Animation has long been an underdog when it comes to critically-acclaimed films, but it often has a unique ability to explore true emotion and adult themes while keeping the surface material digestible for children. As the capabilities of animation have improved over the years, audiences are realizing the value of animation as a medium, and it’s now something celebrated by a wide variety of ages. With this in mind, it’s time to go over the best animated movies of all time, chosen by critics.
Reviewers from different publications will inevitably have varied lists when it comes to their rankings, but several movies make an appearance in the majority of lists. Therefore, these movies have been chosen for their storytelling, the quality of animation and their overall performance with audiences and critics alike. While the films will appear in a certain order, they are not ranked.
The Lion King (1994)
There couldn’t be a conversation about the greatest animated movies of all time without Disney’s The Lion King coming up eventually, so why not mention it first? The Lion King, a hallmark movie out of Disney’s renaissance period, is a story about a young lion named Simba who must overcome the death of his father and find his place in the circle of life.
Intertwining adult themes of loss, destiny, inner strength and redemption with lighthearted humor and stunning visuals, The Lion King proved early on that animation can soar to as great of heights as live-action films. The movie was successful enough to produce two sequels and a live-action version; unsurprisingly, audiences and critics alike agree the original is by far the best, both in storytelling and overall quality.
Spirited Away (2001)
Legendary director and creator of Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki has directed a number of the most critically-acclaimed anime movies. While Studio Ghibli’s work warrants its own article, Spirited Away appears in the top ten on nearly every single list of best animated films. Out of all Miyazaki’s films, which can be as heart-wrenching as they are whimsical, Spirited Away was perhaps the most widely received and 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 receive the Oscar for Best Animated Picture in 2001. The film was praised for its hidden messages that reveal themselves as the viewer gets older; indeed, children can relate to young Chihiro’s loneliness and desire to acclimate to a new town, and older audiences can find a layered critique on consumerism and pollution. With nuanced storytelling and breathtaking hand-drawn animation, Spirited Away is a timeless film for its viewers.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
The only picture on this list helmed by DreamWorks, How to Train Your Dragon is a story about two outcasts that find friendship in each other and bring out an inner strength neither of them previously thought possible. Young Viking Hiccup lives in a world that’s sole purpose is to slay dragons, the problem being Hiccup’s reluctance to follow the path of violence his village has chosen. When he shoots down a young dragon he dubs Toothless, Hiccup decides not only to save its life but rehabilitate it. Over the course of the movie, Toothless and Hiccup grow to rely on each other, forming an unbreakable bond that goes on to bring peace to their warring species. It’s more lighthearted than some of the other entries, but its encouragement to stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity is a valuable message for all audiences.
The Toy Story Series (1995-2019)
With every Toy Story movie appearing to some degree across the critics’ recommendations, it’s only fair to address them collectively, as they have proven to uphold the highest standard of animated storytelling. The Toy Story series follows best friends — and toys — Woody and Buzz as they try and be there for their owner Andy while constantly being thrown into the world outside of 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 animation history that can boast a run time of over 20 years. The nostalgia factor alone makes these films enticing to rewatch, but the heart, complex worldbuilding and stylized animation that holds the test of time make this series a truly rare gem.
Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (2018)
One of the most recent additions to the animation greats is Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. Coming off the wake of several poorly-received animated films, fans were apprehensive about the major studio’s first attempt at an animated Spider-Man movie. Fans were blown away with the finished product, however, with some calling it the best Spider-Man film ever made, including the live-action versions.
Spiderverse showed a style that was never before seen on the big screen, combing digital animation with hand-drawn accents drawn on top of it. In the end, each second of the movie took over a week to finalize. On top of the innovative visual style, the fresh spin on Spider-Man’s origin struck a chord with audiences, and with two sequels in the making, it’s safe to say Sony hit the nail on the head with this film.
Inside Out (2015)
There is no shortage of Pixar films in top critics’ lists, and Inside Out is no different. The movie was a commercial and critical success that gave audiences a reminder of Pixar’s best qualities. Framing the emotions of a pre-teen girl as individual characters was not only a clever storytelling tactic but also an invaluable method of explaining to children the complexities of their emotions in terms they understood. Similar to other Pixar entries, Inside Out establishes a blend between humor and heart, using lovable caricatures of emotions to address mental health troubles, the importance of familial relationships and the fears that come along with growing up.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo swam into theaters in the golden 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.
Following the harrowing journey of a single father trying to rescue his son after he was kidnapped by scuba divers, Finding Nemo explores the loving but dysfunctional relationship between father and son, stressing the importance of trust and letting go. Boasting hard-hitting emotional beats, comedic side characters and an impressive voice cast, it’s no wonder Finding Nemo has continued to linger in the hearts of audiences long after its release.
Up (2009)
There’s a reason Pixar is known as one of the best producers of animated content, and Pixar’s Up is a prime example of its quality. Up’s powerful storytelling through the wordless montage of Carl and Ellie Fredricksen’s relationship is an incredible achievement in filmmaking, and the subsequent events of the film serve to flesh out and give purpose to their partnership while being a lighthearted, fun adventure.
Carl and Boy Scout-turned-stowaway Russel are on a journey to float Carl and Ellie’s house — via balloon — to Paradise Falls. Hijinks naturally ensue along the way, but the real emotion comes from Carl’s palpable love for Ellie and his grief over her passing. Any film that is able to broach these topics naturally while remaining humorous and fun is truly remarkable and undoubtedly deserves a spot on this list.
WALL-E (2008)
Yet another standout from Pixar, WALL-E is an extraordinary anomaly in this genre in that it holds the attention of children without utilizing extensive dialogue. With the titular character being mostly silent, much of this film’s emotions are displayed through the physical environment and WALL-E’s expressions Viewers are taken along with the garbage-processing robot abandoned on Earth on a journey through space as he pursues EVE, his true love and a much more advanced robot. Released in 2008, WALL-E tells a cautionary tale against contributing to climate change and excessive consumption. While some may call this movie ahead of its time, its message is all the more relevant today.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson may be known for his heavily stylized, absurdly comedic live-action movies, but Anderson has proven to be adept in animation with entries like Fantastic Mr. Fox. Utilizing stop-motion animation and an all-star voice cast, Fantastic Mr. Fox carries all the whimsy and humor of a Wes Anderson film while packing a surprisingly emotional punch. Exploring dysfunctional family dynamics and the danger of falling prey to greed, this is another movie that finds the perfect balance between being kid-friendly and emotionally resonating with mature audiences.
There’s no longer any doubt that animated films can pack the same level of emotional impact as live-action cinema. With stunning visuals, nuanced writing and unique storylines, the aforementioned movies linger with audiences long after their initial viewing. And with the capabilities of digital media constantly improving, as well as a renewed interest in the medium, movie-goers can expect great things from the future of animation. In the meantime, maybe it’s time to rewatch these films with a newfound appreciation for the quality they truly possess.
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