Animated films are some of the most popular movie genres. With a variety of beautiful art styles, settings, worlds, characters, and music, animated movies tackle a variety of topics and stories. Whether they’re original places or inspired by our own world, from the present, to ancient times, you’re immersed in a very unique way. Thanks to The Big Three – Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, and DreamWorks – there are so many animated movies to enjoy, whether for your kids, or the kid in all of us.
Animated movies have been a big part of my life. What I look for in today’s animated movies is the ability to be entertained with not just an animated movie, but a movie in general. How rewatchable is it? Animated movies that appeal to both kids and adults, with a storytelling structure and image to match. Movies that inherently don’t appeal to me, but end up changing my perception. Some that are too kid-friendly, or just family friendly that fall into that standard kid-appropriate/animated zone, don’t really do anything for me on an emotional, or entertainment level. But of course, the ones you watch as a kid are still the best, most of them.
So, here are my ten favourite animated movies!
10. Ice Age
As I previously mentioned, animated films are dominated by The Big Three, though there have been exceptions. Definitely one of them is Ice Age, made by Blue Sky Studios and distributed by 20th Century Fox ( the rest on my list are made by The Big Three). This was one of my favourite animated movies ever, but since new releases have come along, and as I’ve gotten older, it’s not anymore. But I still enjoy this movie.
Following in the tradition of anthropomorphic animals, this took a unique setting during the Ice Age, featuring prehistoric animals long extinct, including a mammoth and dodo birds. Part humour and slapstick comedy, when neighbours of ours down the road showed us this film, I was hooked on it. They drove by just to let us borrow the DVD! The writing and dialogue is witty and smart. The adventure these characters go on is memorable and the encounters along the way vary and are fun. And like most animated films, there’s some heartfelt emotional moments, especially with the human baby, which in my opinion, is the cutest male baby/child in an animated movie. The part where Diego does where’s the baby?, I get to do it with my nephew now, though the results aren’t the same.
Though the sequels to this one aren’t good at all, and lost the magic, the first one still holds up today and especially during winter, I love putting this one on.
9. Pocahontas
Released during the Disney Renaissance Era, and around the time of my childhood, I was shocked when I found out this movie didn’t do as well critically or commercially as other films in this era.
As I’ve gotten older, I understand some of the criticisms, but I still love this movie and believe it’s a very solid addition in Disney’s animated library.
It’s art and animation are beautiful. I love the setting of the early explorers to the New World, and the sense of adventure, discovery, and freedom is perfectly captured here, and you feel it in every scene of this movie. It definitely helps that the music is very well done, fits in with the atmosphere, and is one of my more favourite Disney musicals.
Yeah, I get the criticism, because the movie is based on historical characters and events – something Disney never really made before – and taking massive creative liberties with its artistic licence, definitely didn’t go over well with critics and audiences. But I think it’s flaws don’t outweigh the positives. It has emotion, tackles a mature subject well enough, especially for its target audience, and does have a bit of humour. My sister and I frequently respond with Ratcliffe’s line and delivery when either one of us ask each other a question.
So while it does have problems and might be seen as a bit more controversial, I still enjoy watching Pocahontas, just not as much as I used to.
8. Monsters Inc.
During the early years of Pixar, they were on a creative high, a hot streak of critical, cultural, and commercial success like no other. Nearly every movie was unique to the animated genre, or twisted it up in an original, unique way. A more mature, and sophisticated way of animated storytelling. One of those film is Monsters Inc.
I love the concept of monsters in our closets from their perspective, and how they need to scare us to power their world. The opening scene perfectly shows that even though the premise seems scary, it’s not. Monsters are more terrified of humans than we are of them.
Bo, the human child, is my favourite animated child. She’s so adorable, looks exactly like a little child would look if real, and her interactions with Mike, Sully, and the other monsters was hilarious. Her laugh is so infectious.
Her relationship with Sully, and the development and arc they go on together, was, and still is absolutely beautiful. When she and “Kitty” say goodbye, it never fails to tug at my heartstrings.
The door vault scene is simple, but so elaborate and richly executed. The monsters are designed and look like how children imagine or draw them, but of course, animated more appropriately. They all feel different and unique.
Mix in enough charm, humour, emotional character development, and some twists along the way you don’t see coming, this is a solid Pixar film from start to finish, and it never ceases putting a smile on my face when watching.
7. Brother Bear
I’m always shocked when I see how low Brother Bear is in lists regarding Disney films. Coming out during their Post-Renaissance Era, this film isn’t looked highly upon. So this is one of my more interesting movies on my list.
This was my sister and I’s summer kid movie for a while.
The first act of the film, showing Kenai, his brothers, and their tribe, gets us into the world, and the brothers antics they do to each other is very reminiscent of the trouble my older brother and I would get into.
Kenai’s transformation scene is one of my favourite parts of the whole movie, because the visuals and music just blend in so well. Speaking of music, the soundtrack from Phil Collins is amazing. So many enjoyable songs I listened to over and over, in particular “Look Through My Eyes” and “Welcome,” with latter part’s scene at the local Bear’s Salmon run brings so much joy and excitement.
Though this is a more dramatic and sadder Disney film, with the theme song “No Way Out” playing over the part where Kenai tells Koda what happened to his mom, always gets to me. Or when Kenai’s oldest brother Sitka scarifies himself to save his brothers, and middle brother Denahi relentlessly hunts Kenai, not knowing it’s him, can come off as a little dark. In a way it reminds me of the much older Disney films they used to make, and maybe that’s why it didn’t do so well.
But I also think it’s cause Pixar and DreamWorks were coming out with fresh and original stories, settings, and angles in the genre that this might feel too familiar.
Still, I love the message and theme the film conveys, seeing life through another person, (or creatures’) point of view, and the story of brotherhood, whether blood or not, will never get old for me.
6. Frozen
Arguably Disney’s most famous animated movie. Widely successfully in every way, even those who don’t watch animated movies know Frozen.
Whether it’s because of songs like Let it Go, or Do You Want to Build a Snowman?, Frozen is a very accessible film for all ages.
It’s storytelling takes a familiar premise and method, but contemporizes it. Anna and Elsa are great sisters, and their character arcs are quite mature for animated films. Olaf is the greatest talking snowman ever. Plus, how they handled romance is very different for Disney, but necessary. Still having that Disney charm to it, but adding the twist of Prince Hans as a villain and Kristoff as the person Anna falls for, it smashes that aspect of the Disney fairy tale, fantasy trope, but offering something new in place. Anna and Kristoff eventually fall for each other, but don’t get married right away.
Visually, as usual, Disney knocks it out of the park. Arendelle is so beautiful to see, and the snow covered mountains and forests make me want to live in them (but probably only temporarily).
Just watching this film makes me feel like a child again. It is an absolute wonderful ride from beginning to end. I didn’t watch this film until 8 years after it came out, as this and the next film are the ones that changed my perception of animated films as an older movie-goer.
5. Tangled
This movie made me love animated movies again.
Before I saw Tangled (which was only a few years ago) I pretty much just rewatched older animated films from my childhood.
This film changed my perception on animated movies.
It takes the classic Disney fairy tale, but with a modern spin. The chemistry between Rapunzel and Flynn Rider is great, their relationship felt natural and progressed well. Visually, I think this is one of my favourite art styles Disney has ever done, mixing 3-D animation by using traditional animated techniques. Looks like a painting and at times is incredibly breathtaking. The floating lights scene while Rapunzel and Flynn are on a boat, accompanied by the song “I See The Light,” is one of my absolute favourite scenes of any film, ever.
The type of movie older adults who grew up on fairy tales and past Disney stories can get into, along with of course kids.
Great songs, great animal companions – who don’t need to talk to convey words or emotions – and some very nice humour.
I wish I saw this movie earlier, because when the initial trailers came out, I was actually impressed and intrigued by it, but wrote it off as “just another kids movie.” I’m glad I’m wrong. A much smaller human cast than some other Disney films, but this allows for more screen time and better characterization to flesh them out and their respective arc’s.
This really course corrected Disney, one of the early films to start their Revival Era, and it certainly revived my love for animated movies.
4. Toy Story
The one that changed animated movies forever.
This, plus the rest going forward, are ones from my childhood that I still rewatch endlessly.
Toy Story perfectly encapsulates Pixar’s image, brand, and creative philosophy. It touches on childhood themes and aspects, but done in a way adults can get into. Its emotional depth has been replicated in various ways with not only other Pixar films since, both Disney, DreamWorks, and other animated companies and movies.
It takes a pretty unique premise at the time, toys talking and worrying about being “replaced” that made me look at my stuffed animals, army men, Lego sets, and any other toy, differently. It really made me appreciate and care for my toys even more.
I’d combine construction toys with dinosaurs, letting my imagination go even more than before, all because of this film. It perfectly represents a central component of Pixar, in what it means to be a child.
I long for those days of being a kid, having all the time in the world and nothing to but enjoy life, and your toys, and not worry about being an adult.
Visually, as this is the first fully computer-animated feature film, you’d expect it to not hold up well, but it does impressively. It has this cartoon, toy-like style (as expected for this movie), but done so sophisticated and relatable.
And of course, the characters. Woody, Buzz, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, are all iconic characters. And it helps that the voice acting is top notch. Full of emotion and passion, so many lines are quotable, even today. Are you a sad, strange little man?
And humour wise, it still holds up. I always get at the very least a chuckle, and I aways feel warm and happy inside every time I see this film.
Toy Story really sent Pixar, and the animation film industry, to infinity….and beyond!
3. Shrek & Shrek 2
Okay, I’m technically cheating on this one. But it’s so hard to pick between these two.
The first two Shrek films were a focal point of my childhood.
I’ll never forget watching the first one at a friend’s birthday party when I was six years old.
Shrek really helped propel DreamWorks to be able to stand toe to toe with Pixar and Disney. It was unlike anything in animated films at the time. Right away, after Shrek tears a page from a Once Upon A Time book, then the song “All-Star” plays in the opening credits, you know there’s something special and different with this movie. It poked fun at various tropes of fairy tale movies (mainly at Disney) and jokes and humour that worked both for kids and adults.
Seriously, Lord Farquaad “compensating for something” flew right over my head as a kid. The animation style looked almost realistic and not cartoon animated. A simple story, just a handful of characters, but all are memorable, fleshed out, and dialogue that’s insanely memorable.
Shrek 2 feels very different, but still familiar to the first, something that’s nearly impossible to successfully do with a sequel. At times I believe this is a sequel that’s truly better than the original.
I remember being so excited to see this in theatres, and when my family got there, we got the only seats left. That’s right, an entire theatre room filled to the max for an animated movie.
The sequel ramped up everything with the original, adding a new setting, characters, more humour and heart, I quote lines from this movie constantly. I could go on and on with these two movies.
DreamWorks captured lightning in a bottle twice, and these two remained some of the only constant animated movies I watched during my teenage/early adult years. Truly fresh, original, and entertaining movies that never, ever get old.
2. The Lion King
Released during the rime of the Disney Renaissance Era, the Lion King ushered in a new era for Disney, in its storytelling, prestige, and public perception of animated films.
Rich in emotion, themes, message, and mature storytelling, The Lion King is iconic in so many ways. The Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata, Can You Feel the Love Tonight?, are some of the most famous Disney songs. Most Disney musicals have one or two memorable hits, but The Lion King has five!
From the opening sunrise shot, and music playing during the opening minutes instantly catapulted this film to legendary. Taking on a Shakespearean tragedy and drama, but modernizing it, while ensuring kids can enjoy it, and using talking animals. It all works.
Every character is unique, fleshed out, and memorable. Mufasa, Scar, Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, Zazu; you know these characters and their personalities.
And surprisingly, this movies is only 88 minutes! I don’t know why, but a lot of animated movies today push 100 minutes or even two hours. The Lion King feels fully fleshed out, it’s story is focused, there’s no filler, every scene, shot, everything is used perfectly, nothing is wasted.
The animation is so gorgeous and still holds up today. It’s one of the few Disney films that made me cry, as Mufasa’s death scene, with Simba’s reaction, really make anyone, regardless of age, feel something.
Epic and ambitious, but never getting bloated, The Lion King is one of the absolute best animated film of all time. You never get bored on this ride, and if there’s a Disney film you should introduce to friends, family, or even your kids, The Lion King is definitely one of them.
I even got a computer game for it, and surprisingly, was really fun. Plus, the direct-to-video sequel, Simba’s Pride, is pretty much the only genuinely well done Disney sequels, especially as a direct-to-video.
This really put Disney on a path to being a whole new juggernaut in the entertainment industry.
1. Aladdin
My absolute favourite animated movie. It truly represents my very young childhood years.
Aladdin is the embodiment of Disney movies; fairy tale, mystical storytelling, with magic, adventure, and intrigue, combined with romance, drama, humour, and heart, and you have a perfect Disney animated film.
I could just say Robin Williams as the Genie and leave it at that. His performance will forever be legendary among voice acting, and really altered the animation landscape to get high-profile actors to do voice acting. I’d pay to see and hear every line and minute he recorded in the studio. Just have a movie on him, and I’m there. His impressions, jokes, and humour I still laugh at today.
Aladdin just made Arabia seem so intriguing and mysterious, an oasis desert waiting to be explored.
The chemistry between Aladdin and Jasmine is one of the best Disney has done. A Whole New World is my favourite Disney song, and the sequence of Aladdin and Jasmine falling for each other, exploring the world on a magic carpet, is something I wish would happen to me. If you have a magic carpet, please let me borrow it. I love that scene, full of heart, romance, and joy.
But no hero is complete without a great villain. Jafar is the best Disney villain. So cunning, intimidating, and evil. He challenges Aladdin the way a villain should, and his demise is so sweet and satisfying.
And of course, the hand drawn animation is breathtaking. I really miss hand drawn animation and hope Disney can bring it back in some capacity. It does things that 3-D just can’t, it’s its own style.
I’m pretty sure I watched this too many times, because the VHS tape was eventually getting stripped. Hey, when you love something, enjoy it as many times as you can.
No movie has captured childhood wonderment as Aladdin for me, and I don’t think any will come close.
Well that’s it. My top 10 (technically 11) animated movies. What are yours? Have you a favourite from your childhood, or more frequent as an adult? Comment below!
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