12 Animated Movies Like DC League Of Super-Pets You Should Watch Next

It's the question we've all been asking — who steps in to save the superheroes when they're the ones in trouble? The answer, of course, is their pets. This is the premise of the animated adventure "DC League of Super-Pets," based on the team of furry, feathered, and scaly heroes from the pages of DC Comics. Giving the Avengers and the Justice League a run for their money, the group is headed up by Krypto the Super-Dog, Superman's best pal and partner in crime-fighting in Metropolis.

Featuring the vocal talents of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Kate McKinnon, "DC League of Super-Pets" sees the group of unlikely heroes stepping in to save the Justice League when they're kidnapped by Lex Luthor and his malevolent guinea pig, Lulu. With plenty of paw-some adventures and action-packed sequences, this is a different breed of superhero film that shows not all heroes wear capes — some of them wear collars as well.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, co-director and screenwriter Jared Stern said, "I really wanted people to come away from this movie feeling like animation is a technique and not a genre. I wanted them to feel like, 'That was a really great superhero movie and it had everything I love in a superhero movie."

If you're looking for another thrilling, fun animal adventure flick or more animated superhero spectaculars, here are 12 films like "DC League of Super-Pets" that you should watch next.

After stealing the show as a supporting character in "The LEGO Movie" in 2014, the brick caped crusader got his own movie three years later, in the riotous "The LEGO Batman Movie." The film sees Batman's (Will Arnett) nemesis, the Joker (Zach Galifianakis), running riot in Gotham and planning the ultimate villain showdown. Batman proudly operates as a lone vigilante, but when new police commissioner Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson) aims to make the city less reliant on one person, Batman is forced to learn to work with others to take down the Joker.

Just as Batman in "The LEGO Batman Movie" reluctantly assembles a team to save the day — including plucky orphan Robin (Michael Cera) and loyal butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) — Superman's dog Krypto gathers a rag-tag gang of shelter animals to save his best pal in "DC League of Super-Pets." As one of the more obscure DC properties, this film about super-powered pets stepping in to save the day is packed with fun gags and subtle references to DC's other cinematic offerings, as well as the wider superhero genre — something that "The LEGO Batman Movie" has in abundance.

Told with glorious self-awareness, "The LEGO Batman Movie" is a smorgasbord of references, meta jokes, and brilliant homages to the masked hero. The film was a hit with audiences as well as critics. "The Lego movie empire delivers another fantastically funny and highly sophisticated pop culture adventure," wrote The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw.

If you've ever wondered what your pets get up to when you're not looking, the 2016 animated comedy "The Secret Life of Pets" has the answer. Max (Louis C.K.) is a pampered pooch who enjoys a comfortable life with his owner in New York City. When Max becomes the reluctant big brother to the unruly Duke (Eric Stonestreet), the pair find themselves lost in the big city and form an uneasy alliance with a bunny called Snowball (Kevin Hart) who leads a gang of abandoned pets vowing revenge on the humans who have wronged them.

While the plot takes many twists and turns, perhaps the best moments of "The Secret Life of Pets" come when the owners close the doors on their pets and we get to see the things they don't — from a parrot living out his high-flying dreams to a cat trying and failing to resist the tempting treats in the fridge. Similarly, "DC League of Super-Pets" delivers on the concept of pets acting in unexpected ways, putting them front and center of the action as they swoop in to save their human owners.

The key to an animated film's box office success is often the voices behind the characters, and both films boast incredibly talented casts, bringing life to the heroes and pets. Kevin Hart has been particularly prolific in recent years, both lending his voice to "DC League of Super-Pets" and stealing the show as Snowball the bunny in "The Secret Life of Pets."

With comic book movies more plentiful than they have ever been, many of them choose to acknowledge the potential for over-saturation with a certain degree of self-awareness. Alongside films like "Deadpool" and "The LEGO Batman Movie," "Teen Titans GO! To the Movies" is one that epitomizes this idea, with plenty of knowing nods to the audience members who are well-versed in the various superhero cinematic universes.

A spin-off from the popular television series "Teen Titans Go!" the big-screen outing for the teenage heroes sees Robin (Scott Menville) determined to make it as the star of his own movie instead of just being the sidekick. Along with the rest of the Titans — Beast Boy (Greg Cipes), Cyborg (Khary Payton), Raven (Tara Strong), and Starfire (Hynden Walch) — they head to Hollywood to pursue their dreams on an adventure that involves time travel and some musical interludes.

"Teen Titans GO! To the Movies" is colorful, energetic, and full of subtle (and not so subtle) comic book movie references. One of the best jokes is the reference to the comic book big-hitters scouring their back catalogs to find some of the more obscure titles to turn into movies, with a fantastic riff on some potential Batman spin-offs. Both the Teen Titans and "DC League of Super-Pets" are inspired by some of the lesser-known comic book characters, and each film succeeds in giving the sidekicks a chance to shine.

Based on Dav Pilkey's novel series of the same name, "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie" sees two best friends — George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) — inadvertently bringing their comic book creation to life when they trick their mean principal, Mr. Krupp, into believing he is Captain Underpants. When a malevolent mad scientist — the gloriously named Professor Poopypants (Nick Kroll) — arrives at the school, George, Harold, and Captain Underpants need to step in to save the day and keep their sense of humor intact.

There are clear similarities between the films — particularly a love of comic books, with the hilarious, handcrafted stories created by George and Harold forming a big part of the narrative. They also share a common voice actor, with Kevin Hart voicing Ace in "DC League of Super-Pets" and George in "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie," and there are even some fun similarities between the origins of the titular underpants-wearing hero and Superman that fans will love.

Filled with zany humor, "Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie" is a rambunctious and entertaining animated comedy with everything from a super-sized toilet to a farting choir. The film was undeniably a success with its target family audience, but critics also appreciated it. The Times' Ed Potton wrote, "[It's] a hugely likable animated film about two cornerstones of childhood: wild imaginations and bottom jokes."

14 years before the Super-Pets swooped in to save the day, Disney introduced the world to their very own super-powered pooch in 2008's "Bolt." John Travolta voices the titular hero in this animated adventure, following a crime-fighting dog who uses his incredible powers to save the day and protect his best pal, Penny (Miley Cyrus). The only problem is that Bolt is on a TV show and to get the best performance out of him, the producers make him think that his powers are real.

After a particularly dramatic episode ends on a cliffhanger, placing Penny in peril, Bolt escapes from the studio to try and rescue her in a real-life adventure. Helped by a cat called Mittens (Susie Essman) and a superfan hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton), Bolt has to overcome his lack of powers and understand the truth to find his way back home. While these characters might not have the abilities that the Super-Pets do, they help each other to succeed and learn something about themselves.

The ethics of allowing a dog to be convinced he's a real-life superhero is perhaps questionable, but the strength of this film lies in the way that the brave Bolt can find the strength within himself to save the day without the special abilities he once believed he had. As well as being a commercial success, "Bolt" also received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature, eventually losing to Pixar's "WALL-E."

Based on the best-selling book series, "The Bad Guys" turns the spotlight on the titular villains, known for their elaborate heists. When they're finally caught, smooth-talking leader of the pack Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) makes a deal to obtain a get-out-of-jail-free card, agreeing to be reformed by the goodie-two-shoes guinea pig Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade). With no intention of holding up their end of the deal, the gang plan to complete their previously thwarted heist, pulling off the ultimate con of pretending to be good.

The Super-Pets might be cuter and cuddlier than the Bad Guys — made up of a wolf, a snake, a piranha, a tarantula, and a shark — but there are still similarities between the two groups. Each has its own unique abilities and skills, and whether super-powered or not, they all have something to bring to the table. In a fun coincidence, both films also prominently feature a guinea pig, and while Professor Marmalade may appear to be good, there is perhaps more to him than meets the eye.

"The Bad Guys" adopts the well-known tropes of the heist movie genre and gives them a fun anthropomorphic animal spin. The cast of characters is undoubtedly fun to root for despite their wicked tendencies, and the film takes you on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns that keeps you guessing right to the very end.

Even the hardcore DC fans might not be aware of the comic book origins of the super-powered pets that inspired 2022's "DC League of Super-Pets." Similarly, Marvel enthusiasts might have to dig pretty deep into the back catalog to find the source material for "Big Hero 6." Following Disney's acquisition of Marvel in 2009, certain big names were off-limits for an animated adaptation, but co-director Don Hall was inspired to look beyond the obvious and find the more obscure offerings that would give the filmmakers greater freedom to make changes (via The Toronto Sun).

Set in the fictional blended city of San Fransokyo, "Big Hero 6" focuses on an assembled group of students who transform themselves into a hero team using their nerdy know-how and the gadgets they've built. Leading the team is Hiro (Ryan Potter), who takes ownership of the cute and cuddly Baymax (Scott Adsit). This medical robot built was by Hiro's brother, and he receives a high-tech upgrade to become an armored flying superhero.

As well as being a fun and exciting adventure, "Big Hero 6" has a strong group of well-developed characters who bring out the best in each other when facing an adversary — just like the Super-Pets do. Hiro in particular has an emotional and powerful character arc, learning to manage his grief and feelings following a family tragedy and being encouraged by the supportive Baymax — as well as the rest of the hero team — to find his strength again.

"DC League of Super-Pets" imagines a society where the super-powered animal companions of well-known comic book heroes live harmoniously alongside them, but "Zootopia" removes the human element to explore a thriving metropolis filled with anthropomorphic mammals. Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) defies expectations when she becomes the first rabbit to join the police force, leaving the rural village of Bunnyburrow for the hustle and bustle of the titular city. Desperate to try and prove herself and escape from parking duty, Judy takes on a case investigating the mysterious disappearance of some of the city's residents, teaming up with con artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman).

While none of the characters in "Zootopia" exhibit the powers of the Super-Pets, they are nonetheless real-life heroes — particularly Judy, who makes for an inspiring and likable protagonist. The strength of "Zootopia" is undoubtedly in its world-building, with the dazzling design of the city (and its modifications for animals big and small) presenting an idyllic, utopic vision. It also doesn't shy away from some hard-hitting issues, exploring the discrimination that still exists from their more violent pasts.

"Zootopia" is one of those unique films that can speak to young and old alike. For younger audiences, there are plenty of gags and exciting action sequences, and for adults, there's a timely message about prejudice, acceptance, and healing. "Zootopia" was a hit with audiences, making more than $1 billion worldwide and winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2017.

As a franchise, "PAW Patrol" has proven to be immensely popular, with more than 200 episodes of the television show airing since 2013. The premise sees 10-year-old Ryder and his team of search and rescue pups frequently called upon to save the residents of Adventure Bay and its neighboring communities. The show easily taps into that winning formula that appeals to children: cute characters, fun action, and a clear sense of right and wrong with a positive resolution in each episode when the pups come to the rescue.

These plucky pups are big business, and since 2014 the franchise has generated more than $8 billion in retail sales (via Paramount Pictures), so it was only a matter of time before they made the leap onto the big screen. Released in 2021, "PAW Patrol: The Movie" sees the squad heading to Adventure City to take down their biggest rival, the pompous Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo). With the group's leader, Chase (Iain Armitage), facing a crisis of confidence, the gang recruits sassy dachshund Liberty (Marsai Martin) and pulls together to save the day.

While the team may have everyday jobs — including a police officer and a fire marshal — the PAW Patrol are basically superheroes and fans of "DC League of Super-Pets" will find a lot to enjoy here. Like any reputable hero, these pups come with their own catchphrases, cool vehicles and gadgets, and that crucial thirst for justice. It might be aimed at younger audiences, but there's plenty of fun to be had here, and heroes rarely come cuter than this.

Exploring new territory with an original team of heroes, Disney-Pixar's "The Incredibles" focuses on the Parrs — a family with extraordinary powers who are forced into hiding when superheroes are banned by the government. Bob, aka Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), works a boring job in insurance and dreams of his glory days, while Helen, aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), finds herself stretched thin trying to look after their kids and keep the home together. When Mr. Incredible receives a mysterious summons to resume his hero duties, the whole family gets involved to save the day.

Whether it's the biological family unit in "The Incredibles" or the chosen family formed in "DC League of Super-Pets," both films have a strong emphasis on strength in numbers and teamwork. A central idea in any superhero team story, each member has something to bring to the table, an ability that no one else has, and a key contribution they can make to the overall mission. When one is in trouble, others can step in to help out, and this is something that both films emphasize.

With a worldwide box office of more than $631 million, "The Incredibles" was a huge success, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 2004. It also hit the right notes with critics, who praised the film's humor and sense of fun, and it went on to win two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Achievement in Sound Editing.

We've seen plenty of superhero movies — both animated and otherwise over the years — so it's always refreshing when a film comes along that offers something a little bit different. Just as "DC League of Super-Pets" turns the focus to the animal companions of the well-known heroes, 2010's "Megamind" highlights the cunning titular supervillain instead of the hero, and explores the importance of a world that has a balance between good and evil.

"Megamind" takes us into the brilliant brain of the egotistical villain who has been defeated time and time again by dashing hero Metro Man (Brad Pitt). No one is more surprised than Megamind (Will Ferrell) when he finally manages to defeat his nemesis, but without a hero to defeat him, he struggles to find his purpose in life. Things take a turn when he tries to create a new hero to bring him down, but the newly christened Titan (Jonah Hill) decides it's much more fun to be the villain.

We're used to seeing the good guys defeat the bad guys without much thought given to how this makes the bad guy feel, and "Megamind" takes this premise and utilizes it to hilarious effect. Self-deprecating, meta, and very knowing of the superhero genre, "Megamind" is an outrageous animated comedy that is bolstered by the superb voice acting from its cast — particularly Will Ferrell, who was born to play characters like this. The film proved to be a big box office hit, grossing more than $321 million worldwide.

Based on the 1968 novel "The Iron Man" by Ted Hughes, this charming animated sci-fi movie introduces us to the titular alien robot (voiced by Vin Diesel) after he crash lands on Earth. Discovered by 9-year-old Hogarth (Eli Marienthal), the pair form an unlikely friendship that's challenged when paranoid government agent Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald) believes the robot has dishonorable intentions and seeks to destroy him.

Set during the Cold War, "The Iron Giant" is rich in allegory and meaning, exploring the feeling of suspicion and distrust that existed at the time — particularly regarding something unexplainable that could also have the potential to be a weapon. While this side of the story is important, there's also an endearing story of friendship and how a young boy is able to see the good in the alien when others don't.

While tonally very different from "DC League of Super-Pets," there is a surprising connection between them, with both films sharing a fascination with a certain red-caped Kryptonian hero to some degree. While not an on-screen character in "The Iron Giant," Superman is nonetheless thematically very important to the story, with Hogarth introducing his new friend to the comic book hero and helping him to see he could be just like him — culminating in the film's emotional and dramatic conclusion. Considered to be a flop at the box office when it was released in 1999, "The Iron Giant" has subsequently been branded a cult classic, attracting new audiences when it was re-released in 2015.