossing over $135 million worldwide against a budget of $26 million. A sequel, titled PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, is scheduled to be released on October 13, 2023, featuring elements from the Mighty Pups sub-theme of the main show.

Originally set to be released theatrically by Paramount Pictures, the film was instead released in most countries on Netflix on September 24, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while still being theatrically released in several Asian countries. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics for its message, though its pacing and plot received some criticism, and was the most-viewed film on Netflix in October 2021.

The film was theatrically released in the United States by United Artists Releasing on October 1, 2021, followed by an international release by Universal Pictures on October 8. It also became available for online rental on the same day in the United States and Canada, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. The film has grossed over $110 million and received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized the humor and story.

Ron's Gone Wrong had its world premiere at the 2021 BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2021 and was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2021 and in the United States on October 22, 2021 in a limited 3D release at the AMC and Regal theaters and originally in RealD 3D. The film was originally going to be distributed by Paramount Pictures under the Paramount Animation label, but was instead distributed by 20th Century Studios under the 20th Century Animation label. Ron's Gone Wrong serves as 20th Century Animation's first animated feature film to release theatrically since the closure of Blue Sky Studios on April 10, 2021 as well as the first animated feature film to be theatrically released under the 20th Century Studios name. The film has grossed $60.4 million worldwide and received generally positive reviews from critics.

The film premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on November 3, 2021, and was released in theatres in the United States and Canada on November 24 over a 30-day theatrical run in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Encanto received critical acclaim for its emotion, music, animation, characterization and cultural precision. The film underperformed theatrically, but nevertheless grossed over $223 million worldwide as the highest-grossing animated film of 2021. It became a "massive" commercial success after its release to Disney+ on December 24, 2021. Its soundtrack went viral and topped the US Billboard 200 chart, with the song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Encanto received three Golden Globe nominations, winning for the Best Animated Feature Film.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Bardel Entertainment, the latter whom provided animation services, and was released on Disney+, as a Disney+ original film, on December 3, 2021. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, voice acting, and themes, but criticized its short length and lack of faithfulness to the source material. A sequel is in development.

The film had a limited theatrical release on December 3, 2021, prior to streaming on Netflix on December 10, 2021 to a generally positive reception from critics and audiences.

Produced by Paramount Animation, WWE Studios, Walden Media and Reel FX Animation Studios, the film was released in the United States on December 15, 2021 on Paramount+. The film received mixed reviews from critics with criticism for its writing, characters, and pacing, although the animation received some praise.

Sing 2 had its world premiere at the AFI Fest on November 14, 2021, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 22, 2021, in RealD 3D, by Universal Pictures. The film grossed $218 million worldwide against a production budget of $85 million and received mixed reviews from critics, but was well-received by audiences.