Cartoons to animate the big screen in 2015

Animation lovers will have a chance to see a variety of productions at cinema halls in 2015. Adaptations of classics such as "Pinocchio," "The Seven Dwarfs" and "The Little Prince," high budget films such as "Monster Trucks," and sequels like "Hotel Transylvania 2" aim to draw scores of children as well as adults to movie theaters. Here are some of the animated films that will make you smile this year.

Der 7bte Zwerg (The Seventh Dwarf)

"Der 7bte Zwerg" is a German 3-D animated production co-directed by Boris Aljinovic and Harald Siepermann. The film focuses on Princess Rose who was cursed by the evil witch Dellamorta when she was a baby. Before she turns 18, Rose will get stung on the finger by a sharp object and she and the whole castle will fall into a hundred year-long sleep unless her true love kisses her. Before her birthday, she sends her boyfriend Jack to hide with the Seven Dwarfs, so that she can be saved with his kiss. When the evil witch captures him, the dwarfs set off on a journey to save Jack so that he can save the princess. The film is currently showing in Turkish theaters.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

SpongeBob, the most loved invertebrate in the world, will come ashore to embark on his most heroic adventure ever. Opening in Turkish theaters this Friday, the film is the adaptation of its namesake, the American-South Korean cartoon series "SpongeBob Square Pants." In SpongeBob's newest adventure, dangerous pirate Burger-Beard wants to initiate an evil plan that will put the town of Bikini Bottom at risk. SpongeBob, Patrick and their team will have to stop the pirate before he takes action.

Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods

The French-Belgian co-production "Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods" is one of the classics that will entertain animation lovers this year. In order to eliminate the Gauls for good, Caesar plans to absorb the villagers into Roman culture by having an estate built next to the village to start a new Roman colony. Although Asterix and Obelix do everything in their power to stop the construction, the Romans begin to slowly take hold of the village. The film will debut in Turkish theaters on Feb. 25.

Underdogs

Coming to theaters on March 20, this Argentinian and Spanish co-produced animated film is co-written and directed by Juan J. Campanell. The shy but talented foosball player Amadeo has lost his spark, and his team begins losing all their games. When it is time to face his biggest rival, Amadeo's teammates will help him regain his former glory. Guided by their team leader, the foosball players and Amadeo will set off on a great adventure together in order to get back the dignity that was stolen from them.

Home

The U.S.-produced animated adventure "Home" will open in theaters on March 27. Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Jim Parsons and Steve Martin lend their voices to the film, which focuses on the adventures of Oh, a banished alien, and Tip, a resourceful girl, who escaped when the alien race Boov invaded Earth.

Pinocchio

Directed by Anna Justice, the new adaptation of "Pinocchio" will open in Turkish theaters on April 23, which is also Children's Day. Old master Geppetto manages to give life to the puppet that he carved from a pine tree, and names him Pinocchio. Over time, Pinocchio, the wooden boy, sets off on adventures. One day, the wooden boy runs away from home and is captured by an evil puppeteer, Mangiafuoco. Although Geppetto is angry at his creation, he sets out to save his boy.

Monster Trucks

Scheduled to make its Turkish premiere on May 22, "Monster Trucks" is directed by Chris Wedge. Danny Glover, Lucas Till, Barry Pepper, Thomas Lennon and Amy Ryan dub this high-budget film, which was inspired by monster track rallies.

The Book of Life

This U.S.-produced animated film will open in Turkish theaters on June 5, just in time for the start of the summer holiday. Directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez and produced by Guillermo Del Toro and Aron Warner, the film is based upon the Shakespeare's immortal story "Romeo and Juliet." The film focuses on a young man named Manolo, who is caught between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before deciding what to do with his life, he sets off on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

Inside Out

Pete Docter, the acclaimed director of "Up," will present his new animated film "Inside Out" on June 19 to Turkish animation lovers. The protagonist Riley's life turns upside down when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Guided by her emotions, literally, Riley takes advice from her embodied emotions that are centered at the "Headquarters" inside her head. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. The film is told from the perspective of Riley's emotions.

Minions

The most anticipated animated film of the year is most certainly "Minions." Co-directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balsa, the U.S.-produced film will open in theaters on Sept. 4. A group of minions have been looking for an evil master to lead them since ancient times and have served Dracula, Pharaoh, Napoleon and even the dinosaurs. However, all of their masters have been wiped off the face of the earth. Failing to find another master to lead them, the minions settle in Antarctica and live quiet lives until the 1960s. The minion named Kevin, the teenage rebel Stuart and little Bob decide to travel to the U.S. to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow. The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill, the world's first-ever female super-villain.

The Little Prince

The classic novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupery has been adapted for the silver screen by Mark Osborne in this French production. Dubbed by Hollywood stars Rachel McAdams, James Franco, Marion Cotillard and Benicio Del Toro, the film depicts the friendship between an aviator whose plane crashes in the desert and a strange boy who comes from a distant planet.

Hotel Transylvania 2

"Hotel Transylvania 2" is an American 3-D animated production directed by Genndy Tartaovsky and co-written by Adam Sandler and Robert Smigel. The first film of the sequel was able to draw scores of people from seven to 70 to cinema halls and make them laugh. The second film recounts the story of a very old vampire Vlad. When he arrives at Hotel Transylvania to unite his family, he discovers that the hotel is a mixture of supernatural old school and modern day cool.