Animation in cinema is often overlooked despite the hours of artistic innovation and creativity that went into storytelling. Despite its lack of appreciation, the medium has intrigued audiences for various factors. From the aesthetic of the art to the writing, some animated films are acclaimed pieces of theatrics. Those who hesitate to give animated films a chance, or dislike the artistic approach, fail to look past the "animation is for children" stereotype.
While cartoons primarily aim at a younger audience, animation has come a long way in filmmaking. As a result, animated films deserve the acknowledgment that audiences of all ages can appreciate the form.
10 Beowulf Is Not A Kid's Movie
Though Beowulf has aged somewhat over the years, it remains a memorable moment in animation history for its impact on cinematic advances and making way for the likes of Avatar and The Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It's easy for most to recall the most visually impressive display of animated characters telling the adult-oriented story of Beowulf through motion-capture technology.
The retelling of an old European tale is intriguing, even if somewhat predictable, but explores thematic ideas of infidelity, imperfect "heroes," and faith against a backdrop of once groundbreaking animation.
9 The Prince Of Egypt Is An Academy Award Winning Spectacle
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Regardless of theological beliefs and historical accuracy, The Prince of Egypt is far more than the story of Exodus. It remains DreamWorks' best piece of cinema to date and would be impossible to top for a handful of reasons. Based on the biblical figure of Moses and his life, the story recreates a complex tale of heart, politics, and belief in an immaculate film.
For anyone who might dislike the animated format, it's easy to look past the medium and appreciate the movie for what it is. The film deserves more attention for its mature themes to the Academy award-winning animation, performances, and soundtrack.
8 WALL-E Is More Than A Charming Story About A Sweet Droid
Centuries into the future, Earth is beyond trashed, and WALL-E is one of the last working droids left to clean up the mess. The film is eerily quiet for most of the first half, but WALL-E displays a unique set of human-like emotions and mannerisms that charms the audience into watching his journey.
After finding a small sign of life--a plant--a higher-tech droid, EVE tasked with collecting the plant, becomes close to WALL-E. The two adorable robots bring the plant to the captain of a ship full of helpless humans. The movie is undoubtedly a thoughtful reflection of modern consumerism and human impact on the planet.
7 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Is A Labor Of Love
Marvel fans were gifted with one of the best Spider-Man adaptations to date when Miles Morales' Spider-Man made his debut in Into the Spider-Verse. The Sony animated feature spent years in development with over 100 animators working on its combined CG and 2D comic-book style art.
When Miles is bitten by a spider and gains extraordinary abilities, he stumbles upon Peter Parker's Spider-Man, trying to destroy a dimension-altering machine, who then gives Morales the responsibility. The film feels every bit the superhero film it intends to be while tying in various Spider-sonas and giving Miles the spotlight he deserves.
6 Happy Feet Bears An Important Message
While Happy Feet was released during the earlier years of motion-capture animation, it has remained a success. The movie focuses on a young emperor penguin who is unable to "sing" and fails to attract a mate until he embraces his born ability to "dance" and realizes more important issues outside his Antarctic home.
The computer-animated film features a star-studded cast of voice actors and popular music. Aside from its primary center being on singing and dancing penguins--which sounds silly--the movie's antagonistic force is themed around human destruction and animal/environmental welfare.
5 Mulan Is An Epic With Some Of The Most Cinematic Shots In History
For many reasons, Disney's Mulan is quite possibly the magnum opus of Disney's Renaissance era. Even those who disdain family-friendly entertainment would realize that the movie is a significant part of media. At the time, it was rare for Disney to focus on such a strong female lead, in addition to the entire cast of characters being non-stereotyped Chinese individuals.
The filmmakers attempted to recreate a Chinese legend with respect and did so in epic proportions of cinematic imagery. Audiences can appreciate some of the most stunning shots in animation.
4 Spirited Away Is Studio Ghibli's Masterpiece
Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away is a film that cemented Studio Ghibli's presence in the North American market. The story's core details a young girl venturing into a spirit world after moving with her parents. Still, it also carries more profound meanings of spiritualism, Japanese culture, and growing up.
The unique animation style that Ghibli is known for impresses audiences with a visual display of realistic scenery and impactful images. While 2D animation is frequently looked down on, viewers would find it difficult not to enjoy the cinematic artistry that earned the film an Academy.
3 The Incredibles Is Perfect For Audiences Of All Ages
Pixar's The Incredibles is a computer-animated film about a family of superheroes attempting to fit into "normal" civilian life. When Bob Parr and his wife, Helen, retire from being "supers," they settle down with three children until an ex-fan thrusts them into his maniacal plans.
Though its simple concept might be overlooked, the characters' complexity and unique personalities make the movie unforgettable. The filmmakers' ability to tie humor and heart together seamlessly resulted in a phenomenal story.
2 Kubo And The Two Strings Is Laika's Underappreciated Triumph
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Laika's Stop-Motion style came through in an immaculate portrait of storytelling with Kubo and the Two Strings. The film details a boy who tells his amnesiac mother's stories to their town. When his estranged aunts visit him, his mother uses her hidden powers to save him by sending him into an alternate dimension.
He goes to find his father's samurai armor and defeat his evil aunts. Aside from unique storytelling and breathtaking animation, the film is a moving tale of adventure and unconditional love.
1 The Iron Giant Is Perhaps The Most Underappreciated Animation Of All Time
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Development for the Warner Bros. film came from a significantly profound and heartbreaking sentiment about life, death, and everything in between. The Iron Giant is a 1999 animated feature about a young boy, Hogarth, who befriends a giant extraterrestrial robot. When the government intervenes to investigate the alien, Hogarth and the robot do their best to avoid exposure.
Several moments hint at the giant's nature of destruction but his unwillingness to harm intentionally. The film's writer-director Brad Bird developed the film's concept after losing his sister to gun violence. The theme of armed violence is prevalent, and the story does an incredible job of displaying the idea.