Top 10 Most Anticipated Cartoon Shows of 2022

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Anticipated Animated Series of 2022.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most promising-looking animated shows set to debut next year. We’re leaving off Disney’s “Iwájú,” as a 2023 release seems more probable at this point.

Which animated series are you looking forward to seeing in 2022? Let us know in the comments.

With just three simple words, Groot has grown into a pop culture icon. It was only a matter of time until the lovable Flora colossus got his own show. Unlike the “Guardians of the Galaxy” animated series from a few years ago, “I Am Groot” utilizes photorealistic animation closer to the MCU movies. That’s because this Disney+ show is officially part of the MCU’s fourth phase. Baby Groot will reportedly be the focus, which likely means that the series takes place after the first “Guardians” film, but before “Infinity War.” Since the protagonist is only a sapling, it’s only fitting that episodes are being kept relatively short. Even in small doses, though, Groot can leave an impression the size of a beanstalk.

Since first hitting the scene in 1993, “Magic: The Gathering” has taken off as one of the most popular tabletop and digital card games of all time. Given the franchise’s passionate following and intricate lore, it’s a wonder why “Magic” hasn’t gotten an animated TV adaptation already. This Netflix series should be more than worth the wait, especially given the talent involved. Taking a break from the MCU, Joe and Anthony Russo will helm the production with Wizards of The Coast and Hasbro’s Allspark Animation. Longtime “Magic” fans, the Russos are delving deeper into the world of Planeswalkers with Brandon Routh leading the series as Gideon Jura. Even if you’re not familiar with the game, the series also serves as a gateway for new fans.

If you thought a humanoid tree was an unlikely superhero, how about a red dinosaur from a parallel universe? In the comics, Devil Dinosaur was originally paired with the ape-like Moon-Boy. In recent years, Moon-Boy has been phased out in favor of Lunella Lafayette, aka Moon Girl. A brilliant 9-year-old, Moon Girl shares a mental connection to Devil Dinosaur. While this Disney Channel series isn’t set in the MCU, it has an “Ant-Man and the Wasp” alumnus onboard. Laurence Fishburne not only voices the Beyonder, but co-developed the series with Helen Sugland of “Black-ish.” The voice cast also includes Diamond White as Lunella, Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur, and Alfre Woodard as grandma Mimi. How can you go wrong with a dinosaur in New York?

Yet another animated series based on a Marvel comic, “Baymax!” isn’t to be confused with “Big Hero 6: The Series.” Where that Emmy-nominated show was produced by Disney Television Animation, “Baymax!” is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first TV spinoff. That means we can likely expect a more cinematic style akin to the Oscar-winning 2014 animated feature. Director Don Hall has described the show as “a continuation of the movie” that’ll focus on Baymax’s original directive as a healthcare companion. Rather than fighting bad guys with the rest of the team, Baymax will search the streets of San Fransokyo for patients in need. Medical workers are superheroes in their own right and “Baymax!” should serve as a reminder why, complete with warm hugs.

“Hair Love” proved so funny, touching, and relatable that it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short. The Young family returns in this HBO Max series, which creator Matthew A. Cherry is showrunning with Carl Jones of “The Boondocks” and “Black Dynamite.” With the first season consisting of twelve episodes, “Young Love” expands upon the lives of patriarch Stephen, matriarch Angela, daughter Zuri, and cat Rocky. Like the original short, the series is poised to be an honest portrayal of Black households, millennial parents, and growing up in 21st century America. In addition to work and family, “Young Love” explores the social issues we’re still dealing with today. With Chicago providing the show’s backdrop, we’re ready to fall in love all over again.

“Tiny Toon Adventures” kicked off a renaissance of animated shows that continued with “Animaniacs,” “Pinky and the Brain,” and “Freakazoid.” Just as “Animaniacs” recently received a revival on Hulu, Buster and Babs are staging a comeback on HBO Max. Not every Acme Looniversity alumnus is returning, as Cree Summer confirmed that Elmyra Duff won’t be re-enrolling. Charlie Adler isn’t reprising his role as Buster either, leaving us to wonder if Tress MacNeille will be back as Babs. In any case, HBO and Cartoon Network seem confident in the project, granting it a two-season order upfront. Given how much Warner Bros. and the world have changed since the 90s, there’s no shortage of topics for showrunner Erin Gibson to cover.

With clever social commentary for all ages, “Zootopia” was the right film at the right time, winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar. Like “Baymax!,” “Zootopia+” is being produced in-house at Walt Disney Animation Studios, continuing their string of animated TV shows. While we wouldn’t be surprised if Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde popped up, “Zootopia+” will primarily focus on supporting players from the film. After all, Zootopia is a sprawling metropolis with numerous residents. Some of the familiar faces we can expect to see include Mr. Big’s daughter Fru Fru, Gazelle’s tiger dancers, and the scene-stealing Flash the sloth. This anthology series will also parody reality TV with titles like “The Real Mousewives of Little Rodentia” and “So You Think You Can Prance.”

“Primal” recently picked up the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, adding another Emmy to Genndy Tartakovsky’s collection. Will “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal” be Tartakovsky’s next awards magnet? In any case, this supernatural series seems destined for cult status. Centered on an ancient group of heroes, the titular unicorns are awakened to fight another day, but things aren’t as they should be. The unicorns have been turned into teenagers, their memories have been wiped, and their powers have been drained. Our heroes must find themselves while also finding a way to save the world. Taking a break from Tartakovsky’s adults-only material, “Unicorn” aims to achieve the universal appeal of “Dexter’s Lab,” “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” and the OG seasons of “Samurai Jack.”

Taking no prisoners, “The Boondocks” was never afraid to be controversial, in bad taste, and brutally honest. Some might argue that the show couldn’t be made today. With a reboot getting a two-season order, though, it appears there’s still room for the Freeman family’s hot takes and foul mouths. Considering everything that’s happened since the original show ended in 2014, we can only imagine what the Freemans will have to say about the authorities, protesters, and certain political figures. Containing twelve episodes, the first season is launching on HBO Max with a 50-minute premiere. Creator Aaron McGruder is also coming back as a showrunner and executive producer. Since McGruder wasn’t involved in the original show’s poorly received final season, his return couldn’t come soon enough.

What happens when you take a group of talented voice actors and have them play “Dungeons & Dragons?” You get “Critical Role,” a web series that’s taken on a life of its own. With “Critical Role” already inspiring a successful comic series, an animated adaptation was inevitable. One record-breaking Kickstarter campaign later, “The Legend of Vox Machina” was given the green light at Amazon with a two-season order. Matthew Mercer, Ashley Johnson, and the rest of the gang will reprise their roles, as seen at the NYCC live read. The series covers the first “Critical Role” campaign, which consisted of 115 episodes. While the first season will only have twelve episodes, we can expect to see a lot more of this franchise in the years to come.