If you know anything about us here at Muses of Media, it’s that we love animation. From feature films to television shows, you’ll likely find us watching pretty much everything that this medium has to offer.
Thankfully, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has us covered this year with a slew of animated feature-length films to watch during what’s sure to be a lively 10 days. The animated movies span a variety of topics, and you’re sure to find at least one (if not more) that you’ll want to grab a ticket for.
Without further ado, here are the 10 animated feature films that are ready to entertain you at TIFF 2026.
In Waves
Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen | France, Belgium | International Premiere | Discovery
Based on AJ Dungo’s graphic novel, which tackles friendship, love, and loss, Phuong Mai Nguyen’s debut feature is sure to make a splash at TIFF 2026. Using a blend of 2D and 3D animation, In Waves features a love story between a skater, AJ (Will Sharpe) and a surfer, Kristen (Stephanie Hsu), who share the same passion: the ocean. With a trip that spans Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Hawaii, In Waves will certainly be a sight to behold.
Showtimes:
- Monday, September 14 at 11:45am
- Tuesday, September 15 at 3:30pm
- Sunday, September 20 at 4:15pm
Iron Boy
Directed by Louis Clichy | Belgium, France | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
Former Pixar animator Louis Clichy directs Iron Boy, a beautifully hand-painted story of a boy, Christophe (voiced by Gary Clichy), living on a rural French farm. This coming-of-age story centres on the lead character’s health, his passion for playing the church organ, and his attempts to connect with those around him – despite the discomfort his iron back brace causes others. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes in May, Iron Boy is a must-see.
Showtimes:
- Saturday, September 12 at 3:35pm
- Monday, September 14 at 3:30pm
Julián
Directed by Louise Bagnall | Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
I think it’s safe to say that at some point or another, we all wished to be something we were not. In Julián’s case, it’s a mermaid. New to Brooklyn and staying with his Abuela for a while, Julián has some trouble fitting in with the kids in the neighbourhood. That is, until he meets a trio of friends whose chalk drawings are filled with oceanic creatures, something Julián is passionate about. He finds out that they’re gearing up for the upcoming Mermaid Parade, and he needs to join them on this journey. Based on Jessica Love’s best-selling children’s book, Julián Is A Mermaid, Julián is a brightly coloured and whimsical tale that you should make every effort to see at TIFF.
Showtimes:
- Sunday, September 13 at 11:30am
- Saturday, September 19 at 12:30pm
Light Pillar
Directed by Xu Zao | China | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
A lonely caretaker, Lao Zha (Da Peng), is one of the last remaining employees at a near-bankrupt Chinese film studio. Past its former glory days, the studio is now more a relic of bygone cinema-goers than anything else. His only companions are a robot vacuum and a cat “actor”. Eventually, the studio owner can no longer pay Lao Zha and instead gifts him a VR headset. Finally, Lao Zha has an escape, and even a romance. The hand-drawn animation of the real world and the live-action virtual realm provides an interesting contrast in Xu Zao’s Light Pillar. The film promises to be a very immersive event.
Showtimes:
- Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00pm
- Thursday, September 17 at 3:30pm
- Friday, September 18 at 9:15pm
Long Long Night
Directed by Kyu Bock Youm | South Korea | World Premiere | Centrepiece
An unlikely duo comprised of a rhino and a penguin take centre stage in Kyu Bock Youm’s Long Long Night. As the pair traverse the vast wilderness with human-made dangers lurking, the last white rhino on earth and the penguin with an abandoned egg forge a friendship as they try to evade poachers. There’s nothing like a pair of unlikely comrades on an adventure, especially when it includes the lasting power of friendship.
Showtimes:
- Saturday, September 12 at 5:30pm
- Sunday, September 13 at 9:35pm
- Friday, September 18 at 11:30am
Muyi
Directed by Julien Chheng | France | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
In a mountaintop village in China exclusively reserved for women, Muyi is a teen living with her grandmother and must abide by strict community rules. However, with a sense of curiosity about what lies beyond her borders, Muyi becomes mesmerized when a group of travelling performers arrives and puts on a show called “The Handsome General.” The show causes a stir among the villagers, and Muyi learns about ancient secrets she never expected, which make her see the world anew. If you haven’t added Muyi to your TIFF schedule yet, then you should.
Showtimes:
- Thursday, September 17 at 2:30pm
- Saturday, September 19 at 3:30pm
Rogue Trooper
Directed by Duncan Jones | United Kingdom | North American Premiere | Midnight Madness
Bred for the sole purpose of fighting, dying, and repeating this process in an interstellar war, 19 (Aneurin Barnard) is the sole survivor of a genetically engineered platoon. With the consciousnesses of his fallen comrades stored within biochips embedded in his gun, helmet, and backpack, 19 desperately searches for a way to restore them while trying to root out the traitor in military command. Combining live-actor motion capture and computer-generated animation, Rogue Trooper is definitely right up your alley if you enjoy the military sci-fi subgenre.
Showtimes:
- Saturday, September 19 at 11:59pm
- Sunday, September 20 at 1:15pm
Tangles
Directed by Leah Nelson | Canada | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
Based on Sarah Leavitt’s graphic memoir Tangles: A Story about Alzheimer’s, My Mother and Me comes the 2D-animated film Tangles. Set in 1990s San Francisco, Sarah is experiencing the best of her life until her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis pulls the rug right out from under her. She and the rest of her family have trouble coming to terms with the diagnosis. Featuring black-and-white animation with bursts of colour, Leah Nelson’s feature directorial debut is certainly one that will pull on the heartstrings. Make sure to bring some tissues to your screening.
Showtimes:
- Sunday, September 13 at 2:30pm
- Wednesday, September 16 at 9:00am
- Friday, September 18 at 12:15pm
The Violinist
Directed by Ervin Han, Raúl García | Spain, Italy, Singapore | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
Winner of this year’s Annecy Cristal award, The Violinist follows the tale of Fei and Kai on the cusp of World War II, as they try to survive and navigate the tumultuous changes in Singapore. With the Japanese occupation separating them, the only thing keeping Fei going is remembering the sonata Kai promised they would play together once he returned. Combining animation and music, the film is both beautiful and emotional.
Showtimes:
- Thursday, September 17 at 6:45pm
- Friday, September 18 at 11:30am
- Sunday, September 20 at 4:25pm
Viva Carmen
Directed by Sébastien Laudenbach | France | North American Premiere | Centrepiece
Viva Carmen is a reimagining of Bizet’s Carmen told through the lens of Seville’s children, who try to rewrite Carmen’s catastrophic conclusion. Although the movie omits the opera’s full musical numbers, the score intersperses Bizet’s patterns to create a similar feel. There have been many Carmen adaptations throughout the years, but none as unique as Sébastien Laudenbach’s rendition.
Showtimes:
- Friday, September 11 at 6:00pm
- Saturday, September 12 at 6:25pm
- Saturday, September 19 at 3:00pm
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