Gru (Steve Carell) plans to steal the moon. Yet despite being armed with shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles, he must confront three little orphaned girls (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher) looking for a daddy. This is first American-produced animated feature made in France (with animation by Mac Guff Ligne). Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud direct, with Chris Meledandri producing with John Cohen and Janet Healy. Perhaps a little UPA meets Ratatouille?

Zack Snyder gets animated Down Under with Animal Logic. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (Warner Bros., Sept. 24)

Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch, Watchmen, 300) tries his hand at animation with a stunning-looking adaptation of Kathryn Lasky's children's book series. An owl story with unique Australian characters set in a fantasyland of forests, deserts, canyons, oceans and islands, which is why Animal Logic(Happy Feet) is perfect for doing the animation.

Crest Animation is back with another fabled children's tale. Courtesy of Lionsgate.

Alpha and Omega (Lionsgate, Oct. 1)

From Crest Animation Prods. comes a Romeo and Juliet-inspired tale of two wolves that go against their rival packs by forming a strong bond. Directed by Ben Gluck (9 story supervisor and story artist on The Emperor's New Groove) and Anthony Bell (The Boondocks), produced by Richard Rich (The Swan Princess, The Fox and the Hound) and Ken Katsumoto, the children's release is voiced by Hayden Panettiere, Justin Long, Christina Ricci and Dennis Hopper.

What's a supervillain to do without a superhero to fight? Courtesy of Paramount.

Megamind (Paramount, Nov. 5)

DreamWorks' third release involves the world's most brilliant supervillain (Will Ferrell), who, after finally killing his arch-nemesis, Metro Man (Brad Pitt), is faced with a meaningless life until he decides to create a new good guy to fight, Titan (Jonah Hill). However, Titan doesn't want to play by the rules. With room enough for Tina Fey. Directed by Tom McGrath (Madagascar) and produced by Ben Stiller.