Happy International Animation Day
We love animation here at Leeds Heritage Theatres, especially because it is such an accessible art form.
One really special event we have coming up is Moomins on the Riviera, as Tove Jansson's Moomin characters celebrate their 80th anniversary this year. The tagline for their 80th celebrations is “The door is always open”, a fundamental principle in the Moomin stories - and something we have in common with them as we always strive to be welcoming at each of our venues and create a sense of belonging.
For example, our varied programme aims to include something for everyone, including animations which often appeal to adults and children alike. We don't want price to be a barrier, so our Hyde & Seek film strand has Pay What You Can screenings every weekend. At our venues, we create opportunities for all, for example, we welcome refugees into our volunteer programme and we run animation and theatre workshops for children.
We always try to live by the principles of the Moomins, including Moominpappa's wisdom when he says, “The world is full of great and wonderful things for those who are ready for them.”
So, are you ready for some of the wonderful animations and their adaptations that we've got to offer you? Here's a roundup of what's coming up:
Princess Mononoke from today • HPPH
From the legendary Studio Ghibli and Academy Award winning director Hayao Miyazaki, comes an epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles and deep humanity.
Hotel Transylvania (toddler screening) • Fri 31 Oct • HPPH
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish high-end resort, where monsters and their families can live it up away from the human world.
KPop Demon Hunters • from Fri 31 Oct • HPPH
Back by popular demand on Halloween weekend, seal the Honmoon and sing your favourite KPop Demon Hunters songs with HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys in this full-length, sing-along version of the Netflix hit film.
Corpse Bride • from Sat 01 Nov • HPPH
Tim Burton presents a hair-raising legend based on a 19th-century Russian folktale.
Dora: Magic Mermaid Adventures (toddler screening) • Fri 07 Nov • HPPH
After playing a magical charango, Dora and Boots turn into mermaids and go on a series of mer-mazing underwater adventures.
The Wild Robot • Sat 08 Nov • HPPH
From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot.
The Snail and the Whale & Tiddler (toddler screenings) • from Fri 14 Nov • HPPH
Join us for a delightful double bill of animated adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s beloved children’s classics, beautifully brought to life with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A perfect treat for little ones in Baby Week!
Moomins on the Riviera (toddler screening) • Fri 21 Nov • HPPH
The first animated feature based on the beloved Moomin comic strips by Tove Jansson.
The Land Before Time (toddler screening) • Fri 28 Nov • HPPH
Littlefoot is a juvenile brontosaurus who has to follow his family to the fables Green Valley where food, in a world drying up, is still abundant.
The Glassworker • from Sat 29 Nov • HPPH
Brought to life through stunning hand-drawn animation, The Glassworker is a poetic tale of first love, family, and the price of staying true to your art.
The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child (toddler screening) • Fri 05 Dec • HPPH
A festive double bill of the classic animations based on the best-selling children’s books written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
The Snowman & The Snowman and the Snowdog • Fri 12 Dec • HPPH
A festive compilation of the classic animation duo based on the children's stories by illustrator Raymond Briggs.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl • from Sat 27 Dec • HPPH
Wallace and Gromit return to face off with a familiar foe in this stop-motion comedy caper from the multi-award-winning Aardman animation studio.
Shrek: The Musical • from Tue 07 Apr 2026 • Leeds Grand Theatre
Perfect for audiences of all ages, Shrek: The Musical, presented by LAOS Musical Theatre Company, is a joyful celebration of friendship, self-acceptance and finding your own happily ever after.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast • from Thu 26 Jul 2026 • City Varieties Music Hall
Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) presents its version of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.
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