Movies are for everyone, with a wide range of genres and stories appealing to kids and adults. The beauty of films is that every genre can be either a kid’s or adult film. However, there is a stigma that animation is only for children and unable to appeal to an older demographic. Whether the stories are for kids or not, animated movies bring out a well of creativity and imagination, perfect for all ages, includingSleeping BeautyandPerfect Blue.
As the genre becomes increasingly popular and technology becomes more advanced, better-animated movies appear every year. This makes finding the perfect watch reasonably difficult. However, these ten films are essential must-watch films to simplify that burden. Whether they arecritically acclaimed, pushing the boundaries, defining/redefining the genre, revolutionizing filmmaking, or just beloved by fans, everyone must watch these animated movies.
10’Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' (2018)
Directed by Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, and Rodney Rothman
Every fan knows Spider-Man’s origin, and with the story being repeated so much, it has even gotten a bit boring. WhileSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Versehas a similar origin, it reinvents it with alternate dimensions and epic consequences. When a radioactive spider bites Miles Morales and inadvertently causes Spider-Man to die, he must take up the mantle with the help of Spider-Men from other realities, including Spider-Noir, who is set to receive his ownspin-off starring Nicolas Cage.
Time helps many movies, which is why most essential movies are older ones. However, as the newest movie on this list,Into the Spider-Verseprovided fans with a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the peak of animation. The story is emotional and inspirational, but the world-class animation was the best part. Mixing hand-drawn and rendering, this movie had animaginative animation style that redefined the standards of modern-day animation.
Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse
9’The Lion King' (1994)
Directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers
Many fans consider Disney to be the king of animation, with many movies on this list from their main studio and bought ones. It should come as no surprise thatThe Lion Kingwould be another hit for the company, even though there was little faith in the project during production. When his evil uncle murders his father, Simba escapes, reappearing years later as an adult to reclaim his rightful throne.
While the story is essentiallyHamlet, the film still offers teachable moments and delivers heightened emotional scenes that a wider audience can relate to. The animation and musical aspects highlight this perfect film, which won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.The Lion Kingwas thehighest-grossing animated film of its time and is still the highest-earning traditional animated film, making thisoriginal movie better than any remake.
The Lion King
8’The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)
Directed by Henry Selick
It is a common misconception thatTim BurtondirectedThe Nightmare Before Christmas. While he conceived it and significantly influenced the film,Henry Selickdirected this classic animated film. When Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown, gets bored with the yearly spooky routine, he discovers Christmastown, a jolly and warm place where he takes control, stealing Santa’s job to deliver presents and joy.
As a former Disney animator, Burton brought his A-game to this film, delivering a unique claymation movie. This stylerevolutionized animation by introducing claymation for feature filmsand proved its popularity, also earning an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. Outside its innovative animation, the songs, themes, and creativity bolster this film’s cult status. It isa must-watch Halloween moviethat is also perfect for the holiday season.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
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7’Akira' (1988)
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo
While COVID was one of the worst times for humans in recent history, it could have been a lot worse, according toAkira, which takes place in 2019, 31 years after a nuclear bomb detonated over Tokyo. The now disfigured city is in chaos, with bike gang leader Kaneda on a mission to save his friend from experimentation. Battling corruption in every facet, his friend’s psychic powers go out of control, creating a relentless and wild ride.
Akirais one of the best movies to prove animation isn’t just for kids. It delivers a stellar story and stunning animation in a dark world. The hand-drawn animation isn’t its only achievement;it inspired countless other sci-fi movies and put anime on the map.Akirashaped modern-day sci-fi and cyberpunk, also defining animation for that era. It brought anime to the West and proved its influence, creating one of thebest cult classic animated movies.
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6’WALL-E' (2008)
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Even in the bleakest situations, individuals can find purpose and life, a message the iconic animated filmWALL-Eteaches. A lone robot cleans a forgotten Earth, collecting scraps which he calls treasure, but his life is given a new purpose when the high-tech robot EVE finds signs of life. The two travel up to a ship carrying most of civilization, trying to prove the existence of life to the captain while avoiding evil AI.
Receiving critical acclaim for basically every aspect of the film,WALL-Eis a true animated masterpiece that can entertain people of all ages while delivering profound messages and themes. The filmwon the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for five more, including Best Original Screenplay.WALL-Eis the most charming silent character sinceCharlie Chaplin’s The Tramp, conveying intense emotion in an animated movie with intrigue, wonder, and romance. It is no stretch to sayWALL-Eis Pixar’s best movie ever.
5’Fantasia' (1940)
Directed by Samuel Armstrong, James Algar, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Ben Sharpsteen, David Hand, Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, T. Hee, Norman Ferguson, and Wilfred Jackson
Fantasiaall started as a dream for Walt Disney, which, after some rough patches, was released as an anthology movie containing multiple different animated segments. The number of directors is daunting, but that is because each segment had a different director, with many hands working on this project. With so many segments,Fantasiabecame one of the longest-animated movies, also earning a lot for the time.
Fantasiais easily the best anthology movieand one of the first of its time, paving the way for other animated movies to do the same. However, this film did more than just revolutionize anthology movies; it alsoreinvented the iconic Mickey Mouse, who was dropping in popularity, cementing his legacy with this outstanding movie. If that wasn’t enough,Fantasiaalso invented Fantasound, a revolutionary sound system to make it feel like an orchestra is inside a theater, proving this movie to be an essential groundbreaking classic.
4’Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
Based onJeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s 1756 fairy tale,Beauty and the Beastis an animated musical full of romance and memorable songs. After an evil prince and his subjects are turned into a beast and inanimate objects, respectively, the curse can’t be lifted until he falls in love and is loved. When he captures the king, the princess arrives, possibly being the one to turn the cold beast into a loving man.
While most animated Disney films are spectacular,Beauty and the Beastmight be their best work. It perfectly blends romance, music numbers, enjoyability, and stunning animation to deliver an experience the entire family can enjoy. Thisperfect fantastical romanceis beautifully written and defines the animation genre.It was the first animated film ever to be nominated for Best Pictureat the Oscars and has won several other awards.
Beauty and the Beast
3’Toy Story' (1995)
Directed by John Lasseter
There isn’t a movie fan who doesn’t know ofToy Story, Pixar’s biggest franchise and the most recognizable animated movie series. When a young boy buys a brand new fancy toy, his old trusty one, Woody, gets jealous. However, after the rude kid next door steals the toys, Woody and Buzz must work together to find Andy, who has moved far away. This leads to a grand journey full of laughs and friendship.
While later films would earn more Oscar nominations, thefirstToy Storyis the most iconicmovie of the franchise and arguably the best. This was Pixar’s first movie, landing them on the map to deliver countless other popular animated films. WhileToy Storyis known for its touching story, excellent voice acting, fantastic music, and creativity, it was alsothe first animated movie to be entirely CGI, ushering in a new age of animation which would change the medium forever.
2’Spirited Away' (2001)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Outside of Pixar, Studio Ghibli is the most renowned animation studio, with almost every one of their movies considered a masterpiece. However, standing at the top is widely agreed to beSpirited Away, the iconic story of a girl who encounters a new world when moving into her new house. When her parents turn into pigs, she must work at a supernatural hot springs hotel to free them and herself from this curse.
In countless whimsical and wonderous worlds,Spirited Awaymanages to create something bigger, one of the most creative and adventurous worlds fans can’t help but explore with every watch.The film was the first hand-drawn, Japanese anime and foreign film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Film. With universal appeal, delivering a relatable film with impactful messages and gorgeous animation,Spirited Awayis thegreatest animated movie of all time.
Spirited Away
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1’Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937)
Directed by David Hand, Ben Sharpsteen, Perce Pearce, Wilfred Jackson, William Cottrell, Larry Morey
Based on the 1812Brothers Grimmfairy tale,Snow White and the Seven Dwarfsis a legendary animated Disney feature set to receivea live-action remake in 2025. Jealous of her stepdaughter’s beauty, an evil, wicked queen orders her death, but when she discovers she is still alive, holed up in a cottage with seven dwarfs, she turns into a hag and offers Snow White a poison apple, only to be cured by the kiss of a prince.
Snow Whiteis known for many things: its Oscar nomination and massive box office, which, with inflation, still makes it the highest-grossing animated film and will define animation for years to come. It wasthe first feature-length animated film, setting the standard for animationgoing forward and inspiring the formula of using classic fairy tales. Animation wouldn’t be where it is today withoutSnow Whiteinnovating the medium, becominga perfect Disney moviethat every movie fan needs to watch.
