Animation has long been an underdog when it comes to critically-acclaimed films. Still, this filmmaking style often has a unique ability to explore deep emotion and adult themes while keeping the surface material digestible for children. As the capabilities of animation have improved over the years, audiences are increasingly realizing the value of animation as a medium. Today, fans from a wide variety of ages celebrate animated movies.
Because the medium has exploded, especially during the last decade, narrowing down the list of the most quality animated films is difficult. Storytelling, quality of animation, and voice performances all play a critical role in the success of an animated movie. When each aspect comes together, the results aren’t just the best animated films but some of the best films, period.
Updated September 19, 2023, by Anthony Jeanetta. This year animated films like Suzume, Across the Spider-Verse and Nimona have achieved widespread critical and commercial success. This list is updated to include more of the best animated movies of all time.
20 The Lion King (1994)
There can’t be a conversation about the greatest animated movies of all time without including Disney’s The Lion King. This film – a hallmark entry from Disney’s ’90s renaissance period – is the story of a young lion named Simba, who must overcome his father’s death and find his place in the circle of life.
The Lion King intertwines adult themes of loss, destiny, inner strength, and redemption with lighthearted humor, stunning visuals, and some terrific original songs to prove that animation can soar to as great of heights as live-action films. This movie was successful enough to produce two sequels and a live-action remake. Unsurprisingly, audiences and critics agree the original is by far the best in storytelling and overall quality.
19 Spirited Away (2001)
Legendary director and creator of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, has directed several of the most critically-acclaimed anime movies ever. Many critics and fans agree that Spirited Away is one of his best works in a filmography chock-full of all-time greats. Of all of Miyazaki’s films, which can be as heart-wrenching as they are whimsical, Spirited Away was perhaps the most widely received. The movie opened the gateway for Ghibli films to reach more mainstream audiences.
Spirited Away, which follows a young girl who works in a supernatural resort for spirits to buy her way back into the real world, was the first anime feature to win the Best Animated Picture award in 2001. Critics praised the film for its hidden messages that revealed themselves to older viewers. Indeed, children can relate to young Chihiro’s loneliness and desire to acclimate to a new town, while older audiences can find a layered critique of consumerism and pollution. With nuanced storytelling and breathtaking hand-drawn animation, Spirited Away is a timeless tale.
18 How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon was a surprise hit from DreamWorks studio and spawned a massive franchise. The first entry in the series is a story about two outcasts who find friendship in each other and bring out an inner strength neither of them previously thought they possessed. Young Viking Hiccup lives in a world where the human’s sole purpose is to slay dragons. Unfortunately for Hiccup, his reluctance to hurt these creatures leaves him isolated in a violent world. The story kicks off when Hiccup shoots down a young dragon with a homemade weapon.
This dragon, which Hiccup dubs Toothless, soon endears himself to Hiccup, who subsequently decides to save his life and rehabilitate him too. Throughout How to Train Your Dragon, Toothless and Hiccup grow to rely on each other, forming an unbreakable bond. Eventually, this bond is a shining example that helps bring peace to their warring species. It’s more lighthearted than some top-rated animated movies, but its encouragement to stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity is a valuable message for all audiences.
17 The Toy Story Series (1995-2019)
Because every Toy Story movie has garnered massive critical praise, it’s only fair to recommend them collectively. Since its first entry, Toy Story has upheld the highest standard of animated storytelling. The series follows best friends – and toys – Woody and Buzz as they try to support their owner Andy while constantly being thrown into the world outside Andy’s room.
From the original Toy Story in 1995 to the most recent 2019 sequel, Toy Story 4, this collection is one of the few in animated feature history, with a record of sustained success over 20 years. The nostalgia factor alone makes these films enticing to rewatch. But at Toy Story’s heart is complex worldbuilding and stylized animation that holds the test of time and makes this series a truly rare gem.
16 Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (2018)
One of the most recent additions to the animation greats is Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. After several poorly-received animated films, fans were apprehensive about the major studio’s first attempt at an animated Spider-Man feature. But immediately upon its release, audiences praised the finished product, with some calling it the best Spider-Man film ever made, live-action versions included.
Into the Spiderverse used an animating style on the big screen that fans hadn’t seen before, combining digital animation with hand-drawn accents on top. This art style gave the movie a comic-book-accurate appearance that popped off the screen. Ultimately, each second of the film took over a week to finalize. On top of the movie's innovative visuals, the fresh spin on Spider-Man’s origins – using the character of Miles Morales – struck a chord with audiences. Plus, with one well-received sequel and another on the way, it’s safe to say Sony hit the nail on the head with this iteration of a beloved character.
15 Inside Out (2015)
Anytime Pixar releases a movie, it’s a good bet to end up on the year-end best lists of many top critics. Inside Out was no different and was a commercial and critical success that reminded audiences of Pixar’s best qualities. The movie frames the emotions of a pre-teen girl as individual characters living inside her.
This framing device is a clever storytelling tactic that also allows Inside Out to explain to children the complexities of their emotions in terms they can understand. Like other Pixar films, Inside Out establishes a blend of humor and heart, using lovable caricatures of emotions to discuss potentially tricky subjects like mental health, the importance of familial relationships, and the fears associated with growing up.
14 Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo swam into theaters during the gold age of Pixar in 2003 and set a new standard for animated movies going forward. Aside from its compelling story, the visual style of Finding Nemo is gorgeous, with noticeable attention to detail and convincing water mechanics that continue to hold up today.
Finding Nemo depicts the somewhat harrowing journey of a single, overprotective father trying to rescue his son after scuba divers kidnap him. The movie explores the loving but dysfunctional relationship between father and son, stressing the importance of trust and letting go of past trauma. Boasting hard-hitting emotional beats, a handful of comedic side characters, and an impressive voice cast, it’s no wonder Finding Nemo has continued to linger in the hearts of audiences twenty years after its release.
13 Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Many fans may know Wes Anderson for his heavily stylized, absurdly comedic live-action movies. Still, Anderson has proven adept at making quality animated films like Fantastic Mr. Fox. Utilizing stop-motion animation and an all-star voice cast, Fantastic Mr. Fox has all the whimsy and humor of a Wes Anderson film, that's surprisingly emotional too.
Fantastic Mr. Fox explores the complexity of family dynamics and the danger of falling prey to greed, all with the visual panache Anderson fans have come to expect from his movies. Like other top animated films, the movie finds the perfect balance between being family-friendly and emotionally resonating for older audience members.
12 Up (2009)
There are many reasons Pixar is known as one of the best and biggest producers of animated content, and Up is a prime example of its stellar work. Up’s first few minutes are a masterclass in storytelling, as a wordless montage of Carl and Ellie Fredricksen’s relationship takes you through the main character’s entire life and establishes their current emotional state. The rest of the movie fleshes out the characters and gives purpose to their partnership while being a fun, lighthearted adventure.
In Up, Carl and Boy Scout-turned-stowaway Russel embark on a journey to float Carl and Ellie’s house – via balloons – to Paradise Falls. Enjoyable hijinks ensue along the way, but most of the movie’s emotion comes from Carl’s palpable love for Ellie and his grief over her passing. Any film that can broach these topics naturally while remaining humorous and enjoyable is truly a remarkable accomplishment.
11 WALL-E (2008)
Another standout from Pixar is WALL-E. This film is an extraordinary anomaly in the genre, holding children's attention while utilizing almost no dialogue. Because the titular protagonist is primarily silent, the movie expresses much emotion through the physical environment and WALL-E’s expressions.
WALL-E takes viewers on an adventure with the lovable garbage-processing robot abandoned on Earth to live a solemn, lonely existence. When he meets the enchanting EVE, WALL-E quickly falls in love with the more advanced robot and follows her across the cosmos. In addition to this charming love story, WALL-E is a cautionary tale about the dangers of climate change and excessive consumerism and consumption. It’s a film as relevant and entertaining today as it was upon its release.
10 The Iron Giant (1999)
Before he helmed some of Pixar's biggest hits, director Brad Bird made his feature film debut with The Iron Giant. Using beautifully hand-drawn animation, The Iron Giant depicts the arrival of a massive alien robot in 1957 Maine. As nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes befriends the giant, he must also protect him from government officials bent on destroying the kind and heroic giant.
The Iron Giant is a gorgeous and emotionally affecting movie. Despite being a non-humanoid alien, the eponymous giant builds a deep bond with Hogarth that is as meaningful a relationship between two characters as any other in an animated film. Plus, the movie's explicit anti-gun message is even more fitting today than it was over 20 years ago.
9 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Although Tim Burton’s name is on the poster, and many fans associate the movie with him, The Nightmare Before Christmas is primarily the work of animation guru Henry Selick. Utilizing Selick’s trademark stop-motion animation style, Nightmare Before Christmas is an enchanting musical that oozes a unique visual panache from every frame, despite being 30 years old.
The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown. Jack, who has grown weary and bored with Halloween, accidentally stumbles upon Christmastown. Inspired by this new holiday, Jack subsequently attempts to bring back Christmas to Halloweentown to predictably chaotic results. With fantastic animation and an excellent Danny Elfman-led soundtrack, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a totem of the medium.
8 My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Both critics and fans widely consider My Neighbor Totoro – along with Spirited Away – as one of anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki's best works. Like Miyazaki's other films, Totoro is a whimsical adventure with outstanding animation that also packs a significant emotional punch.
My Neighbor Totoro portrays the lives of the Kusakabe family as they move to rural Japan to be closer to their infirmed mother. Despite their new home being older and slightly dilapidated, the Kusakabe sisters – Satsuki and Mei – soon discover the charm and excitement living closer to nature can bring. This connection to nature, as represented by the friendly forest troll, Totoro, helps the girls through their transition to their new home a living without their mother.
7 Shrek (2001)
Shrek isn't just a worthwhile animated film; it's responsible for helping solidify a major movie studio. When entertainment giants Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg, and David Geffen founded DreamWorks Studios, they wanted to compete with other industry giants. After winning three consecutive Best Picture Oscars for their live-action films, they launched into animated works to try and compete with Disney and Pixar. While Shrek wasn't the studio's first animated feature, it was by far their most successful.
Shrek tracks the adventures of its titular ogre and his companion, Donkey, as they seek to rescue a trapped princess and deliver her to the king. The movie became an instant classic thanks to its high-quality animation, voice performances, and soundtrack. Moreover, the film's sense of humor – which had jokes for children and adults – made it a standout in the medium. Shrek was so successful that it spawned a massive franchise with three sequels and two spinoffs.
6 Pinocchio (1940)
As only the second animated feature film from Disney, Pinocchio was as groundbreaking as it is engaging. Although Pinocchio is beautifully animated and centers on a doll’s quest to become a real boy, much of it is rather grim. The film isn’t only one of Disney’s gloomiest but one of the darkest animated movies ever made.
Throughout Pinocchio, the eponymous doll must undergo a series of physical and mental trials representing the worldly temptations he'll face as an actual human. During the movie, Pinocchio lies, drinks, and is even sold into slave labor. Despite the severity of these adventures, Pinocchio is ultimately a heartwarming tale of a new family coming together when they need each other the most.
5 Rango (2011)
Rango is one of the more unique entries in the annals of the best-animated films. Directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean), the movie features outstanding animation, top-notch set pieces, and crackling voice performances that are the result of the cast actually acting together on a set rather than in a recording booth as is typical for most animated films.
Rango tracks the adventures of the titular chameleon who accidentally lands in the Wild West town of Dirt. Upon his arrival, Rango learns that Dirt desperately needs water and a new sheriff. After becoming sheriff, Rango takes up the case of the missing water. What follows is a silly, rip-roaring adventure that stacks up favorably to any Western movie, let alone any animated one.
4 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (2005)
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is one of the greatest stop-motion animated films ever. From groundbreaking directors Steve Box and Nick Park, this movie is as eccentric and silly as any of the couple’s other, but with a comforting saccharine heart that brings some emotional heft to this zany stop-motion escapade.
The Curse of the Were-Rabbit follows the eponymous duo as they attempt to halt the reign of the were-rabbit who rampages through the town’s prized vegetable gardens every night. While Wallace and Gromit work to humanely capture the monster rabbit, they must do so quickly before their rival, Victor Quartermaine, has his way and kills the mysterious animal.
3 Mulan (1998)
In many ways, Mulan is like other Disney animation films. The movie features a stellar voice cast (highlighted by Eddie Murphy as the diminutive dragon Mushu), catchy songs, and an earnest and resonant story. Still, Mulan is unique in many other ways, especially compared to other Disney princess movies.
Unlike the Disney princesses before her, Mulan doesn’t need a prince to help her escape a castle, coma, or evil step-family. Likewise, Mulan is more than capable of handling her own business in every aspect of life, including on the battlefield, where she’s a hero several times. Additionally, while Mulan eventually finds love during her escapades, that’s not the primary point of her journey and is merely a by-product of her protecting her father and country. Despite now being nearly 30 years old, Mulan remains an empowering movie watch for viewers of any age.
2 Akira (1988)
Although Akira is one of the earliest anime films to break into the American mainstream, it remains one of the best of the genre. The movie, from legendary manga artist turned director Katsuhiro Ôtomo, is renowned for its visceral violence and kinetic, heart-pounding action sequences. These attributes and Akira’s overall high-quality animation have kept the movie a standard-bearer for modern anime.
Akira takes place in Neo-Tokyo, built on the ashes of the old city, where warring motorbike gangs rule the land. Shotaro Kaneda, the leader of one of these gangs, works to stop his old friend Tetsuo, whom the government imbued with telekinetic powers while saving his life. Kaneda makes it his mission to stop Tetsuo, now on a bloody trail of destruction, and prevent another World War.
1 The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles is one of Pixar's best movies in a portfolio that matches or exceeds almost any other movie studio, let alone animation-only studios. After the creative success but box office failure of The Iron Giant, director Brad Bird moved from Warner Brothers to Pixar. His first movie with this new studio was The Incredibles.
The Incredibles details the suburban lives of a family of superheroes, the retired father and mother, and their three children, who are just beginning to learn the extent of their powers. When a mysterious client lures the patriarch, Mr. Incredible, back into his supersuit, the rest of the family must soon help him escape the clutches of a new supervillain. The Incredibles is everything a fan of animation could want from a movie; it's action-packed, hilarious, and has meaningful things to say about middle age, suburban malaise, and raising a family.