2018 was a solid year for TV animation. If you missed the dozens and dozens of new shows that came out over the last calendar year, be sure to check out my two "Best of 2018" lists for both new kids shows and new adult animated series alike. So while 2018 treated audiences to returning favorites and brand new beloved titles, it's to 2019 we look now to see what's in store in the months ahead.
We've pulled together everything we know about 30-odd new series that have been confirmed for release in 2019 or, at worst, are supposed to premiere in 2019. Because of the fickle nature of the industry, many of the premiere dates for the following series have yet to be announced, so be sure to check back regularly to see what's been updated. And because there are so many new series coming to air this year, we've sorted this list by intended age of audience, starting with new shows for the kiddos and progressing all the way up to new mature shows that are only for adults. We've also done our best to spotlight as many platforms and networks as possible, which include traditional cable networks like Nickelodeon, TBS, and Cartoon Network; streaming platforms like Rooster Teeth, Netflix, and Amazon; and public broadcasting channels like PBS. Oddly enough, broadcast networks have by and large opted to shift any of their animated projects to streaming services or partnered platforms, even Fox and its vaunted Animation Domination block.
Many of the following series have been in the works for some time; years, in most cases. And many of them come from singular creators of imaginative vision. Those names include J.G. Quintel (Regular Show), Guillermo del Toro (Tales of Arcadia), and Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), among many, many others. We can't wait to see how 2019 shapes up in the world of animation, so here are the titles we're keeping our eyes on!
Gigantosaurus
Network: Disney Channel
Premiere Date: January 18th
Straight from the Cretaceous period comes Gigantosaurus, a new laugh-out-loud, CGI animated series from Cyber Group Studios, set to bring larger-than-life fun to preschoolers as it makes tracks into homes nationwide this January! Based on Jonny Duddle’s bestselling book of the same name, the series stars four fiercely-fun dinosaur friends who will take preschoolers on exciting, comedy-filled adventures as they dare to be themselves and explore the world beyond their nests. Gigantosaurus premieres Friday, January 18, (9:00 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel and will also become available that day in the DisneyNOW app.
Gigantosaurus invites the youngest of viewers along on the prehistoric adventures of four curious young dinosaur friends, Rocky, Bill, Tiny and Mazu, as they explore the mystery of “Gigantosaurus” – the biggest, fiercest dinosaur of all. Every imagination-inspiring episode follows the group on a quest, as they face their individual fears and work together to solve a problem. As the inquisitive Mazu, playful Tiny, timid Bill, and courageous Rocky aim to learn more about Gigantosaurus, they discover they each have something to learn from him, too!
With its distinctly lush look, the new series will captivate young audiences with a vast array of dinosaurs and true-to-the-period flora and fauna. From long-necked Brachiosaurus and huge Triceratops to verdant jungles, raging rivers, and the tallest trees, the wondrous world of Gigantosaurus invites preschoolers to dig in!
T.O.T.S.
Network: Disney Junior
Premiere Date: TBA
Disney Junior has greenlit T.O.T.S., a new series for kid ages 2-7 which tells about the hilarious adventures of best friends Pip and Freddy, a tenacious penguin and a kind-hearted flamingo, who are the only non-stork delivery birds in-training at Tiny Ones Transfer Service (T.O.T.S.). As new members of the esteemed team, these junior flyers must take tender care in transferring baby animals – kittens, cubs, calves, bunnies, puppies and joeys among them – from the nursery to their forever families around the globe. Together, they will learn how to nurture and care for the babies and use creative thinking and problem solving to model for young viewers that there isn’t just one way to achieve a goal.
The series was created by Travis Braun (Disney Junior’s Vampirina), who also serves as co-executive producer. Joining Braun on the creative team is Vic Cook (Disney Junior’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) as executive producer and director; Chris Gilligan (Disney Junior’s Goldie & Bear) as co-executive producer and supervising director; and Guy Toubes (The Stinky & Dirty Show) as story editor. The series is produced by Titmouse in association with Disney Junior. Stay tuned for more information on T.O.T.S. as we get it!
Rocketeer
Network: Disney Junior
Premiere Date: TBA
The Rocketeer, a new animated adventure series for young kids and their families, is expected to arrive on Disney Junior this year. Inspired by Dave Stevens‘ popular comic book series, The Rocketeer follows Kit Seacourt, a young girl who receives a surprise package on her birthday revealing she’s next in line to become the Rocketeer, a legendary superhero who has the ability to fly with the help of a rocket-powered jet pack. Armed with her cool new gear and secret identity, Kit is ready to take flight and save the day with her gadget-minded best friend, Tesh, and airplane mechanic uncle, Ambrose, who join her on her epic adventures.
The reimagined story, aimed towards kids 2-5 and their families, is a 3D, CGI series that will be set in the contemporary world and depart substantially from the original comics. Each episode of The Rocketeer will feature two 11-minute stories and include an original song. Nicole Dubuc (Transformers: Rescue Bots) is on board as executive producer, and the series will be produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.
Molly of Denali
Network: PBS Kids, CBC Television
Premiere Date: Summer 2019
Molly of Denali, an upcoming animated television series created and produced by Vancouver's Atomic Cartoons and Boston's WGBH Kids for PBS Kids and CBC Television, will be the first ever nationally distributed children's show to feature an Alaska Native as the lead and title character. The series follows 10-year-old Molly, an Alaska Native girl from the fictional village of Qyah, and her daily adventures running the Denali Trading Post. In addition to a one-hour special, each half-hour episode will include two x 11-minute animated stories along with interstitial content featuring live-action depictions of real children and regions in Alaska.
Princess Daazhraii Johnson, an Alaskan Native, is the show's creative producer; members of her community will provide voice talent in key roles, including Molly. Molly of Denali will also use video content, interactive games, and real-world activities to teach kids about aspects Alaskan life, lessons supplemented by local texts including books, online resources, field guides, historical archives and Indigenous knowledge from elders. Molly of Denali is being developed as part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
Abby Hatcher, Fuzzly Catcher
Network: Nickelodeon
Premiere Date: December 31st/January 1st
From creator Rob Hoegee (Niko and the Sword of Light) comes Abby Hatcher, a new series that follows a top-notch monster-catcher who helps friends and monsters solve their problems. The intelligent and energetic seven-year-old Abby Hatcher and her new friends, the amazing and quirky creatures known as the Fuzzlies, live together in her family's hotel. Together with her best Fuzzly friend Bozzly, Abby goes on wild adventures to fix Fuzzly mishaps and help them in any way she can
Produced by Spin Master Entertainment (PAW Patrol), Abby Hatcher is set for a New Year's Eve premiere.
Green Eggs and Ham
Network: Netflix
Premiere Date: TBA
Announced way back in 2015, the first-ever team-up between Netflix and Warner Bros. will be for the animated animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book Green Eggs and Ham. Ellen DeGeneres executive produces for Warner Bros. Television alongside Jared Stern, Jeff Kleeman, Mike Karz and David Dobkin. Stern will write the 13-episode adaptation that follows Guy, a standoffish inventor, and Sam-I-Am, on an adventurous road trip full of new lessons and new experiences, like trying, of course, green eggs and ham.
Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs!
Network: Boomerang
Premiere Date: TBA
Yabba-Dabba-Doo! Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm are back in this quarter-hour animated comedy series, Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs! Warner Bros. Animation takes you beyond Bedrock to The Crags, a vast land that is as dangerous and wild as the dinosaurs that inhabit it.
Pebbles Flintstone and Bamm-Bamm Rubble are two best friends, growing up in the prehistoric time when dinosaurs and giant beasts still walked the earth. But as exciting as that sounds, they live in peaceful, quiet old Bedrock, a modern domestic civilization similar to our own (but with stone cars that run on leg-power). That’s why whenever they get the chance, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm and Dino head to the open wilderness, helping new friends, fighting new enemies and learning about life through their endless crazy adventures. Back in Bedrock, Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty still enjoy all the familiar quirks and trappings of life as a modern Stone Age family not knowing all the trouble (and fun!) their kids are getting themselves into.
Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs! is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Mark Marek (MAD) and Marly Halpern-Graser (Right Now Kapow) serve as producer with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.
Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?
Network: Boomerang
Premiere Date: TBA
The Mystery Inc. gang welcomes new members in the all-new series, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? From Warner Bros. Animation, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? follows the grand tradition of Scooby-Doo team-ups and takes the idea to hilarious new heights.
Faced with some of their toughest mysteries yet, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo will join forces with some of the biggest names in celebrity and pop culture including NBA superstar Chris Paul, recording artists Halsey and Sia, Ricky Gervais, Kenan Thompson, Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mark Hamill, Steve Urkel (voiced by Jaleel White reprising his iconic role) Batman, Sherlock Holmes, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many more!
Jump into the Mystery Machine for all-new comedic mystery-solving adventures where the biggest mystery will be who’s teaming up with those “meddling kids” this week!
Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Chris Bailey (Kim Possible) serves as producer with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer. The series premieres in 2019.
Carmen Sandiego
Network: Netflix
Premiere Date: January 18th
Carmen Sandiego will be launching with Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) voicing the title character. Carmen Sandiego returns in this series that follows her new international capers as well as past escapades that led to her becoming a super thief, along with Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) as Player, Carmen’s chief accomplice and friend.
Twenty 22-minute episodes are on the way from co-executive producer and showrunner Duane Capizzi (The Batman) alongside executive producer C.J. Kettler (The Tick). Caroline Fraser is the executive in charge of production. Kevin Dart (Mr. Peabody & Sherman) and Chromosphere provided the visual designs, while DHX Media is the animation studio responsible for bringing the show to life.
DC Super Hero Girls
Network: Cartoon Network
Premiere Date: TBA
Moving from web series to full-on animated series is DC Super Hero Girls, a new show developed by Lauren Faust (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic). The series follows the adventures of teenage versions of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Bumblebee, Batgirl, Zatanna, and Jessica Cruz, who are students of Super Hero High.
The world may know them as Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl, but not-so-typical teenagers Diana, Kara and Barbara, alongside their Super Hero friends have much more to deal with than just protecting the citizens of Metropolis from some of the most sinister school-aged Super-Villains of the DC Universe. After all, being teens is tough enough, what with school, friends, family and the chaos that comes with managing a social life. But add super powers and a secret identity to the mix, and things can get a lot more complicated.
Sure, gal pals Bumblebee, Zatanna and Green Lantern Jessica Cruz are always there to lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on, and a fist to punch with, but what happens when Diana and her favorite study buddy and fencing partner, Tatsu, can’t agree on how to dole out justice as Wonder Woman and Katana? Or when Barbara finds out her Gotham-Con bestie is teen-fiend Harley Quinn? Along with all their friends, foes and frenemies, this squad of super teens navigates the unique growing pains that come when you’re a teenager trying to fight the battles of the world and the battles of growing up at the same time.
Starring Grey Griffin as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, Doris Zeul/Giganta; John de Lancie as Victor Freeze/Mr. Freeze; Tara Strong as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl; and Nicole Sullivan as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, the new DC Super Hero Girls should be arriving on Cartoon Network this year.
Wonder Park
Network: Nickelodeon
Premiere Date: TBA
Wonder Park, the upcoming animated feature from writers Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec and featuring the voice talents of Brianna Denski, Jennifer Garner, Ken Hudson Campbell, Kenan Thompson, Mila Kunis, John Oliver, Ken Jeong, Matthew Broderick, Kath Soucie, and Norbert Leo Butz arrives in theaters on March 15, 2019, but soon after that, a series adaptation will arrive on Nickelodeon. The movie centers on a 12-year-old girl who rediscovers a fantastical theme park she dreamed up in her youth and finds that it's a real, living place in need of repair ... and defense. We assume the series will pick up where the film leaves off, so be sure to check it out this March!
Viking Skool
Network: Disney Channel
Premiere Date: TBA, late 2019
Though it was originally pitched for a more mature audience, Vikingskool will now be targeted to a more Disney-friendly demographic of 6-11 year-olds. Produced by Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon (The Secret of Kells, The Breadwinner) and France’s Samka Productions (Jamie’s Got Tentacles) and with post-production from Norwegian VFX company Storm Films, the series follows a group of young would-be Viking warriors in an elite Vikingskool. At the center of these humorous and exciting adventures into a mystical world are Erik, Arnie, and Ilba, each of whom come with their own strengths and weaknesses. The series’ 26 half-hours are scheduled for broadcast at the end of 2019.
ThunderCats Roar
Network: Cartoon Network
Premiere Date: TBA
ThunderCats Roar, a more cartoonish and comedic take on the property that’s led by producer and cartoonist Victor Courtright (Mighty Magiswords, Pickle and Peanut, Yo Gabba Gabba, OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes). ThunderCats Roar stars Max Mittelman (Justice League Action) as Lion-O and Wilykat, Erica Lindbeck (DC Super Hero Girls) as Cheetara and Wilykit, Patrick Seitz (Justice League Action) as Tygra and Mumm-Ra, and Chris Jai Alex (Star Wars: Battlefront II) as Panthro.
Staying true to the premise of the original series, Lion-O and the ThunderCats — Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, Wilykat, and Wilykit — barely escape the sudden destruction of their home world, Thundera, only to crash land on the mysterious and exotic planet of Third Earth. Lion-O, the newly appointed Lord of the ThunderCats, attempts to lead the team as they make this planet their new home. A bizarre host of creatures and villains stand in their way, including the evil Mumm-Ra, Third Earth’s wicked ruler who will let nothing, including the ThunderCats, stop his tyrannical reign over the planet.
The Owl House
Network: Disney Channel
Premiere Date: TBA, possibly 2020
The Owl House, which hails from Dana Terrace (DuckTales, Gravity Falls). Executive-produced by Terrace, The Owl House is a horror-comedy series that follows Luz, a self-assured teenage human girl who accidentally stumbles upon a portal to the Demon Realm where she befriends a rebellious witch, Eda, and an adorably tiny warrior, King, who is looking to restore his former title and glory. Despite not having magical abilities, Luz pursues her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda’s apprentice at the Owl House and ultimately finds a new family in an unlikely setting.
Wizards
Network: Netflix
Premiere Date: TBA
DreamWorks Wizards brings together the three disparate worlds of trolls, aliens and wizards who have found themselves drawn to Arcadia. The final chapter of the Tales of Arcadia culminates in an apocalyptic battle for the control of magic that will ultimately determine the fate of these supernatural worlds that have now converged.
The new Tales of Arcadia series hails from creator/executive producer Guillermo del Toro with Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow), Rodrigo Blaas (Alma) and Chad Hammes (Dragons: Race to the Edge) serving as executive producers. Dan Hageman (The Lego Movie, Ninjago) and Kevin Hageman (The Lego Movie, Ninjago) serve as co-executive producers.
Victor and Valentino
Network: Cartoon Network
Premiere Date: TBA
Victor and Valentino, Diego Molano‘s supernatural adventure comedy that follows two half-brothers spending a summer with their grandma in the small, mysterious town of Monte Macabre where Latin American myths and legends come to life, is coming to Cartoon Network later this year.
The pilot for the Mexican folklore-themed series aired on the channel on October 29, 2016, just before the Day of the Dead holiday. Perhaps the full series' premiere will get similar timing this fall.
Amphibia
Network: Disney Channel
Premiere Date:
Amphibia, from Annie Award-winning director Matt Braly (Disney’s Gravity Falls) and produced by award-winning Disney Television Animation (TVA), is set to arrive on the Disney Channel this year. The new animated comedy series chronicles the adventures of 13-year-old, self-centered Anne Boonchuy who is magically transported to the fictitious world of Amphibia, a rural marshland full of frog-people. With the help of an excitable young frog named Sprig, Anne will transform into a hero and discover the first true friendship of her life. Braly serves as executive producer.
Pinky Malinky
Network: Netflix
Premiere Date: January 1st
Pinky Malinky is now set to arrive on Netflix this New Year's Day for its 20-episode first season, but you can check out this New Year's Eve teaser in the meantime. The series follows the title character, “an infectiously positive hotdog living in a human world who, along with his two best friends, navigate school and life with a unique perspective.” Pinky Malinky will use the tropes of a mockumentary/reality show to speak directly to the audience in order to share his absurd take on real life.
Chris Garbutt and Rikke Asbjoern, of The Amazing World of Gumball fame, created the series and will executive produce along with Scott Kreamer.
Twelve Forever
Network: Netflix
Premiere Date: TBA
Netflix has nabbed writer-producer Julia Vickerman’s Twelve Forever, an animated series that finds 12-year-old Reggie creating a fantasy world in which birthdays are no-nos, becoming a sort of contemporary Neverland. Reggie is joined by friends Todd and Esther as they visit this amazing world in order to live out their superhero fantasies and escape the responsibilities of impending adulthood.
Vickerman, Stan Spry, Bradford Bricken, Chris Hardwick and Shadi Petosky are on board as executive producers; production will be provided by Puny Entertainment and Cartel. Twelve Forever has Rhonda Cox (Beavis and Butt-head, Danger & Eggs) as the supervising producer and Daria co-creator Susie Lewis handling production management. Originally a 2015 pilot for Cartoon Network, Twelve Forever will arrive in 2019 on Netflix.
Glitch Techs
Network: Nickelodeon
Premiere Date: TBA
Created by Eric Robles (Fanboy & Chum Chum) and Dan Milano (Robot Chicken), Nickelodeon's Glitch Techs centers on two kids who battle video-game monsters that have found their way into the real world. The series voice cast includes Bryton James (The Young and the Restless), Sophia Bush (John Tucker Must Die), and Lisa Norton (Bomb Girls). Little else is known about the series at the moment, so stay tuned.