In real life, animals generally don’t socialize (or, for that matter, talk or wear pants) but in movies, anything can happen.
Disney’s Zootopia celebrates a fantastical land where animals big, small, furry, slick, cute and fierce all reside in a mammal metropolis. A rabbit cop and a con artist fox encounter hippos, elephants and unforgettable sloths as they attempt to solve the mystery of a rash of disappearances of Zootopia residents.
If your family likes to walk on the wild side with flicks filled with an array of animals, here are eight more to check out.
Biggest Case of Animal Culture Shock: Madagascar
Rated PG
A lion, a zebra, a giraffe and a hippo just happen to be BFFs, a friendship forged at their home, New York's Central Park Zoo, where they live the good life. After a series of unusual events, they end up dealing with penguins and a slew of merry lemurs and become shipwrecked on island of Madagascar. The four friends learn firsthand about life in the wild.
Most Old-School Animal Pals: Ice Age
Rated PG
In Ice Age, a truly old-school trio – a sabertooth tiger, a sloth and a wooly mammoth – form an unlikely bond. The new friends unite to try to return a lost human infant to his tribe. This first film was followed with the sequels, Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) and Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012). The fifth film, titled Ice Age: Collision Course, is set to be released in July of 2016.
Most Classic Animated Animal Adventure: The Jungle Book (1967)
Rated G
While not all on the same side, the animals of Disney’s The Jungle Book (circa 1967) all communicate in their various ways from 'Bagheera' the Panther and Baloo the Bear to King Louise the Ape and the sinister tiger Shere Khan.
Most Anticipated Animal Adventure Reboot
The Jungle Book (2016)
Rated PG
In this much anticipated reboot of the 1967 classic, the animals, while animated, are stunningly realistic. A far more wild and intense ride than the softer, sweeter original. The film, which looks to be an epic adventure, has the added bonuses of an A-list voice cast including Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba and Lupita N'yongo.
Most Helpful Crew of Animals: Zookeeper
Rated PG
Jerome the Bear (Jon Favreau), Joe the Lion (Sylvester Stallone), Donald the Monkey (Adam Sandler) and other wild residents of the Franklin Park Zoo unite (and break their code of silence) to try to find love for their favorite zookeeper Griffin (Kevin James). Now those are some animals who have their hearts in the right place.
Biggest Quest for Animal City Slickers: The Wild
Rated G
In Disney’s The Wild (2006), a young lion is accidentally shipped from his New York Zoo to Africa. Another lion, a squirrel, a giraffe, and a koloa, all fellow residents of the zoo, set off to get their pal back. Animal voices are provided by such luminaries as Kiefer Sutherland, Jim Belushi, Janeane Garofalo and Eddie Izzard.
Most Noble Animal Quest: Animals United
Rated G
The animals, as the title makes clear, unite in order to battle a plush resort that has built a dam that destroyed their habitat. The main characters – a meerkat named Billy and a lion named Socrates – join forces with a collection of creatures including a polar bear named Sushi, a kangaroo named Toby, a Tasmanian devil named Smiley, and two Galápagos tortoises named Winifred and Winston. They take on the resort and to retrieve the lion Socrates who has been kidnapped.
Most Talented Animal Crew kung fu fighting: Kung Fu Panda
Rated PG
First, the idea of a panda who does Kung Fu, is a crazy enough premise right there. Throw in the fact that he’s joins the martial art wonders that are the Furious Five – made up of Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey – really brings it to another level! Kung Fu Panda keeps on kicking with sequels, Kung Fu Panda 2 and Kung Fu Panda 3.
Most Beloved Animal Assemble: Lion King
Rated G
It’s not every day that a lion befriends a meerkat and a warthog and wanders the wild singing ditties, but that’s just want happens in the Disney classic The Lion King. Plus, so much more. And it’s not just Simba who finds unlikely allies, his evil uncle Scar is in cahoots with a trio of hyenas.
