# List of animated feature films of 1997

This is a list of animated feature films first released in 1997.

## List

| Title | Country | Director | Studio | Technique | Format | Notes | Release | Duration |
| Adarna: The Mythical Bird | Philippines | Geirry A. Garccia | Guiding Light Productions, Inc. FLT Films International | Traditional | Theatrical | First feature-length theatrical animated film produced in the Philippines. | December 25, 1997 | 78 minutes |
| Ali Baba and the Pirates Alì Babà e i pirati | Italy | Zlata Potancokova Belli | Airone Cinematografica | Traditional | Theatrical | | October 10, 1997 | 80 minutes |
| Alien from the Darkness 淫獣エイリアン (Injū Alien) | Japan | Norio Takanami | PP Project Pink Pineapple | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | January 24, 1997 | 45 minutes |
| Anastasia | United States | Don Bluth Gary Goldman | 20th Century Fox (distributor) 20th Century Fox Animation Fox Animation Studios | Traditional | Theatrical | First Don Bluth film to use digital ink and paint, and the first production of Fox Animation Studios and the inaugural release from 20th Century Fox Animation. | November 21, 1997 | 94 minutes |
| Anastasia | United States Japan | Diane Eskenazi (uncredited) | Golden Films Sony Wonder (distributor) | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | May 20, 1997 | 48 minutes |
| Annabelle's Wish | United States | Roy Wilson | Ralph Edwards Productions | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | October 21, 1997 | 54 minutes |
| Babes in Toyland | United States | Charles Grosvenor Toby Bluth Paul Sabella | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | October 14, 1997 | 74 minutes |
| Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! WGP Bōsō Miniyonku Dai Tsuiseki! 爆走兄弟レッツ&ゴー!!WGP 暴走ミニ四駆大追跡! (The Racing Brothers Let's & Go!! WGP Runaway Mini 4WD Great Pursuit!) | Japan | Tetsurō Amino | Xebec | Traditional | Theatrical | | July 5, 1997 | 80 minutes |
| The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest | United States | Toshihiko Masuda | Warner Bros. Animation | Traditional | Television film | Originally aired as a part of the second season of Superman: The Animated Series, the plot is set inbetween episodes 28 and 32 of the overall series. | October 4, 1997 | 64 minutes |
| Beauty and the Beast | United States | Diane Eskenazi (uncredited) | Golden Films Hong Ying Animation Co. (overseas animation production) Sony Wonder (distributor) | Traditional | Television film | Golden Films' second adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast story after the 1992 film. | July 13, 1997 | 49 minutes |
| Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas | United States Canada | Andy Knight | Walt Disney Video Premiere | Traditional | Direct-to-video | Sequel to Beauty and the Beast (1991); first Disney direct-to-video film to use digital ink and paint. | November 11, 1997 | 72 minutes |
| Benjamin Bluemchen Benjamin Blümchen | Germany Luxembourg | Gerhard Hahn [de] | Hahn Film AG | Traditional | Theatrical | | December 4, 1997 | 75 minutes |
| The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue | United States | Robert C. Ramirez | Hyperion Animation The Kushner-Locke Company | Traditional | Direct-to-video | Sequel to The Brave Little Toaster (1987). | May 20, 1997 | 74 minutes |
| Case Closed: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper 名探偵コナン 時計じかけの摩天楼 (Meitantei Konan: Tokei Jikake no Matenrō) | Japan | Kenji Kodama | TMS Entertainment Toho (distributor) | Traditional | Theatrical | First installment of the Case Closed film series. | April 19, 1997 | 94 minutes |
| Cats Don't Dance | United States | Mark Dindal | Turner Feature Animation | Traditional | Theatrical | Second and last film produced by Turner Feature Animation, which was later absorbed into Warner Bros. Animation after the Time Warner merger with parent company Turner Entertainment. | March 28, 1997 | 77 minutes |
| A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation Xiao Qian | Hong Kong | Andrew Chan | Film Workshop Triangle Staff | Traditional | Theatrical | | July 26, 1997 | 82 minutes |
| A Christmas Carol | United States | Stan Phillips | DIC Entertainment | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | October 11, 1997 | 72 minutes |
| City Hunter: The Motion Picture シティーハンタースペシャル　グッド・バイ・マイ・スイート・ハート (City Hunter Special: Goodbye My Sweetheart) | Japan | Kazuo Yamazaki Kenji Kodama | Sunrise | Traditional | Television film | | April 25, 1997 | 88 minutes |
| The Count of Monte Cristo | Canada United States | Rick Allen Laura Shepherd | Blye Migicovsky Productions Phoenix Animation Studios | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | May 15, 1997 | 45 minutes |
| Crayon Shin-chan: Pursuit of the Balls of Darkness クレヨンしんちゃん 暗黒タマタマ大追跡 (Kureyon Shinchan: Ankoku Tamatama Daitsuiseki) | Japan | Keiichi Hara | Shin-Ei Animation Toho (distributor) | Traditional | Theatrical | | April 19, 1997 | 100 minutes |
| The Day the Earth Moved 地球が動いた日 (Chikyū ga Ugoita Hi) | Japan | Toshio Gotō | Tama Production | Traditional | Theatrical | Fictionalised account of the aftermath of the Great Hanshin earthquake, which took place on January 17, 1995. | July 22, 1997 | 76 minutes |
| Deep Sea Fleet: Submarine 707 深海の艦隊 サブマリン707 (Sinkai no Kantai Sabumarin Nana Maru Nana) | Japan | Teruo Kogure | Knack Productions | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | January 10, 1997 | 45 minutes |
| Dibu: The Movie Dibu: La película | Argentina | Carlos Olivieri Alejandro Stoessel | Patagonik Film Group | Traditional/Live action | Theatrical | | July 10, 1997 | 105 minutes |
| The Dog of Flanders: The Movie 劇場版 フランダースの犬 (Gekijôban Furandāsu no Inu) | Japan | Yoshio Kuroda | Shochiku (distributor) Nippon Animation | Traditional | Theatrical | Feature film remake of the 1975 animated television series Dog of Flanders, based on the same source material, which originally ran from January 5 to December 28 of that year and produced by the same studio that made the earlier TV series. | March 15, 1997 | 104 minutes |
| Doraemon: Nobita and the Spiral City ドラえもん のび太のねじ巻き都市冒険記 (Doraemon: Nobita no Neji maki Shitī Bôkenki) | Japan | Tsutomu Shibayama | Asatsu Shin-Ei Animation Toho (distributor) | Traditional | Theatrical | | March 8, 1997 | 99 minutes |
| Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy ドラゴンボールGT(ジーティー) 悟空外伝! 勇気の証しは四星球 (Doragon Bōru Jī Tī: Gokū Gaiden! Yūki no Akashi wa Sūshinchū) | Japan | Yoshihiro Ueda Hidehiko Kadota | Toei Animation | Traditional | Television special | | March 26, 1997 | 46 minutes |
| Droids: The Pirates and the Prince | United States Canada | | Lucasfilm Nelvana 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (distributor) | Traditional | Direct-to-video Compilation film | Compilation film of the second story arc of the animated series Star Wars: Droids (1985–1986), covering the first four episodes of the plot and leaving out the concluding episode ("Coby and the Starhunters") from the duration of the narrative. | February 11, 1997 | 85 minutes |
| Elmer's Adventure: My Father's Dragon エルマーの冒険 MY FATHER'S DRAGON (Erumā no Bōken Mai Fāzāsu Doragon) | Japan | Masami Hata | Shochiku | Traditional | Theatrical | | July 5, 1997 | 98 minutes |
| The End of Evangelion 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に (Shin Seiki Evangerion Gekijō-ban: Ea/Magokoro o, Kimi ni) | Japan | Kazuya Tsurumaki Hideaki Anno | Kadokawa Shoten TV Tokyo Sega Corporation Production I.G Movic Starchild Gainax Co., Ltd. | Traditional | Theatrical | | July 19, 1997 | 87 minutes |
| Ewoks: The Haunted Village | United States Canada | | Lucasfilm Nelvana 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (distributor) | Traditional | Direct-to-video Compilation film | Compilation film of episodes 1 ("The Cries of the Trees"), 2 ("The Haunted Village"), 3 ("Rampage of the Phlogs") and 9 ("Sunstar vs. Shadowstone") from season one of the animated series Ewoks (1985–1986) that ran for two seasons and 26 episodes from September 7, 1985, to December 13, 1986. | February 11, 1997 | 75 minutes |
| The Fearless Four Die furchtlosen Vier | Germany United States United Kingdom | Michael Coldewey Eberhard Junkersdorf Jürgen Richter | Warner Bros. Family Entertainment (distributor) Munich Animation | Traditional | Theatrical | | October 2, 1997 | 87 minutes (German, original release) 81 minutes (English dubbed version) |
| Fujimi Orchestra 富士見二丁目交響楽団 (Fujimi Nichōme Kōkyō Gakudan) | Japan | Akira Nishimori | AIC Bee Media Brain's Base | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | July 22, 1997 | 60 minutes |
| Go to Hell!! | Australia | Ray Nowland | | Traditional | Theatrical | | 1997 | 73 minutes |
| Hercules | United States | Ron Clements John Musker | Walt Disney Pictures (distributor) Walt Disney Feature Animation | Traditional | Theatrical | The eighth Disney animated feature of the Disney Renaissance. | June 27, 1997 | 93 minutes |
| Hercules | United States | Diane Eskenazi (uncredited) | Golden Films Sony Wonder (distributor) | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | February 11, 1997 | 48 minutes |
| Herkules | Germany | Roswitha Haas | Dingo Pictures | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | December 31, 1997 | 45 minutes |
| Hermes – Winds of Love ヘルメス－愛は風の如く (Hermes – Ai Wa Kaze No Gotoku) | Japan | Tetsuo Imazawa | Happy Science Studio Junio Arts Pro Animation Staff Room Sony PCL | Traditional | Theatrical | | April 12, 1997 | 117 minutes |
| Home of Acorns どんぐりの家 (Donguri no Ie) | Japan | Takashi Anno Osamu Yamamoto (chief director) | Ajia-do Animation Works Japanese Federation of the Deaf Kyosaren | Traditional | Theatrical | The film won the Excellence Award in the 1997 Japan Media Arts Festival (Animation Division). | | 100 minutes |
| Hua Mulan | Italy | Orlando Corradi | Mondo TV | Traditional | | | | 87 minutes |
| I Married a Strange Person! | United States | Bill Plympton | Italtoons | Traditional | Theatrical | | September 8, 1997 | 73 minutes |
| Jiang de Kailaban jue 倔强的凯拉班 (The Stubborn Kailaban) Kerabans phantastische Reise (Keraban's Fantastic Journey) | China Germany | Manfred Durniok Hong Hu Zhao | Shanghai Animation Film Studio | Stop motion | Theatrical | Based on the 1883 novel Kéraban the Inflexible (Keraban-le-têtu) by Jules Verne. | May 11, 1997 | 90 minutes |
| Jigoku Sensei Nūbē: Gozen 0 toki Nūbē Shisu 地獄先生ぬ～べ～ 午前0時ぬ～べ～死す (Hell Teacher Nūbē: 0 a.m. Nube Dead) | Japan | Yukio Kaizawa | Toei Animation | Traditional | Theatrical | | March 8, 1997 | 45 minutes |
| Journey Beneath the Sea | United States Canada | Stephen Anderson Roman Arambula Keith Ingham | Hyperion Pictures | Traditional | Direct-to-video Compilation film | Seventh compilation film of the animated television series The Oz Kids (1996). | March 11, 1997 | 66 minutes |
| Jungle Emperor Leo 劇場版 ジャングル大帝 (Gekijōban Janguru Taitei) | Japan | Yoshio Takeuchi | Shochiku (distributor) Tezuka Productions | Traditional | Theatrical | | August 1, 1997 | 99 minutes |
| Katharina & Witt, Fiction & Reality | Germany | Mariola Brillowska Charles Kissing | Interpol Studios Hamburg | Traditional | | | | 100 minutes |
| Kigyō Senshi Yamazaki: Long Distance Call 企業戦士YAMAZAKI ~LONG DISTANCE CALL~ (Corporate Warrior Yamazaki: Long Distance Call) | Japan | Tsuneo Tominaga | Ripple Film Bandai Music Entertainment Happinet Pictures | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | October 25, 1997 | 45 minutes |
| Kikansha Sensei 機関車先生 (Locomotive Teacher) | Japan | Kōzō Kusuba | Nippon Animation Fuji Television Network Tohokushinsha Film Corporation Toho (distributor) | Traditional | Theatrical | | March 29, 1997 | 133 minutes |
| King David | Italy | Orlando Corradi | Mondo TV | Traditional | Television film Compilation film | | | 88 minutes |
| The Little Bastard [de] Kleines Arschloch | Germany | Michael Schaack Veit Vollmer | Hahn Film AG (uncredited) Senator Film Produktion TCB Toon Company Berlin TFC Trickompany Filmproduktion | Traditional | Theatrical | | March 6, 1997 | 82 minutes |
| The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island | United States | Charles Grosvenor | Universal Cartoon Studios | Traditional | Direct-to-video | Fifth installment in The Land Before Time film series. | December 9, 1997 | 74 minutes |
| Lapitch the Little Shoemaker Čudnovate zgode šegrta Hlapića | Croatia Germany | Milan Blažeković | Croatia Film HaffaDiebold ProSieben | Traditional | Theatrical | Croatian's highest grossing animated film. | June 23, 1997 | 83 minutes |
| Licca-chan to Yamaneko Hoshi no Tabi リカちゃんとヤマネコ 星の旅 (Licca-chan and the Wildcat: Star Trip) | Japan | Tsutomu Shibayama | Ajiado Group TAC Takara (distributor) Toho (distributor) | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | Originally completed in 1994 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Licca-chan dress-up doll (1964-1994), produced and owned by Takara, and the franchise it spawned out. | September 12, 1997 | 78 minutes |
| Lupin III: Island of Assassins ルパン三世『ワルサーP38』 (Rupan Sansei: Walusa P38) | Japan | Toshiyasu Shinohara Hiroyuki Yano | Tokyo Movie Shinsha Nippon TV | Traditional | Television special | | August 1, 1997 | 93 minutes |
| Megasónicos | Spain | Javier González de la Fuente, José Martínez Montero | Baleuko S.L. | Computer | Direct-to-video | | | 85 minutes |
| Merry Christmas Little Moonky! Joyeux Noël Petit Moonky! | Belgium France | André Moons Pierre Urbain | Odec Kid Cartoons Moonkys C$^o$ G3 Productions TF1 Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) Les Films de la Perrine | Traditional | Television film | | | 48 minutes |
| Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off | United States | Doug Murphy | Walt Disney Television Animation | Traditional | Direct-to-video | Reedited alternate version of the eponymous two-part storyline "The First Face Off", the pilot of the television series Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series that aired from September 6, 1996 to January 17, 1997 for a total of 26 half-hour episodes. | April 8, 1997 | 66 minutes |
| Mondo Plympton | United States | Bill Plympton | Plymptoons | Traditional | Theatrical Compilation film | A "best of..." compilation of animator Bill Plympton's classic shorts, including "Your Face", "How to Kiss", "One of Those Days", "25 Ways to Quit Smoking", "Plymptoons", "Nosehair" and "How to Make Love to a Woman". In between, an animated version of Bill answers questions about his life and career. | March 28, 1997 | 53 minutes |
| Monsieur Seguin's Goat La Chèvre de Monsieur Seguin | France | Eveline Fouché Vladimir Goncharov | Mathares Borisfen Millimages PolyGram (distributor) | Traditional | Television special | Based on the 1866 book of the same title by Alphonse Daudet. | February 4, 1997 | 54 minutes |
| Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 シト新生 (Shin Seiki Evangerion Gekijō-ban: Shi to Shinsei) | Japan | Hideaki Anno Masayuki Kazuya Tsurumaki | Kadokawa Shoten TV Tokyo Sega Corporation Production I.G Movic Starchild Gainax Co., Ltd. | Traditional | Theatrical | | March 15, 1997 | 72 minutes ("Death") 28 minutes ("Rebirth") 68 minutes ["Death (True)"] 68 minutes ["Death (True)$^2$", excluding intermission] |
| Neznayka on the Moon Незнайка на Луне (Neznayka na lunye) | Russia | Yuriy Butyrin Andrey Ignatenko Aleksandr Lyutkevich | FAF Entertainment Russkoye zoloto | Traditional | | Based on the 1965 novel Dunno on the Moon by Nikolay Nosov. | | 151 minutes |
| Perfect Blue パーフェクトブルー (Pāfekuto Burū) | Japan | Satoshi Kon | Madhouse | Traditional | Theatrical | Directorial debut of Satoshi Kon. | August 5, 1997 | 81 minutes |
| The Purfume of the Invisible One Le Parfum de l'invisible | France United States | Francis Nielsen | Blue Dahlia Productions Canal+ M6 Oranton Ltd. Pipangaï Production Provision (distributor) | Traditional | Television film | Baseed on the 1986 comic Le Parfum de l'invisible by Milo Manara. | | 68 minutes |
| Pippi Longstocking | Sweden Germany Canada | Clive A. Smith | Nelvana Limited AB Svensk Filmindustri | Traditional | Theatrical | | August 22, 1997 | 77 minutes |
| Pocahontas and the Spider Woman | Italy | Kim Jun Ok | SEK Studio Mondo TV | Traditional | Television film Compilation film | | | 79 minutes |
| Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin | United States | Karl Geurs | Walt Disney Video Premiere | Traditional | Direct-to-video | | August 5, 1997 | 85 minutes |
| Princess Mononoke もののけ姫 (Mononoke-hime) | Japan | Hayao Miyazaki | Studio Ghibli Toho (distributor) | Traditional | Theatrical | Japan's highest grossing anime film until Spirited Away (2001). | July 12, 1997 | 133 minutes |
| Psycho Diver: Soul Siren サイコダイバー　魔性菩薩 (Psycho Diver: Mashō Bosatsu) | Japan | Mamoru Kanbe | Madhouse Studio Junio Filmlink International Goodhill Vision Toei Video Co., Ltd. | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | May 21, 1997 | 49 minutes |
| The Quest for the Key to Heaven Jakten på himlens nyckel | Sweden | Karl Gunnar Holmqvist | Home Made and Lean Productions | Stop motion | | | January 24, 1997 | 73 minutes |
| The Secret of Anastasia | United States | Lee Lan | Schwartz & Company UAV Corporation Animation Ink Hong Long Studio Hong Ying Animation Company (uncredited) Suzhou Hong Ying Animation Company (uncredited) | Traditional | Direct-to-video | Second film in the UAV The Secret of... series. | December 25, 1997 | 57 minutes |
| Slayers Great スレイヤーズ ぐれいと (Sureiyāzu gurēto) | Japan | Kunihiko Yuyama Hiroshi Watanabe | J.C.Staff | Traditional | Theatrical | Third installment in the Slayers film series. | August 2, 1997 | 64 minutes |
| Soreike! Anpanman: Niji no Piramiddo それいけ! アンパンマン 虹のピラミッド (Let's Go! Anpanman: The Pyramid of the Rainbow) | Japan | Shunji Ōga | Tokyo Movie Shinsha Shochiku-Fuji Ltd. (distributor) | Traditional | Theatrical | | July 28, 1997 | 56 minutes |
| Spacibo at the End of the Edo Period 幕末のスパシーボ (Bakumatsu no Spasibo) | Japan | Tetsu Dezaki | Magic Bus | Traditional | Theatrical | | September 20, 1997 | 85 minutes |
| Spur to Glory: The Igaya Chiharu Story 栄光へのシュプール 猪谷千春物語 (Eikō e no Spur: Igaya Chiharu Monogatari) | Japan | Masaharu Okuwaki | Mushi Production | Traditional | Theatrical | Fictionalisation based on the life of Chiharu Igaya (born May 20, 1931), a Japanese alpine skier. | September 13, 1997 | 90 minutes |
| Spy of Darkness 淫獣VS女スパイ (Injū vs. Onna Spy) | Japan | Hisashi Tomii | PP Project Pink Pineapple | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | March 28, 1997 | 43 minutes |
| The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain | United States | Richard Rich | Nest Family Entertainment Rich Animation Studios | Traditional | Direct-to-video | Sequel to The Swan Princess (1994). | July 18, 1997 | 71 minutes |
| Tenchi the Movie 2: The Daughter of Darkness 天地無用!真夏のイヴ (Tenchi Muyō! Manatsu no Ibu) | Japan | Tetsu Kimura | Anime International Company Pioneer LDC Toei Company | Traditional | Theatrical | Second installment in the Tenchi Muyo! film series. | August 2, 1997 | 65 minutes |
| Tiny Heroes Vacak, az erdő hőse Bobo und die Hasenbande 2 – Abenteuer im Wald | Hungary Germany United States | József Gémes Jenõ Koltai | Pannónia Filmstúdió | Traditional | | Sequel to The Seventh Brother (1991). | April 19, 1997 | Israel: 76 min. Germany: 78 min. |
| Tom and Fluffy Tom ja Fluffy | Estonia | Heiki Ernits Leo Lätti Janno Põldma | Eesti Joonisfilm Yleisradio (YLE) | Traditional | | First Estonian animated feature. | May 1997 | 73 minutes |
| Twilight of the Dark Master 支配者の黄昏 (Shihaisha no Tasogare) | Japan | Akiyuki Shinbo | Madhouse | Traditional | Direct-to-video OVA | | November 11, 1997 (United States) January 21, 1998 (Japan) | 45 minutes |
| The Ugly Duckling | United Kingdom | David Elvin Martin Gates | Martin Gates Productions Carrington Productions International Fil-Cartoons (animation production facilities) | Traditional | | | September 13, 1997 | 81 minutes |
| Underground Adventure | United States Canada | Stephen Anderson Bert Ring Rhoydon Shishido | Hyperion Pictures | Traditional | Direct-to-video Compilation film | Sixth compilation film of the animated television series The Oz Kids (1996). | February 18, 1997 | 64 minutes |
| Violin in the Starry Sky 星空のバイオリン (Hoshizora no Violin) | Japan | Setsuo Nakayama | Space Eizô Takahashi Studio | Traditional | Theatrical | Originally first shown at the 1997 Nichieikyo Film Festival. | May 4, 1997 | 82 minutes |

## Highest-grossing animated films of the year

| Rank | Title | Studio | Worldwide gross |
| 1 | Hercules | Walt Disney Feature Animation | $252,712,101 |
| 2 | Princess Mononoke | Studio Ghibli | $159,375,308 (¥14.5 billion) |
| 3 | Anastasia | Fox Animation Studios | $139,804,348 |
| 4 | Doraemon: Nobita and the Spiral City | Asatsu | $17,966,000 (¥2 billion) |
| 5 | Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth | Gainax Co., Ltd. | $16,798,210 (¥1.87 billion) |
| 6 | The End of Evangelion | Gainax Co., Ltd. | $13,025,350 (¥1.45 billion) |